Annual register, or a view of the history and politics and literature for the year

L^O)l^Pe]3per

T H

ANNUAL REGISTER,

OR A V I E W OF THE

H I S T O R Y,
POLITICS,

AND

LITERATURE

For the YEAR 1779-

A NEW EDITION.

LONDON:

Printed for J, Do ds ley, in Pail -Mali. 179^,

PREFACE.

TH E Year of which v^e treat, preiented the
moft aweful appearance of public aitairs,
which this country had perhaps beheld for many
ages. All ancient fyftems of policy, relative to any
fcheme of equality or balance of power, feemed
forgotten in Europe. Friends and allies were no
more with refped to us. On the contraiy, whe-
ther it proceeded from our fault, or whether it was
merely our misfortune, mankind feemed to w^ait,
with an afped: which at befl befpoke indifference,
for the event of that ruin which was expe(fl:ed to
burft upon us.

It has happened fortunately, that the expected
evil and danger, were lefs dreadful in the encoun-
ter, than in the diftant appearance. The great
combination of the Houfe of Bourbon with th^
American Colonies, "was far from producing all
thofe efFefts which were undoubtedly expelled. If
our own fuccelTes were not great, and rather nega-
tive than dired: in their nature, our lofTes, however,
confiderable, were ftill lefs than might have been

apprehended.

PREFACE.

apprehended. It aiTords no finall room both for
latisthdrion and hope, that no diminution of na-
tional glory has taken place, through any failure of
native valrur in our Seamen and Soldiers. They
have fupportcd in all cafes, and under whatever
circumllances of difadvantage, their antient cha-
racter.

With the importance and variety of the work,
our labour has increafed; and every year of this pe-
riod, fo full of trouble both abroad and at home,
has produced fo much matter, that the bujQnefs of
one has run in upon the other. The Reader will
thus account for the delay which has annually in-
creafed. Perhaps we ought rather to apologize for
bringing out the matter fo crudely, as we are
obliged to do, to keep tolerably within time, than
for a delay rendered neceflary by the magnitude of
our tallc. Happy fhall we deem the hour, whe-n,
recurring from the horrors of war to the pleafant
ways of peace, we fhall have the pleafure 6f an-
nouncing to the Public, the glad tidings of return-
ing tranquillity.

THE

THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

For the YEAR 1779.

THE

HISTORY

O F

E U R O P E.

C H A p. I.

RetrofpeSli-ve 'vienv of American affairs in the year lyjS. Expedition t»
Bedford, Fair Haven ; atid to Martha's Vineyard. Admiral Montagut
dij'poffiffes the French of the iflands of St. Pierre, and Miquelon. Lord
Cornzvallis, and Gen. Knyphaiifen, ad-vance into the enemy'' s country, on
both fides of the North Ri-jer. Surprize of Baylor'' s^ light horfe. Succefs
cf the expedition to Egg Harbour. Surprize of Pulafki's legion. Cruel
depredations by Butler, Brandt, and the favages, on the back frontiers.
Dejiruclion of the neiu fettlement at Wyo7ning, attended iviih circumftances
tfjingular cruelty and barbarity. Col. Clarke's expediti$>i from Virginia,

for the reduilion. of the Canadian tonxins and fettlements in the Illinois
country. Confequences of Clarke's fuccefs. Expedition from Schoharie
io the Upper Suf^uehanxa. Dejiruiiion cf the Unadilla and Anaquago

fettlements.

"¥ X 7"^ ^'^^^ ^^^^'^ in our laft failure of hope with refpeft to his

Y/^ volume, that the effec- primary object, the noble Admiral

▼ ▼ tual proted^ion which immediately returned to the fuc-

the French fqaadron received from cour of Rhode Jfland, which, we

their new allies, at Bollon, had have alio feen, had been invelled.

Sept 8th ^"^^'■^^y fruftrated Lord and vigoroully attacked, by Ge-

*" /'■ g ' Howe's defign of at- neral Sullivan. And finding that

tacking D'Eitaing in ifiand already freed from danger,

that road or harbour. Upon this he proceeded to New Yorl?, where.

Vol. XXII. [J] in

*]

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

in confequence of what is under- zards Bay, in that part of New
Hood by a previous leave of ab- England called the Plymouth Co-
fence, he refigned the command lony ; which from their vicinity
of the fleet into tiie hands of Ad- to Rhode ifland and the Sound,
miral Gambier, and returned to greatly infelled the trade of New
England. York, as well as the adjacent

Sir Henry Clinton,, who had coaits of Long liland; whilit the
embarked with 4,000 men for the nearnefs of their retreats, with the
relief of Rhode Ifland, had two fmallnefs of their veflels, and the
other material objeds in view, in fhallownefs of their creeks, fecured
one or both of which he might pro- them in a great meafure from all
bably have fucceeded, if he had purfuit.

not been detained by contrary .This fervice was performed with
winds a few hours beyond his grsat efFeft by the detachment un-
time, or that Sullivan had not been ^.er the command of the Major Ge-
attentive to the danger to which he neral. Between fix i" c ^ fi,
was expofed, when he found him- the evening, when the P 5 •
felf finally abandoned by the troops were landed, and twelve,
French fleet, and in confequence on the following day, the work was
deferted by the New England vo- completely done ; deftroying in
lunteers, who compofed the better their courfe about feventy fail of
part of his force.- One of thefe ftiipping, befides a great number
was to cut cft^" Sullivan's retreat to of fmall craft. The detachment
the continent; and the other, likewife burnt or dellroyed in the
which might have been either fame manner, the magazines,
adopted as principal, or purfued wharfs, ilores, warehouTes, rope-
as a fecondary ob^cd, was to attack walks, and veflels on the flocks,
the Americans in their head quar- both on the Bedford and Fair Ha-
ters and principal place of arms at ven fides of the Acufliinet river.
Providence ; the deftrudion, or ef- The tranfports and troops pro-
fedual dismantling of which, would ceeded from Fair Haven to the
have removed an eye-fore, and ifland called Martha's Vineyard ;
conltant fource of apprehenfion, at the inhabitants of which, lik«
leaft, from the im.mediate vicinity thofe of Nantucket, were once ce-
of Rhode Ifland. lebrated for their enterprize, fltill,

Sullivan's timely retreat having and great fuccefs in the fiiheries.
frnllrated thefe dtfigns. Sir Henry This ifland being, however, the
Clinton, on his return to New reverfe of Nantucket in point of
York, dilpaiched Major General fertility, afforded a confiderable
Grey, with the fleet of tranfports and moft defirable contribution,
and troops, under the convoy of confifling of 10,000 fheep, and
Captain Fanfhawe, of the Ca- 300 oxen, for the public fervice at
rysfort frigate, upon an expedi- New York.

lion to the eaftward. The firil In the mean time, Admiral Mon-
objed of this expedition was to tague, who commanded on the
♦xterrainate feme iiefts of fmall Newfoundland flation, no fooner
privateers, which abounded in the received intelligence that D'Eflaing
fivers aud creeks adjoining to Buz- had comipenced hollilities on the

coafls

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

is

coafts of North America, than, in
confequence of provifional orders
with which he had been furnilhed
for the purpofe, he difpatched
Commodore Evans, with the Rom-
ney and fome frigates together
with a detachment of marines and
artillery, to feize on the fmall
iflands of St. Pierre and Miquelon,
which had been allotted to France
by the laft treaty of peace, for the
purpofe of curing and drying their
fi(h, and ferving as a llore-houfe
and flieher for the veflels employed
in their filhery.

As France had been particularly
reftrided by the late treaty from
fortifying thofe iflands, and equally
tied down from any increafe of a
fmall limited number of troops in
them, which were only adapted to
the fupport of the civil govern-
ment, and not to any purpoles of
defence, againft whatever might
deferve the name of enemy, this
fervice was accordingly performed
without difficulty. A capitula-
tion was granted, in confequence
cf which the Governor, with the
inhabitants, and the garrilbn, a-
mounting in the whole to about
2,000, were cranfmitted to France;
all the accommodations of habita-
tion, trade, and fifhery were de-
llroyed ; and the iflands thrown
back into their original ftatCi

Upon the return of the troops
from the Bedford expedition, and
with the contributions raifed at
Martha's Vineyard, Gen. Sir Hen-
ry Clinton determined upon ano-
ther to Egg Harbour, on the Jer-
fey coaft, where the enemy had a
number of privateers and prizes,
and what was ftill more interelling,
fome very confiderable fait works.
To draw away their attention from
the objei^s of this expedition^ and

in order alfo to procure forage and
freOi proviflons for the army. Lord
Cornwallis advanced into Jerfey
with a ftrong body ©f troops, where
he took a pofuion between New-
bridt,e, on the Hackinfack, to his
left, and the North river, to his
right. At the fame time, Lieut.
Gen. Knyphaafen, advancing with
another divifion of the army on
the Wefl Chelter fide, took a paral-
lel pofition, his left reaching to
the North River, near Wepper-
ham, and his right extending to
the Brunx.

It would not be eafy to con-
ceive any fituation more favourable
for the carrying on of military
operations with advantage. The
two divifions being only feparated
by the North River, could, by the
means of their flat beats, unite
their whole force on either fids
of it within twenty-four hours ;
whilft, by the command of the
Channel, which their marine af-
forded all the way up to the
Highlands, Wafliington's forces,
which were likewife feparated ia
the fame manner, but much more
difperfed, could not have been af-
fembled in lefs than ten days.
And even then, if he fliould quit
his ftrong ground in the High-
lands, in order to pafs over to the
relief of the Jerfeys, he muft have
fubjedled himfelf to hazard the
confequences of a general adlion,
in a country, which from its na-
ture, would have been very unfa-
vour^ible to him in fuch an event.
By this means, the provinces of
New York, and the Jv-rfeys were in
a great meafure laid open to the
army; the necefl'ary fupplies of fo-
rage and proviflons were plentiluliy
obtained; and an opportunity vvas
afforded to the weli-affcwted of

[J] 2 coming

4] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779*

coming in for proteftion or fervice.
Such was one, among the number-
IfeTs advantages, which our naval
command of .he feas and rivers af-
forded in the courie of this war.

Baylor's regiment of light horfe,
which had been lately raifed in
Virginia, and was generally called
Mrs. \\'a(hington's regiment, be-
came a vidim upon this occafion,
to the d-fign of Lord Cornwallis,
with the immediate addrels, and
prompt execution, of Major General
Grey. This regiment having been
detached with ibme militia to
watch and interrupt the foragers,
their vicinity to the North River,
in the villages of Old and New
Taapan, where they lay, with
other circumftances of fituation,
and perhaps more than any, their
unfoldierly fecurity, and careleff-
nefs with refpeft to guards and
ports, induced Lord Cornwallis to
form a plan for their furprize in
the night. In purfult of this de-
fign, whi!:l Gen. Grey, with the
light infantry, and fome other

g ■ troops, advanced* by

*ept- zyih. ^jgj^^ ^^ ^^g jgf^^ j^

furprize the eneaiy on that fide, a
detachment was made from Knyp-
haufen's corps, on the right, con-
fiiHng of the 7 lit regiment under
Col. Campbell, and an American
light corps, called the Queen's
Rangers, who having pafTed the
Nortn River, intended to have en-
closed thcDi fo efiedually, that be-
ing placed between two fires, few
or none of them cculd efcape.

Some deferters from the column
on the right, prevented the com-
pletion of the fcheme. Thefe hav-
ing at the moft critical moment,
rouzcd the militia who lay in
Islew Taapan, from their trance of
lecurit/f afforded a clear opportu-

nity for their efcape, before the co-
lumn could come up. But the Ma-
jor General conducted his divifion,
with fo profound a fiience, and
fuch excellency of order, that thejj
not only cut off a ferjeant's pa-
tro'e of twelve men, without any
noiie, but completely furrounded
the village of Old Taapan without
any difcovery, and furprized Bay-
lor's horfe, afleep and naked, in
the barns where they lay. A fe-
vere execution took place, and the
regiment was entirely ruined.

Capt. Fergufon of the 70th re-
giment, with about 300 land forces,
were detached on the expedition to
Little Egg Harbour, on the Jcrfey
coaft, under the convoy cf Capt.
Col ins of the Zebra, with two
other frigates, befides fome light
armed velTcls and gallirs, which,
f om their capacity of running into
fhallovv water, were particularly
adapted to the nature of the intend-
ed fervice.

The convoy arrived at the place,
of its deftination about the begin-
ning of Odober ; but as the wind
and other circumftances retarded
the paffage of the fhips over a bar
which lay in their wny, and that
every thing in fuch an enterprize
depended upon expedition, the
troops were crowded, as circum-"
fiances would admit, into the gal-
lies and fmall craft, which were
lightened, by taking out every
thing that was not effentially ne-
cefTary to the immediate fervice.
It feems, that the enemy having
received, fome intelligence of the
defign againll them, had fuddenly
fent out to fea fuch of their pri-
vateers as were in any degree of
readinefs, in order thereby to
evade the impending danger. The
larger of their remaining vefrds,

con-

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[■

confifting mortly of prizes, were,
for their greacer fecurity, hauled
up the river Mullicus as far as they
could go, to a place called Chefnut
Ne.k, which lay about 20 miles
from the mouth of the river. Their
fmaller privateers, and craft of dif-
ferent forts, ivere carried ftill far-
ther up into the country.

The detachment, with the lighter
armed vefTels, proceeded, through
a moft difficult paffage, to Chefnut
Neck; being obliged to work their
way at r?.ndurn through numberle s
fhoals, without the aid of a pilot,
or any kno^'ledge of the channels.
Ha\/i!ig fuccefsfuliy overcome thefe
difficuhies, they difcovered on their
arrival, an appearance of reliilance
which they could fcarcely have ex-
pefted ; one battery Ihewiiig itfelf
dole to the water-fi Je, and another,
W'ith a breali-work manned, to
cover it on an adjoining eminence.
But upon a nearer approach it vvas
difcovered, that thel'e works were
tbtally deiiitute of artillery ; a;id
the troops being landed under a
well-diredted" cannonade from the
gallies and gun-boats, the neigh-
bouring militia, who had under-
taken their defence with fmall
arms, foon found the taCc beyond
their ability, and were, with little
difficulty, and ' without any lofs,
obliged to abandon them and dif-
per.'e.

The detachment found ten vef-
fels at this place ; which were of a
confiderable fize, and moftly Britifh
prizes. Although thefe were in
general valuable, yet the difficulty
of the navigation, and the danger
of delay, rendered the carrying
them off impradicable ; they were
accordingly fired and deilroyed.
And as the trade of New York
had Offered gveaily from their de-

predations, the commanders deter-
mined to root out this nell of prii-
vateers as efFedually as polTible.
Under this determination, they dc-
ftroyed the fettlements, ftorehoufe*
and works of evwy fort.

The good will of the olncers and
troops would have led them to
complete the bufinefs, by proceed-
ing up the riier, and deltroying
the remainder of the enemy's Ihip-
ping, in their hft retreat,- at f e
forks, if the difficulties had not
appeared tco difcouraging, and the
danger too imminent to be pru-
dently encountered. The delays
which they met with in their re-
turn, ovving to the ftranding of
fome of the vefTtls, afforded an
opportunity to the troops of making
fome fuccefsful excurfions into the
neighbouring country. In thefe
they dellrcyed fome confiderable
fait work^, as well as the houfes
and fettlements of feveral perfons,
who had either been confpicuous
by their aftivity in the rebellion,
charged with oppreffion and cruelty
to the well afFefled, or who had
been concerned in the fitting out
of privateers ; a fpecies cf fervice,
however, more calculated to gra,-
tify refentments on one fide, and to
excite them on the other, than to
produce any efTential end with re-
gard to the iffje of the war.

When the troops had rejoined
the fquadron, a delay cccalioned
by contrary winds in Egg Har-
bour, afibrded an oppor;unity to
enterprizing officers for the per-
formance of new fervice, and that
of a more active and fpirited na-
ture, than what they had already
executed. A French captain, with
fome private men, who had de-
ferted from Pulalki's legion, gave
fuch an account of the carelefs
[J] z ar. annex

61

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779-

manner in which three troops of and the remains of his infantry, to

hone, and as many companies of
infantry, all belonging to that
c< rps, were cantoned, at only a
few miles diftance, that the com-
manding officers by fca and land,
judged it a fuiricient ground for
undercaking an expediiioii to fur-
piize and beat up their q^iarters.
T tie advantage of conveying the
troops by water to within a fmall
dirtance of their deftination, to-
^':r:her with the information given
b\ the uelerters of an unguarded
bridge, which lay a little on their
fide of the fcene of aft ion, the
pofi'eflion of which would ferve in
caie of neceliity, efFectually to co-
ver the retreat back to their vef-
feir, added m'.ich to the apparent
eligibility oi the defign.

The defercers fpoke truth in this
inftance, and the fuccefs was ac-
cordingly atJvverable to the ex-
peciation. Zjo men were em-
barked, who after rowing ten
jniles, were landed long before
day-light, v^ithin a mile of the
bridge and defile we have men-

harafs the detachment on their
retreat, the good countenance which
they kept, and the pofleflion of the
bridge, rendered it totally ineiFec-
tual.

Civil wars are unhappily diflln-
guifhed from all others, by a de-
gree of rancour in their profccu-
tion, which does not exift in the
hoftilities of diltir,6l nations, and
abfjlute ftrangers. They are of
courfe fruiihil in circumftances
grievous to humanity. In fuch
cafes, the moft trifling occafions,
the mofl: vague and abfurd ru-
mours, will irritate the multitude
in all armies, to afts of great ri-
gour and cruelty. An account
given by the deferters, that Pu-
iaflci had ifTued public orders, for-
bidding his corps to grajn any
quarter to the Britilh troops, af-
forded a new edge to the fury of
the fcldiers, and ihut up their bo-
foms againft every feeling of pity
or remorfe. This tale, totally un-
fuppurted, as it Ihould feem, by
any former, concurrent, or fubfe-

tioned ; thefe being feized without qucnt cixumflance, might well be
difcovery, and a proper guard left attributed to the malice of the de-
to fecure the poffclTion, the reil of ferters ; and perhaps on all fuch

the detachment pulhed forward,
and fo completely furprized Pu-
lafki's light infantry in the houfes
where they lay, as nearly to cut
them to pieces without refiftance.
The victors numbered above fifty
dead bodies. Several officers, and
among them, the Baron de Bofe,
a lientenant-colonel, with a captain,
and an adjutant, perifhed in this
flaughtdr. Capt. Ferguson ob-
ferves in his report, that it being
a night attack, little quarter could
b'; given, fo that only five prifoners
yitre taken. Though fome at-

occafions, it were better not to cre-
dit too haflily, thofe reports which
urge to afts of unufual feverity, by
charging a like intention to the
enemy.

This and the former expedition
afforded an opportunity for a re-
newal of thofe complaints, which
the Americans had fo loudly and
repeatedly made, of the inhuma-
nities and cruelties exercifed by
fome corps of the Britifh troops,
as well as by their auxiliaries. A
number of real or fuppofed fa£ls,
were now particularly fupplied by

lempt v.as made by Pula&i's horfe, the furprize of Baylor's regiment,

I'.hich

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [7

which was reprefented as a cold-
blood mafl'acre of naked men, fur-
prized in their fleep ; and who,
from a reliaacje on the laws of war
and curtoms of nauonvS, being in
full expectation of quarter when
they made no refinance, would
not lefien or hazard that fecurity,
by even an attempt to lay hold of
their arms, or the fmallefl: motion
of defence. The depdfitions of
feveral of the foldiers who had
been left as dead, or who had
otherwife unaccountably efcapcd,
were taken 4ipt)n oath, authenti-
cated in the ufual forms, and
publi(ht:d by authority. Some of
the witneffes who appeared upon
this occafion, afforded fuch extra-
ordinary inilances of the tena-
cioulnefs of human nature, in
fome particular cafes and circum-
ftances, with refpedt to life, that
a recital of the facts as they are
Ifated, may poffibly be confidered
by fome as a njiitter of phyfical
curiofity. Of abour a dozen
wounded foldiers who appeared to
givf their evidence, three had
received, in a regular gradation,
from nine to eleven ftabs each, of
bayonets, in the brealt and trunk
of the body, befides feveral wounds
in other parts.. Two others had
received, the one five, and the
other fix, ftabs in the body. It
will undoubtedly excite the admi-
ration of whoever confiders the
nature of the weapon, and the
force which it^ derives, as well
from the weight of the muficet to
which it is fixed, as from the
manner in which it is ufed, and
the ftrength of the operator, that
thefe men were not only able to
give their tellimony at a confide-
rable dillance of time, but that no

doubt feems then to have been en-
tertained of their recovery.

Although fome tribes of the In-
dians, particularly of thofe com-
monly called the Six Nations, had
ient congratulations to General
Gates on his fuccefs at Saratoga,
and feemed to enjoy great fatis-
fadion in that event, and that
others took different opportunities
of expreffi ng fimilar fentiments,
yet the preients which they con-
tinually received from England,
the indnftry of the iiricifh agents,
and the influence of the great
number of American refugees
which had taken fhelter amongft
them, all operating in conjundion
upon their own native and uncon-
querable paffion for rapine, foon
led them ,to contradift in adl,
their fentiments or profeffions upon
that occafion. The fucceis which
attended the fmalLexpeditions un-
dertaken by individuals of diffe-
rent tribes, under the guidance of
the refugees, who kne.v where to
lead them diredly to fpoil, and
how to bring them off without
danger, foon ipread the contagion
of havock through the adjoining
nations, (o that, in a little time,
deItri:(ftion raged very generally
through the new fectlements, on
the bickofthe northern and mid-
\dle Colonies.

Colonel Butler, whofe name
we have feen, as an Indian agent
and commander, in the wars on'
the fide of Canada, and who had
great influence with fome of the
norjhern nations of that people,
together with one Brandt, an half
Indian by blood, a man of de-
fperate courage, but, as it is faid
by the Americans, ferocious and
cruel beyond example, were the

[J] 4 princi-

S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

principal leaders in .hefe expedi-
tions. The vaft extent of the
frontiers, the fcattered and re-
ino:e liiuation of the fettiements,
the nature of the combined ene-
my, wnich feemed to coalefce in
one point of adion, all the pro-
perties of Britifh, American, and
lavage warfare, together with the
cxadl knowledge which the refu-
gees polleffed of every object of
xheir enterprize, and the imme-
diate intelligence which they re-
ceived from their friends on the
fpot, afforded them fuch advan-
tages in thefe expeditions, that the
wretched fettlers found all peifo-
nal reiilcance as ineffeftual, as
public protection was impradica-
ble. To complete their calamity,
fubmiffion could procure no mer-
cy, nor was age, lex, or condi-
tion, in too many inilances, ca-
pable of allaying the fury of their
enemy.

"In this courfe of havock; the
deftrudlion of the fine, new, and
floarifhing fcttlemeiu of Wyom-
ing, was particularly calamitous
to the Americans. That diftritt,
fuuated on the eallern branch of
the Sufquebanna, in a mod beau-
tiful country, and delightful cli-
xnate, although claimed by, and
in the natural order of things
ieeming properly to appertain to
Penfylvania, was notwithftanding,
fince the laft war, fettled and cul-
tivated with great ardour, by a
numerous fwar.oi from the popu-
lous hive of Coanefiicut. This
meafure was, however, fo much
opprfed and refeifted by Penfyl-
vania, ifid fo obftinately fupport-
ed by its antagonifi, that after
much akercation, it became at
li-ngin the foundation of an ac-
Uai war betv/een the two Colo-

nies, in which they engaged wjth
fuch earneftnefs, that it was not
even terminated by the conteft
with the mother-couniry, until the
danger grew fo near and fo immi-
nent to both fides, r.s of neceffity
to fuperfecc for the prefent all
other contiderations. Their re-
ipeftive charters, and the grants
of land under them, interfered
llrangely with each other. It may
b^ prefumed, that the crown in
thofe days did not take much trou-
ble in fett.ing the geography of
boundlefs waltes, uhich afforded
no immediate value, and whofe
future cultivation, or any difputes
about their limits, appeared to be
matters of fo remote and uncer-
tain a fpeculaticn, as to excite no
great degree of piefent attention.

The Colony of Conntdlicut ob-
tained by their gr?.nt, all the lands
weftward, within their proper de-
grees of latitude, to the South
Seas, which were not already oc-
cupied by other powers. New
York, and New Jerfey, were then
within that exception, being both
foreign, and they ftretched direft-
ly acrofs, in the way of that grant.
Penfylvania was afterwards grant-
ed to its proprietors, lying on the
farther fide, and in a parallel
line, with thefe two provinces.
The Connefticut men acknow-
ledged the validity of the excep-
tion with reipeft to New York
and Jerfey ; but iofifted, that their
right emerged on the weitern
boundary of thofe provinces, in
the courfe of the fuppofed line,
and could not in any degree be
afFeiftcd by a later gcant made to
Penfylvania. A claim which, if
eftablifhed, would narrow the li-
mits of the laft province to a de-
gree, which would moll materi-

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[9

jlUjt affeft its power and interefts ;
and which lying open, as it ftill
does, may poffibly be produftjve
of very material conl'equences
with refpefl to the future Hate of
America.

The fettlement of Wyoming
confifted of eight townfhips, eacft
containing a fquare of five miles.

purpofe no lefs than four forts>
which feemed, at lead, fully fuf-
ficient to cover the fetclement
from the irruptions of the fava-
ges. _ .

Eut neither the happinefs of
climate, the fertility of foil, nor
the remotenefs of ficuation, could
prevent the evils of party and po-

beautifully fituated on both fides litical difcord from fpringing up

of the Sufquehanna. In fuch a
country, fituation, and" climate as
we have defcribed, and blelt with
a foil luxuriantly fertile; where
every roan pofTcsTed an abundance,
which was, however, the fruit of
moderate labour and indultry ;
where no man was very rich, ncic
very great; the inhabitants exhi-
bited, upon rhe whole, fuch a
pidure of primeval happinefs, as
has feldom been equalled; and
fuch, indeed,- as humanity in its
prefent Hate feems fcarcely capa-
ble of exceeding.

The fettlement increafed and
throve accordingly. And not-
withftanding its infant Rate, and
the oppofuion they met from Phi-
ladelphia, population was already
become fo vigorous amongft them,
that they had fent a thoufand men
to ferve in the Continental army.
Yet, with this exceflive drain
from the cultivation of a new Co-
lony, their farms were ftill fo
loaded with plentiful crops of
every kind, and their paftures fo
abundantly covered with cattle,
that their fupplies to the army in
thofe refpedts, were at lead in
full proportion to that which they
afforded in men. Nor had they
been deficient in providing againft
thofe dangers, to which, from
their remote Situation, they were
particularly expofed ; and had
accordingly conllruded for tha:

amongft them. It might indeed
appear from the fupply of men
which they had fent to the army,
that only one political principle
pervaded the fettlemt- nt ; a fup-
ply fo ill fuited to tlie ftate and
llrength of an infant colony, that
it feems difucalt whether to ad-
mire more, the excefo of zeal
from which it proceeded, or the
total want of prudence, policy,
and wildom, under which it was
dircifted. Bat notwithllanding
this appearance, they had no in-
confiderable mixture of loyalills
among themfelves, and the two
parties were afluated by fenti-
ments of the moll violent animo-"
fity. Nor were thefe animolitiei
confined to particular families or
places, or marked by any line of
dillindtion ; but creeping within
the roofs, and to the hearths and
boards where they were lead: ex-
pedted, ferved, as it afterwards
fatally appeared, equally to poi-
fon the fources of domeftic fecu-
rity and happinefs, and to cancel
the laws of nature and humanity.

It would feem extraordinary, if
fuch inftances had not occurred
upon other occafions, that this de-
voted people had frequent and
timely warnings of the danger to
vyhich they were expofed by fend-
ing all their beft men to fo great
a diilance, without their taking
any timely meafure* for their rc»

call.

io] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

call, or even for procuring a fub-
Ititute of defence or proteftion.
Their quiet had been iiuerrupied
by the favag^-s, joined with ma-
rauding parties of their own coun-
trymen, in the preceding year ;
and it was only by a vigorous op-
pt fit ion, in a courfe of fucceis-
ful fkirmi!"hes, that they had been
driven off or difperfed. Several
of ihcfe whom they called Tories,
and others who had not before
been fufpeited, had at that time
and iince abandoned the fettle-
ment, and along with a pcrfeft,
and confequcntly dangerous know-
ledge of all the particulars of their
Situation and circumftanccs, were
well known to have carried along
with them fuch a Itock of privace
reientn-,ent, from the abafement
and infuks they had fufFered from
the prevailing party, as could not
fail to give a dirediion to the fu-
ry, and even a new edge to the
cruelty, of their favage and in-
veterate enemies.

A fort of public aft which had
taken place in the fetrlement fince
the laft invafion, was preceded
with, and produdlive of circum-
ftances, which afforded caufe for
the greateft alarm, and for every
poffible defcnfive precaution. An
ur.ufual number of grangers had,
under various pretences, and the
fanftion of that univtifal hofpitality
which once fo much diftinguifhed
America from the oW world, come
into the Colony, where their be-
haviour became fo fufpicious, that
they were at length taken up and
examined, when fuch evidence
appeared againft feveral of them,
i}{ their adling in direfi concert
with the en my, on a fcheme for
the deflruftion of the fettlements,
that about twenty were fent off

under a flrong guard to Con-
necticut, in order to be there im-
priloned and tried for their lives.
The remainder of thefe flrangc
I'ories, againlt whom no fufficient
evidence could be procured, were
only expelled. It was foon well
known, that this meafure of fend-
ing their fellows to Connedlicof,
had excited the rage of thofe call-
ed Tories, in general, whether
in arms on the frontiers, or other-
wife, in the molt extreme de-
gree ; and that all the threats
which had ever been denounced
againft this people, were now
renewed with aggravated ven-
geance.

As the time approached for the
final cataftrophe, the Ind^ians
pradtifed a more' refined dilTimu-
lation, if not greater treachery,
than had been cuitomary with
them. For feveral weeks previ-
ous to the intended attack, they
repeatedly fent fmall parties to
the fettlement, charged with the
ftrongeft profefiions of fiiendfiiip,
declarations of the fullell defire
and intention to preferve the peace
inviolate on their fide, and re-
quefts, that the fame favourable
and pacific difpofition might be
entertained and cultivated on the
other. Thefe parties, befides lul-
ling the people in their prefent
deceitful fecurity, anfwered the
purpofes, of communicating with
their friends, and of obferving
the immediate ilate of affairs in the
Colony. Some alarm, or fealo
of their danger, began, however,
to fpread among the people, and
letters were fent to General V/ath-
ington, and to others in authori-
ty, reprefenting their fjtuation,
and demanding immediate affilt-
ancc. As the time more nearly
approached^

- HISTORY OF EUROPE.

ipproached, fome fmall panics of
the enemy, mure impatient than
the rell, or more eager and covetous
to come in fcr the firft fruits of the
fpoil, made fudden irruptions into
the fcttlement, and committed le-
veral robberies and mu.'dcrs; in the
courfe ot which, whether thro'.gh
ignorance, or whether from a toial
contempt of all ties and obliga-
tions, they maflacred the unhappy
wife and 6ve children ot one of
tiiofe men, who had been fent for
trial, in their own caul'e, to Connec-
ticut.

At length, in the begi.aing of
July, 1778, the enemy appeared
fiiddenly, but in full force, on
the Sufqueh-inna. They nere led
by Butler, that diftingu-lhed par-
tizan, whofe name we have alria-
dy mentioned ; who was alfiiled
by moll c f thofe leaders, who, like
him, had rej.dered themfclves ter-
rible in the prefent frontier war.
Their force was eilirnated at about
1,600 men, of whom, fomething
lefs than one-fourth were Indi-
ans, led by their own chiefs ; the
others were difguifed and painted
in fuch a manner, as not to be
diftiiiguiihed from the fai-ages,
excepting only their - tficers, who,
bemg drefTed in regimentals, car-
ried the appearance of regulars.
One of the fmaller forts, which
was moftlv garrifoned by thofe
called Tories, was by them given
up, or as it was faid betrayed.
Another was taken by ftorm,
where, although they maffacred
the men in the moft inhuman man-
ner, tfaey fpared the women and
children.

It feems odd enough, if not fin-
.gular, that another Colonel But-
ler, and faid to be a near relation
to the JQvader, fhould chance to

have the defence of Wyoming, ei-
ther committed to his ch. rge, or
by fome means fall to his lot,
'Ihis niMti, with nearly the whole
force of the lettlement, was tta-
tioned in the p incipal fort, called
Kingfton ; whither alto, the wo-
men, children, and defencekfs of
all forts, as the only place of
common refuge, crowded or fliel-
tcr and i.rotedlion. It would
leem, frf m his fituation and force
in that" place, that he migi.t there
have waited, and fucceh fully re-
fifted, all the attempts of the
enemy. But this man was fo
wretchedly weak, that he fuffered
himfelf to be enticed by his name-
fake and kiniman, to abandon the
advantage and fecurity afforded by
his fcrtrefs, and to devote thofe
under his charge to certain de-
ttruftion, by expoiing them naked
to fo lev; re an enemy. Under the
coio'Jr of holding a parley for the
conclufion of a treaty, he was led
into an agreement, chat upon the
enemy withdrawing cheir force,
he Ihoiild march out to hold a
conference with them in the open
field, and that at To great a dif-
tance from the fort, as fliut out
every poflibility of the proteitioti
which it otherwjfe afforded To
render this raeafure fti!l more un-
accountable, he, at the fame time,
fhewed fo great a diltruft of the
enemy, and feemed fo thoroughly
apprehenfive of their defigns, that
he marched 400 men well armed,
being nearly the whole flrength of
his garrifon, to guard his perfon to
the place of parley.

Upon his arrival there, he was
greatly furprized at finding no-
body to treat with ; but not being
willing to return without finilhlng
his bufinefs, he advanced towards

the

12] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the foot of the neiehbouring moun-
tains, llill hoping that he might hear
or fee fomething of thole he want-
ed. As the country began to grow
dark aud woody, a flag at length ap-
peared, at a conliderable ciltance
among the bufliei, the holders of
Ht.ich iecined lb much afraid of
treachery and danger from his fide,
that they retired as he advanced ;
whilft he, endeavouring to reniove
this ill impreflion, rtill purlued the
flag.

This commander of a garri-
fon did net once perceive his dan-
ger, until his party was thorough-
ly enclofed, and he was fuddenly
awakened from his dream, by
finding it attacked at once en
every fide. His behaviour in this
wretched fituation, could (carcely
have been expeded from the con-
duct which led him into it. He
and hia party, nouvithltanding thofe
circumliances of iurprize and dan-
ger which might have diiconcerted
the moll veteran troops, fought
with refolution and bravery ; and
kept up fo continual and heavy a
fire for three quarters of an hour,
that they feemed to gain a marked
fuperiority over their numerous
enemy

In this critical moment cf dan-
ger, fome ludden impulfe of fear,
or premeditated treachery in a
iolaier, which induced him to cry
out aloud that the colonel had or-
dered a retreat, determined at
once the fate of the party, and
pollibly that of the final author of
their ruin. In the ilate of con-
fufion that enfusd, the enemy
breaking in on all fides without
obllruction, commenced an unrefifted
flaugh;er. L-onfidering the great
fuperiority of numbers on the fide
of the victors, the ^eetnefs of tLs

favages, and the fiercenefs of the
wiiole, together with the manner in
which the vanquifh 'd had been ori-
ginally furrounded, it affords no
Imall room for aftonilhment, that
the commander of the garrifon, with
about feventy of his party, fhould
have been able to effeft their efcape,
and to make their way good to a
fmall fort on the other fide of the
river.

'The conqnerors immediately in-
veiled Fort K.ingiton, and to cheer
the drooping fpirits of the weak
remaining garrifon, ient in for their
coniempladcn the bloody fcaips of
200 of their late rel-.tions, friends,
and comrades. Colonel Dennifon,
the prefent commander of the fort,
feeing the impolTibility of any ef-
fedtual defence, not having force
fufficient even to man the works for
one effort, went with a flag to But-
ler, to know what terms he would
grant on a furrender ; to this ap-
plication of weakneis and mifery,
Butler, with all the phlegm of a
real favage, anfwered in two fhort
words, " the hatchet." In thefe
dreadful circumliances, the unfor-
tunate governor having defended
his fort, until moll of the garrifon
were killed or difabled, was at
length compelled to furrender at
difcretion. Some q( the unhappy
perfons in the fort were carried
away alive ; but the barbarous
conquerors, to fave the trouble of
murder in detail, fhut up the great-
er part promilcuoully in the houfes
and barracks, which having then
fet on fire, they enjoyed the fa-
vage pleaiure of beholding tse
whole confuaied in one general ,
blaze.

They then proceeded to the on-
ly remaining fort, called Wilkef-
borou^h, wfiicb, iu top^ of oi#-
tainiD|'

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[13

taining mercy, was furrendered
withcu: refiftance, or without even
demanding any conditions. Here
the tragedy was renewed with ag-
gravated horrors. They found
here about leventy of that fort of
militia, who are engaged by the
different provinces, merely for the
guard and defence of their refpec-
tive frontiers, and who are not
called to any other fervice. With
ihefe, as objefts of particular en-
mity, the {laughter was begun ;
and they were butchered with
every poffible .ciicumltance of the
molt deliberate, wanton, and fa-
vage cruelty. The remainder of
the men, with the women and
children, not demanding fo much '
particular attention, were Ihut up
as before in the houfes, which
being fet on fire, they perifhed all
together in the fiames.

A general fcene of devaftation
was now fpread through al! the
tcwnfhips. Fire, fword, and the
other different inftruments of de-
ftruLlion alternately triumphed.
The corn fields were let on fire, and
the llanding corn, now almoft
ready lor the fickle, burnt as it
grew. The hcufe?, furniture,
valuables of every kind, together
with all thofe in)provem.^nts which
Dived their rife to the perfevering
toil, and patient induftry of man,
were as completely deftroyed, as
their nature, or the indullry
of the fpoilers would admit.
The fettiements of the Tories
alone, generally efcaped, and
appeared as iflands in the midil of
the iurrounding ruin. It has been
jften observed, that the p.aflice
and hib't of cruelty with refpett
to any particular objeft, begets a
Facility in its execotion, and a
iifpofition to i:i commiflion, with

regard to all others. Thus, thcfe
mercilefs ravagers, when the main
objeds of their cruelty were ex-
haufted, feemed to diretl their
animofity to every part of livinj
nature ; and, as if it were a relax-
ation or amufcnr.ent, cut out the
tongues of the hcries and cattle,
leaving them iHll alive only to
prolong their agonies.

The following are a few of the
more Angular or detached circum-
flances of barbarity, which are re-
lated as parts of this maffacre. A
Captain Bedlock, who had been
taken prifoner, being llripped
naked, had his body ftuck full of
fharp pine fplinters, and then a
heap of knots of the fame wood
being piled round him, the whole
was fet on fire, and his two com-
panions, the Captains Ranfon and
Durgee, thrown alive into the
fli'mes. It is faid, tn.at the re-
turned Tories, who had at different
times abandoned the fettleraent in
order to join in thofe favage expe-
ditions, were the moft diltinguilhed
for their cruelty. Among thefe,
one, whofe mother had married a
fecond hufband, butchered with
his own hands, both her, his
faiher-in law, his own fillers, and
their infant children. Another,
who, during his abfence, had fent
home feveral threats againft the life
of his father, now not only realized
them in perfon, but was himfelf,
with his own hands, the extermi-
nator of his whole family ; mo-
ther, brothers, and fillers, mingled
their blood in one common car-
nage, wi:h that of the ancient huf-
band and father.

However painful the tafk of re-
citing fuch horrible barbarities,
(many of the wcrrt circumltances
OX which are fpared) it may not

be

14] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

be' totally ufelefs, if they ferve to
produce a diflike of that prompti-
tude of entering iav wars, which
is but t'O natural to people, as
well as to princes, when they i'^e
the confequences, which their paf-
fion, often for trivial and con-
temptible objerts, lo frequently
produce ; and by which they are
led gradually, not only to great
crimes and great miffortunes, but
even to a total change and di^gra-
dation of their nature

It is neceffary to obferve with re-
fpeft to the deilruction of Wyom-
ing, tliat as no narrative of the ex-
ploits of the leaders in that tranf-
adion, whether by authority or
otherwife, has as yet appeared in
this country, we can only rely, for
the authenticity of the fafts which
we have Hated, upon the accounts
publifhed by the Aniericans. As
thefe have already been long ex-
pofed to the view of all Europe,
without their yet producing a fingle
contradidiion, any natur;;l, but im-
proper partiality, which iiiight be
a t'^mptacion to induce us, either
to draw a veil over the whole, or
to fuppref? any of the parts of that
tranfaction', would therefore of courfe
be as fruidefs in the efted, as dif-
graceful in the deiign. Happy fliould
we deem it, for the honour of huma-
nity, that the whole account was de-
monftraced to be afable. The event
has already fhewn the impolitic na-
ture of thefe proceedings, which
have only ferved to fix a bitter and

tion) were little lefs deplorable,
than thofe of their friends who had
perifliedin the ruins of their houfes.
Difperfed and wandering in the fo-
refts, as chance and fear direfted
their fteps, without any mutual
knowledge or communication, with-
out provifion or covering, they had
a long tra£t of defarts to traverfe,
without guide or diredion. They
accordingly fuffered every degree
of diilrefs. Several women were
delivered alone in the woods, at a
great dillance from every poflibility
of relief. If thefe, through vigour
of mind, or ftrength of conititu-
tion, efcaped, "undoubtedly others,
in fimilar, and in different circum-
ilances, perifhed.

Although the fate of Wyoming,
and the lamentations of the fur-
vivors, had ferved alternately to
freeze every breaft with horror,
and to melt it wih compaflion;
yet the various objeds and exigen-
cies of the war, rendered the Ame-
ricans incapable for the prefent,
of executing that vengeance on
their favage enemy, which was,
however, fully intended at a proper
feafon. Some fmall expeditions
were, indeed, undertaken, which,
from the difficulties attending
them, and the fpirit of enterprizc
under which they were conducted,
were not dertitute of merit, and
confequer.tly, are not unv?orthy of
obfervation, in the narrative of a
campaign not diflinguilhed by any
adivity in the great and fplendid

lading refentmcnt in the minds of operations of war.

the colonifts.

The fufFerings of the refugees,
confifting moUly of women and
children, (the broken parts, and
icattered relicks of families, who
had efcaped to the woods during
the different fcenes of this devaHa-

Of this fort was an expedition
undertaken in the courfe of the
fummer from Virginia, under th€
cor.dud of a Col. Clarke, with 9
fmall party of between two and
three hundred men. It cannot but
appear aftonilbing to ihofe, who

hav0

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

['5

ave been generally ufed to con-
emplatc military operations, only
s they are circumfcribed within
he narrow confines of European
ountries, that the objed: of this
nterprize was at fo vaft a dillance,
s that the party, in their way,
vere obliged to traverfe no lefs
han about 1200 miles, of a
)ound!efs, uncultivated, and un-
nhabited wafte, through which
iiey were under a neceffity of con-
veying every neceffary for fub-
iltence, and every equipment for
iftion. It is, however, to be ob-
"erved, that their conveyance, for
much the greater part of the way,
jvas by water.

Their objedl was the reduiflion
Df thofe French fettlements, which
kad been planted by the Canadians
3n the upper Miffifippi, in that fine
and fertile region, as it is defcribed,
which taking its name from a noted
nation of Indians, is called the Il-
linois country. It appears, that
much of the mifchief which had
fallen upon the fouthern and mid-
dle colonies trom the incurfions of
the favages, had been attributed to
the aftivity of the governor of thofe
fettlements; who, fmce the com-
mencement of the troubles, adling
as an agent for government, and
paying large rewards for fcalps,
had befides been indefatigable in
his continual endeavours of excit-
ing the Ohio and Miflifippi In-
dians, to undcrt:ike expeditions
againft the back fettlements. This
conduft was the motive to the pre-
fent diftant expedition.

The party, after a long courfe
down the Monongahela, -and what
might be confidered in point of
extent, as a voyage, on the Ohio,
.arrived at length at the great falls
of the laiter, within about 60 miles

of its mouth, where they hid their
boats, and bent their courfe by
land to the northward. In this
ftage of the expedition, after con-
fuming all the provifion vvhich they
had been able to carry on their
backs, they endured a hard march
of two days without any fuilenance.
We may therefore well credit their
affertion, that when they arrived in
this hungry ftate, about midnight,
at the town of Kafkalkias, they
were unanimoufly determined to
take it or to perilh in the attempt.

This town contained about 250
houfes, and was fufficiently fortified
to have withllood a much ftronger
enemy; bat as the imagined fecu-
rity which the people derived from
their remotenefs, forbad all ideas of
danger, it of courfe fuperfeded all
precaution againft a furprize. This
was accordingly as complete as
poffible. The town arsd fort were
taken, without noife or oppcfition,
before the people were well awake ;
and the inhabitants were lo effec-
tually fccured, that not fo much
as a iingle perfon efcaped to alarm
the neighbouring fettlements. The
governor, Philip Rocheblave, who
Wis confidered as fo inimical to the"
Americans, was fent to Virginia,
with all the written inftruftions
which he had received from
Quebec, "Detroit, and Michilli-
mackinack, for fetting on and pay.
ing the indians. The inhabitant*
were compelled to take an cath of
allegiance to the United States ;
and the fort became the principal
citadel and head quarters of the
vidliors.

A fmall detachment which was
pufhed forward from this place on
horfeback, furprized and took with
as little difficulty, three other
French towns, which lay from

fifieen

i6] ANNUAL RE

fifteen to about feventy miles far-
ther up the Miflifippi. In all, the
inhabitants feem to have transfer-
red their allegiance with great fa-
cility ; nor were thoie difperfed in
the country behind - hand with
them ; who, without waiting for
any operation of force or necelHty,
flocked ia by hundreds to take the
new oath.

The fituatlon ofthisfmnll party,
in the heart of the Indian country,
at the back of fome of their moll
cruel and hoible tribes, in the
track of many others, and more or
lefs in the way of all, was converted
to peculiar advantage, by the ex-
traordinary adivity, and unwearied
fpirit of their commander. He di-
rtded and timed his attacks with
fuch judgment, and executed them
with fuch filenceand difpatch, that
the favages, at length, ibund their
own mode of war etfeftually turned
upon them. Surprized in their
inmoft retreats, and xnoft fequeilcr-
cd receffcs, at thofe times and fea-
fons, when they were fcarcely lefs
indifpofed for aflion, than unpre-
pared for defence, they experienced
in their own huts and families, that
unexpeded flaughter and deltruc-
tion, which they had fo frequently
carried home toothers. Thus feel-
ing, in the molt fenfible manner,
thofe calamities which they were
only wont to adminifter, they grew
cautious and timid ; and the con-
tinual dant;er to which their fami-
lies were expofed, damped, for a
tvhile, the ardour of the warriors
JH undertaking expeditions. ' In the
mean time, the Americans in the
back fettlements, not only hearing
of Clarke's fucceffes, but imme-
diately feeling their benefit, began
to (hake off their terror, and even
feemed by degrees to partake of his
fpirit and enterprize.

GISTER, 1779;

An expedition, in fome degrctf
of the fame nature, was alfo un-
dertaken, from the remote and up-
per parts of Penfylvania in the
month of Odober, under the con-
dud of a Col. Butler ; the prefcnt
beii>g, however, as much direfted
againlt feveral confiderable fettle-
ments belonging to thofe people
whom they called Tories (and who,
from the violence of their paft hof-
tilities, had become particularly
obnoxious), as againll the Indians,
with whom they feem to have been
intermixed as on^ people. This
party, which confifled of a Penfyl-
vania regiment, covered by rifle-
men and rangers, took its depar-
ture from Schoharie ; and having
gained the head of the Delaware,
marched down that river for two
days J from whence, turning off to
the right, they ftruck acrofs the
mountains to the Sufquehanna,
which was the fcene of adion.

Without entering into a detail of
particulars, 4t will be fufficient to'
obferve, that they totally burnt
and deflroyed, both the Indian
caftles or villages in that quarter,
and the other fettlements. But
that, notwithllanding the utmoft
addrefs and precaution were prac-
tifed for the purpofe of a complete
furprize, the inhabitants, both To-
ries and Indians, had the fortune
toefcape; a deliverance of no fmalf
moment in their fituation ; as the
vengeance for Wyoming, where
they bore a diftinguiflied part,
would undoubtedly have fallen
heavy upon them. The deflruc-
tion was extended for feveral miles
on both fides of the Sufquehanna ;
in the courfe of which, the fruits
of a plentiful harveft, together with
the only faw-mill and grift-mill in
that whole coiintry, fliared an equal
faje with the houfes and every

other

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [17

other article ufeful or neceffary to
man.

The difficulties, diftrefles, and
dangers, which the party encoun-
tered in this expedition, w^ere pe-
culiar to that part of the world;
and required no i'mall fhare of that
patient fortitude, and hardinefs of
body and mind, which can fcarcely
be acquired without long habitude,
under certain marked circumftances
of fituation, by any confiderable
number of men. Notwithilanding
the occaiional affiftance which they
derived from their pack - horfes,
they were under a necelTity of car-
rying fix days provifions on their
backs ; and thus loaded, continu-
ally to wade through rivers and
creeks of fuch a depth and magni-
tude, that they would fcarcely ap-
pear pafTable, without any incum-
brance, to men unufed to fuch fer-
vice. In thefe circumltances, after
the toil of a hard march, and in
fome fituations not. venturing to
make fires for fear of difcovery,
they were obliged to endure, with-
out cover, the chilling nights and
heavy rains peculiar to that climate
andfeafon; whilll their armb were

rendered ufelefs, at thofe times
when they were moft liable to the
fudden attack of an enraged and
cruel enemy, vvhofe principal effort
lay in that fort of furprize. Thefe
were, however, only fmall matters,
when compared with the danger
which awaited their return, and
which they hardly efcaped. This
was the fudden rifing of the great
rivers in their way, occafioned by
the continual rains, whilft they
were llill in the enemies country,
(who were very lirong in that quar-
ter) their provifions nearly expend-
ed, and every moment affording
frefh room for apprehenfion, that
their return would become totally
imprafticable. A ftrenuous and bold
exertion, to which fortune was, at
leaft, negatively favourable, pre-
vented the fatal confequences of
that event.

In this manner, the favage part
of the war was carried on in Ame-
rica with mutual boidnefs and per-
feverance; and wafle and cruelty
inflided and retorted, with infinite
variety of fcenes of horror and
difguft.

Vpl. XXII.

m

CHAP.

t8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

CHAP. II.

Revieiv of conciliatory nieajures purfued hy the commijjioners for reforing
peace to America. Attempt to open avd Jmocth the nvay to a ticgociation hy
private communicalicns and correjpondence , fails in the effeSl, and is highly
rcfemed hy the Congrcfs. Refoluticus hy that hody againjl holding any
communication or inter courfe luith one of the commjjioncrs. Gentleman in
quejtion, declines ailing any longer in the commijjiony and publijhes a
declaration in anfnver to the Congrefs. Declaration from the remaining
commijjioners in anjhuer to that hody. Final manifjio and proclamation
by the commijjioners. Cautionary meajures recommended by the Congrefs
to the people ; J'olloived hy a counter manifejio, threatciiing retaliation.
Singular letter fern the Marquis de la FuyettCy to the Earl of Carlifle.
American expedition for the reduction of the Briti/hjettlements in the country
of the Natchesj on the borders of the MiJJtJippi. Expedition from Ne^w
York, under the conduB of Cofnmodore Parker and Colonel Campbell, for
the reduSlion of the prcvince of Georgia. Landing made good, and the
rebels defeated. To^wn of Sa'vannah taken, and the province in general
reduced. Major-Gencral Prcvf arrives Jrom the Jauthiuard', takes the
town and fort of Sunbury, and afumes the principal command.

IT affords no fmall degree of
pleafing relaxation, to return
from all the rage of war, and all
the horrid ferocity of favages, and
once more to tread in the pleafing
paths of civil life. We have in-
deed beheld the firll in its moft
fhocking and degraded form.
Stripped of all that "pomp, pride,
" and circumftance," which ferve
fo flrongly to fafcinate the imagin-
ation, and diveiled of that glare of
glory, which throws a (hade over
its deformities, the ghailly carcafs
has not only been expofed in all its
nakcdnefs, but polluted and dif-
tained by the bloody hands of bar-
barians. From ib horrid a fcene
we naturally turn with pleafure, to
trace the tranquil mazes of nego-
ciation, and to review the afts and
conduft of men in the moft refined
(late of fociety.

We briefly ftated in our laft vo-
lume, the infuperable difficulties

which the Congrefs had thrown ift
the way of that conciliatory fyftcm,
with which the Commiflioners had
been charged from England to
America ; and that an acknowledg-
ment of independency, or the total
withdrawing of the military force,
were the peremptory and only con-
ditions held out by the former,
upon which they would admit the
opening of any negociation. One
of the gentlemen who was appoint-
ed in the commiflion, having ferved
in the navy, on the American coaft,
and afterwards been governor of a
province there, had formed con-
fiderable connexions, and an ex-
tenlive acquaintance in that coun-
try; and he now hoped that thefe
circumftances might be of effential
fervice, by ufing them as means to
facilitate the attainment of the
great objeft in view. This feemed
the more feafible, as his parlia-
mentary conduft fince that time,

h«d

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [19

liad been in fuch direft oppofition
to all thofe meafures, which were
deemed hoftile or cpprellive with
regard to the Colonies, that it
could fcarcely fail of greatly in-
creafing, inftead of dimininiing,
any influence which he might then
have acquired. Under t lefe cir-
cumllances he deemed it rsafonable
to conclude, that the direcl appli-
cations of friendlhip, under the
covert and freedom of a private
correfpondence, together with the
fanftion of perfonal elleem and
opinion, might operate more hap-
pily in fmoothing or removing
thofe difficulties which flood in the
"Way of an accommodation, than
the ftifF, tedious, and formal pro-
ceedings of public negociation. He
was befides well aware, as indeed
it was publicly avowed, that the
Commiffioners laboured under the
capital impediment, of the Ame-
ricans, with whom they were to
treat, placing no manner of confi-
dence in the faith or equity of the
authority under which they adled ;
but that on the contrary, their dif-
truft of adminiftration had grown
fo long, and was become fo rivet-
ted and confirmed, that they fuf-
pefled every propofal that was
made, as held out only to circum-
vent ; and as the mere offspring of
duplicity and treachery. To re-
move this ill impreffion, would
have been evidently an objeft of
the utmoft importance towards the
opening of a negociation, and the
hope of entering into a treaty. But
if the accomplilhment of this ap-
peared to be an impradicability,
it did not feem a very unreafonabie
expeftation, that the charafter
which this gentleman had acquired
in his political capacity, of being
an avowed friend to the rights and

conflitutional liberties cf America*
further flrengthened and confirmed
by the known principles of the op~
pofition in general, with whom he
had fo long adted in parliament,
might produce that neceffary de~
gree of confidence in a private,
which unhappily could not be ob-
tained in a public negociation.

Under fome of thefe, and per-
haps other ideas, he endeavoured
to commence or retiew a private
correfpondence with feveral mem-
bers of the Congrefs, and other
perfons of confideration. Thus in
fa(ft, endeavouring to eflablifh a
double fyftem of negociation; the
one, ortenfible, with the Congrefs
at large ; the other, unfeen and
private, with individuals whofe in-
fluence might not only facilitate,
but even in Ibme degree diredl,
the proceedings of the former.
Some of thefe letters, which have
been publifhed, feem rather of au
unufual call, confidering the pecu-
liar circumftances and fituation of
the writer. While, as a common
friend to both countries, he pa-«
thetically lamented their mutual
calamities, he feemed no way fpar-
ing in his cenfure of the condufl
and meafures on the fide of govern-
ment which led to the prefent
troubles ; nor did he any more fup-
port the julfice of the original
claims fet up by the mother coun-
try, than he did the prudence or
policy of endeavouring to enforce
them. Upon the whole, he ufed
a freedom with the authority under
which he aded, not cultomary with
thofe entrulled with delegated
power, and afforded fuch a degree
of approbation to the conduct of
the Americans in the pad refiflance
which they had made to it, as is
fcldom granted by negociators tb

40] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

their opponents. But it was per-
haps not ill fitted to confirm that
charaftcr of neutrality, which might
have helped him to infiniiate him-
felf into the minds of the Ame-
ricans.

However right the principles
jnight be, upon which this infinu-
ating fcheme of conciliation was
adopted, its effefls were rather mi-
toward ; and the Congrefs afFeded
to confider it in a very different .
point of view, from that in which
Jt had been wifhed or intended to
be placed. The firft inftance of
this difpofition that appeared, was
in a refolution paffed by the Con-
grefs, about a week after their firft
communication with the Com-
miffioners. In this, after ftating
iimply as a fad, and without any
particular diredion, that many let-
ters addreffed to individuals of the
United States, had been lately re-
ceived through the conveyance of
the enemy, and that fo^ne of thefe
were found to contain ideas, infidi-
cufly calculated to divide and de-
lude the people; they, therefore,
earneftly recommended to the go-
Ternments of the refpeftive ftates,
and rtrictly directed the commander
in chief, and other officers, to take
the moft effeftual mcafures for put-
ting a flop to fo dangerous and
criminal a correfpondcnce.

This Wis followed by a refolu-
tion in the beginning of July, that
all letters of a public nature, re-
ceived by any members of Con-
grefs, from the agents, or other
fubjeds of the King of Great-Bri-
tain, (hould be laid before that
body. It need fcarcely be doubted,
that the contents of ihefe objefts
of enquiry were already well
known^ but this meafure afforded
a fandion to the diiclofure of pn-

vate and confidential correfpon-
dcnce, which was indeed neceffary
to leffen its odium, and at the fame
time held out authorized ground to
the Congrefs, whereon to found
their intended fuperftrufture. Se-
veral letters being accordingly laid
before them, a paffage in one, from
Governor Johnftone to General Jo-
feph Reed, and in another, from
that gentleman to Mr. Morris, to-
gether with an account given by
General Reed, of a verbal meffage
or propofal delivered to him by a
lady, afforded an opportunity to
Congrefs for entering into thofe
violent meafures, by which they
interdicted ail intercourfe and cor-
refpondcnce with Mr. Johnrtone.

The firlt of thefe exceptionable
paffages, went no farther than a
ibrt of general propofition, that
the man who could be inftrumental
in reftoring harmony between both
countries, would deferve more from
all the parties concerned in or af-
feded by the quarrel and recon-
ciliation, " than ever yet was be-
" flowed on human kind." — The
fecond, in the letter to Mr. Mor-
ris, was more particular. After a
comphmentary declaration, of be-
lieving the men who conduded the
affairs of America incapable of be-
ing influenced by improper mo-
tives, it, however, proceeds upon
the fubjed of the negociation in
the following terms: — *' But in
** all fuch tranfadicns there is
" rifque ; and I think that vvho-
♦* ever ventures fhould be fecured,
*' at the fame time that honour
" and emolument Ihould naturally
" follow the fortune of thofe who
" have fleered the veffel in the
** ftorm, and brought her fafely
«' to port. I think that Walhingtoa
" and the Prefideiat have a right

«' to

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [21

« to every favour that grateful na-
" tions can bellow, if they could
«' once more unite our interelts,
** and fpare the niiferies and devaf-
" tations of war."

But the tranfadion in which
the lady was concerned, aftbrded
the principal ground for that in-
dignation and refencment expreffed
by the Conr;refs. This matter, as
ftated by General Reed, went to a
propofal of engatMi.g the intereft
of that gentleman in promoting
the objeft of the Cvimir.iflion, via.
a re-union between the two coun-
tries, in which Cient, he fhould
receive an acknowledgment from
government often thoufand pounds
fterling ; together with any office
in his iVIajefty's gift in the colo-
nies. To which, iVir. Reed, find-
ing (as he fays) that an anfwer was
cxpeded, replied, that, " he was
" nof worth purchaiing; but fuch
*' as he was, the King of Great-
" Britain was not rich enough to
« do it."

. , The Conerefs if-

Aue. 1 1 th. ^ J , &,

° Q lued a declaration,

' ' * including three refo-
lutions, upon the fubjedt, which
they fent by a flag to the Britifh
Commifiioners at New-York. The
declaratory part contained a recital
at length of thofe palTages in the
letters which we have taken notice
of, together with the particulars of
the converfation which had pafled
between Mrs. Fergufon, the lady
in queftion, and General Reed. By
the refolutions they determine.
That the contents of the faid para-
graphs, and the particulars in
Reed's declaration, cannot but be
confidered as direft attempts to
corrupt and bribe the Congrefs of
the United States of America,
f hat, as they feel, fo they ought

to demonftrate, the higheft and
moll: pointed indignation againft
fuch daring and atrocious attempts
to corrupt their integrity. — And,
" That . it is incompatible with
*•' the honour of Congrefs to hold
" any manner of correfpondence
" or intercourfe with the faid
" George Johnftone, Efq; efpe-
" cially to negociate with him
*• upon affairs, in which the caufe
" of liberty and virtue is inte-
« relied."

Thefe proceedings drew out aa
exceedingly angry and vehement
declaration from the gentleman in
quellion; in which, whatever fufii-
ciei'it caufe he had for indignation
and refentment, tlie immediate
operations of paffion were, perhaps,
rather too apparent. Thole per-
fony, and that body, which were
lately held up as examples of virtue
and patriotifm to all mankind, and
whofe names feemed to be equalled
vvitii the molt celebrated in an-
tiquity ; were now, not only found
to be deftitute of every virtue un-
der heaven ; but were diredly
charged with being the betrayers
and deftroyers of their country ;
with afting diredtly contrary to
the fenfe and opinion of the people
in general, and of facrificing their
dearell interelts to the moll un-
worthy and bafe motives ; and with
deluding their uuhappy conlti-
tuents, xnd leading them blindfold
to irretrievable ruin. After charg-
ing the Congrels with forgetting
every principle of virtue aod li-
berty, it creates no furprize that
he declares himfelf indifferent as
to their good opinion ; nor that
their refoiution was fo far from be-
ing a matter of offence to him, that
he rather confidered it as a martc
of diilindion.

42] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

With rcfpett to the h&.s or
charges Itatc-d by the Congrefs,
they are reither ablblutely denied,
ror ackncwltdged, by Mr. John-
llone in this piece; he eonfequcntly
does not enter into any jultiiication
of his own condu(^l; but declares
a refervation to hinfilelf of the li-
berty, if he Ihould think proper,
of publiihing, before he left Ame-
rica, fuch a j unification, againft
the afperijons thrown on his cha-
racter. He alio feems indirectly
to deny the charge, by attributing
the refolutious to the malice and
treachery of the Congreis, who in-
tended them only for the purpofes
of inflaming their wretched con-
llituents to endure all the calami-
ties of war, and as a means for
continuing their delufion, thereby
to frullrate all the good effedts
intended by the commiffion for the
reftoration of tranquillity. But to
defeat their purpofes in this re-
iped, he declared that he Ihould
for the future decline acting as a
commiflioner, or taking the fmalieft
fhare in any bufmels, whether of
negociation or other, in which the
Congrefs* ftiould be any way con-
cerned. It may not be unnecelTary
here to obferve, that this gentle-
man afterwards abfolutely diiovvned
the particular tranfadlion with Mr.
Reed,

The tone of this publication,
accorded but badly with the high
and Mattering elogiums, which this
gentleman hai fo lately bellowed
on the Ameiicans, in thofe very
letters which were the fubjeft of
the prefent conteft. In one of
thefc, to Mr. Dana, is the tbllow-
ing remarkable pafTage : — " If you
^' follow the example of Britain in
f the hour of her pride, infolence,
f' and roadnefs, and tefufe to hear

" us, I ftill expeft, fince I am
" hero, to -have the privilege ©f
" conjing among you, and feeing
" tiie country ; as there are many
•' men, whofe virtues I admire
*' above Greek and Roman names,
" that I Ihould be glad to tell my
" children about." The fame re-
queit, in equivaltint terms, appears
in a letter to Mr. Laurens, the
prefident; and in that to General
.Reed, among other not diffimilar
exprelhons are the following,—
" Your pen and your iword have
" both been ufed with glory and
*' advantage in vindicating the
" rights of mankind, and of that
" community of which you was a
" part. Such a conduft, as the
" firll and fuperior of all human
f' duties muft ever command my
" warmell friendfliip and venera-
" tion."

This piece from the Congrefs
alfo drew out a declaration in an-
fwer from the otiier ComtDiffion-
ers, viz. Lord Carlille, Sir Hen-
ry Clinton, and Mr. Eden; which
went to a total and folemn difa-
vowal, fo far as related to the
prefent fubjeil, of their having
had any knowledge, direilly or in-^
diredly, of thofe matters fpeci-
lied by the Congrefs, They, how-
ever, took care at the fame time to
guard efFedually againfl: any in-
ference that might from thence
be drawn, of their implying any
afTent to the conilruftion put upon
private correfpondence by the
Congrefs ; or of their intimating
thereby a belief, that any perfon
could have been authorized to
hold the converfation llated by
that body. With refpedl to the
charges and refolutioas, fo far as
they related merely to their late ^
t»rother conimiflioncr, th^y did

«06

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [23

T\ot think it neceffary, they faid, to Britidi Empire, the court of Ver-
cnter into any explanation of the failles, merely with " view of
conduft of a gentleman, whofe prolonging the troubles, and of
abilities and integrity did not re- rendering the Colonies inftru-
quire their vindication. They how- ments to Gallic ambition and
ever gave a teftimo^iy from, their perhdy, fuddenly complied with
own knowledge to .the liberality of thofe conditions, and figned thofe
his geieral fenciments, and the fair treaties, which Ihe had before
and equitable principles upon which conftantly and difdainfuUy re-
he had wifced to reftore the har- jefied.

mony, and to eflabliih the union. They then proceeded to exa-
between the Mother Country and mine the validity of that fandlion
the Colonies, on terms mutually be- which thofe treaties were fuppof-
neficial. ed to derive, from the confirma-
But the great objeds of this tion which they had fince re-
declaration, as well as of that ceived in America; and endca-
iffued by Governor Johnftone, and voured much to eftablilh as a ge-
of other former and fubfequent neral doctrine and opinion, that
publications, were to defeat the the Congrefs had far exceeded
eftedt of the French treaties, to their powers, both in that refpeft,
controvert the authority of the and in their laying down unrea-
Congrefs, with refpeft to its ac- fonable and inadmifiible prelimi-
ceptance or confirmation of them, naries, as an infuperable bar to
and to' render the conduft of that their own propofed negociation,
body fufpicious or odious to the and to defeat, without hearing or
people. For thefe purpofes, hav- deliberation, all the amicable par-
ing firft laid it down as an incon- pofes of their mlffion. They in-
trovertible fa£l, that an alliance lifted, that the Congrefs were not
with France was totally contrary authorized or warranted, by their
to the interefts of America, and o.vn immediate conftitution, to take
muft in its effefts prove utterly fuch decifive meafures, and finally
fubverfive, both of her civil and to pronounce upon queftions of
religious rights, they then pro- fuch infinite and lalHng import-
ceeded to demonftrate, that fhe ance, without recurring to the ge-
was not bound in honour, nor neral fenfe of the people, and re-
tied down by any principle of ceiving the opinion and inllrudions
public faith, to adhere to thofe of their ccnlHtuents, after a full
treaties. In fupport of this doc- and open difcuffion of the difi^"erent
trine, they endeavoured to efla- fubjeds in their refpedlive affem-
blifh as proof, that the French blies.

conceffions owed their origin en- Upon this ground, they point-

tirely to the conciliatory propofi- ed all their artillery diredlly a-

tions of Great Britain. For that gainft the Congrefs ; whom they

being well aware of the returning charged with betraying the trull

union, felicity and ftrength, which repoied in them by their confli-

the lenient conduft of the crown tuents, with afting contrary to

and parliament would immedi- the general fenfe of the people,

ately introduce throughout the and with facrificing their interefls

24] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

and fafety, to their own ambi-
tious views and interefted defigns.
Indeed, however Itrange it may
appear, there fecms no doubt,
that notwithflanding the repeated
trials which the long continued,
various, and extenfive operations
of the" war had feemed to afford,
of the dirpofition of the people in
fo many Colonies, the Commtf-
fioners themfelves were fully per-
fuaded, that a vaft majoiiiy of
them were firmly attached to the
Britifli government, and totally
adverfe to the rebellion. It is,
however, to be confidered, that all
the information they could receive
on the fubjed, was through the
medium of men, whcfe minds were
violently heated, by tinir fufFerings,
their loflesj their hopes, their loy-
alty, and undoubtedly in many in-
flances, by their private and party
animofities.

The Congrefs, and thofe who
wrote in their defence, and ap-
parently with authoricy, contro-
verted thefc pofuions, Fae infe-
rences drawn from them, and the
fadts they were founded on. They
firft attacked the pofition which
would naturally operate with mcft
force upon the minds and opinions
of men, viz. that the conclufion
of the Trench treaties was en-
tirely owing to the conciliatory
propofidons held out by the Eri-
tifh parliament. This they af-
fcrted to be contradidted by facts
and dates ; and this point was
flrongly urged by the American
popular writers, particularly Mr,
Drayton, and the author of a ce-
lebrated publication, entitled, from
the fignature. Common Smfe, who
with great indullry pointed out
to the public, the defeftivenefs,
incoherence, or contradidlion of the

evidence. But not fatisfied with
apparently gaining this point, they
undertook to prove the diredl re-
verfe of the propofition, and pre-
tended to Ihew, that the Britifh
conceflicns, inflead of being the
caufe, v.ere the immediate elfedi,
of the French ncgociation an4
treaties. It was ftirewdly obferv-
ed in one of thefe publications,
that the Commiffioners, who now
totally denied that the Congrefs
had any power or authority to
conclude the French treaiics, had
themfelves propofed to enter into
a treaty with- that very body;
and that the uncommon chagrin
and difappointment v^hich they
openly avowed upon meeting with
a refufal, was a fufficient tefti-
mony, how fully they were fatis-
fied of its competence to that pur-
pofe.

In refuting what they afferted
as errors of fad on the part of the
Commiilioners, fome of thefe wri-
ters did not fcruple to avail them-
felves of the fame inftrument, and
aficrted things which were not
true, or which are at leafl highly
improbable. Particularly, that to
bribe the acquiefcence of France
in the ruin of America, that powej:
was offered a ceffion of fome confi-
derable part of our Eaft India pof-
feffions, and the fiime privileges and
advantages on the Coaft of Africa ,
which were enjoyed by the fubjedts
of England.

Although the Commiffioners did
not expedt that the fadb or argu-
ments Hated in their declarations,
would produce any ferviceable ef-
feft in the conduft of the Con-
grefs, it was Hill hoped, that they
would have operated powerfully
upon the people at large. This
fource of hope being alfo at length

€X-

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [25

,€xhauiled, and the Commillioners
convinced by experience, that the
xiefign of detaching any particular
province, or liirge colle>^ive body
of the people, fo far from the ge-
neral union as to enter into a pri-
vate or ft-parate negpciation, was
as fruitlefs, as the attemj^t of open-
ing a treaty with the Congrefs in
the name of the whole, had al-
ready proved inefFeclual, deter-
mined totally to Cfiange their
^ode of conduct, and to de-
iiounce hoftility and deft:uftion,
in their moft terrific forms, lo
thole who iiad rejected conciliation
and friend'.hjp. The operations
<of terror might poffibly produce
ihofe effects, which the fmooth
language of peace was found in-
capable of at:«ining: or, if the
lofs of America was inevitable, it
was determined to render it of as
little value to its prefent an^ fu-
ture pciTeffors as poiTible.

The partiz,.T.ns of the predatory
fcheme in England, from whom
this idea feems to be taken, af-
ferted, that the nature of the coun-
try expofed it more to the ravage
of fuch a war as was intended or
threatened, than perhaps any o-
ther upon the face of the globe.
■Its vaft line of feacoalt was inde-
fenfibL* by any polhble means,
againil the efforts of a fuperior
marine, accompanied by fuch a
inodcrate land force, as would be
ntcefTary for the purpofes of a de-
sultory and exterminating war ;
and thofe numberlefs navigable
creeks and rivers, which had in
happier days conveyed commerce
to every door, and fpread plenty,
indapendfence, and induftry, thro'
every cottage, now afforded equal
means and facility, for the carry-
ifig of fudden and inevitable de-

ftrudtion, home to the moft fe-
queftered fire-fide. The impradi-
cability of evading the dangers
arifing from fnuation was farther
increafed, by that mode of living
in fmall, open, fcattered towns
and villages, which the nature
and original circumftances of the
country had prefcribed to the inha-
bitants.

The CommiiTioners Od. 3d.
accordingly iffued and 1778-
publiflied that fignal valedidory
manifefto and proclamation, which
has fince been an objeft of fo mucli
difcuffion at home and abroad ;
and which has afforded a fubjedt,
that was no lefs a^Jitated in both
Houfes of the Britilh Parliament,
than in the American Congrefs.

In that piece, they entered into
a long recapitulation of fads and
arguments which had been gene-
rally ftated in former declarations,
relative to the French treaties, the
condud and views of the Con-
grefs, their criminal obftinacy ii»
rejeding all propofals of accom-
modation, and their total incom-
petency, whether with refped to
the conclufion of treaties on the
one handj or to their rejedion on
the other. With an enumeration
of their own repeated endeavours
for the reftoration of tranquillity
and happinefs to the people, and
a review of the great advantages
held cut by the equitable and
conciliatory propofitions which
they had made, they announce
their intention of fpeedily return-
ing to England, as, under the
circumftances of treatment and
rejedion which they had experi-
enced, their longer ftay in Ame-
rica would be as inconfiilent with
their own dignity, as with that
of the authority which the/ re-

prc»

i6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

prefented. They, however, held
out during the remainder of their
Ihy, the fame favourable condi-
tions, and ihould llill retain the
fame conciliatory difpofition and
fentiments, which they had hitherto
propolcd or manifefted.

The Commifiioners then thought
it necefiary to inform and warn
the people, of the total and ma-
terial change which was to take
place, in the whole nature and
future conduft of the war, if fhcy
fhould ffill perfevere in their oblii-
nacy; more efpecially, as that
was founded upon the pretended
alliance with France. Upon this
fubjeft they exprcfled themfelves
as follows: " The policy, as well
•• as the benevolence of Great
*' Britain, had hitherto checked
« the extremes of war, when
« they tended to diftrefs a people,
*' Itill confidered as fellow-fub-
*' jedls, and to defolate a coun-
** try, fhortly to become again a
" fource of mutual advantage;
" but when that country profeffes
** the unnatural defign, not only
«' of eftranging herlelf from us,
** but of mortgaging hdrfelf and
•' her reiources to •ur enemies,
«* the whole contell is changed;
«• and the quettion is, how far
*' Great Britain may, by every
*• means in her power, deftroy or
** render ufelefs, a connedtion
«* contrived for her ruin, and for
♦* the aggrandizement of France.

" Under fuch circumftances,
«* the laws of felf-prefervation
** muft direft the condudl of
*' Great Britain; and, if the
** Britilh Colonies are to become
" an acceffion to France, will di-
** redl her to tender that accef-
" fion of as little avail as poffi-
II ble to her enemy,"

The firll aft of the Con- ^.j^
grefs in confequence of this
manifeilo, was a cautionary de-
claration or notice to the public,
ilating, -that as there was every
reafon to expeft, that their unna-
tural enemies, dcfpairing of be-
ing able to enflave and fjbdue
them by open force, would, as
the laii effort, ravage, burn,
and dcllroy every city and town
on that continent, which they
could come at ; they therefore
ftrongly recommended to all thofe
people, who lived in places expo^
fed to their ravages, immediately
to build huts, at the diftance of at
leall thirty miles from their prefent
habitations, whither they were to
convey their wives, children, cat-
tle, and effedls, with all who were
incapable of bearing arms, on
the hrft alarm of the enemy.

So far, the policy of the mea-
fure was prudent and juftifiable;
but the following claufe of this
public inllrument, however co-
loured by a difplay of humanity,
confined merely to terms, towards
its conclufion, or even covered
under the pretence of being in-
tended only to operate in lerro-
rem, can fcarcely efcape condem-
nation, as being exceedingly re-
prehenfible and unjuft in its prin-
ciple. The refolution is couched
in the following words, viz.
♦' That immediately when the
" enemy begin to burn or deftroy
*' any town, it be recommended
*< to the people of thefe ftatcs, to
** fet fire to, ravage, burn and
*' deftroy, the houfes and pro-
" perties of all Tories, and ene-
** mies to the freedom af d inde-
*' pendence of America, and fe-
« cure the perfons of fuch, f© as
« to prevent them from afUftiing

«' thg

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [27

** the enemy, always taking care,
*' not to treat them or their famj-
" lies with any wanton cruelties,
" as we do not vvifh, in this par-
*' ticular, to copy after our ene-
** mies, or their German, negro,
** and copper-coloured .allies."

This was' followed, in about
three weeks, by a counter mani-
fefto on the part of the Congrefs,
filled with bitternefs and acrimony.
In this they boaft, that fince they
■could not prevent, they ftrove, at
ieaft, to alleviate the calamities of
war ; had ftudied to fpare thofe
who were in arms againll them,
and to lighten the chains of cap-
tivity. In contraft to this portrait
of their own conduft, they drew a
hideous pidlure of thofe enormities
which they attributed to the other
fide. They charge their enemy
5vith having laid wafte the open
country, burned the def^ncelefs
villages, and having butchered the
citizens of America. That their
prifons had been the flaughter-
houfes of her foldiers, their ihips
of her feamen, and, that the fe-
vereft injuries had been aggravated
by the grofleft infults. That,
foiled in their vain attempt to
fubjugate the unconquerable fpirlt
of freedom, they had meanly af~
failed the reprefentatives of Ame-
iica with bribes, with deceit, and
with riie fervility of adulation.

As a fpecimen of the fpirit
which infpired this piece, and the
acrimony with which it abounds,
we Ihall give the following paiTage
in their o\Vn language—" They
" have made a mock of humanity,
*' by the wanton deltruflion of
•=' men : they have made a mock
*• of religion, by impious appeals
•' to God, whillt in the violation
" of his facred commands : they
f tare made a mock even of

" reafon itfelf, by endeavouring
*' to prove, that the liberty and
<• happinefs of America could
" fafely be entrufted to thofe who
" have fold their own, unawed
*' by the fenfe of virtue, or of
« Ibame."

They concluded the piece with
the following threat of retaliation.
** But fi;.ce their incorrigible dif-
" portions cannot be touclied by
" kindnefs and compaffion, it be-
" comes our duty by other means
** to vindicate the rights of hu-
" manity."

" We, the?efore, the Congrefs
" of the United States of Ame-
" rica, do folemnly declare and
" proclaim, that if our enemies
" prefume to execute their threats,
" or perfift in their prefent career
" of barbarity, we will take fuch
" exemplary vengeance as Ihall
" deter others from a like con-
" dud. We appeal to that God
*' who fearcheth the hearts of men,
" for the reftitude of oar inten-
" tions. And in his holy pre-
" fence v/e declare, that as we arc
" not moved by any light and
" hafty fuggeftions of anger or re«
" venge, fo through every pof-
" fible change of fortune, we wil!
" adhere to this our determina-
" tion."

Thus, unhappily, did the fe-
cond commifiion for the reftoration
of peace in America, prove as fu-
tile in the event as the former.
Although it would be too much to
affirm, that any propofal made by
the commiffioners, or any circum-
ftances attending their million,
could have been produdlive of the
defired eftedl, after the conclufion
of the French treaties ; it would
however feem, that nothing could
have been more untoward in point
of time, and more fubvsrfive of

the

2S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the purpofes of their commiflion,
than the fudden retreat from Phi-
ladelphia, which took place almoll
at the inftant of its being opened.
However neccflary this meafure
might have been, confidered in a
military view, the difgraca of a
jetreat, and the lofs of a province,
were undoubtedly omens very in-
aufpicloas to the opening of a ne-
gociation. It has been publicly
laid, (however ftrangeitmuft ap-
pear) that one of the commif-
iioncrs, at leail, was totally unac-
quainted, even at the time of their
arrival, that this meafure \Vas not
only intended, but that the orders
for its execution adlually accom-
panied their miffion.

As if Fortune had defigned, that
this comriiffion fnould have been
diftinguidied in every part of its
exiftcnce from all others, it was
alfo attended with the fingular cir-
cumftance, of a letter from the
Marquis De la Fayette, (whofe
military conduft had placed him
very high in the opinion of the
Americans, as well as in their fer-
vice) to the Earl of Carlille, chal-
lenging that nobleman, as firft
commiffioner, to the field, there to
anfwer in his own perfon, and in
fingle combat, for fome harfhnefs
of refledtion upon the conduft of
the French court and nation,
which had appeared in thofe pub-
lic afts or inilruments, that he and
his brethen had ifTued in their po-
litical capacity. It is almoft need-
lefs to obferve, that fuch propofal,
which could only be excufed by na-
tional levity, or the heat and inex-
perience of youth, was rejeded by
the noble Lord to whom it was ad-
drefled, with the flight that it de-
ferved.

>Vhilft New York, the Jerfies,

Pennfylvania, and the borders of
Connefticut, had hitherto endured
all the calamities of war, it for-
tuned, that the northern and fou-
thern, as well as the more interior
colonies, enjoyed no inconfiderable
degree of general tranquillity. The
early tranfaflions in the neigh-
bourhood of Bofton, the attempt
on Charleftovvn, Lord Dunmore's
adventures in Virginia, with the
fubjugation of the Tories in North
and South Carolina, being the
principal exceptions to this obfer-
vation. The continual petty ho-
ftilities carried on between the in-
habitants of the two neighbouring
weak colonies, of Georgia and
Eall Florida, ferved, however, to
keep the rumour of war alive to
the fouthward ; and an expeditica
undertaken in the fpfing of this
year by a party of Americans,
conveyed its cfFedts ta the Miffifip-
pi, and afforded no fmall caufe of
alarm, to the whole new colony pf
Weft Florida, which had hitherto
been totally clear of the general
tumult.

The expedition was, however,
confined in its profent eftedt to its
immediate obje<il, which only ex-
tended to the redudlion of the Bri-
tifh fettlenients in that country
which had formerly belonged to a
dillinguifhed Indian nation called
Natches; who many years before
had fallen viftims to European
policy, the whole people having
been prefidiouHy exterminated by
the French. Thefe fettlements
were under the government, and
confidered as a part of Weft Flo-
rida ; but being too remote for
proteflion, if it could even have
been afforded, the inhabitants pre-
ferved their property by furren-
dering without refiftance to a Cap ~

taiiv

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [2^

tain Willing, who commanded the
American party, and who, al-
though they weve furprized and to-
tally in his power, granted them
every condition which they re-
quired, for their prefent and fu-
ture fecurity. It feems by the ac-
count, as if this party had fallen
down the Miffifippi by water; bat
from what place is not fpecified.
It is probable, and feems in-fome
degree confirmed by . fubfequent
events, that the objefts of this ex-
pedition were not confined merely
to the redudion of the country in
quellion, but were extended to the
eftablifhment of an intimate cor-
refpondence with the Spaniards at
New Orleans, and to further views -■
upon Wefl Florida.

The flate and circumftances of
the war, as well as of the forces
under his command, together with
the winter- feafon, which rellrained,
if it did not entirely Ihut up en-
terprize, in the northern and cen-
tral colonies, afforded an opportu-
nity to General Sir Henry Clinton,
towards the clofe of the year, to
dire£l his views to the fouthward.
The recovery of the province of
Georgia, although in itl'elf nei-
ther great nor powerful, was in
various refpeils a matter of the
utmoft importance. Its products
were indeed confiderable, and ren-
dered more fo, by their being
greatly wanted. Jn particular,
nothing could be more effential to
the fupport of a fleet and army, at
fo great a diftance from their •prin-
cipal fources of fupply, than its
ftaple commodity, rice, which was
now dedicated to the fervice of our
enemies, whether in Europe or
America. The poffefGon of this
province would alfo, by prefenting
a new barrier to the enemy, re-

lieve Eaft Florida from thofe con-
flant alarms, incurfions, and dan-
gers, to which it had been fo long
expofed. And the two Florida's,
with this, would all together form
fuch an aggregate eftablifhment of
ilrength at the fouthern extremity
of the continent, as could not fail
greatly to influence the future ope-
rations and fortune of the war.

Important as thefe objefts were,
this acquifition held out one fliil
greater. The fouthern colonies
produced thofe commodities which
were moft wanted and moll va.
luable in the European markets.
France took ojT a prodigious quan-
tity of their ftaple produds; and
the quiet and fecurity which they
had hitherto enjoyed, admitted fo
vigorous a cultivation, that their
export trade feemed little other-
wife affedted by the war, than what
it fuffered from the Briti/h cruizers.
Thus, in cfieft, the continental
credit in Europe was principally
upheld by the fouthern colonies;
and they became the medium
through which they received thofe
fupplies, that were not only indif-
penfibly neceflary to the fupport of
the war, but even to the con-
ducing of the common bufincfs
and aifairs of life. The recovery
of Georgia, would not only put
an end to that quiet and fecurity
upon which fo much depended, but
would open fo wide a door int©
South Carolina, as could never be
effectually clofed whilft it was held
by a vigorous enemy; at the fame
time, that the vicinity of Charlef-
town would conttantly expofe it to
his enterprize, and that the fate of
the whole colony inevitably hung
upon that of the capital.

All thefe important confequen-

ces, and perhaps others, were fully

compre-

jo] annual register, 1779,

comprehended by the General ;
and the time and leafon ferving, he
cntrulled the cor.dutt of the expe-
dition in the land department, i"o
far as it was undertaken from New
York, to Colonel Campbell, a
brave and able officer, whofe mif-
fortune of being taken with a part
cf his regiment on their paffage ta
America, as well as his lubfe-
quent fufVerings under a long con-
finement near Boflon, we have for-
merly feen. The force appointed
to ai5t under this gentleman's com-
mand, confifted of the 71ft regi-
ment of foot, two battalions of
Heflians, four of provincials, and
a detachment of the royal artil-
lery.

The tranfports, with this force,
failed from Sandy Hook, on the
27th of November 1778; being
elcorted by a fmall fquadron of
fhips cf war, under the command
of Commodore Hyde Parker. In
the mean time, inftruftions had
been communicated to Major Ge-
neral Prevoft, who commanded the
troops in Eaft Florida, to colledl
all the force that could poUibiy be
fpared, from the mere neceflary
defence of the fort and garriion of
St, Anguftine, and to fecond the
views of the expedition, by a vi-
gorous invafion of the province of
Georgia on that fide, and by even
endeavouring to penetrate fo far,
as to be able to co-operate imme-
diately with Colonel Campbell, in
his intended attack on the capital
town of Savannah.

It does not feem from any thing
that appears, that the Americans
were aware of the objedt of this
enterprize ; or, perhaps, the grcat-
nefs of the diflance, prevented
their being able to take any
meafure for defeating its effect.

The fleet arrived at the tn » --4
•n J r rx' I Dec. ZJd.

ifland or 1 ybee, near -'

the mouth of the river Savannah,
in fomething under a month. On
the following day, the Commo-
dore, with the greater part of the
tranfports, got over the bar, and
anchored in the river, within the
Light Houfe of Tybee ; but, from
feme unavoidable circumltances of
delay, it was not until the 27th
that they were there joined by ihe
reit of the fleet. The commanders
being totally ignorant of the force
of the enemy, and of the flate of
defepce which they were to en-
counter, feized this opportunity of
delay, in endeavouring to procure
intelligence. For this purpofe, a
company of light infantry, with a
naval officer and failors, were dif-
patched, in two flat boats, up one
of the creeks, and had the fortune
of feizing and bringing off two
men, who aff"orded the mofl: fatif-
faftory information. The com-
mander; were now acquainted,
that the batteries which had been
conftruded for the defence of the
river, had been fo much neglefted,
as to be grown out of repair and
condition; and, that there were
very few troops in the town, but
that re-inforcements were daily
expei^.ed. They alfo gave fuch
exaiJl information, of the fitua-
tion of two row gallies, which
had been armed for the defence of
the river, as afforded means after
for cutting off their retreat, by any
of thole numerous creeks which in-
terfeft that country.

Upon tliis intelligence, the com-
manders determined to lofe no
time in the profecution of their
enterprize. Colonel Campbell had
already feized the opportunity af-
forded by the delay, in making a

new

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [31

^ew and advaiitageous arrange-
ment with refpect to part of his
force. He had formed two corps
of light infantry, which were drawn
from the provincial battalions, and
attached one of thefe to Sir James
Baird's light company, of the 71ft
(Highlanders), and the other to
Captain Cameron's company, of the
fame regiment. A meafure excel-
lently calculated to transfufe the
fpirit, vigour, and confidence of ve-
teran troops, equally inured to dan-
ger and to vidlory, to thofe who be-
ing yet raw, were diffident of their
own powers, from mere ignorance of
their effeft.

Every thing being in due pre-
paration, the Vigilant led the
way up the river, on the 28th,
being attended by the Greenwich
and Kcppel armed veflels, and
followed by the tranfports, who
formed three divifions, in the order
eftablifhed by the commanders for
defcent. At the fame time the
Comet bom.b -galley was fent up
the fouth channel, to prevent the
enemy's row-gallies from efcaplng
by the inland navigations. On
finding that the battery on a place
called Salters Ifland, was totally
deferted by the enemy, the armed
yeffels pufhed forward towards the
intended landing place ; but a
number of the tranfports had
grounded on the Flats by the way,
which necefl'arily retarded for feme
time the landing. The aflivity
andjudgment of Captain Stanhope
of the navy, who adled as a vo-
lunteer in this fervice, obviated
this difficulty, as far as its nature
would admit. Having undertaken
the command of the flat boats, he
embarked the whole firll divifion of
the troops with fuch celerity, that
be joined the Vigilant with very

little lofs of time, after Ihe had
taken that ftation which the fhaU
lownefs of the water would admits
at about random cannon (hot di'"-
tance from the landing place. It
was, however, then dark; and the.
enemy's fires (hewing that they had
taken poft, and intended defence,
the landing was deferred until
morning.

The dellined landing place was
a poft of great importance ; ex- -
ceedingly difficult of accefs; and
which was accordingly capable of
being ealily put in fuch a llate oF
defence, as might have eifeilually
refilled a vaft fuperiority of force.
But it was the firft prafticable
landino- place on the Savannah
river, the whole country betweea
it and Tybee being a continued
tract of deep marfh, interfered by
the extenfive creeks of St. Au-
guftine and Tybee, befides a num-
ber of other cuts of deep water,
which were impaffable by troops ac
any time of the tide.

The liril divifion of the troops,
confining of ail the light infantry
of the army, the New York Vo-
lunteers, and the firit battalion of
the 7 1 It regiment, under the con-
duft of Lieutenant Colonel Mait-
land, were landed at break of day.
From the landing place, a narrow
cauleway of fix hundred yards ia
length, with a ditch on each fide,
led through a rice fwaitip to one
Gerridoe's houfe, which, flood
upon a kind of blunt and abrupt;,
promontory, called in fea lan-
guage a bluff, rifing confiderably
above the level of the rice-fwamp.
The light infantry under Captaia
Cameron, being firft landed,
formed diredly, and puflied for-
ward along the cauleway. As
they approached the poll they

meant

32l ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

meant to attack, ttiey received a
fmart fire of mufquctry, from a
Iniall party of about fifty rebels,
to whom its defence had been
committed. But the troops, iii-
cenied at the lofs of their Cap-
tain, who had fallen by that
fire, aftbrded them no time for
charging again, fo that they were
almoft inftantly difperfed in the
woods.

Thus, after fo much time as the
enemy had for preparation,' fo
weak or confufed were their counv
fels, that a moft difficult landing
place was fecured to the army,
and an open way gained to their
capital, at no greater cxpeuce rhan
the lofs of one brave officer, with
about half a dozen private men
killed or wounded. Colonel
Campbell, having taking a view
of the country from Gerridoe's
farm, difcovered the rebel army,
under Major General Robert
Howe, drawn up about half a
mile eaft of the town of Savan-
nah, with feveral pieces of can-
non in their front. He was
prompted b; this fight, the ap-
prehenficn of their retiring un-
jnoleRed and whole, and the length
of fervice, which that early hour
of the day promifed to afi-br4, to
puih forward wi^h the troops .al-
ready landed, and to expect the
remainder as they could come up.

The commander in chief ac-
cordingly, having left a detach-
ment to guard the landing ^lace,
advanced directly tov/ards the
enemy. When the aripy had
paffed a crofs road, which inter-
fered the great one leading to the
town, the divifion of the Wif-
fenbach regiment was left to take
poft at that place, both in order
to cover the rear, and to preferve

ths communication with the land-
ing place. The troops then ad-
vanced along the great road in
tiie utmoft fecurity; a thick im-
penetrable wooded fwamp covered
the left of the line of march, and the
light troops and flankers efteftually
fcoured the cultivated plantations on
the right.

From whatever caution or delay
it happened, the troops did not
reacli the open country before three
o'clock, at which time they halted
within, about a thoufand yards of
the enemy. The enejny were in
appearance, and fancied them-
felves exceedingly ftrongly ported ;
and would in reality have been
found fo, had the Brltilh com-
mander made the attack exadlly in
the manner they wifhed, and ta
which they had vainly direfted all
their views and expedlation. They
were yet to be inftrufted in one of
the moft obvious maxims of vvai;-»
fare, that the very caufes which
induced them to wifh the attack to
be made in a particular quarter^
would, almoft to a certainty, pro-
duce a contrary efFeft, and direft
its operation elfewhere.

They were formed in two di-
vifions on either fide of the great
road. Half their regular forces*
confining of two regiments of Ca-
rolina troops, under the command
of Colonel Eugee, extended front
the road, on their left, to a wooded
fwamp on their right, which was
cijvered by houles defended with
rifle-men. The other divifion of
their regular troops, confifting of
part of three Georgia battalions,
under Colonel Elbert, with the
road to their right, were covered
on the left by rice fwamps ; being
further ftrengthened by the fort of
Savannah Bluff behind their left,

which

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [3^

which would have operated in at-
ta -k as a fecond flank. The town
of Savannah, encornpafled with the
remains of an old line of entrench-
ment, covered their rear. One piece
of cannon was planted at the extre-
mity of their line on the right, one
on the left, and tvvo pieces occu-
pied the traverfe, acrofs the great
road, in the center of their line.
About 100 paces in front of this
traverfe, at a critical fpot between
two fwamps, a trench was cut acrois
the road, and about loo yards in
front of the trench, »marihy rivu-
let run almoft parallel the whole ex-
tent of their front ; and to render
the paffage lUll more difficult, they
had deftroyed the bridge which led
over this brook.

Colonel Campbell foon difcoverei,
by the countenance, as well as the
movements of the enemy, that they
equally wi'.hed and expefted that he
fhould attack them on the left ; and
he accordingly omitted no means
that could ferve to cherifh that opi-
nion, and continue its dekfion. For
that purpofe he ordered the ift bat-
talion of the 7111 to dr:^w off and
form on the right of the road, and
then marching up to the rear of
the light infantry, that corps was
drawn oif {till more to the right,
thereby increafing the jealoufy of
the enemy for their left, and im-
preiEng a full idea, that he was in
the aft of extending his front to that
quarter. The happieft effect of
this niancsuvre, however, was, that,
the light infantry had thereby got
into a hollo.v ground, by which they
were totally covered from the view
of the enemy.

Fortune, the great friend to en-

terprize in war, and whofe favours

no prudent officer will ever deny,

had thrown a negro into the hands

\^0L. XXll.

of the commander, whofe intelli-
gence he turned to the happieft
account. This man knew a pri-
vate path through the wooded
fwamp on the enemy's right,
through which he promiied to lead
the troops without obfervation or
difficulty. To profit the more ef-
feflually of this difcovery, it hap-
pened that the hollow way into
which the light infantry had now
fallen, continued winding all round
the rear of the army until it joined
the morafs and wood in queftion.
Sir James Baird was accordingly
direiied to purfue the courfe of the
valley with the light infantry, un-
til he arrjved at the path pointed
out by his guide, by which he
would be enabled to turn the ene-
my's right flank, and by a mode-
rate circuit to fall in upon the rear
of that wing. The New- York vo-
lunteers, under Colonel Tumbull,
were ordered to fupport the light in-
fantry.

During the courfe of this move-
ment, the artillery were formed in
a field on the left of the road, and
concealed from the enemy by a
Iwell of ground in frofl^, up which
it was intended to run them, as
foon as the fignal was made for
aftion. From that commanding
ground, they could either bear ad-
vantageoufly upon the right of the
rebel line, or canooade any body
of troops in flank, which they
might detach into the wood to re-
tard the progrefs of the light in-
fantry. An Heffian regiment was
formed upon the left of the artil-
lery.

During all this time, totally blind
to their danger, the enemy con-
tinued to amufe themfelves with
their cannon, although a fingle lire
was not returned J a circu.nllance,
[C] which.

34] ANNUAL RE

which, along \vit1i the flilnefs aid
immobility ot the Briiifh troops,
mi^ht have rcafcmbly excited ap-
pro hevifion, (.ilitrull, and watchful-
nefs. At Irngth, Colonel CampbtlJ,
co'-vinced ihat the light infantry
]iad got cffcdually round upon- their
rear, iuddenly bi ought forward the
cannon, and commanded the line
to move hrifkly on to the enemy.
The well-dired^ed fire of the artil-
]ery, the rapid advance of the
7 1 11 regiment, and the forward
countenance of the Heflians, fo over-
powered the enemy, that they in-
llantly fell into confufion, and dif-
perfed.

In the mean time, the light in-
fantry having arrived at the new
barracks, which v tre full in the
way they were making to the rear
of the enemy, fell in une.xpededly
' with a body of ilie militia of Geor-
gia, who were ihere ilationed with
artillery, to guard the great road
from Ogeeche; thele were foon
routed, with the lofs of their can-
non, and as Sir James Eaird was
in full puj fuit of the fugitives, in
his way to fail upon the main
body, the rerriiied and fcHttered
troops of the Carolina and Georgia
brigades, came running acrofs the '
plain full in liis front. Nothing
could exceed the confufion and roue
that now enfued, when the liglit in-
fantry, with the rapidity peculiar
to that corps, threw themfches in
headlong upon the Hanks of- a flying
enemy, cbxaciy fufiiciently broken
and confuled.

No vidtory was ever more com-
plete. 3<5 commiiiioned officers,
415 non-commiflioned and privates,
ij.8 pieces of cannon, 23 mcrtars,
the fort with its ammunition and
ilores, tiie Ihipping in the river,
a large quantity of provifion?, with
5

GISTER, 1779.

the capital of Georgia, were all ill
the pofleffion of the conquerors
before dark. Neither the glory of
the vidory, nor the military re-
nown arifing from the judicious
mcafures, and admirable mancsuvrcs
which led to it, could refieft more
honour upon the commander in
chief, than every other part of his
condufc. His triumph was neither
diitained by an unnecelTary eftu-
lion of blood, nor degraded by
prefent or fubfcquent cruelty. The
moderation, clcmencv, and huma-
nity of all his conduft, will be
coniidcred flill the more praife-
wonhy, when it is recollefted, that
he was under the immediate im-
prefiion of fuch peculiar circum-
ftanccs of irricaucn and refentment,
as had not been experienced by
any other' Britifh officer, who had
born^ commaod during the Ameri-
can war.

The lofs cf the Americans^ in
{lain was very fmall, confidering
the nature of the complcie rout
they had 'jndergone. Only about
fourfcore men fell in the adion and'
purfuit, and about thirty more pe-
rifhed in their attempts to efcape
through the fwamp. The condudl
of their commanders requires no
obfervation. Every body will fee
they knew nothing of their bufl-
nefs. Although the fugitives fled,
and confcquently led the purfuit,
through the' town of Savannah, and
that many of the inhabitants were
then in the ftreets, yet, fuch was
the excellent difcipline obferved,
that in the heat of blood, not a
finglc perfon fufFered, who had r^ot
arms in his hands, and who was
not befides in the adt either of
flight or rcii (lance. The comman-
der having received fome inform-
ation^ that the fetting of the ca-

pit»l

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [3^

pital on fire, in cafe of its lofs, had
been once a matter in contempla-
tion with the enemy, took effec-
tual meaCures to guard againll that
defign, if ftill intended. No place
in fimilar circumftances, ever fuf-
feicd fo little by depredation, as
the town of Savannah did upon
this occaiion; even taking into the
account, that committed by their
own negroes daring the darknefs
of the approaching night. A flrong
circumftantial tellimbny, that thofe
enormities, fo frequently attributed
to the licence of tne foldiers, (hould
with much more juftice be charged
to the indefenfible condudl of their
fuperiors ; whether by a previous
relaxation of difcipline^ an imme-
diate participation in the guilt, or a
no lefs culpable fufferance of the
enormity.

Through'the adlivity and prompt
upion of the commanders in chief
by land and fea, and the fpirit and
diligence of their officers. General
Howe, with the broken remains of
his army, vvas not only compelled
to retreat into South-Carolina, but
notwithfcanding many impediments
in their way, and feme wants not
eafily remedied, particularly horfes
for their artillery, they, within lefs
than a fortnight, had recovered the
whole province of Georgia (except-
ing only the town of Sunbury) to
the BritiOi government, in that
time they had reftored tranquillity
every where, aftbrded protection to
all who remained in or returned to
their houfes, eftablifhed fuch polls
as fecured the whole line of frontier
on the fide of South-Carolina, and
formed the well- affefted, who came
in with their rifles and horfes, into
a. corps of light dragoons.

In the mean time, Major-General
Prevoft found no fmall difficulty in
bringing together, from their feat-
tered and remote cantonments, the
fmall parties with which he was to
make an inxpreffion on the fide of
Florida. The getting forward his
artillery, ftores, and provifions, as
the enemy were mailers of the
navigation in general, both along
the coafts, and on the greater wa-
ters inland, was no lefs difficult. In
thefe operitions, the troops under-
we:it unufual hard(hips and diftrefles,
which they bore with the moll
exemplary fortitude and temper ;
both officers and foldiers having'
been reduced to live for feveral
days folely upon oyllers, and en-
during at the fame time the greateft
heat and fatigue, without complaint,
defpondency, or murmur. The
major-general having at length
brought forward a few pieces of
artillery, fuddenly furrounded the
town and fort of Sudbury, on the
frontiers of Georgia. The gar-
rifon, confining of about 200 men,
made fome Ihew of defence, and
gave the commander the trouble of
opening trenches. But although
they were fupported by fome armed
vefiels afiid gallies, yet all hope of
relief being now totally cut off by
the reduftion of the rell of the pro-
vince, they found it neceffary to
furrender at difcretion. This hap-
pened jull at the time, when Colonel
Campbell, after the fetdement of
the interior country, had returned
to Savannah, and was preparing to
fet out on an expedition for the
redudlion of Sunbury. The com-
mand devolved of courfe to General
Prevoll on his arriva,! at Savannah,

[C] z

CHAP.

;6]

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

C H -A P.

III.

JJlani of Dominica taken by the Marquis de Bouille, go'vernorofMartinicc,
State cf {he French feet at Bojhri. Rict bttnjceen the French and inhabi-
tants, Dciperate riot betnveen the French and American failon, in the city
and port of Charlejloi\;n. M. D'Lftainy fails jrcm 'Bojion Jar the Wejl-
Jndies : halving firji ijjued a declaration addrejjed to the French Canadians,
Admiral Byron s fleet driven of from the coajf of Ne-iv-Englaftd by a "vio-
lent hurricane, ivhich afforded an opportunity for the departure cf the
French fquadron. Britijh fleet detained at Rhode-lfand, to repair the da-
mages fuflained in the tempeft. Reinfcrcement fent frcm Ne-iu-Tork to the
Weft -Indies y under the conduB of Commodore Hothcim, and Major-GtJieral
Grant : narrcavly viifs falling in ^j-jith the French feet : join Ad?niral
Bdrringtcn at Barbadoes, and proceed together to the reduction of the ifland
of St. Lucia : troops land, take the French pofts in the neighbourhood of
■ the Grand Cul de Sac : proceed to Mcrne Fortune .and the Fiergie. M,
D^Eftaing appears in fght, iKiith a maft fuperiority both of land and marine
force : attacks the Britifh fquadron in the Grand Cul de Sac : and is
bra'vely repulfed by Ad?niral Barrington, tixnce in the fame day. French land
their troops in Choc Bay : attack General Meadoxvs three times in the Vier-
gie; are repufed e-very tim'e, and at length defeated nvith^reat lojs. Great
glory obtained by the Br it if j forces, both by fea and la7id, in thefejtxjcral en-
counters. M. D^Eftaingt after ten days longer ft ay, abandons the if and of
St. Lucia, 'u.ithout any fart htr attempt fr its recovery. 7 he Chevalier de
Micoud, nxjiih the principal inhabitants, capitulate bef re the French fleet is
out of fght.

GEORGIA was reduced in
the manner we have ieen.
In other refpefts little was done ;
nor did the lealbn permit much to
be done in oiher parts of America.
Whilft the war ftagnated there, the
lofs of the valuable ifland of Do-
minica in the Weft-Indies, opened
a new fcene of action in that quar-
ter. Complaints and reprefenta-
tions had been long and repeatedly
made by the WcU.-li.dia merchants
and planters to adminiitration, of
the weak and expofed Hate of thofe
illands, which feemed to be lefc to
the mercy of their powerful Euro-
pean neighbours, without a military
force for their defence, or a com-
petent naval fquadron for their

proteftion. Jamaica had been par-
ticular in thefe applications. The
immenfe B;iii(h capital neceflarily
lodged in that ifland, rendered it
no iefs an objcft of concern in this
country, than its great domcftic
property did to the owners of the
foil. The great increafe of troops,
and the unulual military prepara-
tions in the French and Spanifh
fettlements, afforded fufHcient room
to julHfy thefe apprehenfions and
reprefentations.

This bufinefs was alfo frequently
introduced in both Houfes of Par-
liament by the oppofition, who re-
peatedly warned the minifters of
th« danger to which our Weft.
India polTeffions were expofed.

They

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[37

They were generally anfwered in
this in&ance, as in fome others, by
a repetition of the well founded
confidence repofed in the pacific
difpofuion and good intentions of
our neiglibours. But the fimple
matter of fact, undoubtedly was,
that our military force and provi-
fion by fea and land, were fo com-
pletely fwallowed up in the vortex
of the American war, and the de-
mands were Hill fo inctuant and
urgent, that the fources of iupply
were conftanily drained and ex-
hauficd, fo tiiat other objetls, how-
ever important, were of neceiTity
obliged to be committed, in a great
mealure, to the blind difpoiition of
chance and fortune.

The illand of Dominica was a
part of thofe compen^'^ations, ac-
quired by the treaty of Paris, for
tne expences of a war, very glo-
rious indeed, but very burthen-
fome. To thefe expences and glo^
ries, the whole of the ceflions was
not aaequate. Confidered inde-
pendently of this comparative elti-
mate, Dominica was aa acquifition
of no inconfiderable importance ;
and its lituation, lying between
Martinico and Guadaloupe, and
within view of each, would have
rendered it of the utmoft impor-
ance in, time of war. This clr-
cumllance feems to have been i'o
well underllood by government,
that it went to a great and unafual
expence in fortifying the ifiand,
and the works had been lately co-
vered with a numerous artillery,
fent for the purpofe from England ;
but the garrilon, if it could de-
ferve to be called by that name,
was totally incompetent to the de-
fence of the one, or to the ufe of
the other.

|\^either the importance nor the

Sept. 7th.
1778.
about day-

weaknefs of the ifland, efcaped ths
attention of the Marquis de Bouille, "
Governor-general of Martinico.
He accordingly landed
with about 2000 men,
under the cover of fome
frigates and privateers,
break at Dominica, and proceeded
to attack the different batteries and
forts by land, as his marine force
did by fea. The handful of regu-
lar troops, amounting only to about
a hundred men. together with the
militia and inhabitants in general,
did all that could be expeded
again ft fuch a fuperiority of force,
and under inch circumftances of
furprize. But the French having
taken thofe detached and half-
manned batteries which lay firlt in
their way, and advanced by noon to
attack the little capital of Rofeau^
by fea . and land, which likewife
comprehended the principal forti-
fications of the ifland, Lieutenant-
Governor Stuart, with the military
officers and council, feeing all de-
fence fruitl-fs, thought it nece^Tary
to fave the inhabitants from plun-
der and ruin, by entering into a
capitulation.

This was foon concluded. The
terms were the moll moderate that
could be conceived; the Marquis
de Bouille having nearly agreed,
without dlfcuflion or referve, to
every condition that was propofed
in favour of the inhabitants. Be*
fides the honours of v\;ar, and the
liberty of retaining their arms,
with the fulleil fecurity to their
ertates, property of every fort,
rights, privileges, and immunities,
they were allowed to retain their
civil and religious governments in
all their part?, with all their laws,
cultoms, ordinances, coui^s, and
minifters of juftice, until the con-
[C] 5 clufion

381 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

cliiAon of a peace; and at that pc-
rioii, if the illAiid ihould be ceded
to Fiance, they were to have it in
choice, whether to adhere to their
own political form of government,
or to accept that eflablilhed in the
French iflands. Ard in either
event, fuch of the inhabitants as
did not chufe to continue under a
French government, were to be at
liberty to' fell all their edates real
and perfona!, and to retire with"
their efFeft-> v%'herever ;hey pkafed.
Other conditions of lefs import-
ance, were equally favourable in
their degree to the inhabitants ;
nor were they bound to any duty
to the French king, more than
what they had owed to their natu-
ral fovtreign. In a word, a mere
change of Tbvereignty was the only
change in the cw^.dition of the in-
habitants.

How much of the favour and
lenity of thefe conditions may be
attributed to the moderation and
humanity of the Marquis de Bouille,
how much to the pohcy of induc-
ing the lefs refillance in ether
Englifl\ ifland.s or how much to
the apprehenfion of Admiral Bar-
tington's arrival with a (uperior
jiaval force from BarKadoes, are
queftions not to be abfolutcly de-
cided upon. It is, however, equi-
table, to attribute juft and liuniane
aftions to the mofl: laudable mo-
tives, where the contrary does not
appear from any llrong cor:currcnt
or fubfequent circumftances. X^^e
matter ol i.;dt is certain, that the
fmalleft diiorder or pillage was not
permitt d, and tl:at the French
commander, in lieu of plunder,
rewarded the foldiers and volun-
teers with a confiderable gratuity
in ready money.

The French found 164 pieces of
cannon, and 24 bra,^s mortars, with
a confiderable quantity of military
ftjres and amlTJUnitiou in the works.
The public eftVi\s, with the Britilh
v.flVls in the harbour, became a
priae to the conquerors. The itay
of the Marquis de Bouilie in the
ifl;ind was very fliort ; but he left a
garrifon of 1500 men behind him ;
which, with the ftrcngth of the'
works, and the powerful artillery
in their hands, have hitherto un-
fortunately fuperfeded all attempts
for its recovery.

Many circumllances concurred
in rendering the lofs of this ifland
grievous. The large fums expend-
ed upon its fortifications, and the
numerous and weighty artillery
fent out for its defence, indicated
a full knowledge of its importance
in cafe of a war. Its fituaiion, on
which this importance depended,
equally pointed out the danger to
which it was expofed, and that it
mult necefiarily be the firil object
of the enemy's enterprize ; whilil
its naked works and valuable ar-
tillery, feemed held out as a prize,
to diredl and quicken their ope-
rations. To increafe the vexation.
Rear - Admiral Barrington, with
two {hips of the line, and fome fri-
gates, was lying at the fmall di-
Itance of Barbadoes, where he had
been chained down for more than
two months, waiting merely for
inftrudions, which he had been or-
dered to expeft at that place, and
which, from whatever caufe or
misfortune, were net yet arrived.
Small as this force was, it would
have been fully fufficient, had time
and his orders allowed it, for the
prefcrvation of Dominica, and the
protedlion of the other iflands for
* the

HISTORY

the prefent, as the French had not
a fingle fhip of the line in that
quarter.

The defeft of intelligence ac-
companied that of inftrudions, or
orders how to aft. A French do-
cument executed at Paris on the
28th of June, and publifhed at

OF EUROPE. [39

harbour of Bofto;i. Neither the
care of the governing pov»,'ers in

that town, nor the ideas of benefits
received, or to be derived, from
the alliance with France, were
fufficicnr, during the ftay of the
French fleet in that port, wholly to
cure the ancient preji.dices and

Marunico in the middle of Auguft, hereditary animofity of the popu

amounting, in effeft, to a decla-
ration of war in the Welt-Indies,
afforded the finl information of
hoftilitics to Admiral Harrington,
and to the neighb.uf'ing iJlands.
The lofs of two of Sir Peter Par-
ker's' frigates, which were taken by
the French on tlie coaft of Hifpa-
niola, aflbrded alfo the firlt means
of information to that Admiral, as
well as to the government of Ja-
maica, where he was llationed, of
the commencement of hoRilities.

As foon as Admiral Barrington
received'intelligence of the invafion
of Dominica, he diipenfed with
the violation of his orders " in that
inftance, and proceeded with the
utmoil: difpatch to its intended re-
lief. Although it was impofTible
he could prevent a conqueft, which
was only the work of a fiogle day,
the prefence of his fmall fquadron.

lace, with refped to a natiun, which
they had lo long confidersd as a ri-
val, and fo frequently encountered
as an enemy. The difference of
religion, language, and manners,
could not fail to hold a connderahle
fhare in keeping thefe animofiues
IHII alive; although, fo far as it
car be judged from appearances at
rhis Jiftance, the French have stu-
died more in their commerce with
the Americans, to evade- trie effeft
of thelc peculiarities, and have
fliewr. -. great deference to the
prejudices, and conformity to the
manners and opinions of the pio-
ple, than they pe-naps ever prac-
tifed in their connexions with any
other part of mankind. Indeed a
mode of conduct direftly contrary,
has for many ages been ccnfidered,
as one of the ftriking charafterillics
of that nation ; and has, not un,.

however, had the happy elfed, of frequently been productive of the

removmg tlie panic which had
fprcad through the neighbouring
iflands, and cf elFeftually curbing
the farther enterprizes of thr ene-
my. The confequences of the lofs

moft fatal confequences to them-
felves, as well as to others,'

However it was, a moft violent
affray, in which numbers on both
fides were engaged, and the French

of Dominica were experienced, both feem to have been very roughly
by fea and land, ia che co^rfe of treated, happened at
the operations of the enfuing Weft-
India campaign.

As Monf, D'Eftaing was now
to b^ar a principal part on the
"Weft India t.hep.tre of adion, it will
be nezeffary .0 take fomc notice of
his fituation and proceeding?, from
the time of cur leaving him in the

night in Boilon. Some ^^pt. 13th.
of the French were faid to h.ive
been killed, and feveral were cer-
tainly wounded; among U'hom
were fome officers, and one parti-
cularly, of confiderabie dilHi-sction.
As both D'Lftaing and the gcvtrn-
ment of Bofton, were eager to
[C] /}. accom-.

4o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

accommodate matters in fuch a and the Americans from the ad-

inanner, as that no lUng fiiould joining wharfs and fliore. Scve-

remain behind on either fide, a ral lives were acknowledged to be

grea: referve was obferved with loft, and a much greater number

refpedl to the particulars of the were of courfe wounded,

riot, as well as of the circum- Mr. Lowndes, the prefident

Hances which led to it ; and the and cdniniander in chief of tliat

cilrfory imperfedl fketches that colony, in the proclamation which

were publifhed, ftiewed evidently he iflued upon the fubjed, fuffi-

that they were not to be relied cienily points out the caufes of

en. the quarrel, by charging the ma-

A proc'amation was iiiucd by . gilirates in the itrongelt terms,

the council of rtate on the fol- that, along with the difcovery

lowing day, ftri.^~tly urging the and profecuiion of the rioters,

magiltrates to ufe their utmoft they fhould ufe every poffibie

endeavours for bringing the cfFen- means in their power to prevent,

ders to juliice, and offering a re- for the future, ail indecent, iili-

ward of 300 dollars, for the dif- beral, and national reflections,

covery of any of the parties con- againft the fubjcfts of their great

cerned in the riot. And to re- and good ally, as tending to ex-

jnove the impreflion of its arifing cite rtfentment and ill-will among

from any popular animofity to the thofe, whom, by intereil, treaty,

French, the Bollon prints la- and alliance, they were bound to

boured to fix it upon fome un- regard a^ friends, ^nd who were

knr.wn captured Britifb feamen, particularly entitled to their fa-

and deferters " from Burgoyne's vour and afFedion. In his meffage

army, who had enlilled in their to the aflcmbly, he alfo ftrongly

privateers. D'Eftaing had the recommends the framing of fuch

addrefs to give inio this idea, and regulations, as would efledually

ro appear thoroughly fatisfied with prevent this licentioufnefs, whe-

tlie fatisfadlon he received. The ther in words or in actions : and

high reward produced no manner that body confidered the matter to

of difcovery. he of ib ferious a nature, that

The fame fpirit operated jufl they appointed a committee to re-

about the fame time, and in the vife the laws relative to feamen in

fame manner, but much more that pert, and to confidtr of ef-

■violent in degree, and fatal in fetftual means for preventing and

confequence, between the Ame- fupprefTmg riots in the town. A

rican and French feamen, in the reward of a thoufand pounds was

city and port of Charlellown, offered for the difcovery of the

South Carolina. The quarrel particular perfons, who had fired

there began, as at Bofton, afhore, fome guns, which were fatal in

and at night, and ended in the their effeft, from one of the

lafl extreme of hollility, an open wharfs. We have not heard that

£ght with cannon and fmall this great reward produced*any

«rms; the French firing from difcovery.

their (hips, whither they had As the northern Colonies, par-
been haftily driven from the Town, ticularly the province of- MafTa-

chufetiSf

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [41

chuTetts, do not produce wheat in
any proportion at all equal to
their own confumption, and that
through the continual lofl"es and
dangers which their fuppHes from
the foutiiern experienced in their
pafTagc, together with.fome local
caafcs, provifions of all forts had
for fome time beeix, fo unulually
fcarce and dear in the town and
neigiibourhood of Bofton, as near-
ly to threaten a famine, it was,
generally expedlcd, and undoubt-
edly apprehentled by himfelf, that
D E.i.aing would have encounter-
ed great difficulties, if not aflual
diitreis, from the irnpradlicability
of viftualling, and the doubt evtn
i<t fubfiiling, his fleet at that port.
lie was, however, relieved from
thefe difficulties and apprehenJions
by a fingular fortune. The New
England cruizers happened at
that very period to take fuch a
number of provifion veflels on
their way from Europe to New
York, as not only abundantly
fupplicd the wants of the French
fleet, but furni{l"ied fuch an over-
plus, as was fufiicient to reduce
the rates of the markets at Bolton,
to fomething about their ufual
rnoderate llate. This fortunate
fu'pply was a matter of great tri-
umph to that people. •

•VT J Tnus was D'Eftainp-

Mov. ^d. , , J - I, ,1 ^

•^ enabled to quit Bolton,

and to profecute his defigns in the
Weft Indies, with a fleet tho-
roughly reparred, clean, well vic-
tualled, and his forces in -full
health and vigour. And thus it
may be faid, without any extraor-
dinary ftretch of licence, that to
all api^rance, a royal fleet owed
its prefervation, at leaft in a very
great degree, to the induftry and
fortune of a few privateers.

I^jevious to his departure, D'Ef-

tairig. had publifhed a declaration,
which was to be difperfed among
the French Canadians, and was
addrefled to them in the name of
their ancient mailer, the French
king. The defign of this piece,
and an object which was much
laboured in it, was to recall the
afFedlion to their ancient govern-
ment, and to revive all the nati-
onal attachments of that people,
thereby to prepare them for an
invafion either f;om France or
America, and to raife their ex-
pedlation and hope, to no diftant
change of mailers. For thefe
purpofes they were applied to and
called upon, by all the endearing
and flattering ties of country,
blood, language, common laws,
cuftoms, religion, by their former
friendfliips, ancient glory and fel-
lowftiip in arms, and even by
their common participation in the
dangers and misfortunes of the
lall war. To touch the vanity of
a people exceedingly prone to it,
they were flattered by reminding
them, of thofe peculiar military
honours, diltindlions, and royal
declarations, which would have
been the glorious rewards of their
prowefs ill the French fervice;
from which they had been fo long
debarred, and which were held
fo dear by all their couritrymen.
They were taught to confider the
French and Americans as equally
friends, and almoll as one peo-
ple ; whofe invafion of Canada,
whether jointly or feparately, in-
ftead of conveying hollility or
defolation to them, would be un-
dertaken only to free them from
the yoke of foreigners, dwelling in
another hemifphere ; a people difi^er-
ing wholly from them, in religion,
manners, in language, and every
thing; whofe jealous and defpotic
govern-

42] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

government would fooner or la-
ter treat them as a conquered peo-
ple, and undoubtedly much worfe,
than they had done their own late
countrymen the Americans, to
whom they owed their former
viiflories. Their future condi-.
tion, in the ever.t of this pro-
pofcd emancipation from the go-
vernment of Great Britain, was
left almoll: entirely \r\ \hc dark;
although fome faint and diltant
allufion was held out, to a fr.nilar
ftate of freedom with that pcfief-
fed by the Britiih Colonies, This
was a tender and j^-alous lubjeft,
and tiie French commander
thought it prudent to leave it
involved in obfcurity. He feem-
fd not altogether authorized to
give up the idea, of the reflora-
%ion of Canada to the dominion of
France : but he was aware, that
an avowal of thofe feniiments,
might have been yet imprudent
with refpeft to that pecrAe,' and
would have been difgulin.g and
alarming in the higheit degree to
the Americans. He, however,
affured the Canadian?, in the
name of the French king, that
all his former fubjeds, who fhould
relirquifli their dependence on
Great Britain, might depend on his
fupport and protection.

Aum'ral Byron nad arrived at
New Yoric from Hallifax in the
middle of September ; but io
much had his fquadron fufilred in
their unfortunate ycyage frcrn
England, that althoiigii the great-
er part of them had arrived long
before .him a: that port, yet it was
a full month before he was ena-
bled to fail again, in order to ob-
ierve M. de Eftaing's motions.
The fame unfortunate difpofition
©f the weather, which had alrea-

dy produced fuch unhappy eff'ei!ls,
fcemcd liill to pcrfccate that com-
mander. He had fcarcely ap-
peared before Bollon, when he
v/as driven of the coaft bv a vio-
lent hurricane, in which the (hips
again fuffercd fo much, that they
were glad to get iniO (belter at
Rhode Iflmd. This afforded the
opportunity, to D'Ellaing, which
he imn.ediarely embraced, of
quitt^r.g Boltor ; ■ whiill the da-
m.age now fulrained, together with
the continuance of bad weather,
again cramped the operatibns of
tne Britiih fquadion in fuch a de-
gree, ihii it was not until the
14th of December, that Admiral
iJyron was able to fct out in purfuit
of him to the Weft Indies.

In the mean time, as the ftate
of the war, as well as the mode of
conducing it, were now greatly
altered from what they had been
at former pe^^ds, «ind General
Sir Henry Cmpm being feni'ible,
that no efrentiai fjrvice could be
undertaken by the army at New
York during the winter, and be-
ing alfo apprehcnfive of the dan-r
ger to which our Weft India
iilands were cxpoffd, determined,
upon fending fuch a force to th;it
quarter, a^ would be at once e-
quakjito tiie protection of our
frie^il^Hptnd to the annoyance of
the enemy. He accordingly dif-
patched feveral regiments ot thofe
veteran, and perhaps unequalled
foops, wfeo had fo long braved
every variety of climate and dan-
ger in America, to encounter a-
long with a new enemy, all the
rag* of the tropical funaan the
Weft indies. This detacnment,
confifting of about 5,000 men,
was placed under the command of
Major General Grant ; and the

tranf-

.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[43

franfports, amounting to fixty,
were convoyed by Commodore
Hotham, with five men of war, a
Jjomb-veffel, and fome frigates.

It was remarkable, that they
failed from Sandy Hook, on the
very day that D'Evlaing departed
from Bofton : and that the two
fleets were very near each other,
both fleering the fame coiirfe, and
in paraliei lines, during fbme
part of the paiiage, wiihuut any
knowledge, on either fide, of their
relative htuation. A violent gale
of wind, in which both fleets
were equally involved, and the ■
French greatly difperf'ed, proba-
bly faved the Britilh convoy from
the danger of encountering io
unequal a force. Commodore
Hotham had the fortune and abi-
lity, to keep his fleet, which was
fo much .more numerous, whole
and together during that florm,
to get the llart of p'Eflaing, and
to arrive without the Imaliefl: lofs^
at Barbadoes ; where
he joined Admiral
Barrington, before Mr. Byron had
been able to depart from Rhode
IJland. ■

An expedition, without fufFering
tile troops to land, was immedi-
ately undertaken from Barbadoes,
for the redudlion of the ifland of
St. Lucia; an adventure attended
with great and unforefeen peril ;
but which, in the ifTue, was pro-
dudtive of no lefs glory to the
commanders and forces both by
iea and land, and of the greatcil
advantage in all the enfuing ope-
rations of v,?ar. The referve of
the arfiy, conlillirg of the 5 th
regiment, with the grenadiers and
light infantry of the whole, under
the command of Brigadier General
^•leadows, were landed at ;he

Dec. loth.

Grand Cul de Sac, in the ifland
of Sr. i.ucia, on the 13th, in the
evening. That officer, with his
detachment, immediately puflied
forward to the heights upon the
north fide of the bay, which were
occupied by the Chevalier de Mi-
coud, the French commandant,
with the regular forces and militia
of the ifland. Thele polls, al-
though very difficu.t of accefs, he
foon forced: having taken in the
conflid, a field-piece with which
the enemy fired upon the boats
that were conveying the troops to
the fhore, and a four gun battery,
which greatly annoyed the fnip-
ping at the entrance of the liar-
bour.

While this was doing. Brigadier ■
General Prefect had landed with
five regimeuts, v.ith which he
guarded the environs of the bay,
and at the fame time pufhed on
his advanced pofls, fo as to pre-
ferve a communication during the
niglit with the referve. As foon
as the morning appeared, the re-
ferve, followed and fupported ^by
General Prefcot, advanced to the
little capital of M ; ne Fortune, of
which they took poil'effion. The
Chevalier de Micoud .Tiade the
h'i^ deftnce he was able ; but
was compelled by the fuperiority
of force to retire from one poll to
another, as the Britifh troops fliU
prelled forward. As the referve
advanced. General Prefcot took
pofTefTion of the batteries and pofls
in their rear ; and with an unex-
ampled decree of caution and in-
dullry, in a contefl: with fo weak
an enemy, was indefatigable ia
immedJacely fupplying them with
artillery-officers, and men, efla-
bliftiing communications and pofls
for their fupport, and putting

th£m

44] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

tehm in the befl: Hate of immedi-
ate defence, which the fhortnefs of
the time could polTibly admit.

Whilft thefe meafures of fecu-
rty were carrying into execution.
General Meadows pufhed forward
under the heat of a burning fun,
and took poUeflion of the impor-
tant pofl of the Viergie, which
commanded the north ilde of the
Careenage Harbour ; and Briga-
dier General Sir Henry Calder,
wiih the four remaining batta-
lions, guarded the landing place,
kept up the communication with
the fleet, and fent detachments
to occupy feveral polls upon the
mountains, which looked down
upon and commanded the iouth
lidc of the Grand Cul de Sac.
A meafure which foon after con-
tributed not a little to the prefcr-
vation of the fleet and army, from
a danger then totaliy unknown.

Celerity in execution, and pru-
dence in fecuring and immediately
turning to account every advan-
tage obtained in war, were never
more neceflary, nor ever more emi-
nently difplayed, than upon this
occafion. Jt affords an ufeful lef-
fon in a ftriking inttance, that
nothing (hoald ever be cominirted
to chance in warfare, which any
indnllry could fecure from fo
doubtful a decifion. The force
under the Ciicvalier de Micoud
did not feem 'to demand much
jealoufy or ca^jtion; and no otiier
enemy was apprehended ; yet
every meafure of fecuiity was
praftifed, which the picfence of
a powerful, and even fuperior foe,
could have induced. I'he event
proved the v.ildom of the con-
doa.

The lafl French flag, on thofe
pofe which were in fight among

the neiglibouring nills, was fcarce-
ly flruck, woen M. D'Eltaing,
with a prodigious lorce, appeared
in view of the fleet and army.
Befides his original fqaadrcn of
twelve fail of the line, and thofe
fliips of great force and wt:ight
of metal, he was now accompa-
nied by a numerous fleet of fri-
gates, privateers, and tranfports,
with a land force, efti mated at
9,000 men. Of the latter, he
had brought no inconfiderable
part on board his Ihips from
France : the re It were compofcd
of regulars and volunteers from
the different French iflands, who,
as u ell as the tranfports and
cruizers, had been colleded in
readinefs to join him at Marti-
nico, being intended fur the im-
mediate redudion cf the Granades,
and of the ifland of St. Vmcents ;
but with the farther view, and no
doubtful expedation, of com-
pletely fwc-eping all the Britifli
leeward fettlementa. In his way,
on tliat expedition, M. D'Ellaing
received intelligence of the at-
tack on St. Lucia; a circumftance
which he coniidered as the *moft
fortunate that could have hap-
pened, it feeming to afford ttie
means of throwing the whole Bri-
tifli force by fea and land, an
eafy prey, into his hand.s. it
mull be acknowledged, that if he
had arrived 24 hours fooner, it
feems, in all human probability,
that this mull have been the inevi-
table event. As it v.'as, the day
being fnr advanced, D'Ellaing de-
ferred his operations until the eu-
fuing morning.

It will be neceflary here to take
feme notice' of the fcene of ac-
tion, and of the fltuation of the
British forcco ; not confidering the

fliip-

HISTORY OFEUROPF. [4^

fhipping as they lay at the unex-
pected appearance of the French
fleet; but in that Itate in which
the unremitted labour and induftry
of a night had placed them, 'in
order, to withftand fo vail: a fupe-
riority of force on the following
day. The fleet were in the' moit
fouthern inlet, called by the French
the Grand Cul de Sac, the tranf-
ports filling the interior part of
the bay, and the ftiips of war
drawn up in a line acrofs the en-
trance : and that was ilill farther
fecuied, by a battery on the fouth-
ern, and another on the northern
oppofite points of land. The Ca-
reenage Bay, which led up to-
wards Mome Fortune, lay be-
tween two and three miles to the
northward of the Grand Cul de
Sac ; and the Peninfula of the Vi-
ergie, occupied by General Mea-
dows, formed the northern boun-
dary of the Careenage, and covered
its entrance on that flde. Choc Bay,
and Grofs IfletBay,lay ftill farther
north.

Admiral Harrington had intend-
ed, upon General Meadows' tak-
ing pofleflion of the Viergie, to
have removed the Iranfporcs into
the Careenage Bay, as a place of
much greater fecurity than the
Cul de Sac ; but was . prevented
by the fudden appearance of the
French fleet. The Cul de Sac
being thus confidered as a mere
temporary lodging, the idea of an
immediate removal prevalent, and
no apprehenfion of an enemy en-
tertained, it will be eafily con-
ceived, that the night called forth
all the powers and induitry of that
able officer, in getting the tranf-
ports warped in o the bottom of
the bay, to be as remote from
\ danger as poflible, and the Ihips

of war brought inta their refpec-
tive liaiioos, fo as to form a line
efl'ectually to cover its entrance.
His force confiiled only of his
own fhip the. Prince of Wales, of
74 guns, the Boyne of 70, St.
Alban, and Nonfuch, of 64, the
Centurion and Ilis, of 50 each,
and three frigates. Such was the
weak fquadron, with which the
admiral, with the mofl determin-
ed countenance and refolution,
waited tha encounter of fo vafl: a
fuperiority of force. His own (hip,
the Prince of Wales, took the
poft cf honour and danger, on
the outward and leeward extre-
mity of the line; the Ifis, fup-
ported bv_ the frigates, who flank-
ed the paflage between her and
the fliore, was llationed in the op-
pofite and interior angle to wind-
ward.

However odd it may appear, it
feems as if the Count D'Ellaing
was not yet fenfiblc, that the Bri- ^
tifh forces had exteuded their ope-
rations fo far, as to have taken
pofleiTion of the Viergie, and o-
ther ports adjoining to the Careen-
age; for under this apparent de-
lufion, his firrt: motion in the
morning, was to ftand in with his
v/hole fleet of fliips of war and
tranfports for that day. But a well-
direcicd fire, which his own fliip
the Languedcc received from one
of thofe batteries that had fo late-
ly changed maflers, foon con-
vinced him of his mill:ake. The
French were apparendy much dii-
concerted at tnis unlooked-for
circumftance; and not only im-
mediately bore away, but feemed
for a time totally at a lofs how to
aft. At length, after much evi-
dent hefitation, the admiral bore
down with ten fail of th? line up-
on

46] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

on the Br:ti(h fquadron. A warm
conflict enfued ; but they were re-
ceived with fiich gallantry by the
admiral and commandcr.s and fuch
ooolnefs, refoluiion, and hrmnefs,
by their brave dfficers sLiid men,
who were alfo well fupportcd by the
batteries from the flioie, that they
were repulfed, and iojnd it nccci-
lary to draw off.

Time being now t.ikcn for fome-
what of a rew dirpofidon.D'Ellaing
renewed the attack at four in the
afternoon, with twelve fail of the
line. He now diredcd his efforts
more to the right, from the lee-
Ward point of the BriLifli line to its
center, by which the Prince of
Wales uuderwent rather more than
a due proportion of the \reight of
the adion. This atcick was better
fupportcd, and lor)ger continued
than the firft- The French can-
nonade was exceedingly heavy, and
its whole weight concentrat'd with-
in a narrower direction than be-
fore ; but neitiier the change of
pofition, nor tHe additional force,
were capable of rca-kring this
effort more fuccefsful than tlie far-
mer. After a long and warm
engagement, the French fleet fell
into evident confufion and dif-
order, and retired from adlion
with apparent lofs, without their
having been able to make the
fmallell eflecUve impreffion on the
Britifh line. '

No naval engagement, however
great in its extent, or decifive in
its conf'iquenccs, could afford
more glory, than the Britiili ad-
miral, and his brave alTociates,
derived from thefe two adions.
- , On the following day,
Dec. 16th j^^ D'Ellaing feemed
to fhew a difpofition to hazard a
third attack ; but after feveral

motions ilrongly indicating that
defign, it was at length evidently
abandoned, and the whole Heet
plied up to windward, and an-
chored in the evening off Grofs
Iflet, about two leagues to the north-
ward.

Tha:. night and the following
morning were fpent by the French
commander, in landing his troops
in Choc Bay, which lay between
Grofs Iflet and the Careenage.
Xhat time was alfo .employed by
the Britifh Admiral in preparing
for every poiTible future event;
in warping the fhips of war farther
within the bay, thereby to render
the line jmore compad and firm,
and in connrufting new batteries
on thofe points of land which co-
vered the entrance. The clofe
connexion, equal participation of
danger and ferviccwith the mutual
dependence, now fubuiling between
the land and naval departments,
united the whole fo clofely, that
they feemed to form bat one folid
and compaft body ; and this being
farther cemented and confirmed' by
that admirable harmony which pre-
vailed between the commanders
and officers o:i both fides, ferved
altogether, to fpread fo high a de-
gree of confidence, hope, and
f'pirit, through the army and fleet,
that they totally forgot the vafl
fuperiority of the enemy, the pre-
carioufnef's and danger of their
own fituation, and feemed jnfen-
fible to fuch continual duty, fa-
tigue, and hardlliips, as would, in
other circumflances, have appeared
intolerable.

The country which was now
the fcene of aflion, being among
the moll difficult and imprac-
ticable, whether with rel'pefl to its
face, or to the climate, in wliich

it

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[47

It would feem that war could in any
manner be conduced, it is not cafy
to defcribe, and it is ftill harder
clearly to comprehend, the com-
plicated fuuatioa of the Brliifh polls.
The country prefented no regrular
face, but a broken and confufed
congeries of lleep and abrupt hills,
fcatcered among greater mouotains,
every where interfefted by narrow
winding vallies, deep defiles, and
difficult gullies. General Grant,
with the bulk of the forces, con-
fifting of the brigades of Prefcot
and Calder, occupied all the Ibong
hold$^. among the hills en either
ridj?;^f the Grand Cul de Sac ; and
commanded by fev'eral detached
pofts, the ground that extended
from thence to the Careenage,
which lay at about two miles dif-
tance. A battery on their fide,
and at the fouth point of the Ca-
reenage, with another on- the op-
pofite point of the Viergie, defend-
ed the entrance into that bay, and,
as we have feen, checked the at-
tempt of the French fleet in their
defign to attain that objeft. The
'brigades were alfo poffefTed of
two other batteries, near the bot-
tom of the bay, where it narrows
into, or is joined by a creek, which
palling Morne Fortune, cuts the
country for fome way farther up.
Thefe batteries were tovered in
front by tfie creek, and com-
manded, in a confiderable degree,
the land approaches to the Vier-
gie.

Thus, General Meadows, who
with the referve, was ftationed,
and it may be faid, fhut up, in
that peninfula, was, by difiance
and fituation, as well as that de-
cided fuperiority, which the num-
bers of tlie enemy enabled them
to maintain, in all the parts of

whatever fervice • they undertook,
totally cut off from the fupport of
the main body, any farther thaii
what might be derived from thofe
batteries we have mentioned. He
was indec;d In pofTelfion of very
ftrong ground, but there were
clrcumilances to countejjDalance
that advantage. A retreat, how-
ever preiTed ,or overpowered he
might be, was impolTible ; and
the very circumftance of fituation
which afforded flrength to the
peninfula in one refpeft, rendered
ii" liable to danger in another, as
he was expofed to a landing and
attack from the fea in the rear,
at the very inftant that he might
' have been defperately engaged, or
perhaps overborne, in the front.
But he was obeyed by men, who
might have infpired confidence in
a commander much more difpo-
fed to dcfpondency. For although,
they amounted only to about
13C0 in number, they were com-
pofed, belides a veteran regiment^
of a part of thofe brave and hardy
Jight troops, who had borne lb dif-
tinguiilied a fliarc, in all the moft
active and dangerous fervice of the
Americaa war.

Upon the whole, with troops of
another caft and charadler, even
without fuppofing them to be by
any means contemptible, the fitua-
tion, notwichfcanding its advantages,
would have been found mere t.ian
perilous. The critical fituation of
the fleet and army, with the vaft
importance of that poft, and of the
Careenage, which depended on ir,
cut ofr, however, every imputation
of'ralhnefs, from whatever hazard
might be encountered in their pre-v
fervation.

The eftefl of thofe judicious
pofitions which hid beta taken by

the

48] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the Britifli troops on their firft attempt they might make to fuccour

Janding, btcime now fully evi- General Meadows.

dent to both armies. Nor was On the near approach of the

the chagrin and difappolntment of colurnns, they were enfiladed with

the French greatt^r, upon the great etfedl, by thofe batteries

failure of their attempt to gain

the Careenage Bay, than it was

after their landing, ,when they

difcovered that Sir Henrv Cai-

which we have taken notice of,
on the fouth of the bay. But
notwithltanding this impediment,
they rufhcd on to the charge, with

der's brigade were in pofTefTion of all that impetuofuy which is cha-

the mountains on the fouth fide
of the Grand Cul de S.ic. For
the bombarding of the Britifli fleet,
from ihofe heights, which fo effec-
tually commanded that bay, was'
the firll great objedl in view in
their landing; which, from the
ftrong pofitions taken by that bri-
gade, was now totally unattainable,
at any lefs price, than that of a
general eng;.gement by fea and
land; an ifl'ue to which the French
were not yet at all difpofed to bring
matters.

Upon a full view and confidera-
tion of thofe circumftances which
we have flated, as well as of others,
the French commanders determin-
ed to direct their firit effort fepa-
rately againlt General Meadows,
and to attack the peninlula, at .the
fame time, by land and fea. For

18th.

the hrll of thcfe purpofes.

about 5,000 of their beft
troops were drawn out, and ad-
v'anced in three columns to attack
the Britifli lines, which were drawn
acrofs the iflhmus that joins the
peninfula to the continent. That
on the right was led by the Count
D'£fl;aing, the center by M. de
Lovendahl, and the left column,
by the Marquis de Bouille, go-
vernor of Martinique. The remain-
der of their troops were kept difen-
gaged, to watch the motions of

radleriltic of their nation. They
we'e received with a coolnefs, fl:ea-
dinefs, and immoveable firmnefs,
which even exceeded the expeda-
tion of thofe who were moft
verfed in the temper and cha-
rae'ter of their enemy. The French
troops were fuffered to advance fo
clofe to the entrenchrhents, with-
out oppcfition, that the Britifli
front line fired but once, and theft
received the enemy on the bayonet.
That fire, had of courfe, a dread-
ful effeft ; but the French, not-
withrtanding, fupported the con-
flift with great refolution, and fuf-
fered extremely before they were
entirely repulfed. It is laid, that
feventy of the enemy were killed
within the entrench.ment on the firll
onfet.

As foon as they had recovered
their breath and order, they re-
newed the attack with the fame ea-
gernefs and impetuofity as before;
and were again encountered with
the fame determined refolution
and inflexible obltinacy. Although
they had fuffered feverely in thefe
two attacks, they again rallied,
and returned to the charge the
third time. But the affair was
now foon decided. They v/ere
totally broken, and obliged to re-
tire in the utmoft diforder and
ccnfufion, leavinp- their dead and

Trefcoi's brigade, and to check any wounded in the power of the vic-
tors.

HISTORY OF EUkOPE.

[49

tors. They were, however, in con-
fequence of an agreement entered
into, almoft immediately after, per-
mitted to bury the one, and to carry
cfF the other; M. de Ellaing having
rendered himfelf accountable for the
wounded as prifoners of. war.

The diveifion attempted by fea
produced fo little efFedl, as not to
deferve any particular notice. No-
thing could exceed the difpofitions
inade upon this occafion by General
Meadows, nor furpafs his conduft
in any of its parts. He was wound-
ed in the beginning of the aftion ;
but could neither be perfuaded by
his furgeons to quit the held, nor to
admit of their afliftance in it, until
the affair was decided. It would be
needlefs to make any obfervation
upon the behaviour of his officers
and troops. Where all were brave,
little notice could be taken of in-
dividuals- Major Harris, who com-
manded the grenadiers, and Major
Sir James Murray, at the head of
the light infantry, had, from their
commands, an opportunity of being
more particularly diftinguifhed. It
would feem upon the whole, as if
there had been a jealous emulation
in danger and glory between the
land and the naval departments,
and that Fortune had taken care to
Ihare the palm fo equally, that the
conteft fiiould fiill remain unde-
cided.

The lofs fuftained by the French,
exceeded any thing that could
have been luppofed or apprehended,
whether from the numbers engag-
ed, or from the duration of the ac-
tion. No lefs than 40Q men were
killed upon the fpot ; 500 were fo
defperately wounded as to be ren-

dered incapable of fervice ; and
6co more were flightly wounded ;
the whole amounting to a number
confiderably fuperior to that of the
enemy whom they had encountered.
The lofs of the vidlors, was compa-
ratively as fmall, as that on the fide
of the vanquifhed was great, and
beyond ufual example ; and it can-
not but excite aftonifhment, that
although a good many were wound-
ed, not a fingle Britifh ofEcer fhould
have loft his life in fuch an adion.

M. D'Eftaing continued, in a
{late of feeraing irrefolution, for ten
days longer on the iiland, without
forming any apparent plan for its
recovery, or making the fmallefl
farther attempt by fea or land, not-
withlianding the vaft fuperiority of
his marine force ; which was hourly
increafed (if fuch may be confider-
ed as an aid) by the number of
French and American privateers,
which flocked from all quarters, to
partake of the fpoil, if not of tha
glory of the enterprize. He, how-
ever, at length, found himfelf re-,
duced to the neceflity of relinquifh-
ing a conteft, which had proved fo
exceedingly barren both of profit
and honour. He accordingly em-
barked his troops on the night of the
28th, and on the following day,
abandoned the iflvind to its deftiny.
As if it were to crown the climax
of his mortifications, he was not yet
out of fight, when the Chevalier de
Micoud, with the principal inhabi>
tants, offered to capitulate ; and al-
though they were now totally deferr-
ed, and left folely at the mercy of
the viflors, very favourable condi-
tions were granted to ihem.

Vol.. xxir.

f^I

CHAP,

5o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1775.

CHAP.

IV.

State of public affairs during the reccfs of parliament. Addrefs and petition
from the city of London, Mdttia embodied. Camps formed, jdmij-al
Kippel appointed to the command of the grand feet for the home Jernjice.
Peculiar f.tuation rf that commander. Fleet fails from St. Hellens.
LicornCf French frigate, Jiopt and detained. Blameable ccnditii of the
Captain, in firing unexpeSiedly into the America 7iian of tvar. Dejperatt
engagement betnxieen the Arethuja, and the Belle Poiile, frigates. French
fchooner, brcfvely taken by the Alert cutter. Another French frigate falls
ni 'with the fleet ; and is, 'with the Licorne and fchooner, brought to
England. Fleet returns to Portfmouth for a reinforcement. . Renvards
and bounty of the French King, to the officers and cre^u of the Belle Poule,
Admiral Kcppel fails again from PortJmoutB. Falls in nvith the French
fleet under the Count d'Or-villiers ; and after a chace of fiue days, brings
them at length to aSiion. Account of the engagement on the 2'jth of July.
Vievj of thofe circumjiances 'which luere fuppdjed to ha'ue pre-vented that
ailion from being deciji-ve. French fleet efcape in the night, and return
to Brejl. Prudent and temperate conduSi obferved by the Admiral. Rc'
turns to Plymouth to reft. Proceeds again to fca^ but cannot meet tht
French 'fleet.

J , R O M tbefe fcenes of diflant
[/ hoilility, it is time we fliould
direft our attention nearer home,
and take a view of thofe immediate
meafures purfued by Great Britain,
to Extricate herfelf frc^i the difficul-
ties of that new, fingular, and peri-
lous fituation, in which fhe had fo
unforiunately»been invoivcd. A ii-
tuation, indeed, more -fingular and
perilous, could fcarcely be traced in
niftory.

Wcakarsed and difhafted by a
domcdic contcft, which equally con-
fumed her llrcnglh and refources ;
in which vidtcry was attended with
confequences, that were always of
equivocal advantage, and defeats
produced the whole of their natural
effeds ; while tne balance of fortune
in that fingle tonteft was yet fo
doubtful, that the inability of re-
ducing her revolted cclouia*, was

held out as an ollcnfibie and fuf-
ficient caufe for confidering and
treating them as independent and
fovereign ilatcs ; in the raidft of
thii critical ftruggle, we fee Great
Britain fuddenly involved in a nevr
and much more dangerous vvar>.
without any mitigation of the old ;
we behold her engaged with her
ancient rival and hereditary enemy ;.
with one of the nioft mighty and
moll warlike powers in EuropCj^-
rendered Hill more dangerous by
his vicinity ; and in this double
warfare with old friends and old
enemies, not only bereaved of her
natural ftrength, but a great part of
it turned againft her, Ihe is left
alone to endure the unequal combat,
abandoned by all mankind, and
without even the pretence of a
friend, or the name of an ally in the
world.

ShcH

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[51

Such was the unfortunate fitua-
tion, fuch the calamitous pidlure,
which Great Britain exhibited in
the year 1778. So aweful a cri-

fpirecl by a fpirit of vigour fuited
to an occafion which called for
efforts of an extraordinary kind.
It was rather even the tone of in-

iis ; fo perilous a ftate of public dignation and vengeance, than mere

affairs; demanded thofe fupreme conflancy and refolution. But this

degrees of wifdom in counfel, and fpirit very foon evaporated ; and

of efficacy in adlion, which are fo nothing was talked, of in a war of

feldom united with each other, conqueft and vengeance but felf-de-

and which are ftill more rarely fS^ice.

united with true patriotifm. If The enemies of miniflry were

fuch fituations are fometirnes bleft loud on this occafion. They faid,

with the extraordinary good for- that by this timid plan, neither

tune, of calling forth greaftalents fuited to the emergency, nor to

from inertnefs or obfcurity, it much the language held upon it, the

more frequently happens that they opportunity was loft, by feme fud-

produce a totally contrary effeft. den, great, and fignal blow, of

for the vaftnefs of the occafion is reviving our antient name and

too liable to dazzle, to bewilder,
and to confound, that ufeful me-
diocrity cf talents and abilities,
which, however unequal to the fi-
tuation, is exceedingly well calcu-

charafter ; and of infpiring that
reverence to our national vigour
and military prowefs, which it was
fo neceffary for us to maintain and
eftablifh with other nations, whe-

lated for the common condudt and ther friendly or inimical, at the

purpofes of mankind. outfetoffuch a war.

However it was, or from what- It was fuppofed, that a double

ever caufes it proceeded, whether fcheme of partial accommodation,

from a fludluation or difcordance the one part avowed, and the other

of opinions, difagreemeiit in tern- fecret, and founded upon fyftems

per and views among the minillers, diredlly oppolite, was about that

whether from the want of any pre- period prevalent, and had no fmall

vious or eftablifhed fyftem, or that fhare in influencing the eondudl of

the flattering ideas of fome partial public affairs. The firft part of

or general accommodation, ilili in- this fcheme was founded on the

terfered with and counteracted all ideaof detaching America, through

3ther modes of proceeding, fo it the intervention of the Commif-

kvas, that fome appearance of ir- fioners, from the alliance with

refolution and indecifion, which France. Nothing could poffibly

it that critical period prevailed in have been more ellential to the

:he counfels and meafures of Great interefts, the reputation, and to

Britain, was fo palpable, as nei- thfe grandeur of Great Britain,

:her to efcape the obiervations of than the fuccefs of this mealure.

riends or of enemies. Notwith- France jwould then have been left

landing repeated caufes of alarm, to encounter all her force alone,

ve Teemed to be taken by furprize. which, if properly diredcd, ihe

rhe' language of the court, as was yet by no means capable of en-

oon as it could collect itfelf, was during.

ufficiently firm ; and feeraed in- The event of that part of the

[D] 2 fcheme

52] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

^c^eme we have already feen. The and views, and of openly bindiojf
'e ond, was that of detaching herfelf in the face of the world to*
France from America; and con- the pcn'ormance and fupport of
fequently leaving the latter ex- ihofe treaties which (he had con-
pofed to that refentment. which, eluded with the An^ericans, it was
in the other inftance, would have then not only evident that (he had
been direfled again ft the firlt. Al- gone too far to recede, but that (lie
thaueh this p;»rt of the fchtnie, had alio chcfen her ground, and
even fuppofing it capable of fuc- was fully difpofed and determined
ce's could not (land in any de- to abide the confequences. So that
gree of real comparative value every hope founded upon her change
with the former, yet it held out of lyftem, feemed little better than
certain flattering ideas, which' vifiona-ry.

miaht even render it, in iome There were fome ftrong indi-
de-^ree, a favourite. For liit de- cations, that a third, and more
reliction of America by France, comprehenfive fcheme of pacifica-
would have left the former open, tion than either of the foregoing,
and now totally hopelefs, to that was at one time in agitation. This
complete and final lubiugation, or was no lefs, than the conclufion of
unconditional fubmifllon, which an immediate peace and alliance
had lb long been the great objeft with the Colonies, under the ac-
of court and miniilers. But th*is knowledgcment of that independ-
fcheme feemed frcm the beginning ence, which it was laid down as
hopelefs, though it for a while en- a principle, they had already vir-
tertained the imaginations of many. V tually and irretneveably obtainedj,
Great Britain had no bribe of (ut- and thereby cutting off at one
ficent magnitude to purchafe from ftroke, every caule of war, and
France this dereiidion of her ob- of uifpute with America. In that
jecl. If fuch could have been of- cafe, if a plan of prudence, not
fered, and offered with.efteft it very glorious, had been parfued^
niuft have been before the conclu- there was an end of the quarrel both
fron of the treaty: but the treaty with America and France. If the
was concluded. reduflion and punifiiment of France

Every part of the conduft of was the objedt, the war againll her
France from the commencement might be purfued with undifTtpated
of the American troubles, either force. On the very day of the de-
tendsd direftly, orbut ill difguifed livery of the French rel'cript, a pa-
her defi'^n, to bring matters to the per to that purpofe, written by an
prefent crifis. To the period of old and flrong advocate for the A-
that treaty, however, her policy merican war, was delivered at the
lay open to the influence of cir- doors of the two Hoiifes.
cumftances, and her condudl was. If this fcheme ever had any
and undoabiediy would have been fubilantial being in the miniftry,
in any caP., governed by them, ic was, however, but of (hort ou-
But when once fhe had talcen the ration; and was fo far from being
decided and dangerous part, of brougjit forward, or any more
publicly avowing her fcntiments heard of in that quarter, that when

pro.

HISTORY OF EUROPE,

[53

f/ropoiicions of a fimilar nature,
were foon after made by the op-
pofuioa in both Houies of Parlia-
ment, and ftrongly fupported, on
the ground both of expedience and
lieceility, they were violently op-
pofed, and accordingly over-ruled
(as we have formerly fcen) by the
niinifters.

To fome fuch variety of opinions,
with refpe6l to the means of ac-
commodation, the grand queftions
of peace and war, arid the mode
of profecuting the latter, may pro-
bably be attribuied thole appear-
ances of fiudluation, an-d indeciiion,
which, at that pe-iod, were fo
lirongly ind repeatedly charged, as
the chara£leriilic marks • of our
counfela and meafures. And to
fuch caufes mull be attributed, the
reception of the report,, of a re-
proach faid to be thrown out by the
• French' minifter, at the moment
of his departure from London,
viz. " That the Britifli counfels
•' were fo totally undetermined and
*f indeciiive, in every matter, vvhe-
" ther of public or private con-
*' cern, that he never could get a
•' pofuive anlwer from the mi-
" niilers, upon any bufmefs, vvhe-
♦' ther of fmall, or of the highefl
•-■ iinportince."

March i cj ^" *^® ''^'y ^^y
^ _„ ■?' that the French re-

' ' fcript had been de-
livered to the Secretary of State,
an addrefs and petition from the
City of London, praying for the
adoption ot fuch meafures as would
nioft forward the reltoration of in-
ternal peace, tend to refcue pub-
lic affairs from unwife and im-
provident management, and ob-
tain, improve, and fecure, the re-
turning confidence of the peojjle,
^zs prefented to his aiajefty. This

piece, which was of unufual length,
and a maflerly compoiition in
point of writing, contained, in
the moil: qualified langiiage, and
the molt guarded and relpedful
terms, a feries of the fevcrcll ob-
fervations and cenfures, on (what
they termed) ihofe fatal counfels,
and that condudl of public afl'airs
and meafures, which equally mif-
leading and deceiving the I'rince
and the people, led to the prefenc
dangerous and unhappy crifis.
'Along with a recapitulation of
the loffes, misfortunes, and dif-
graces of the war, with a ftriking
piflure of the various calamities
and miferies, which they attri-
bute to that 'public conduft they lo
lirongly condemn, they by no
means forget to take notice, how
repeatedly they had deprecated,
and how truly foreboded, in their
former applications to the throne,
(and in concurrence with the fcnfa
of many other rei'peftable public
bodies, and of many of the wifeft
and bell pf his Majefty's fubjecls)
the prefent evils and dangers, as
well as thofe greater to w;hich the
nation is ilill liable, as the inevi-
table confequences of the meafures
which were purfued; n-either did
they pais without notice the ineffi-
cacy of their former applications,
and the anfwers which had been
given to their addreffes and remon-
Itrances upon public affairs.

Among other political obferva-
tions, all implying or charo-in^
negledl or milconducl on the Me
of government, they pa,rtict:l£riy
noticed in the prelent inftance,
that there was no appearance of"
our having formed any alliance
with any of the other preat powers
ct Europe, in order to cover us
from the complicated perils fo ma-
IP] 3 nifcltly

54] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

nifeftly imminent over this nation,
at a t:me when there was but too
much rcafon to apprehend, that
alliances of the moll dingerous kind
were formed againil us.

The an.wer, which was longer
than ufual, feemcd alio to indicate
a greater attention, both to the
fubjeft of the addrefs, and to the
body whofe a.&. it was, than had
been always manifelled upon fi-
milar orcaiions. It comprehended
in fubilance, that, although it could
not be allowed, that the force and
refources of the ftatc, h.nd been un-
wifeiy and jmprovidently exerted,
when the object was the main-
tenance of that constitutional fub-
ordination which ought to prevail
through its feveral parts ; yet, the
calamities infeparable Irom a Hate
of war had been conftantly la-
mented ; and, an afTurance was
given, that his Majefty would moll
earnellly give all the efficacy in his
power, to thcfe meafures which
the Jegiflature had adopted, for
the purpofe of reftoring, by a hap-
py and permanent conciliation,
all the blelfiiigs and advantages of
peace.

VVnatever hopes or motives ope-
rated towards a temporizing con-
dudl on the fide of England, it
was foon peceivable, that no fimi-
lar caufes influenced that < f France.
No fooner was the account con-
veyed with unufual difpatch to that
court, of tiie immediate efFeds,
which the delivery of the refcript
from theif miniiler feemtd to have
produced in London, than orders
>* int. were inltanily iffued
March i8th. ^^^ the (eizure of alt

thofe Britilh veffeh, which were
found in any of the French ports.
This example was followed by a
^milar order in Great Britain,

But thefe meafures produced jio
great effeft on the one fide or the
other, as there were few fhips ia
the ports of either.

The order lor the feizure of the
Britifh veffels, was in three days
followed by another meafure Hill
more decifive,' and which feemed
as if it were intended by France,
to affix fuch a feal to her late de-
claration, as would not only con-
vince her new allies of her fince-
rity, but put it out of her own
power to re trad from her engage-
ments with them. This was the
public audience and reception given
to the three American deputies.
Dr. Franklyn, Silas Deane, and
Arthur Lee, as ambafiadors froni
the United States, by the French
monarch. The deputies were «
introduced by M, de Vergen- '
nes, and received by the king,
with the ufual formalities and ce-
remonials, which the etiquette of
courts has eftablilhcd en the in-
trcdu£lion of minillers from fove-
reign ilates. A great and ftriking
event, as any which has been known
in the latter ages. Nothing could
be defired more mortifying to the
Crown of Great Britain.

Certain appearances were, how-
ever, Hill to be pref^erved by France
as well as by England ; and the
King's ordinance, afl^ording new
and extraordinary advantages to
the captors of prizes, as an en-
couiagement and'fpur to the vigour
of the marine fervice, although it
was figned on the 28th of March,
was kept dormant, without publi-
cation or eifeft, until the beginning
of July.

To complete the defenfitre plan,
which was declared to be only pre-
liminary to one more efFedual, tQ
be taken up in due tinje, in Eng-
land,

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[ss

land, the militia were immediately
called out a^A embodied, upon the
xi/ing of parliament ; and' being
joined by the regular forces., the
numbers of the one being appor-
tioned in fome degree to that of
the other, camps were formed at
Winchefler, Salifbury, St. Ed-
mund's-bury in Suft'olk, Warley
Common in Eflex, and Coxheath
in Kent. Bat the eyes and the
confidence of the nation, were
turned, as ulual, towards that na-
val force, which had fo long been
the objed; of its pride and hope.

This hope and confidence were
ilil! farther increafcd, by the ap-
pointment of a diftinguillied, and
exceedingly popular admiral, in the
Jiigheft efteem with his own profef-
fion, as well as the public, to the
command of, what was called, the
grand fleet at Portfmouth. Jt hap-
pened, however, mcft unhappily,
that at this critical feafon of national
xlanger, our navy was not altogether
capable of fupporting the expedla-
tions which were formed. Some
time elapfed before any confider-
able force could be got together.

We have for fome years part
cfeen, that complaints on thi? fub-
jeft, and enquiries into the Hate
, of the navy, have been repeatedly
introduced and propofed in parlia-'
ment ; that dired charges as to
points of faft, of the utraoft im-
portance, have been frequently
made and ftrongly fupported ; that
thefe charges have been no Icfs
ftrongly and confidently denied ;
and that all propofitions, which led
to. any diredi and efFedtual inveiU-
gation of the fubject, have been
uniformly rejeded by prodigious
majorities, as improper and impo-
litic in their own nature.

The minority charged the ai-

nifters, on the prefent'cccafion, with
having entertained the King with
the vain pageantry of a naval re-
view, and having for this purpofe
kept the navy from more rational
fervice in America, in order to im~
pofe on the fovereign, and to hide
from his eyes their nsgled of his
moft efiential forces. Such means of
gratifying royal or popular curiofity
in the fair weather of peace, may
well ferve to hide defeds, and to
conceal weaknefs ; but the rough
feafon and fearching hand of war,
will foon tear off the painted cover-
ing, and expofe the deception.

Admiral Keppel was deftined to
the command of that fleet, to
which was committed the defence
of this ifland, the protedion of
the homeward - bound trade, and
the prefervation of the dignity and
honour of the Britifh flag in ths
adjoining feas. He arrived at
Portfmouth to take upon him the
x:ommand, in a few days after the
delivery of the French refcript.
Jt now appears, from evidence
which cannot be controverted, and
which nothing Icfs than the ex-
traordinary events that followed
could have brought forv/ard, that
he found matters in a very different
flate, as well from the opinion
which had been generally circu-
lated, as from what he had him-
felf been taught to exped. He
afierted on his trial, and it was
not contradided, that inftead of a
ftrong and well appointed fleet,
capable of undertaking the great
objeds of fervice laidi before him^
be then difcovered to his aflonifh-
rnent, that there were only fix
fail of the line, which were in any
degree pf condition for immediate
fervice ; and that the paucity or
condition of men or fliips was not
[Z^J 4 more

56] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

move alarming, than the deficiency exprefled by an eminent membs?

ot ail kinds of naval llores was la
mentable. The minilljers have
li nee aliened, that there were majiy
Ihips in condition, and fuflicient
to form a ftrong fquadron ; but
they were at that time difperfed

of parliament, " that all defcrip-
*' tions of men fecmed pleafed
'* with the choice, and to feel
" their own fecurity included in
" his appointment."

However flattering -thefe cir-

on various fcrvices ; and could not cumilances might be, his talcing
be collected together fo foon as fuch a command, was not without
they wilhcd, though early enough its difficulties, and afforded much
for ufe. Whatever merit might room for ferious rtfiedion. ' It is
have been in this matter, the ad- indeed highly flattering to, and
iniral, accommodating himfelf to- one of thcf'e meeds of virtue and
the aftual Hate of affairs, and to ability, which perhaps affords the
the neceffity of the time, afted nioft poignant gratification, that
j»'ith fuch prudence, caution, and however they may be negledled
difcretion, as fully prevented that and laid by, in the halcyon days
increafe of the public alarm and of quiet and fecurity, they muft
apprehenfion, which a diCplay of be fought to with reverence, and
thci".i circumltances mull necellarily called into action with honour, in
have occafioned. Without noife, the feafons of trouble and peril,
and without complaint, he urged But the Admiral had, upon this
his private applications to the Ad- occafion, a great deal to rifque,
mirahy with fuch affiduity and ef- and he expefled nothing. His
/edl, that a new fplrit, and unufual circumftances were not fuch as to
degree of vigour, were fuddenly prompt him. to feek for new perils,
feen to pervade the naval depart- and his time of life, and Hate of
ment ; and fuch induftry was ufed health, naturally led to a defire of
in preparation, that by the middle eafe, rather than to the fatigues,
of June, he was enabled to take the hardfhips, and difficulties, not only
feas, with a fleet of twenty fail of of an adive employment, but of a
the line, and a prcmife of fpeedy .mod: critical fervice. The well-
and effeftual reinforcement. earned glory acquired in forty year?

In this anxious fituation of af- fervice, was now to be flaked upon
fairs, and in fuch itnperfed pre- a Angle caft, and could receive no
paration, great reliance was placed great addition from winning. And
by the public, in the acknow- it could not be without much re-
ledged naval abilities and fkill of luftance, that a fituation in life,
a commander, the fettled fame of which it would be fo extremely
whofr- cool and determined cou~ difficult in any refpedl to have
rage, might make him dare to be mended, fbould be committed to
prudent. He had been concerned any new hazard. This is, with
in many of the moft fplendid fer- few additions, his own natural
vices of the late war, and flood and affefting way of Hating hi§
particularly high in the eflima- fituation.

tion of Lord Anfon and Lord His political fituation increafed
Hawke. In the navy he was in a all thefe difficulties, and evidently
laacner adored. It was ftrongly rendwed the meafure extremely ha-

, zardous,

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

aardous. Every officer who has
ever been entruded with a great
and important command, rouft ex-
perimentally know, how much his
fuccel's and his fame depends, upon
the fupport which he has at home.
In this fupport is to be included,
the countenance of thofe minifters,
who are in eiFeft his employers, as
well as the meafure of fupply
which they mete out for the fup-
port of his fervice. Oppofition in
parliament, and a dHFerehce of opi-
nion in political matters, have, in
former times as well as the prefent,
been alledged as a caufe of the op-
preflion of ofiicers in military com-
mands. " L go to ferve againft
*' your enemies," faid Villars to
Louis the XlVth, " but I leave
** mine in your clofet." Minillers,
on the other hand, are apt to ac-
cufe them of failure in duty, on
Eccoiint of difafFedlion to the power
of perfons whom they hate. Jt
is however certain, that in the
latter cafe, this mifcondud can fel-
dom happen, without being very
evident to the difcerning eyes of
their own profeffion. But in the
former, the character of a com-
mander may be whifpered away,
without any dlreft charge being
laid againft his conduft, or any
avowed cenfure from thofe, under
vhofe aufpices and inftruclions he
had afted.

In confequence, however, of a
royal meflage, which came through
the firft Lord of the Admiralty,
Admiral Keppel attended in the
clolet, to receive the commands of
his fovereign. And although (to
ufe his own expreffions upon his
trial) his forty years endeavours
were not marked by the pofleflion
pf any one favour from the crown,
except that of its confidence in

157

time of danger, he could not think
it right to decline the fervice of his
country. And this the more efpe-
ciaily, as the nation was repre-
fented to him, by thofe who had
a right to be the beft acquainted
with its condition, to be in no
very fecure Hate. In that, and
other fubfequent royal audiences,
he delivered his opinions with that;
plainnefs and opennefs, which were
equally fuited to his natural, and
incidental to his profeflional cha-
rader. He particularly took the
freedom of obferving, that he
ferved in obedience to his Ma-
jcfty's commands; that he was
unacquainted with his miniflers, as
minilters; and that he took the
command as ic was, without makino*
any difficulty, and without afking
a fingle favour ; trufting only to
his Majelly's good intentions, and
to his gracious fupport and pro-
teftion.

Nor were appearances lefs fa-
vourable on the fide of the mi-
niiters. The bufinefs had been
fixteen months in contemplation,
the iirll propofal having been made
in confequence of the alarming
afpctt which the ftate of public
affairs exhibited, in the month of
November 1776; the notice of his
appointment, upon the decifive
part at length taken by France,
was conveyed to the admiral,
through the chief minifter of the
marine, with every appearance of
concurrence and approbation ; and
the bearer of this mefTage, who
feeenied to feel no fmall degree of
pleafure in the appointment, (al-
though he afterwards became his
accuier) was his particular friend
and intimate acquaintance of very
long Handing. This gentleman,
who was vice-admiral of the blue,

and

58] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1775.

and likewlfe a lord of the admi-
ralty, was to ferve in iVlr. Kep-
pel's fleet, as third in command.
It would be needlefs to dwell upon
the well - founded fatisfadion and
confidence, which the affillance of
officers, Ilanding in fuch a degree
of intimacy and friendlhip, muft
afford to a commander in chief.
It feems to meet, fo far as it goes,
that firft willi of every general, to
have the choice of thofe officers on
whom he muft principally confide,
dnd on whofe conduit, his repu-
tation and fuccefs mull fo much*
depend.

With the force we have men-
tioned, the greatell national truft
that could be repofed, and nuli-
jnited difcretionary powers, the ad-
- , roiral failed from Su

June 13th, Hgjg,^>s^ The trull was

^^7°' indeed great, for the
ilate of public affairs was exceed-
ingly critical. It was well known
that France had a ftrong fleet at
Bred, and in fuch a ftate of pre-
paration, as fufficiently indicated
{ome immediate and important
defign. Our great commercial
fleets, loaded with that wealth,
which could alone enable us .to
encounter fuch formidable enemies,
and to fupport fo complicated
and extenfive a war, were on their
way home from different quarters
of the globe. To the prote<flion
of the commerce of Great Bri-
tain, was to be added the de-
fence of her extenfive -coaHs, the
fecurity of her vaft capital, and the
prefervatioa of thofe invaluable
refervoirs of her naval power, in
which were equally included her
prefent ftrength, and her future
hops. All ihefe imnienfe objefts,
were committed to the defence of
twenty Ihips.

The fleet had fcarcely arrived af:
its rtation in the Bay of Bifcay,
when an occafion oifered to fliew,
that great difcretionary powers are
liable to much perlonal rifque, un-
lefs the nioil cordial fupport is af-
forded, by thofe in the adminiftra-
tion of public affairs, to the per"
fon on whom thefe powers is de-.
legated. Two French frigates,
vvith two fmaller veilcls, appeared
in fight, and were evidently taking
,a furvey of the fleet. The ad-.
miraPs fituation was nice and dif-
ficult. War had not been de-
clared, nor even reprifals ordered.
It was, however, neceffary to flop
thefe frigates, as well to obtain
intelligence, as to prevent its being
conveyed. Indeed it feemed a mat-
ter of indifpenfible neceffity, not
to mifs the opportunity of acquiring
fome knowledge of the ftate, fitu^
ation, and views of the enemy.
But that fluduation of ccunfels,
which, as we have ftated, feemed
to prevail at that time, joined to
the peculiar circumftancesof the ad-
miral's political fittiation, feemed,
all together, to render any ftrong
meafure exceedingly hazardous. He
might have been difavowed , and a
war vvith France might be charged
to his rafhnefs,' or to the views
and principles of his party. Iq
this dilemma, the admiral deter-
mined to purfue that line of con-
duft which he deemed right, and
to abide the confequences. The
fubfequent behaviour of the French
frigates, feemed calculated to af-
ford a juiiification for any mea-
fure of violence he could have pur-
fucd.

A general fi^nal for , .u

V, • u ■ J J""C 17th.

chacing being made, •* '

the Milford frigate got in the even-
ing along-fide of the Licorne of 32

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[5?

fans, and in the moft obliging
terms, required, or rather requeited,
the French captain to come under
the admiral's ftern ; this was re-
fufed, but upon the coming up of
a Ihip of the line, and her firing a
gun, the Frenchman Hood to her,
and was brought into the fleet.
The admiral fent a meflage to lee-
ward, that every civility ihould be
cxprelled to the French captain,
and aifo information given, that he
would fee him as foon as they could
come up in the morning ; the vefiels
who had him in charge, received
orders to atrend to him through the
night, and to bring him up without
jnolertation.

In the morning, an unexpedled
movement made by the French fri-
gate, occafioned one of the convoy
to fire a (hot acjofs her v.'ay, as a
iignal for keeping her courle, when,
to the aftonifnment of the admiral
and the whole fleet, flie fuddenly
poured her whole broadfide, accom-
panied with a general difcharge of
her mufquetryi into the America of
74 guns, at the very inftant that
Lord Longford her commander was
Handing upon the gunwale, and
talking in terms of the utmoft po-
litenels to the French captain. The
frigate inftantly ftruck her colours
as Soon as flie had difcharged her
iire. Several of the (hot ftruck the
America ; and it feemed little lefs
than a miracle, confidering the
clofenefs of the fhips, and the un-
fiifpedling ftate of the crew, that
only four of her people were
wounded. Although this behaviour -
merited the feverefl: return ; and
that a broadfide, which would pro-
bably have fent her to the bottom,
was that immediately to be ex-
pedled, yet, the noble commander
pf the America, with a magoaai-

mity, humanity, and admirabl
command of temper, which reflect
the higheft honour on his character,
did not return a Angle fliot.

In the mean time, the other
French^ frigate, called La Belle
Poule, which was of great force,
and iieayy metal, with a fchooner
of lo guns in company, were clofeljr
purfued by the Arethufa frigate.
Captain Marfhal, and the AlerC
cutter, until they got out of fight of
the fleet. The Arethufa having at
length got up with her chafe, re-
queited the French captain to bring
to, and acquainted iiim with the
orders of bringing him to the ad-
miral. A compliance with thefe
requifitions being peremptorily re-
fufed by the French officer. Captain
Marfliai fired a ftot acrofs the Belle
Poule, which fne inftantly returned,
by pouring her whole broadfide into
the Arethufa, then very clofe along
fide.

A defperate engagement enfued,
and was continued with unufual
warmth and animofity for above
two hours ; each fide vying v/ith
the utmoft degree of nation.il emu-
lation to obtain the palm of viclory,
in this firll adion and opening of
a new war. T.he French frigate
was much fuperior in weight of
metal and number of men ; not'
could (he at all have fpared any
part of thofe - advafltages. At
length, the Arethufa was fo much
fhattered in her mafts, fails, and
rigging, and there being at the
fame time but little wind for her
government, (he became in a great
meafure unmanageable ; and they
being now upon the enemy's coaft,
and the French Ihip's head in with
the land, the latter took that op-
portunity of ftanding into a finall
bay, where feveral boats came to

her

6o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

her afliilance at day-light, and low-
ed her into a place of fafcty.

During the iore part of this
aftion, the engagement was no lefs
warm between Captain Fairfax, in
the Alert cutter, and the French
ichooner. Their force was about
equal ; the former carrying ten,
and the latter (if we lemember
right) eight guns. The contell
was well Tupportcd for upwards of
an hou'' ; when the fchooner was
compelled to Itrike, with tiie lofs of
five men killed, and feven mor-
tally wounded. The Areihufa had
fytFered fo much, that fhe was towed
back to the fleet by the Valiant
and Monarch, both of which had
purlued the chace. Her lots in men
was alio confiderable, amounting to
eight killed, and thirty- fix wound-
ed. That of the Belle Poule was
prodicrious. The French account
acknowledges above forty flain, and
iihy-feveii wounded. Among the
former was the fecond in com-
mand.

They acknowledge that the Belle
Poule carried 26 twelve pounders ;
but they forget to enumerate thofe
of lighter metal, which are faid to
have amounted to 14 more; and
they eftimate the Arethufa at zi
fix-pounders. Notwithllanding this
fuperiority of force, the brave and
obftinate defence made by the Belle
Poule, in this firft adion of a new
war, when the terrors of our naval
prowefs in the laft, were not yet
forgotten, became a matter of great
praife, and wonderful exultation.
The King of France took care to
nourilh this national pride and opi-
nion, as well by the honour and
promotion which he beftowed on
the captain and other principal
officers, as by the pecuniary re-
wards to thofe in a more fubaltern

degree, and his liberal munificence
to the widows, families, or rela-
tions, of thofe who fell in the ac-
tion. Nor was this attention con-
fined to the officers. The wounded
feamen, and the widows of their
fellows who were flain, partook, in
a proportional degree, of the fame
bounty ; and the whole was crowned
with a confiderable benefadion to
the lliip's company in general. On
the oiher hand, the Captains IVIar-
fhal and Fairfax, received great
praiie from their commander, and
not more than they deferved.

In the mean time, another French
frigate fell in with the fleet, and
'was detained by the admiral, under
colour of the hoftility committed,
and the extraordinary circumftances
of ill conduiSl with which it was
attended, by the captain of the
Licorne ; but feveraf French mer-
chantmen were fufrered to pafs
through the flee;t unmolefted, as he
did not think himfelf at all autho-
rized to interrupt their commerce.
It was reported, we know not with
what authority, that thefe frigates,
with fome other vefTels, were cruiz-
ing to intercept our Mediterranean
fleet of merchantmen, which, in-
cluding thofe from Spain and Por-
tugal, amounted to about 70 failj
and which were then upon the point
of immediate arrival.

From the taking of the French,
frigates, the admiral derived a
fource of information of the moll
critical and alarming nature. He
had been tahght, as he affirmed,
to believe that he commanded a
fleet, which if not quite equal in
number and force, was yet luch, as
from a confidence in his officers and
men, he might venture, without
rafhnefs, to oppofe to any thing
that could have been brought ou:

again it

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[fir

againft him during his cruize. He
was now dole upon the enemy's
coaft, and within light of Ufhaiit,
when he difcovered, to his inex-
preffible aftonifhmcnt, from the pa-
pers, and other means of inform-
ation which the capture of ihe fri-
gates had thrown into his hands,
that the French fleet in Breft Road
and Breft Water, amounted to 32
fhips of the line, beiides 10 or 12
frigates; wherea.s his own force
confilted only of 20 of the former,
and three of the latter.

His htuation was certainly highly
perplexing, and no lefs critical. Jc
was fcarcely poffible to fuppofe, that
he could have been fenc out with
fuch a force, and where objeds of
fuch immenfe importance, as per-
haps included no lefs than the very
exiftence of the empire, were at
flake, under any intention of his
encountering fo prodigious a fupe-
riority ; and it was yet Scarcely
lefs difficult to conceive or believe,
that adminiftration in general, or
that great department of the Hate
urider which he immediately afted,
in particular, could have been poffi-
bly deficient in information, on
the full pofleffion of which the pub-
lic welfare and fafety fo dirediy
hung, and which they could not
want means of .procuring with the
utmott facility.

In fo untoward a fituation, it was
indeed difficult what to decide on.
Want of experience feems as necef-
fary as want of^wifdom, to infpire
contempt for an enemy. The con-
lequences of a defeat on the ene-
my's coaft, were not in this cafe, as
in the general courfe of wars, to be
meafured only by a temporary lofs of
territory, or fubftraftion of glory.
Every thing was at ftake. The for-
tune, ,and perhaps the being of this

country, were to be committed to
the hazard of a fingfe die. Our
own narrow feas might be fwept by
an infulting enemy ; our open coalts
every where expofed to devaftatioa
and ruin ; and the kingdom to oped
invafion.

Such were fome of the fatal con-
fequences that were to be appre-
hended from a defeat in the prelenc
ftate of things ; and the more ef-
pecially, as that, through the cou-
rage of the commandeis, and the
urgency of the occafion, could only
have been acccmplifhed by the
ablolute deftruftion of the fleet;
whilft the unfortunate deficiency of
naval llorcs and provifion which
then prevailed within the kingdom*
with the difficulty, if not iniprafti-
cability, under fuch circumftances,
of procuring a foreign fupply, and
the expofed fituation of our dock-
yards, andconfequently of all thole
(hips which were either building or
under repair, would, all together,
prefent fuch an opening to final
ruin and calamity, that fcarcely a
hope could be entertained of re-
trieving the llroke. On the other
hand, to fly from the coaft of an
infuited enemy, when that enemy
was coming out to avenge the in-
fult, would be an incident as new
in the naval hiftory of England, as
it would feem inconfiiient with tie
prefent opinion, and degrading to the
palt renown of the .commander.

In this dilemma, the admiral
determined that all other confider-
ations Ihoul J give way, to what he
deemed a faithful difcharge of the
great trurts re^ofed in him ; the pri-
mary objeds of which, were the
proteflion of his country, and the
prefervation of her commerce. He
wifely thought the ftakes were too
great to be hazarded againft vaft

odds.

62] ANNUAL REGISTER, lyyej.

odds, either upon perfonal, or pro-
iclTional piindilio. It was, how-
ever, a ditiicult conqueft. He af-
terwards declared, when compelled
to a public c.xplan;itioii and defence
of his conduct, thac he never in his
life felc lb deep a melancholy, as
when he found himfelf obliged to
turn his back on France. — And,
that his courage was never put to
fuch a trial as in that retreat; but
that it was his firm perfuafioo, that
his country was faved by it.

, Upon the return of the

^-^ fleet to Portfmouth, the ad-
miral had an opportunity of veri-
fying by experience, the necef-
fity to a commander in chief, ef-
pecially in critical feafons, and
endowed with large dilcretioaary
powers, to be well fupported in tlie
cabinet, and to meet with a aifpo-
fuion to a favourable conilrudion
and acceptance of his v.ell-direded
fer-vices, in thofe nice and dcubtful
iituations, wherein no Ipecihc line
of condud can be laid down for his
direftion, and in which, either per-
fonal refponfibility muft be hazard-
ed, or what appears at the tiaie to
be the eflential interefts of his
country facrificed. He had al-
ready gone in two inftances to the
limits of his difcretionary powers.
The taking of the frigates, and the
return, contrary to expedation and
intention, if not to direil orders,
from his llation, were meafures of
fuch a natuf'j, as admitted of no
medium in their conlUuttion. They
wtre either abfolutely right, or they
muft be abfolutely wrong. In the
former cafe, they demanded not
on!y immediate, but great appro-
bation; in the latter, the moll di-
xetc reprchen/ion. Tiie officer,
who had committed errors of fuch

magnitude and danger, (hould not
again, by any means, have beerj
entruUed with a command of fuch
national importance.

The adniiral was, however, left
in this llate of uncertainty ; and
with (o great a trult in his hands*
never received the fmallell direct
or official approbation of his con-
duft in either infiance. But he
feemed to be immediately delivered
over, without mercy, to the obloquy
and fcurrility of thofe publications,
which he confidered as being under
the immediate diredlion of the mi-
nifters; and which, from the cir-
cumftance of their abufe having
been fb frequency the prelude to
the downfall or difgrace of officers,
are particularly confidered as being,
in ionie fort, in the fecret, and as
having the fandion ,of authority
for their cenfure and condemnation.
By thefe, the admiral's return and
conduft were branded with the moft
opprobrious terms which language
was capable of beflowing, and af-
cribed to the moft difgraceful mo-
tives; his general character treated
with the moft indecent fcurrility;
and as they placed his conduft and
bis merits in the fame fcale with
thofe of Admiral Byng, fo they
boldly and diredlly threatened him
with the fame fate.

The admiral bore all the dif-
couraging, as well as the difagree-
able circumrtances he met, with
wonderful temper. He made no
complaints himielf, did every thing
to ftifle difcontents in others, prefTed
forward the preparations for his re-
turn to fea, without noife or pa-
rade, and bore all the unmerited
reproach that was thrown upon
him, without being once tempted
to a juftification, which, by the
4 narratiua

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[6j

narration of tbe fafl, rauft necef-
farily have criminated the lirll lord
of the admiralty.

The fortunate arrival of the two
firft of our Weft-India fleets, and
of the Levant trade, brought in a
iupply of feamen, at the moll cri-
tical period in whifh they could
have ever been wanted. By this
means, and the exertions ^very
where ufed by the admiralty, the
, . , admiral was enabled to
J^ y 9 ' put again to fea, on the
13th day from his arrival at Portf-
mouih, with 24 (hips of the line ;
and was joined on the way by fix
more ; the paucity of frigates Hill
continued, there being an addition
of or.ly one, to which was alfo
added two firefhips. But the fnips
in general were coia.nanded by
men, who, in point of fkill, abi-
lity and courage, v.ere of the higheft
, eflimation.

In the mean time, the French
king made ufe of the engagement
with the Belle Poule, and the tak-
ing of the other frigates, as the
oftenfible ground, for iffaing out
orders for reprifal on the ihips of
Great-Britain ; and the ordinance
for the dillribution of prizes, which
we have already obferved had been
paiTed a confiderable time before,
although hitherto kept dormant,
was now immediately publilhed.
Similar meafures were likewife pur-
fued in England, as ioon as the
account of thefe tranfa£lioos was
received. Thus nothing of war
was wanting between the two na-
tions, excepting merely its name,
pr rather the formality of the procla-
mation.

On the day preceding the depar-
ture of the Britilh fleet from Portf-
. mouth, the French fleet failed from
Sreftj amounting to 32 fail of the

line, and a cloud of frigates. They
were divided in three fquadrons or
divilions, the whole being under ■
the command of the Count d'Or-
villiers, v/ho wasaflifted in his own
particular. diviiion, by Admiral the
Count de Guichen. The fecond
was commanded by the Count Di'-
chaiFauh, afliaed by M. de Roche-
chovart ; and the third by the
Duke of QharCres, (prince of the
blood) who was ieconded by -Ad-
miral the Count de Grafie. M. de
la Motte Piquet,- although an ad-
miral, acted as firft-captain in the
Duke of Chartres' fnip. On their
departure from Breit, the Lively
frigate, which had been fent to
watch iheif motions, got fo involved
amc.igft them that llie could not
poffibly efcape, and was accordingly
taken.

The Englifli fleet was likewife
thrown into three divifions ; the
van being commanded by Sir Ro-
bert Harland, Vice- Admiral of the
Red ; and the rear by Sir Hugh
Pallifer, Vice- Admiral of the Blue.
The commander in chief was aflilled
by the voluntary fervices of Rear-
Admiral Campbell, a brave and
experienced oScer, who, from an-
cient friendfhip, and a long par-
ticipation of danger and fervice,
condefcended to ad as iirfl-captaiti
in his own Ihip the Viflory.

The two fleets came in fightof each
other on the afternoon of the 23d of
July. It appears from the movements
and condu(5t, both then and after,
of the French admiral, that he had
no knowledge of the increafe of
Mr. KeppePs ftrength, at their fiift
meeting; but coniidered his fleet
as being ftill in about the fame &:^c
as to number, in which it had beca
at the time of quitting its llation
before Breft. Under this impreflion.

64] ANNUAL REGISTER, ,779.

he fecmed difpofed for bringing on
an immediate engagement ; but as
loon as the fleets had approached
fo near, as pretty well to difcover
each otiiers force, he Teemed evi-
dently to relinquilh that determin-
ation, and continued akervvards to
evade with great caution and know-
ledge in his profeflion, all thcfe
endeavours which were conftantly
ufed on the other fide to bring on
an adlion.

As night was near, and that ge-
neral adtions by fea are always to
be avoided at that feafon, the Bri-
tifli admiral only brought the fleet
to, in a line of battle, leaving the
option of attack to the enem^. A
frefh gale, and a change of wind
in the night, made fome coufider-
able alteration in the relative fitu-
ation of the oppofed fleets. The
French had now gained the wea-
ther-gage, which afl:brded them the
great advantage, of either bring-
ing on an aftion, nearly in the
time and manner they liked, or of
avoiding it totally. Two of their
line of battle (hips had, however,
fallen confiderably in the night to
leeward; and the admiral now fee-
ing that they ftudioufly avoided an
engagement, and being fenfible of
the difficulty of forcing them to
that decifion, while the wind held
in its prefcnt ftate, determined if
pollible to profit of this feparation,
and to reduce his opponent to the
alternative, of either facrificiug
two of his capital ftiips, or of ha-
zarding a general adlion.

The French commander chofe to
fubmit to the riique of the former.
Although the two ihips were not
taken, they were fo efFedlually cut
off from the reft of the fleet, that
they were never able to rejoin them
during the remainder of the' cruize j

and another fhip, which had Alf*-
tained fome damage during the
night in the gale, was expofed to
fnch imminent danger of being
taken, as to owe her efcape merely
to a fuddcn fliift of the wind. By
the cutting cff of the two former
veflels, the hoflile fleets were placed
upon an equality iii point of num-
ber, with refpecl to liiie of battle
ihips.

For four fucceflive days, the fleet
continued conftantly to beat up
againft the wind in purfuit of the
enemy ; who might have chofen
any hour of that time to have come
to a general engagement. This
flacknefs with reipeft to adlion, is
not, however, to be attributed to
any want of fpirit in Monf. D'Or-
villiers, the gallantry of that officer
being unqueftioned ; but tl^e mo-
tives which operated on both com-
manders, were as totally different
as their condud. Mr. Keppel had
the flrongell and moft urgent rea-
fons, for prefling on an engagement
with the greateft poffible expedi-
tion; and the fame reafons operat-
ed, though in a leflTer degree, upon
his adverfary, to abflain from that
final iflue. The greateft bodies of
the Britifli trade were then on their
return home. Two Eaft-India, and
two Weft-India fleets, of imrnenfe
value, were hourly expefted. The
French fleet, from their order of
failing, and the number of their
frigates, fpread over fo vaft an ex-
tent of ocean, that Mr. Keppel
found it neceflary to warn the ad-
miralty in his letters, of the un-
avoidable danger to which any
fhip-. that attempted to join hint
would thereby be expofed. As the
Britilh fleet cut oft" that of France
from their own ports, fo the fleet
of France was fpread athwart that

courle.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[%

coarfe, which our homeward trade
was likely to hold; and from the
fituation of both fleets, and the
ilate of the wind, might have taken
them in the Britifli admiral's fight,
without a poffibility of his prevent-
ing it.

Nor was this ftate' of things ren-
dered lefs irkfome, nor the appre-
henfions refulting from it qualified,
by any well-founded confidence that
it might not be of long continu-
ance. On the contrary, our own
naval hiftories record an example
in the reign of King William, when
the celebrated Admiral Rufiel was
obliged to undergo for two months
the morcificafion, of being almoft
in the daily view of the French
fleet, without his being able in all
that time to bring them to adlion.
The admiral had aifo another mo-
tive for his anxiety to bring on an
engagement upon any terms what-
ever. This motive was founded in
his inftrudions. For although he
did not for prudential reafons think
fit to produce them on his trial, he
made no fcruple of declaring freely
to the court, that his inftruftions
went diredlly and abfolutely to that
point of fighting the enemy.

In this purfuit of the French
, fleet, the preferving of a regular
line of battle, with any hope of
bringing them to action, was evi-
dently imprafticable. 1 hat fignal
was accordingly hauled down from
the 23d, and that for chacing to
windward kept conftantly flying.
In this meafure, the admiral was
fupported,- not only by his own
judgment, but by the praftical ex-
ample of feme of the greatclt names,
who had ever fupported or eila-
bliflicd the honour of the Britifh
flag. But the meafure was of a
nature, which rendered all prece-

VoL. XXII.

dent unneceflary for its jullification.
The aiiiduous and continual endea-
vours of the French admiral to
avoid an engagement, afibrded full
caufe for apprehending that he ex-
pected a reinforcement, and that,
independent of all other motives,
would have been fuflicient for ufing
every means to bring it fuddenly
on. By adhering to a line of bat-
tle, the French fleet would have
been evidently out of fight in a
very fliort time, and the probable
confequence would have been, ei-
ther the lofs of our foreign con-
voys, or infult to the coaft of Eng-
land. The admiral accordingly
continued the chace without inter-
miffion, keeping his fleet at the
fame time as much colledled, as
the nature of a purfuit would admit
of, in order to feize the firft op-
portunity which a change of wind
might afford, of bringing the enemy
to a clofe and decifive adlion.

On the morning of the 27th of
July, the French fleet were at day-
break, as much to windward, and
at as great a diftance, as they had
generally been during the preced-
ing days ; and feemed alfo to avoid
an adlion with as much indultry as
ever. The vice-admiral of the
blue was then rather more to lee-
ward than his ftation required, and
having his mainfail up, it obliged
the fliips of that divifion to conti-
nue under an eafy fail. This in-
duced the commander in chief to
throw out a fignal, for feveral
fhips of that divifion to chace to
windrt'ard. The enemy's fleet were
then near three league^ towindward,
and going off clofe by the wind
with a prefTed fliil. The motive
aifigned for the fignal was to colleft
as many of thofe (hips to windward
as could be done, in order to fill

[Ej up

66] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

up chat interval between the com-
mander in chief i fhipandthe vice-
ad .-niral, which had been occa-
lioi.t-d by the latter tailing (o far
to !eev\ard ; and thus, by (trength-
enuig ihe mair. body of the fleet, to
be ready for any chance that might
occur of bringing the enemy to
aftion. And the reafon why the
fignal was not made to the whole
divifion inftead of particular (hips,
was, that they then mult have
chaced in a body, which would
have retarded the beil going (kips,
by an attendance on their imme-
diate commander. Indeed the

adverfary in the oppofite line, and
tlie aftion could fcarcely fail of be-
ing dccifive, they fuddenly put
about on the contrary tack. By
this manoeuvre, the heads and
courfe of the Jhips in each fleer,
being diredled to oppofite points
of the compafs. with thofe of the
other, they could only engage as
they paflTed, inftead of lying fide
to fide, fo as to make an eiFedtual
impreflion.

Thus it will be eafily conceived,
that in this courfe of engagement,
any Britifli fliip that could fetch
the head of the French fleet, would

vice-admiral feemed fo fenfible of receive and return the fire of every
the objeft of the fignal, that it fiiip from firft to laft in their line j,

produced an immediate effeft in
the conduft of his own fhip, by
a confiderable augmentation of
fail.

Some changes of the wind, and a
dark fquall, which came on before
II o'clock, produced feveral evo-
lutions in both fleets, the nature
and efFeft of which are not eafily
explained to the fatisfaflion of
landmen. It feems upon the whole,
that fome fudden ftiifts of the wind,
together with the unexpedled and
unintentional effect produced by an
evolution en the French fide, being
all improved upon by the moft ma-
ilerly efforts on the other, brought
the two fleets fo clofe, that they could
not part without an engagement.
But as this was a fituation not
fought, and a decifion not wifhed
by the French commanders, they
endeavoured to evade its confe-
quences as much as polTible; and
accordingly, inftead of flaortening
fail, and lying to, in order to re-
ceive the BritiHi fleet in a line of
battle on the fame tack, by which
every (hip on either fide would
have' been fairly engaged with her

which would have been ftill kept up
by thofe that followed, until both
fleets had totally pafTed each other.
It neccfiarily followed of courfe,
that thofe fhips which engaged
firft, would be the fooneft out of
aftion ; and that the continuance
of each in it, muft depend upon
the part of the French line which
(he was able to fetch, and the con-
fequent number of (hips (he had
ftill to pafs. Although this mode
of fighting did not at all prevent
the lofs of men, or damage to the
(hips, yet it tended greatly to de-
fer, if not totally to evade, the
confequences incident to thofe cir-
cumftances ; as it prevented the
fuccefsful adverfary from being ca-
pable of immediately purfuing wirh
e(Fecl, either the blow which he
had given to a fingle (hip, or the
general impre(rion which he had
made in the enemy's line. The
necelTity which induced the Britifh
commander to bring on an engage-
ment, and the determined perfe-
verance of the enemy in avoiding
it, rendered him, of courfe, inca-
pable ofprefcril^ing the terms.

Th?

ti.i S T O R Y OF EUROPE. [67

The French b^gan the engage-
ment, by firing at a great dillance
at the headmolt of Sir Robert Har-
Jand's divifion, as they led up ; who,
on the contrary, did not return a
ihot until they came within a very
clofe diftance. The example was
followed, or a fimilar conduft pur-
fued, by the fleet in general, as
faft as each fhip could clofe up with
the enemy ; and notwithftanding
their being neceflarily extended by
the chace, they were all foon in
battle. As the fleets pafled each
other very clofe on the oppofite
tacks, the cannonade was very
heavy, and the efFeft confiderable.
The aftion lalled from firft to laft
fomething about three hours. As
the French, in their ufual way,
direifled their fire principally at the
rigging, feveral of the Britifli fhips
vvere a good deal crippled, and fuf-
fered confiderably in their marts,
yards, and fails. The fire on their
iide, which was principally levelled
at the hulls of the enemy, was not
deficient in its efted of another
kind.

As fcon as the commander in
chief had pafled the rear of the
enemy, and that the fmoke was fo
far cleared as to admit of any ob-
fervation, his firft objetl was to
look round to the pofition of the
fhips which vvere already come out
ofaftion, and to confider of the
beft means of bringing on a clofe
and general engagement, as foon
as the remainder of the fleets,
which were ftill fighting, had pafl'ed
and cleared each other. He foon
perceived, that the vice-admiral of
the red, with part of his divjfion,
had already tacked, and was land-
ing towards the enemy ; but ob-
ferved at the fame time, that none
of the other fliips which were come

out of aflion had yet tacked, and
that fome of them were dropping
to leeward, and feemingly employ-
ed in repairing their damages. His
own ftiip the Vidory, had fo con-
fiderable a ftiare in the adion, as
not to be in condition for imme-
diate tacking ; nor, if it had beea
otherwife expedient, could he im-
mediately wear, and ftand back on
the fliips coming up aftern of him
out of the adtion, without throwing
them into the utmoft diforder and
confufion.

This movement was, however,
performed as fpeedily as pofi^ible,
and notwithllanding the damages
fuftained by the Viflory, ftie was
not only the firft fhip that wore of
the center divifion, ard that got
round again towards the enemy,
but it was fome time before the ex-
ample could be followed, and not
above three or four were then able
to clofe up with her. In this fitu-
ation of the fleet, the admiral
hauled down the fignal for battle,
which he judged improper to be
kept abroad, until the fhips could
recover their flations, or at leaft get
near enough to fupport each other
in aftion ; and in order to call them,
together for that purpofe, he imme-
diately made the fignal to form th&
line of battle a-head, which is of
all others, that confidered by fea-
men as the moft forcible, and as
commanding the moft prompt obe-
dience.

At this time the Viftory was
a head of all the center and red
divifions, and had time to unbend
her maintopfail (which had been
rendered totally unferviceable)
while the fhips aftern were endea-
vouring to get into their refpedive
ftations. As the vice admiral of
the blue commanded the rear-divi-

[E] 2 fion.

68] ANNUAL REGISTER,

iion, which was of courfe the laft
oat of ad? n, he was at this time
a-head of »he Viftory, which was
now become his proper Ttation ; yet
withouc rt-gad to the (ign.il, he (on
whateve'- motives, polhbly jullifi-
able ones) qiiitted his liation in the
front of that line of battle for which
it was flying, and paHing his admi-
ral to leeward on the contrary tack,
whilll he was advancing to the ene-
my, never came into the line during
the fell; of the day.

The following is reprefented as
being then the exadl fituation of the
fleet. The Victory was the neareft
fh'p to the enemy, with no more
than three or four of her own divi-
iion in any fituation, either to have
immediately fupported her or each
other in aftioii ; Sir Robert Har-
land, with fix or feven fail of his
divifion, was to windward, and
ready for inftant fervice ; the vice-
admiral of the blue was on a con-
trary tack, and totally out of the
line ; other Ihips were far aftern,
and five that were difabled in their
rigging, at a great diftance to lee-
ward. Thus the admiral could not
at that time, v.hich was about three
o'clock in the afternoon, colledl
above twelve fhips to renew the en-
gagement.

The French had now got to
leeward, and under the expeilatioti
of being immediately attacked, had
huddled moft of their ftiips haftily
together in a kind of duller, in
the operation of wearing, from
whence they were gradually ftretch-
ing out into a line of battle ; but
upon obferving th^ expofed fitua-
tion of thofe Britifh Ihips which
had fallen to leeward to repair
their damages, it induced fome al-
teration in their movements, and
they began to edge away, with an

1779.

evident intention of cutting them
off from the reft of the fleet. The
admiral inllantly penetrated into
their defign, and the danger of
thoie fhips obliged him fuddenly
to wear, and to Hand athwart the
van of the enemy, in a diagonal
line, for their- proteflion. At the
fame time, he difpatched orders to
Sir Robert Harland, to form his
divifion at a diftance allern of the
Vidory, in order to cover the rear,
and to keep the enemy in check,
until tlie vice-admiral of the blua
(hould in obedience to the fignal
(which was kept conftantly flying)
come, with his divifion, into his
proper flation. Thefe orders were
inftantly obeyed by the vice-admiral
of the red, who was accordingly
formed in the wake of the Vidory,
before four o'clock.

It was this evolution, which was
afterwards made the foundation of
one of thofe principal charges
which were brought againft the ad-
miral, it being reprefented " as
*• carrying the appearance of a
** flight, and bringing difgrace
" upon the Britifli flag, by affbrd-
*' ing an opportunity to the enemy
*' of claiming the vidory, and of
*' publiihing to the world that
*' the fleet had ran away." And
it was alfo this movement, which
fome of the bravcll and moit expe-
rienced officers in the Britifli fer-
vice, and who were prefent at the
time, declared upon oath, to have
appeared, and to have been con-
fidered by them, both then and
after, as a great and neceflary ma-
noeuvre.

In the mean time, the admiral
perceiving that he was nearing the
enemy, by the courfe which he
fleered for the protedion of the
crippled fhips, and that the vice-
admiral

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [69

admiral of the blue ftill continued to
lie to windward, and by fo doing,
kept his divifion back from joining
him, and from fupporting the fleer,
he made a fignal for all (hips to
windward to bear down into his
wake. This fignal was repeated by
the vice-admiral, although he had
not repeated that for the line of
battle ; but as he did not bear
do.vn hirafelf, his repeating this fig-
nal feems to have been peculiarly
unlucky; it having been interpret-
ed, by the fliips of his divifion, as
an order for coming into his own
wake, and not for their going into
that of the admiral,

Thefe appearances of negleft of
duty in the vice-admiral of the
blue, were attributed to the dif-
abled condition of his fhip, to
which feveral wltnefles were pro-
duced on his trial, and on the cre-
dit of which he was afterwards ac-
quitted,' The protection of the dif-
abled Ihips being accoraplillied, and
the French fleet continuing to form
their line, ranging up to leeward
parallel to the center diviflon, it
became the admiral's immediate
and moft urgent objefl, to form
his as fpeedily as poflible, in order
to bear down upon them and re-
new the battle, whilll it could yet
be done with full efFed. He there-
fore, after having repeated the fig-
nal for fliips to come into his wake
with no better eft'ect than before,
fent to Sir Robert Harland, to
ftretch away a-head, and to take
his proper ftation in the line ; in
which he was inftantly obeyed,
with the ufual promptnefs of that
excellent officer ; and feeing the
vice-admiral of the blue llill to
windward with his foretopfail un-
bent, and without any vifible ef-
fort, either towards fetting it to

rights, or for obeying that fignal
which had been fo long flying, he
fent Captain Windfor of ihe Fox
frigate at five o'clock, with ex-
prefs orders to him, to bear down
into his, the admiral's wak-, and
to tell him, that he only waited
for him and his divilion to renew
the battle. We mull obferve, that
there is a confiderable variation,
with regard to the exaft time at
which this mefl"age was delivered,
in the evidence given upon the trials
of Admiral Keppel and Sir Hueh
Palhfer. ^

This order not producing the
defired effed, and having before
hauled down the fignal for comino-
into his wake, the admiral threw
out that for all fl\ips to come into
their Ibuions ; and again, at feven
o'clock, being weaiied out with
ffuitlefs expectation, he made the
fignal for each particular fliip of
the vice-admiral of the b'ue's di-
vifion to come into her ftation in
the line ; but before they had com'^
plied with this fignal, night put an
end to all further operations. It
will fcarcely efcape obfervation,
that no fignal had been particu-
larly thrown out to the Formidable,
the vice-admiral of the blue's own
fliip : this the admiral after%vards
attributed to a motive of delicacy,
founded on the long fervices ot that
officer, as vvell as a due coirrMiment
to his rank in his double capacity,
both as a lord of the admiralty, and
as the third in the prefent com-
mand ; a delicacy which, whether
jultifiable or not, brought great in-
con veniencies on Mr. Keppel ; poffi-
ble crimination ; and is not likely
to be imitated on future occafions.

Although ihe French, by their
drawing up and forming a line pa-
rallel to the Britifh fleet, ihe wed ^

[E] 3 deter-

7o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

determination of fufiaining an en-
gagement, it they had been attack-
ed, ihcy, l\owever, fhevvcd evident-
ly, thr.t they were not at all difpofed
to urge matters to that hnal con-
cljiioii, by any aft ot their own ;
a. they h-id it in their power to
hi.e renewed the engagement dur-
i .g every hour of the afternoon ;
a id that wiih fuch apparent advan-
fige, from a fjtuauon of affairs
which it does not leem could poffi-
bly have efcaped their oblervation,
that iiieir miihng the opportunity
appears little leia unaccountable,
than the llra;ige circumlli.ic^ from
whence it was derived. Their con-
da£t in the nighc would have aftbrd-
ed a confirmation of their indilpo-
fuion to renew the engagement, if
their preceding c-uid have left any
djubt upon the queition. Three of
ttieir uelt faili.ig vefTels were fta-
tioned at proper diltances with
lights, to diver: the attention of thq
Bniilh fleet, and to inauce tnem to
imagine, that the whole French
lint Itill kept that pofui-m, in
which it nad been lafl feen a: the
cLic ci d ly. Under tnis deception,
and tne lavour of the night, the
reli of their fieet withdrew with the
utmolcfilence, without lights, and
without ;iny other fignal, than the
throwing u^of iome rockets, which
appeared about ten o'clock, and
. made the bcil of their way to the
port of Breil, for which place the
wind wai diredlly fair, and where
they accoraingly arrived on the fol-
1 ^ing eve. ling.

A. day light, their fleet had got
to f;.ch a dillance, as to be only
yiible ;rom ihe mart head of a
yery few of the Brit fh fhips, ex-
cer>ting the thri e iaii we have men-
tioned, which w.-re flill within a
icvf fniles to leeward of fqine of the

rearefl. The admiral threw out a
fignal for four (hips to chace them ;
but foon perceiving that two of
thefe were pot able to carry fo
much fail as would even counte-
nance the purfuit, he foon recalled
it. And taking into confideration
the crippled llate of his own fhip,
the dillance which the French had
gained in the night, their vicinity
to their own coafts, and alfo re-
fledling, that whatever they might
have fuffered in their hulls, trtey
had not apparently received any
great damage in their method of
flight, he concluded apon the
whole, that he had not the fmalleft
prolpedl of coming up with them,
and that neither a general or par-
tial purfuit, could have anfwerd any
wife or beneficial purpofe. On the
other hand, he confidered that a
vain and fraitlefs purfuit of a diftant
and flying enemy on their own coaft^,
with a large fwell, and a frefli wind
blowing full upon it, and a fieet of
large and heavy fhips, in the Hate his
own was, would not only have been
wantonly expofing it without end
or objedi to great riique and dan-
ger, but would 'alfo be a rr.ifleading
and defeating of its operations, by
delaying the refitment which was
necefliary, for carrying on the future
fervice with vigour and efFeft.

It mull: be obferved, that the
account of this adion, and the pre-
ceding circumftances, is taken from
the printed trial of Admiral Kep-
pel. The ati'ai- has been flnce agi-
tated with violence and heat, be-
tween parties with whom we have
no concern, j^nd upon a fubjeft of
which we have not naval flcill fufii-
cient to form any judgment. But
as the evidence is that of the
greatelt feamen, and men of the
highell honour, upon oath, is for

the

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[71

the greater part uncontradifted,
and received by competent and
unimpeached fwornjudges, we could
not, without the grofleft partiality or
prejudice, receive it in aoy other
way, than as it was received and de-
cided on by that court in the trial.
It is exceedingly rare for hillorians
to be fornilhed with fads fo ella-
bliftied.

The lofs of men in the Britifh
jReet, amounted to 133 flain, and
373 wounded. No officer was kil-
led, and but very few wounded.
Several private French accounts
eftimated the lofs on their fide at
2000 in killed and wounded. Their
gazette, publilhed by authority,
was very flow in giving any efti-
mate of the lofs; they feemed to
wait for the account from England ;
and at lenght Hxed it at fomc fmall
matter more than that acknowledg-
ed by the Britilh admiral on his
fide. Other accounts, and not ill
fupported, carried the lofs in killed
and wounded on that fide, fo high
as 3000 men. The French gazette,
befides claiming the viftory, de-
Icribes with no fmall degree of fa-
cetioufnefs, the utter altonifnraent
of the French admiral and of his
fleet, upon finding themfelves, moft
unaccountably, and unexpeftedly,
in the harbour of P'ell, inltead of
being, as they ini.agined, many
leagues out at lea, and in full pur-
fuit of the enemy towards his own
coafts. The publilher, however,
confoles himlelf with the reflection,
that iuch miftakes are, in certain
cafes, by no means uncommon, and
therefore afford no juft ground for
furprize in this inftance. Whatever
meafures that nation have adopted
or purfued tor the improvement of
their marine, it was cbferved with
equal furprize and regret on that

day, and by fome of our braveft
and moft experienced officers, that
they worked and manoeuvred their
Ihips, with a degree of feaman-
like addrefs and dexterity, wh;ch
they never before perceived, in any
opportunity they had, whether of
war or of peace, of confidering the
maritime abilities of that people.
Some have attributed this circum-
ftance to the number of American
feamen, who are fuppt fed to have
ferved on board the French fleet.
We do not, however, know the fact
to be at all founded, that there
were any fuch number of Ameri-
cans, at that time in the fervice
of France, as could have been in
any degree equal to the effedt.

However unwilling we are to
enter into any difcuffion of the fub-
jeft, the fubfequent confequences
of this aftion render it necefllary,
that we fhoald here take fome no-
tice of that conduft in the vice-
admiral of the blue, which has fince
been produdtive of fo much public
enquiry and judicial invelfigation.
It feems to appear from lome of
that fund of matter, which has
fince been communicated to aiJ the
world, that the cnndui5t of chat
officer, in not obeying the figaals
or orders of his commander \n
chief, was fo little confonant to ihe
refolution which he had immedi-
ately difplayedin the acti n, (which
is admitted to have been equal, and
by his friend'J ftated to be even iu-
perior, to th;!t cf any other ofiictr)
that it excited ine moll general
aitonifhment throughout tlie fleet.
But as this aflopifhment was mixed
with, and a good deal founded
upon, doubt and expeftation, when
thefe remained ungratified, and that
no fatisfadory explanation was af-
forded, that kind of friendly won-

[E] ^ def

72] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

der which was firll excited, change-
ed, by no very abrupt iranliriun,
into :i very high degree of diflike
and refencment.

The fituation of Admiral Keppel
was more trying anu difiicult, than
any, alinoll, that man can expe-
rience. Tne event of the day, and
the confequent efcape of the French
flee';, were to him, matters intoler-
ably grievous. As the reward of
coniuuimate fkill, and t/ie raoll in-
cefTant .induftry, fortune, after hve
days purfuit of his enemy, pre-
fented him with one of thofe fair
opportunities, which ftie fo feldom
oirers, of doing the moll fignal fer-
vice CO his country, in its moil cri-
tical exigency, and of raifing his
own name to the fubmit of naval
renown and glory. To ufe his own
words, he hoped to have made the
27th of July, *• a proud day to
England." All thefe mighty ad-
vantages to his country, and glo-
rious rewards to himfelf, were, juft
when thty appeared within his
gra-fp, unacc<;untably raviftied from
it. The aftion of the day was ho-
nourable to BritiQi courage, and to
Britilh [kill; but the fruits of both
were loft. The viclory was not de-
cifive; and the whole French fqua-
dron was in fafety in its own har-
bour. Murmurs began to prevail
through the whole fleet. Jn Ply-
mouth, the failure of a complete
viftory was attributed to the admi-
ral's oldell and clofeft friend, the
vice-admiral of the blue. In Lon-
don his own conduft was criticifed.

The admiral had f.-en too much
of men and of fervice, not to be
difpofed to make great allowances,
for thofe fudden, and often unac-
countable, momentary weaknefies
and failures of the mind, to which
all maokiod, in a lelTer or greater

degree, are at certain times liable.
His veneration to his profeflion,
and to the honour of the navy,
which he carried to a pitch border-
ing on enthufiafm, r..'ndered him
exceedingly tender, with refpeft to
calling in queftion the names of
officers of di(lin£lion. Such charges
or enquiries, however founded, are
apt to leave a ftigma behind : and
in any cafe, he would have thought
it hard, that the well-earned meeds
and the fair charafter, obtained in
a life of hard and painful fervice,
fliould at once be blafted, by the
rigid conftru(ftion of a fingle aft, or
the lapfe or weaknefs of a moment.
He had no doubt of the bravery of
his vice-admiral, and he did not
think error or mifiake fufHcient
grounds for fubjefting him to fuch
an ordeal. His nature befides, dif-
pofed him to think favourably of
others; and a modification of the
fame difpofition, rendered him in-
tradlable, in conceiving evil or his
friends.

If on the other hand it might be
"judly faid, that no private confider-
ations cr motives whatever, were
at all to be put in competition with
thofe public ties, which were to
operate upon him, as a commander
in chief, a ftatefman, and a lover
of his country; it feemed not diffi-
cult to fhew, that in this inltance,
his public duty happily coincided
with his natural difpofition ; and
that a "temperate conduct was the
moft perfeft policy. A great trull
and no lels public expectation, was
repofed in him. Untoward and
unhappy as the prefent event was,
it was ftiil the bufinefs of a wife
man to conform himfelf to his fitu»
ation ; and it was no lefs the duty
of a good citizen, than it muft be
the inclination of a man, who held

the

HISTORY O

the ititcrefts of his country dear at
his heart, not to be warped by any
bye motives, or by any perfonal re-
fentments, from ufing every means
to convert that fituation, fuch as
it was, to her greateft poflible be-
nefit.

The great national objeft now
before him was llrait and direft ;
/ and that confifted, in the ufing
every poiTible exertion for rendering
the fleet fit for immediate fervice.
fhis was only to bd attained by
temper and unanimity. A re'ro-
ipeft into the condudt of the vice-
admiral of the blue, muft necef-
farily have fufpended the whole
operations of the fleet ; and that
not only in the midft of a cam-
paign, but in one of the molt pe-
rilous feafons this country ever
faw, and when every moment
feemed liable to the produdion of
the moll extraordinary events. The
high degree of power and favour
in whicti that cificer then flood,
and the official, if not court fup~
port, which it was well known h^
would receive on any queftion, all
tended to render the meafure ftill
more ineligible, and to point out
the pernicious confequences with
refped to the fgrvice, and of courfe

, the public detriment which, it mull
produce. ■

The commander in chief accord-
ingly, with admirable temper,
and no lefs prudence, conformed
his conduiTt to the neceflity of his
fituation ; holding up the public
fecurity and interefts, as the only
objefls of his direftion. He made
no charge againfl: the vice-admiral

■ of the blue ; and what feemed
much more Angular, that officer,
who could not pofTibly be ignorant
of fome coniiderable part of the
general efteft which it produced.

F E U R O P E. [73

and whofe honour feemed to be
particularly touched by the public
meflTage delivered by Capt. Wind-
for, as well as by other circum-
ftances, did not offer any apo!oo-y
for, nor enter into any explanation
of, any part of his conduft.

The public letter, giving aa
account of the action, which the
admiral was necefTarily to write to
the Admiralty, and which was of
courfe to be publilhcd in the Ga-
zette, became, however to him, q,
matter of no fmall difficulty. It
was not indeed eafy to write fuch
an account of that tranfadion. as
would be fitting to meet the public
eye, and to undergo its inveftiga-
tion, without a recital of particu-
lars, which it would have been
contrary to the fyflem of conduft
he was determined to purfue, to
have brought into notice. He,
however, chofe rather to fubmic
a letter to the ccnfure and criti-
cifm of the public, than to depart
from that line of adion which he
had laid down. The letter was
very fhort, very general, and very
barren of information. It ftated
fads fo far as it went, threw no
blame upon any body, and com-
mended the bravery of the officers
in general, and of the two vice-
admirals in particular.

This approbation was, how-
ever, afterwards obfervcd to be
only applied to the particular cir-
cumftances, and to the immediate
time of the action; the fubfequent
tranfadtions of the afternoon, were,
in general, thrown into the fliade ;
and the caufes that prevented a re-
newal of the engagement, were
left in fuch obfcurity, as drew no
fmall fhare of public cenfure upon
the admiral himfelf. Captain
Faulkner, who was the bearer of

this

74] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

this letter, was, however, entruft-
ed with a verbal meflage from his
admiral to the lirft lord of the ad-
miralty, which fceiTis evidently to
have been intended to open the way
for farther explanation, if the ma-
rine miniller had required it ; and
which the oblcurity and deficiency
of the public letter feemed to de-
mand. The meffage, (which the
captain repeated twice to the mi-
niiter, without its being produdive.
cither of obfervacion or enquiry)
was in the following words, viz.
*' Give my compliments to Lord
" Sandwich, and tell him I have
*' more to fay to him than 1 think
«* it proper to put in my public
** letter; and if it is his lordfhip's
** pleafure to afk me any;queltioni
♦' I am ready to wait on him."

The admiral having left a proper
force to proteft the homeward trade,
returned to Plymouth to refit. He
foon experienced the benefit arifing
from the xvife and temperate con-
<3udl which he had purfued. Una-
nimity prevailed among the officers,
and every exertion was ufed in get-
ting the fleet again ready for fea.
To ufe his own words upon his de-
fence, by ufing the difcretion which
he thought was in him, he pre-
fcrved concord in the fleet, promp-
titude in the fervice, and dignity
to the country. In the mean time
a letter was received from the Ad-
miralty, declaring in the moll ex-
plicit terras, his majefly's full ap-
probation of t he-admiral's conduct;
accompanied with the congratula-
tions of the lords of the admiralty
upon his viftcry.

The fleet afterwards kept the
fea, as long as the approaching
winter feafon could admit. The
French fleet had alfo got out of
Breft ; and ilill purfued the fame
principle of conduft in avoiding
adlon, which they had hitherto
manifeiled. Inilead of direfting
their couri'e where they were fure
of encountering an enemy, they
made their way to the fouthward,
where they were as certain ot meet-
ing none; and where their cruize
could atifwer no other purpofe thaa
merely that of parade. Thus whiUl
they were loitering about Cape
Finillerre, their own coails and the
bay were totally abandoned to the
Britiih fleet, who were in vain
endeavouring to obtain intelligence
of them. And by this means,
whilil our own trade arrived from"^
the different quarters of the worid_»
in a Hate of fecurity, fcarcely ex-
ceeded by that of peace, the French
commerce became a prey to our
cruizers, in a degree, which few
former wars have equalled for the
time.

The reception which the admiral
met with upon his return from lea»
both at court and at the admiralty,
equalled the moft fanguine expeda-
tions which he could form, from
that approbation already expreflfed
of his condud. By his Majefty,
he was honoured with the moit gra-
cious expreflions of fatisfacl;on,
favour, and efleem ; and the be-
haviour of the firft lord of the ad-
miralty, was not lefs flattering in
its degree.

CHAP.

HISTORYOF EUROPE. [75

CHAP. V.

Speech from (he throne. Amendment mo-ved to the addrefs in the Houfe or
Commons. Great Debates. Amendment rejected upon a di-vijion. Op-
pojition to the addrefs in general, in the Houfe cf Lords, but no ame-ndment
propofed. Addrefs carried upon a divifon. Motion to addrefs the Croivn,
in the Houfe of Commons, for a difa'von.val of certain paffages in the late
manifeflo ijfued by the CommiJJioners at Ne-xv Tork. The motion, after
long debates, rej-Bed upon a diinfeon. Similar motion by the Marquis of
Rockingham, likc^vtfe caufes jnuch debate, and is reje^ed upon a divifon.
Protejl. Circumjlances, 'which tended to the rendering the late aiiion
off Brejl, a fubjeSi of parliamentary difcujfon. Admiral Keppel, being
(ailed upon, gi-vcs fome account of that bufiefs in the Houfe of Cofnmons.
Anf'vjered by Sir Hugh Pallifer. Reply. Court martial ordered for the
trial of Admiral Keppel, CcnduB of the admiralty cenl'ured and fup-
pcrted : ^uejiion, relati-ve to the difcretionary po^wers cf that board,
much agitated. Bill brought in and paffed, for the holding of the trial
of Admiral Keppel on Jhore, (in conf deration of his ill ft ale of health)
injlead of its being held a board Jhip, as before prefcribed by the la-w,
Recefs.

'ANY circumftances contri-
buted to render the meetino-
^T iT L of parliament, at ths

Nov. 26th. ^- r , f (r

c openin? or the lelnon
' ' on which we are now

to enter, an objeft of peculiar ex-
peftation to the public. The clofe
of the firft campaign of a war with
France, opened a wide field for
difcuffion, as well as fpeculation.
■The principal officers who had held
commands in America, were now
returned to their feats in parlia-
ment. The Commiffioners ap-
pointed under an aft of the laft
fcffion to fettle the difturbances in
America, were likewife returned.
And although the unfortunate event
of the propofitions was well known,
much information, with regard to
the military, as well as to the civil
affairs of that country, was ex-
pefted from the ability and ftaiions
of the gentlemen who were joined
?n the commiiTion. An opinion of

certain differences between the
commiffioners and commanders,
excited the curiolity of all men ;
people being ever fure to look on
with a peculiar intereft, when the
importance of public queftions is
enlivened by a mixture of perfonal
anecdote.

The fpeech from the tlirone was
replete with complaints, of the un-
exampled and unprovoked hoftility
of the court of France. With re-
gard to the events of the war, it
was fiiort and inexplicit. Ground-
ing the hopes of lucccfs on future
exertions, on the flate of prepara-
tion, and on the fpirit of the peo-
ple, more than on the aftions of
the campaign ; which were alluded
to with a coldnefs, that might eafily
be conrtrued into cenfure. Notice
was, however, taken of the pro-
ttftion afforded to commerce, and
of the large reprlfals made upon
the injurious aggreflbrs.

T.hf

76] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The profeifions of neiKr:il powers
were reprerentcd as fiiendly ; but
their armaments lulpicious — The
failure of the conciliatory meafures,
was regretted — The neceflity of ac-
tive excruous by fea and land,
pointed out by the fituaticn of af-
fairs, vvas urg^d in general terms,
without ipeciiying- any plan of ope-
rations— With regard to the Ame-
rican war, a local filence vvas ob-
ferved.

The addrefs of the Iloufe of
Commons, with the ulual prcfef-
fions of attachment and fupport,
repeated, in nearly the fame ex-
preffions, the fentiments' contained
in the ipeech. The oppofition
moved to fubilitute, in the place of
part of the addrefs, th^:; following
amendment — " 'Jo affure his Ma-
jefty, that with the trueft zeal for
the honour of the crown, and the
warmeit afFeiftion for his Majclly's
perfon and fa mil v, the Houfe vvas
ready to give the moll ample iup-
port to luch m^aiures as might be
thought' ncceft'ary for the defence
of theic kingdoms, or for fruftra-
ting the defjgns of that reftlefs
power, which h^s (o often difturbed
the peace of Europe ; but that
they thought it one of their moll:
important duties, in the prefent
melancholy pofture of affairs, to
enquire by what fatal councils,
and unhappy fyilems of policy, this
country had been reduced from that
fplend.d fituation, which in the
early part of his Majelly's reign,
made her the envy of all Europe,
to fuch a dangerous ftate, as that
which had of late called forth our
tjtmoft exertions, without any ade-
quate benefit."

It was contended on the fide of
oppofition, that if the unanimity,
fo ftrongly recommended by the

propofers of the addrefs, was in-
deed an infallible refouice in the
ruin of public affairs, the mi-
ni ilers, it muit be owned, had
ufed every means to induce the
people to concur in its neceflity.
But, they laid, that the utility of
a general concurrence in any mea-
fure, depended entirely upau the
vvifdom of the mealure in queftion.
That the approbation of meafures
muft be either retrofpeftive, or pro-
fpedlive. With regard to the firii,
no pi ins already executed, could
be aft'eded by any fubfequent dif-
ference of opinion. With regard
to the latter, as no plan for the
conduct of the war vvas announced
in the jpeech, or even hinted at by
minifters, to agree to unanimity
upon an object not yet propofed,
was perfectly ablurd. Then what
was to induce the Houfe to unani-
mity, but the recommendation of
a fee of men, who were known to
agree with, each other in no one
article, of difpofition, principle,
council, or adion ? Unanimity,
they faid, was a plaulible and fpe-
cions word, but the thing could
hardly ever exift ; becaufe the wife
and the ignorant would always
differ ; and if it ever fiiould take
place, infinite mifchief would en-
fue, as that could only happen
through the prevalence of obltina-
cy, vvhich is the natural and con-
ftant companion of folly. That, in
the prefent intlance, it would iervg
only to give fanction to the pall,
and energy to the future blunder*
of adminiftration ; and to commit
the fate of the nation in a new and
ftill more dangerous war to the
inability of the fame men, who
had in fo wretched, and fo ruinous
a manner conduded the old. That,
to co»cuf in an addrefs, which
conveyed-

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[77

conveyed an idea of the flighteft
fatisfadion in the prefent minivers,
inftead of producing vigour in cur
own exertions, or terror in our ene-
mies, would only ferve to fill Eng-
iiftimen with defpair, and Frer.ch-
men with joy and confidence, at
feeing that the deUberative go-
vernment was as abjeft as the exe-
cutive was contemptible, and that
the incapacity of the one, could only
be equalled by the fervilicy of the
other.

Confidering the fpeech from the
throne, merely as the words of the
miniller, it was infifted, that it ad-
vanced an abfolute fallehood. For
the fpeech afierted, that our arms
had not been attended with the
fuccefs which the jullice of our
caufe, and the vigour of our exer-
tions, feemed to promife. But
they infifted, that the fuccefs was
far greater than could have been
expefted, confidering the inferio-
rity of our fleets, and the fhame-
ful tardinefs of our preparations.
That, taking in thefe circum-
ftances, our efcaping in any man-
ner from ruin or difgrace, might
well be accounted as a very high
degree of good fortune ; and in-
deed, as far exceeding all rational
expectation. And that confequent-
ly, " the fpeech not only afierted a
falfehood, but that it alfo threw a
falfe, unjuft, and illiberal flander,
on the commandr-rs in the fervice
of the crown ; loading them with
a cenfure which ought to fall on
the minifters alone."

They further urged, that the
fpeech included no lefs than a di-
red libel upon parliament, in call-
ing the late meafures which had
been taken to pacify America, the
plans of parliament. That the ar-
rival of the commilfioners at Phi-

Ir.delphia, without any knowledge
or the intention to evacuate that
city, had faddled them from the
beginning with the diltrull which
was held of their i.Timediate em-
ployers, and had taken away that
appearance of opennefs, and that
opinion of confidence and autho-
rity, which form the neceflfary
foundation of every treaty and
every pacification. It was aflced,
whether the glaring abfurdity of
that conduct was the plan of par-
liament ? Or was parliament call-
ed together every winter for no
other purpofe, than to relieve the
minifters from the yearly burthen
of difgrace, which was the certain
refult of all their meafures.

The conciliatory propofitions
themfelves were ar.^aigned, as be-
ing at once humiliating to Eng-
land, and unfatisfadory to Ame-
rica. But, it was aflerted, that
notwithrtanding its defedls and ab-
furdity, the adoption of that fcheme
could not be faid to be wholly
ufelefs — For it had cut up by the
roots, every fallacious argument,
by which minifters had beguiled
the nation into the fatal American
war, by the univerfal furrender of
all its objeds.

With regard to the fyflem to be
recommended in the condufl of
the war, oppofition feemed to hold
no fecond opinion, and to call out,
as with one voice — Attack France
— France, faid they, entered into
alliance with America from mo-
tives of intereft. When Ihe finds
herfelf vigoroufly attacked, and
feels the heavy impreilions of war,
with all their confequences and
diftrefles, in her ov/n dominions,
fhe will grow weary of the profpe*^
of remote and uncertain advan-
tages, and abandon an ally, from

whom

8o] ANNUAL RE

Notwithftanding the genera] ten-
dency of that gentleman's I'peech
in favour of the views of admi-
Tiillration, he declared, that he
did not imagine the prefent mi-
nifters were able to draw forth the
refources which England afforded,
or to apply them with ability iuf-
iicient, to compafs fo important an
cbjeft as the redudion of the difco-
bedient provinces. But on the
other hand he was afraid, that
thoie who were likely to fucceed
them, although they might be
poffeffed of greater capacity, and
more of the public confidence, were
too defirous of furrendering all the
objctts of the conteft, without any
ilruggle, at all equal to the antient
reputation of England. That, he
acknowledged the fituation to 'be
extremely perilous, and the danger
great ; but that on fuch occafions,
the noble qualities of the human
mind, perfeverance, fortitude, and
the love of our country, fhine in
their greateft lullre.

Ai'ter a very long and vehement
debate, the Houfe at length di-
vided, about half pad two in the
morning, when the amendment
was rejedled by a majority of 226
to a 107.

The addrefs in the Houfe of
Lords, was neceffarily fupported
upon much the fame ground with
that of the Houfe of Commons.
The numerous public and private
virtues of the fovereign were largely
expatiated upon, in order to place
in the ftrongeft point of view, the
obftinacy, ingratitude, and bafe-
nefs, of his rebellious fubjefts in
America ; whilft the royal good
faith with refpe£l to foreign na-
tions, and his Majefty's religious
adherence to treaties, were no lefs
ftrongly contralled with the per-

GISTER, 1779.

fidious conduft of France. The
ufual arguments were ufed for
unanimity and perfeverance im
the American war ; for the trlf,
from the national danger; for the
fecond, from the lofs of honour
and fafety which mufl: be fullained
in abandoning that great continent
to France.

On the other fide, the lords ia
oppofition propofed no amend-
ment to the addrefs ; but con-
demning it entirely in all its
parts, (as they did the matter of
the fpeech itfelf) would put an
abfolute negative on the whole.
Here too the topics were in gene-
ral fimilar to thofe ufed in the
other Houfe. Enquiry, they faid,
full and complete enquiry, into
the condufl of the war, and into
the real ftate of public affairs was
now the proper and immediate
objedl of parliament. This was
no feafon for fending the voice of
adulation to the throne. Jt was
now a matter of necefTity, that
the eyes of the Sovereign Ihould
be opened to the real Hate of his
affairs ; and it would be difhonefl
to himfelf, as well as treafon to
the ftate, to conceal any part of
the dangers of his fituation. The
arguments ufed for promoting the
addrefs, appeared to them to be
cogent arguments for enquiry.
The lofs of our honour, the dan-
ger of the nation, the difcontents
in every part of the Britifh domi-
nions, and the diffentions in the
navy and army, originating in the
ill condui^k of government, called
for difcuflion and remedy. They
did, and could only originate,
from a weak and a wicked fyilem
of government. A fyftem found-
ed upon falfe principles; upheld
by obliinacy, folly, and error, if

not

HIS-TORY OF EUROPE.

[3.

rot by malice; and inevitably
tending by irs own nature to ruin
and (ieftruiftion. This fyllem,
they faid, tr.uft be totally effaced :
new men and new meafures muft
be adopted, before any fuccefs
can be rationally expefled in war,
cr fecurity or honour in peace.

The lords in adminiftration could
not refrain from expreffing their a-
ftonifhment at the new and extraor-
dinary meafure, of attempting to
rejed the whole of the addrefs to
the throne, without a fubllitution
of any other in its room. An
amendment, they faid, of any of
the pans, might have been ex-
pcded; or if it had even extend-
ed to an alteration of the whole,
both as to matter and purpcfe, it
would not have excited furprize:
but the attempt to put a direct
and unqualified negative upon the
whole addrefs, without oirering or
intending any other in its room,
was a meafure, probably une-
qualled in the hiflory of parlia-
ment. It was fitting, they faid,
to 'examine what degree of confe-
quence the import of. this uncon-
ditional negative would amount
to. His Maj-lly comes to parlia-
ment to feck the aid of his people,
for repelling and defeating the
perfidious and dangerous defigns
of France, openly leagued with
our own rebellious fubjecls, for
the fubverhon of his (late and
government. What anfwer does
the propofed negative make to this
requifiticn r It vvill fubllantially
declare to all Europe, that we are
determined to afford him neither
aid nor fupport againft his trea-
cherous enemies ; and that his do-
minions are to lie at the mercy of
France.

The grounds of the contell be-
Yoi.. XXIi.

tween this country and America,
ucre now, they faid, totally fhi/i-
ed; it was no longer a queftion,
as formerly, whether that conti-
nent was worth the rifque and ex-
pence of recovering, as a part of
the Britifh dominions ; but the
queftion now was, whether we
Ihould fink without refilla.nce, un-
der the joint force of France and
America, and fubmit to whatever
terms they were pleafed to dic-
tate, or whether we fhould en-
deavour by the moft vigorous ex-
ertions, at once to punish our
traiterous and perfidious foes, and
by difTolving their unnatural con-
jundlion, to reftore the former
unity, power, and fplcndour of
the empire. For as affairs no\/
flood, it was impoff.ble, they faid,
to feparate France and America,
even in idea, as to any purpofe
or confequence of the war; and
thus, every concefiion made to the
latter, would either afford a direft
and fubftantial aid, or convey a
bafe fubmiffion to France.

It was by no means a fair infe-
rence, they faid, that becaufe
from adverfe accidents, and cir-
cumftances net forefeen or pro-
vided againft, we had not yet
met with that degree of fuccefs,
which our exertions afforded rea-
fon for expedting, all coercion
was therefore impracticable, A-
merica irretrievably loft, and this
country incapable of longer fup-
porcing the war. The real fails
would be found in the direfl
rcverfe of thefe propofitions. A-
merica was yet far fn m being in-
vulnerable; the refources cf this
country were ftill great; and her
fpirit was in no degree broken.
They faid alfo, that it was equally
illiberal and unjuft, to charge

[F] thcfs

82] ANNUAL REGI STER, 1779.

thofe accidents and misfortunes, to
which all military events are ftib-
jcd, to the want of judgment or
ability, in the defign or conduft
of the war.

Upon this part of the fubjcft,
they entered (as the minillers had
done in the Houf>; of Commons)
into fome detail, and fome de-
fence, of pall ir.eafures and con-
duct. The firft Lord of the Ad-
nuralty direiflly denied the fad,
as to that fallen, and almoft an-
nihilated Hate of the navy, which
had been fo ftrongly urged by a
noble lord (in his profeflional line)
on the other fide. He acknow-
ledged, that we had been much
too flew both in cur naval and
military preparations ; but this
tardinefs he attributed, partly to
the nature of our government,
partly to a miftaken lenity, and
partly, to the affording a greater
degree of credit to tlie aflurances
of other powers, than the event
fiiewed they were entitled to.

The lords, on that f:dc, faid,
that they had no objedion to en-
quiries, provided that they were
properly founded, fpecifically di-
refted, and brought on in a proper
fcafon. But they likcwiie ob-
ferved, that enquiries into the
conduft of men in high flations,
were matters of a ferious nature;
and as they neceffarily implied
fome foundation for cenfure,
fhould not be lightly taken up,
r.or wantonly played with. They
concluded, that the fpeech im-
ported no more, than a commu-
nication to parliament of the dan-
ger of the kingdom from the per-
iidy of France: the addrefs went
no further, than a general decla-
ration to fupport his Majef^y in a
v/ar againll France; a direct and

unqualified negative to the whole,
would not only amount to a refu-
fal of that fupport, but would like-
wife include a fubmiflion to all
the machinations, claims, or inju-
ries, to be framed or offered by tliat
infidious power. Could it then
be a quellton with that Houfc,
whether they Ihould alTure his Ma-
jclly of their ready fupport under
the prefent alarming circum-
ftances ? If a war with Americn,
fhou'd be involved in a rcliilance
to the perfidious and infolent de-
mands of France, that was not
imputable either to the miniflers,
to parliament, or to the nation at
large. The war was juft; and it
was now become a matter of ab-
fokue neceflicy.

To this the lords in oppofition
replied, that refufjng to addrefs
conveyed no negative to the fup-
port of any fyllemofwar or po-
litics. But it conveyed, what
they meant it fhould convey, their
fuliefl: determination, not to give
the fmallefl degree of credit or
fupport to the prefent Miniflers,
of whofe incapacity for the con-
du£l, of any fyfiem, they were al-
ready (as they faid) convinced, by
the moil conclufive and the moll
melancholy experience.

The addrefs was carried upon
a divifion, by a majority of 67
lords, who fupported the motion,
to 35, who propofed a total negative
to the whole.

A copy of the late valediflcry
manifeflo and proclamation ifTued
by the CommifTioners in New-
York, having appeared in one of
the public papers foon after the
meeting of parliament, fome of
thofc paffages in that piece, which
we have already had occafion to
take notice of, drew thu attention

of

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[83

of the oppofition in both Houfes,
and induced the Marquis of Rock-
ingham in the one, and Mr.
Coke, member for Norfolk, in
the other, to move for authentic
copies of the original inftrumenr,
as a foundation for an enquiry into
the fubjed.

^^^•^''^•clamation of the 3d
of Odlober being accordingly laid
before the Houfe of Commons,
Mr. Coke moved for an addrcfs to
his Majelty, expreffing the dif-
pleafure of parliament at certain
paffages of the manifelto, which,
being pointed out as particularly
exceptionable, were recited in the
body of the propofcd addrefs;
and declaring it to be the fenfe
of the Houfe, that the Com-
miffioners had no authority what-
foever, under the aft of parlia-
ment, in virtue of which they
had received their appointment,
to hold out any fuch declaration :
nor could that Houfe be eafily
brought to believe, that they had
derived any fuch authority from
his Majelly's inllruclions. That
thofe CommllTioners were fent on-
ly to make peace, and not to de-
clare the mode of making war;
even if the mode itfelf had been
lefs contradictory to the whole
purpofe of their appointment.

It was therefore requefted, '' that
" fo much of the manifello as
" contained the faid declaration,
" be forthwith publicly difa-
" vowed by his Majelly, as con-
*' taining matter inconfiilent with
" the humanity and generous
" courage, which, in all times,
*' have diftinguiftied the Britiih
*' nation; fubverfive of the max-
" ims which have been eltablilhed
" amo;;g chrillian and civilized
" communities; derogatory to the

" dignity of the crown of this
"realm; tending to dcbaie the
" fpirit, and to fubvert the dif-
" cipline of his Majelly's armies;
" and to expofe his innocent fub-
" jeds, in all parts of his domi-
" nions, to cruel and ruinyus re-
" taliations."

The motion was ftrongly fup-
ported by the oppofition in gene,
ral, as well as by the mover, upon
the ground of good policy and
felf-prefervation, as well as oa
the principles of humanity, civili-
zation, and rehgion. They faid,
that if we intended to fet the ex-
ample, of overthrowing all the
rules and compacts, which civi-
lization and chriltianity had eita-
blilhed among mankind, for lef-
fening the horrors and alleviating
the calamities of war, by the in-
troduftion of a new and cruel
fyrtem of hoftility* it was ablb-
lutely neceiiary, that we fhould
be armed at all points, and every
where prepared, to abide the iffue,
and to repel the confequences.
They afked, if this was the cafe at
prefent ?

They flated, that the northern
coafts cf England, and all thofe
of Scotland, were expofed to the
ravages of the moft contemptible
enemy. That the kingdom of
Ireland, was on every fide open
and defencelefs. That fingl*
American privateers had alrea-
dy fuccefsfully landed on our
coafts; and that even the Houfes
of our nobility had not efcaped
their depredations. Thefe were
armed with all the powers necef-
fary, for carrying the •' extremes
of war arid defolation" into their
fevereft degree of execution; buc
even thefe freebooters, who arc
of an order gentrally confider-
ed as being in a great mcafure

[F] z Uwlefs

82] ANNUAL RE G I ST ER,

thofe accidents and misfortunes, to
which all military events are lub-

jed, to the want of judgment or
ability, in the defign or conduft

^ of the war.

Upon this part of the fubjcft,
they entered (as the minilkrs had
done in the Houfe of Commons)
into fome detail, and fome de-
fence, of pall meafures and con-
duft. The firft Lord of the Ad-
nnralty dire^lly denied the faft,
as to that fallen, and almoft an-
nihilated Hate of the navy, which
had been fo ftrongiy urged by a
noble lord (in his profellional line)
on the other fide. He acknow-
ledged, that we had been much
too flew both in our naval and
military preparations ; but this
tardinefs he attributed, partly to
the nature of our government,
partly to a millaken lenity, and
partly, to the affording a greater
degree of credit to the afl'urances
of other powers, than the event
fljewed they were entitled to.

The lords, on that f:dc, faid,
that they had no objeftion to en-
quiries, provided that they were
properly founded, fpccifically di-

1779.

unqualified negative to the whole,
would not only amount to a rcfu-
fal of that fupport, but would like-
wife include a fubmiflicn to all
the machinations, claims, or inju-
ries, to be framed or offered by that
infidioub power. Could it then
be a queftton with that Houfc,
whether they fhould affure his Ma-
jcfty of their ready fupport under
the prefent alarming circum-
ftanccs ? If a war with Amerlcn,
fhcu'd be involved in a relillance
to the perfidious and infolent de-
mands of France, that was not
imputable either to the miniflers,
to parliament, or to the nation at
large. The war was juft; and it
was now become a matter of ab-
folute neceffity.

To this the lords in oppofition
replied, that refufmg to addrefs
conveyed no negative to the fup-
port of any fyilemofwar or po-
litics. But it conveyed, what
they meant it fhould convey, their
fuiiefl: determination, not to give
the fmallell: degree of credit or
fupport to the prefent Miniflers,
ot whofe incapacity for the con-
du£t, of any fyfiem, they were al-

refted, and brought on in a proper ready (as they faid) convinced, by

the moil conclufive and the moll
melancholy experience.

The addrefs was carried upon
a divifion, by a majority of 67
lords, who fupported the motion,
to 35, who propofed a total negative
to the whole.

A copy of the late valediflory
manifeflo and proclamation iffued
by the Commiffloners in New-
York, having appeared in one of
the public papers foon after the
meeting of parliament, fome of
thofe paffages in that piece, which
we have already had occafion to
take notice of, drew thu attention

of

feafon. But they likcwife ob-
ferved, that enquiries into the
condud of men in high ftations,
were matters of a ferious nature;
and as they necefTarily implied
fome foundation for cenfure,
fliould not be lightly taken up,
ror wantonly played with. They
concluded, that the fpeech im-
ported no more, than a commu-
nication to parliament of the dan-
ger of the kingdom from the per-
fidy of Frarce: the addrefs went
no further, than a general decla-
ration to fupport his Majei>y in a
v/ar againll France j a diredt and

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[83

of the oppofuion in both Houfes,
and induced the Marquis of Rock-
ingham in the one, and Mr.
Coke, member for Norfolk, in
the other, to move for authentic
copies of the original in(l:rumenr,
as a foundation for an enquiry into
the fubjed.

Dec Ath ^ "^"PJ" ""^ ^^^ P'°'
^^^^•^'"•clamation of the 3d

of Oftober being accordingly laid
before the Houfe of Commons,
Mr. Coke moved for an addrcfs to
his Majeity, expreffing the dif-
pleafure of parliament at certain
paffages of the manifelto, which,
being pointed out as particularly
exceptionable, were recited in the
body of the propofcd addrefs;
and declaring it to be the fenfe
of the Houfe, that the Com-
miflioners had no authority what-
foever, under the aft of parlia-
ment, in virtue of which they
had received their appointment,
to hold out any fuch declaration :
nor could that Houfe be eafily
brought to believe, that they had
derived any fuch authority from
his Majel^y's inflruclions. That
thofe Commiflioners were fent on-
ly to make peace, and not to de-
clare the mode of making war;
even if the mode itfelf had been
lefs contradictory to the whole
purpofe of their appointment.

It was therefore requefted, '' that
*' io much of the manifeilo as
" contained the faid declaration,
" be forthwith publicly difa-
" vowed by his Majeliy, as con-
" taining matter inconfiltent with
" the humanity and generous
" courage, which, in all times,
*' have diftingulihed the Britiih
*' nation; fubverfive of the max-
" ims which have been eltablilhed
" amo;;g chriltian and civilized
" communities; derogatory to the

" dignity of the crown of this
"realm; tending to debai'e trie
" fpirit, and to fubvert the dif-
" cipline of his Majeily's armies;
" and to expofe his innocent fub-
" jecls, in all parts of his domi-
" nions, to cruel and ruinous re-
" taliations."

The motion was ftrongly fup-
ported by the oppofuion in gene-
ral, as well as by the mover, upon
the ground of good policy and
felf-prefervation, as well as oa
the principles of humanity, civili-
zation, and religion. They faid,
that if we intended to fet the ex-
ample, of overthrowing all the
rules and compadts, which civi-
lization and chriitianity had eita-
blifhed among mankind, for lef-
fening the horrors and alleviating
the calamities of war, by the in-
troduftion of a new and cruel
fyftem of hoftility* it was ablb-
lutely neceiiary, that we ftiould
be armed at all points, and every
where prepared, to abide the iffue,
and to repel the confequences.
They afked, if this was the cafe at
prefent ?

They flated, that the northern
coafts cf England, and all thole
of Scotland, were expofed to the
ravages of the moft contemptible
enemy. That the kingdom of
IrtlanJ, was on every iide opea
and defenceJefs. That fingl«
American privateers had alrea-
dy fuccefsfully landed on our
coafts; and that even the Houfes
of our nobility had not eicaped
their depredations. Thefe were
armed with all the powers nccef-
fary, for carrying the •' extremes
of war and defolation" into their
fevereft degree of execution; buc
even thefe freebooters, who ar»;
of an order generally confider-
ed as beino; in a ^reat mcafure
[i^j 2 lawlefs

84] ANNLAL REGISTER, 1779.

lawle's in war, felt thenifelves
bound by thofe compels ei^abilfh-
ed bttwcen nation?, and refpeiilcd
thofe laws and rights of humanity,
which this once great and civi-
lized nation, not only intends to
violate, but threatens, by the
mouth of her Commillioners, fo
far as in her lies, totally to an-
nihilate. They, however, found
thcmfelves happy, they faid, in
having an opportunity of declar-
ing to their country and to polie-
rity, that they had no fliare in-
bringing forward the calamities,
which an avowal of the inhuman
and barbarous principles ofthema-
nifello muft draw upon the na-
tion.

This war, they faid, had been
infiduoufly and conflantly called by
Mir.iilers tke war of parliament;
but was parliament to be loaded
with the obloquy of conducing it
in a manner, which could only fit
the ideas of a Cherokee or Onon-
dago favage. Parliament had jield
forth the mild terms of peace ;
but furely it muft be equally fdlfe
and unjuft, and confidered as a
libel of the biltereft nature, to
charge it with calling to its affill-
ance the tomahawk and fcalping-
knife, as inllruments of reconcili-
ation; or of threatening death
and defolation to the innocent
multitude in America, if they did
not perform impoffibilities. For
fuch, they faid, were the condi-
tions annexed to the threats held
out to ti;eni. The multitude, if
they would efcape the extremes of
war, were immediately to abandon
home, country, property, a!l the
natural connedions, and all the
commodities of life, and emigrate
from the remotell parts, through
roads which they would not be
a.ilovved to pafs, and countries

which they would not be per-
mitted to enter, until, in de-
fpite of thefe infuperable bars,
they had arrived at New York,
(where they could find neither
room nor entertainment) there to
accept conditions of peace from
Commiflioners, who were thcm-
felves adually enduring fome of the
evils of war, being Ihut up with-
in the limits of a garrifon, be-
yond which they durll not fhew
their faces.

An officer, of high family, rank
and diilindion, who had lately re-
turned from America, exprefled
his condemnation of the meai'ure
in quellion, as well as of the Mi-
nifters, with whom he charged it
to originate, in terms of unufual
vehemence. He faid he could
not bear with an even temper the
indignity offered to his profeflion,
by an attempt to convert foldiers
into butchers, aflaflins, and in-
cendiaries: He liked honefl open
war againil his enemy ; but he
could not endure the abominable
idea, of flieathing his fword in
the bowels of age or innocence;
iYill lefs would he tarnilh the luffre
of the Britiib name by afts of bar-
barity, in obedience to the man-
dates, or in fulfilling the defigns,
of the mcft infamous adminiltra-
tion that ever difgraced a free
country. As a Britifli fenator,
and IHII more particularly, as the
reprefentative of a great manu-
faduring, trading, and maritime
county, which was peculiarly ex-
pofed to the retaliation of an
enemy, he fliould think he ill dif-
chari^cd his duty, if he did not
v.ith his utrnoll: power oppofe a
fyftem, which would not be more
difgraceful than ruinous in its ef-
fctts; a fyftem, which would in-
vite all the rcnegadoes of France

and

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [85

and America, to ravage our coafls,
burn our towns, and deftroy our
manufaftures; and which would
juftify them in every adt of enor-
mity and cruelty, even to the but-
chering in cold blood of our help-
lefs women and children.

It was pretty generally and
ftrongly afferted on that fide, that
no peace could ever be derived
from the prefent Minifters. That
they had already poifoned and
polluted all the fources of conci-
liation. And that, as they had
long fince forfeited all confidence
and opinion with the world, fo
there feemed to hs a common
union of mankind, in (hutting
them out from all negociation,
treaty, or connedVion.

On the other fide, the Mini-
fters, and their immediate friends,
expreffed the utmoft aftoniihment,
at the forced and unnatural con-
ftruftion which was put upon the
words of the declaration, and the
unaccountable manner in which
its plain fenfe was attempted to be
perverted. They declared, that
they iiad never feen a more inno-
cent, humane, fober, conlcien-
tious, piece of writing in their
lives. They confidered it mere-
ly, as a fenfible well - mean-
ing addrefs to the Americans,
warning them of the dangers
which they muft neceflariiy incur
by an obiUnate perfeverance in
their rebellion, and particularly
in their unnatural connexion with
France. That they were not to
expeft that lenity in future, which
they had hitherto experienced
during the courfe of the war,
while we ftill confidered them as
fellow-fubjefts, whom we wilhed
to reclaim by the molt fingular

mildnefs, clemency and indul-
gence. That nothing more could
be fairly inferred from thofe
words which were tortured into fo
unaccountable a meaning, than
that America, in confequence of
it3 leaguing with our inveterate
enemy, ihould no longer be treated
as a liritifh country, but as a part
of the dominions belonging to
France ; as the Americans were
by their alliance become French,
it could afFv)rd no caufe of fur-
prize or complaint, that they (hoc'd
be confidered and treated as French-
men.

The Minifiers denied in exprefs
terms, their intention of introduc-
ing or encouraging any new fpe-
cies of war in America, which,
fliould differ from th'? general
pradice in Europe; and declared
that they reprobated with as much
detellation, as thofe gentlemen
who feemed fo much alarmed,
every idea of hoftility that mili-
tated againft humanity, or which
went to the fubverfion of thofe
laws of civilization, that had been
calculated to fmooth the rugged
face of war. Wanton cruelty,
they faid, could neither be pa-
tronized by the crown, nor en-
couraged by any Briton : No Bri-
tifh Miniller would dare to fend
fuch orders to a Britilh array ; nor
no Britifli army ever would, or
ought, in any cafe, to obey them,
in the commiflion of adls of wan-
ton barbarity. But they would
not admit, that the burning of a
warehoufe converted into a bat-
tery, or the deftrudlion of houfes
or towns, that were become re-
pofitories of miUtary Itores, or
uftd as places of arms, could at
all come within the defcription of

[F] 3 cruelty

t6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

cruelty or barbarity. Such afts
had been always pradltfed by the
incft civilized nations in Europe;
and every thing that could be at-
temptc'd with a profpedt of fuccefs,
30 order to diftrefs an enemy,
and to difable him from injuring
his adverfary, had at all times
been held juflifiable by the laus of
\vv> and had been confirmed by
the praiflice of all nations. Even
at home, did not the laws of Eng-
land allow us, in cafe of invafion, to
walle and dellroy our own country,
wherever the enemy dire(fled his
progrefs, in order, to prevent his
obtaining provifion or forage ? and
can a dcubt then be entertained, as
to the juflice or right of exercifing
the fame authority, in deilroying
the country of our open and avowed
enemy ?

On the other fide it was infilled,
that as there was no raiftaking the
words, fo there was no poflibility
of explaining away the obvious
fenfe of the declaration. The
Commiiiioners had declared, that
the mode of war was to be totally
changed ; that it was now to be
condufled with a' degree of rigour
and horror before unknown ;
** they had hitherto refrained
from the extremes of war and
the defolation of the country :"
the change denounced could be
no other, than the carrying of
thefe to their utmofl: extent. It
could not be pretended, with any
face or appearance of truth, that
the rigours of hoflility had not
hitherto been carried on our fide
to the utmoft limits, which the
laws and rights of war authorize
among civilized nations. Wc had
even already acquired an ill name
throughout Europe, under the
imputation of having exceeded

thofe limits. If we had hitherto
forbore nothing that the praftice
and rights of war could authorife,
the plan now to be profecuted
mud go dircdly to cancel thofe
rights. The laws of war were
laws of limitation : for war was
conflantly to be limited by necef-
fity, and its calamities and rava-
ges were to be meafured and bound
in upon that principle. But the
extremes of war, and the defola-
tion of countries, went beyond
all limitations; and as no neceffity
could warrant them, they could
neither be juftified or excufed,
upon any ground of reafon or ar-
gument. They fuppofed a cafe,
to (hew the line between the ex-
tremes and limitations of war. It
would, for example, be right and
defenfible, becaufe it would be
neceffary, to deilroy any fort, garri-
fon, or town, which afforded im-
mediate Ibength to the enemy*
and enabled him to annoy you in
the purfuit of your object; it
would be proper to burn any
houfe from which the enemy fired
on you; the neceility juftifies
the meafure ; but it would not be
lawful, right, or pardonable, to
burn any houfe or town becaufe
it might happen, at fome future
time, to afford flicker or flren^th
to the enemy. They concluded,
that although the extremes of war,
and defoliation, were well-found-
ing words, they were dreadful in
their meaning and eitefl ; and
went to no lefs than the murder
of man, woman, and child, the
deflrudlion of countries, and the
final annihilation of humanity, or
they meant nothing. Nor would
the confequences be lefs fatal to
thofe who introduced fo odious and
inhuman a fyftem, than to the

people

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [87

people againft whom its efFefl was
dired^ed; as all mankind would
naturally combine againft a na-
tion, which, throwing away every
fhadow of principle, would ven-
ture to recal into the world, all
the forgotten crtielties of barba-
rous ages, and all the horrors of un-
civilized war.

While the oppofition were thus
contending, that the words of the
declaration cler.rly contained that
certain and precife meaning which
they afiigned to them, and that
the Minillers as ftrongly denied
their bearing or conveying any
f'ch figniiication, juititied the
Commiflioners, as well as them-
felves, from the imputation of
holding or avowing fo horrid a
dodrine, and reprobated, in terms
no lefs ilrong than thofe ufed by
their antagonifts, the principle
upon which k would have been
founded, the debate fuddenly took
a new turn, from a circumitance,
which was probably as little ex-
pefted on the one fide as the
other.

This was an open acknowledg-
ment, by the only Commiflionei'
who had yet returned from Ame-
rica, that every charge made by
the oppofition againll the procla-
mation, were fully founded in
point of fadl, both as to princi-
ple and doftrine; at the fr.me
time that he defended and jollifi-
ed the mer.fure as well as the prin-
ciple in all their parts, upon the
ground of found policy and ne

ry ; regretted he was not on the
fpot to give it his fanftion; and
after a violent condemnation of
the Congrefs, declared tliac no
mercy ought to be fhewn to
them ; and that if the infernals *
could be employed againlt them,
he fhoald approve of the mea-
fnre.

This avowal of a doctrine and
faft, which the Minillers and their
friends had fo totally di'.claimed
and denied, and confirmation of
an interpretation, which thty had
fo pofitively charged to the viru-
I?nce of party, and tLe ingenious
malice of their adverlaries, cculj
not but produce fome little cm-
barrafTment. It was impoffible to
fupport a principle which they had
fo recently and fo totally reprobat-
ed. They accordingly abandoned
both that, and the gentleman by
whom it was avowed and juilified,
to the mercy of the oppofition,
without the fmalleft interference in
behalf of either.

Both the generals who had re-
turned from the American fervice,
voted for the addref"?, and con-
demned the fuppofed cruelty
charged to the proclamation, f^ut
this debate was particularly dif-
tinguifhed, by the unexpefled and
dired attack, made upon the A-
merican Miniiler, by the late
commander in chief upon that
continent. That general, after
feeming to attribute the attacks
made upon his reputation and cha-
rafter, to the lenity which he had

celTity. He faid, ihj proclamation - pradifed in the profecution of the

certainly did mean a war of defo- war, and obferving. that if thefe

lation; it meant nothing elfe; did not originate from Minillers,

it could mean nothing elfe; but they, at leaft, were not difccurag-

the meafure was right and necefTa- ed or contradided by them, al-

• A fort of machines ufed for the deflru£lion cf towns in the v/ars with Frauce,
towards the dofe of the laft century.

[F] 4 though

88] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

though they had thofe means of
information in their hands, which
lullv fliewcd their injuftice and
falfchood, entered into a detail of
various mittcrs of complaint, which
he laid againft the noble lord at
the head of the American depart-
ment, relative to his conduft with
rcfped to himfclf, and to the
command with which he was en-
trufted in America, To thefc he
charged his refignation of that com-
mand, and ftrongly urged, (as did
Jikewife his noble brother) that a
parliamentary enquiry fliOuM be
inftituted, in order that the con-
dud both of the commanders and
the minitler fhould be fully ex-
amined, juttice done on all fides,
and the ration acquainted with the
true caiife of that failure of fuc-
ccfs, which it had hitherto expe-
rienced. He concluded his fpeech
with a free declaration of his own
private opinion, amounting to no
iefs in import, than that neither a
happy reiloration of peace, nor a
fucccfsful profecution of the war,
could ever be hoped for, while the
ccnduft of American affairs, was
continued in the hands of the pre-
fent noble fecretary for that depal-t-
iftcnt.

The noble M'lmiier fcemed
afionifhed at this unexpciSed 'at-
tack, and entered into a vindica-
tion of his condud with refped to
the general, fo far as his memory
could admit upon fo fudden an oc-
cafion ; totally difclaiming all in-
tention of injury, and all defign
of neglect. As to the cond^ift of
th^ war, if it had not been as fuc-
cefbful as might have been wi(hed,
it was not only doing him an in-
juftice to fuppofe him the caufe of
our mifcarriages, but it was lup-
pofmg him of much more conle-

quence than he really was, by at-
tributing to him the fole manage-
ment of the war ; he was only an
humble fervatit of the crown ; and
if he had not the greatell abilities
to recommend him, he had, how-
ever, thus much, to offer with truth
and confidence in his defence, that
he had ever aiSlcd fince his coming
into ofHce, according to the very
b^ft of his judgment. He had no
wifh, he faid, to prevent any en-
quiry, that might be neceffary to
refcue the charadler of any gentle-
man from obloquy ; and he trufted,
that if ever a parliamentary en-
quiry fhould take place into his
own condud, he fhould be fo well
prepared to meet it, that his ho-
nour and charader lliould come ofF
in triumph.

The queftion being put, after
long debates, the motion for the
propofed addrefs was rejeded upoa
a divifion, by a majority of 209 to
122.

The Marquis of Rockingham,
in a fpeech which lailed upwards
of an hour and a half, introduced
and fupported his motion, 1

with a great difplay of know- '
ledge and ability. That nobie-
man, and the lords on his fide,
called upon in the mofl preffing
terms, and particularly applied
themfelves to the reverend bench
of biiliops, to exert that charity,
humanity, and abhorrence of blood
and cruelty, which were the lead-
ing tenets, and dillinguifhing cha-
raderiftics of Chriftianity, upon a
fubjed, which not only came di-
redly within their cognizance, but
in which they feemed bound by
their charader, to take an unequi-
vocal and decided part. Theyob-
ferved, that all the avowed origi-
nal motives and objeds of the war,

were

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [8^

were now done away or abandon-
ed, and its nature and principle
totally changed. That right re-
verend body, had hitherto fup-
ported the meafures of government
in the conteft with America, un-
der the firm hope and perfuafion,
founded upon the faith and repeat-
ed afTurances of Mini ilers, that the
recovery of our colonies was not
only pradicable, but eafily to be
attained. So far, the motive of
the war might poflibly be honour-
able, and its objedl fair; the
queftions of faft, or of policy,
did not abfolutcly lie with them.
But they were now ir.formed by
an authority which they could not
queftion, that of thofe very Mini-
ilers declared to all the world in
their manifello, that a new fyitem
of policy was adopted, and the
nature of the conteft totally chang-
ed. That America was relinquiih-
ed, and the advantages of a con-
nexion with our colonies abandon-
ed ; and a new fpecies of war
was denounced, tending merely and
avowedly to revenge, {laughter, and
univerfal dellrutlion.

It could not be even fuppofed,
that they would afford their coun-
tenance to fo odious, fo barbarous a
fyftem. They were cailed upon to
exert in their legiflative charaoier,
the peculiar and mod exalted prin-
ciples of Chriftiaiiity, in prevent-
ing the wanton efFufion of human
blood, and the deftruiflion of
mankind. It could not be ima-
gined, that their natural difpofi-
tion, would not tend equally with
their religious principles, and their
profeflional duty, to the condem-
nation of all meafures of blood,
and the utter deteftation of all
new and cruel aggravations of the
horrors of war. Their interfe-

rence was required in preventing
the deflrudion and fp^ring the
blood, not only of men or of
Chriilians, but cf Engliflimen,
and of Proteftants like themfeives ;
and of crulhing in the outfet aa
abominable fyitem of warfare,
which would, in its progrefs and
confequences, bring ruin and ce-
folation home to their flocks ard
their doors.

It happened fortunately, thev
faid, that the legal powers, with
which they had been inveiled by
the conftitution for fuch pious pur-
pofes, would be found in the pre-
sent inftance, fully equal to ths
duty and emergency. Tney were
tiie Moderators ordained by the
wifdom of the conuiiutiop, to
check the rage, retrain the paf-
fions, and controul the violence,
of mere temporal men. Their
fim.ple votes upon this ocCaiion,
would at once fully exprefs their
deteftation of the inhuman lyflem
in queftion, and, joined with thofe
of the temporallords who he'd the ,
fame principle, fully cure its ef-
feiXs. And thus they would afford
a new and ftriking evidt- nee to the
world, of the fanctity of their or-
der, the vvifdcm of its legi:lative
inftitution, and the unfullied pu-
rity of their profcilion.

On the ground of retaliation,
befides the danger and mifchief to
Great Britain and Ireland, the ir-
retrievable deilruttion, wp.ich the
full, and undoubted, adoption of
that lyftem by France and Ame-
rica, would bring upon our Well
India illands, was ftrongly urged.
And they argued, that from the
nature of the fu^ar plantations
and works, and the great capi-
til nccelTarily lodged in them, the
defolatiou caufed by a fmgle pri-
vateer

^^^ ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

vateer upon that fyftem, could
fcarcely be recovered in an age.

But they particularly reprobated,
and indeed their powers of argu-
ment, and utmoft acumen of cen-
fure, fecmed principally diredted,
(as well in the debate, as in the
iucceeding protcfl) agaiall thole
new poliucal principles or maxims,
which tlicy charj^ed to the ma-
nifello, vis. That ** what we have
no interell in preferving, we are
called upon by neceffity to de-
flroy," and that; " motives of
ielf-prefervation, r.ot growing out
of any Hate of circumltanccs, no.v
in adlual exiftcnce, but founded
upon a policy direifled to future
uncertain events, fheuld be fup-
pofcd to authorize or jullify, a
prefent general dcfolation." Thefe
principles, they faid, would af-
ford a full juftification of all the
cruelty and deftruclion of man-
kind, recorded of the moll bloody
tyr.'jnts, and of the moft barbarous
nations. They would jullify He-
rod in the mlirder of the Inno-
cents. Upon this ground, they
ilated the following caufes of dil-
fent in the protcll. — viz. •' Be-
*' caufe the public law of nations,
" in affirmance of the didlates of
" nature, and the precepts of jc-
" vca'ed religion, forbids us to
*' rclort to the extremes of war,
" upon our own opinion of their
*' expedien,:y ; or in any cafe to
" carry o\\ war for the purpofe of
*' defolation. We know that the
•• rights of war are odious, and
«' inllead of being extended upon
•' Icofe conllrudtions, and fpecu-
*« lations of danger, ought to be
" bound up and limited by all
" the reftrainvs of the moll ri-
" porous conflruftion. We are
" lho:kcd to fee the firit law of

" nature, felf-prcfervation, per-
" verted and abufed into a prin-
" ciplc dellrudtive of all other
" laws; and a rule laid down,
" by which our own fafety is ren-
" dered incompatible with the
" profperity of mankind. Thofe
« obj.ds' of war, which cannot
" be compared by fair a\id ho-
'< nourabie hollility, ought not
" to be compared at all. " j^n
*' enJ that has ?io means, but fuch
" as are unla-'wj'ul, is an unla-mful

The Lords on that fide con-
cluded by obferving, that no great
force of argument fecmed necef-
fary for the condemn nion of fo
fliameful a public inllrument, which,
fpringing from a commiffion under
tiie great feal of the kingdom,
would othcrwife become a {landing
record, and monument of national
difgrace; which went to the in-
difcriminate maffacre and extermi-
nation of a numerous and widely
extended people, two-th-irds of
whom were faid by its framers,
to be our warm Iriends, and in-
violably attached to our govern-
ment; That iuch a public difa-
vowal v/a. abfolutely necefiary,
I'-il it fhould appear in Europe,
that a Britiili parliament had given
its fandlion to the revival of that
ferocity and barbarifm in war,
which a beneficent religion, en-
lightened manners, and true mi-
1 tary honour, had lb long banifhed
from the chrillian world.

On the other hand, the lords ia
adminiftraticn, or office, who were
thofe only, that took any part on
that fide in the debate, totally de-
nied (as the miniflers had done in
the Hdufe of Commons) the in-
terpretation put upon the words,
and the conftrudion upon the
meaning

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[9>

meaning of the manifcfto, by the
oppofition. At the fame time
they utterly difclaimed, and re-
probated even in ftrongcr terms,
the bloody principles which were
charged to, or fuppofed to dictate
the manifeito. But this charge
they attributed folely, to a difpofi-
tion for decrying, however un-
juftlv, all the mealures of govern-
ment, and a defire of creating un-
founded alarms and uneafinefTes
among the people. To obviate
this defign, and to prevent the
effects which the ftrong reprefen-
taticms and colouring ufed on the
other fide migiit produce in the
Houfe, they entered pretty deeply
into a critical difquifitioii of the
words, and what they defcribed to
be the fair conftrudion of the pro-
clamation, as well as into a juftifi-
cation of the meaning and inten-
tion, and a. vindication of the con-
dud and character of the Com-
miffioners. They concluded by
hoping, that the lords would not
futfer themfelves to be led away,
by a ftudious and laboured appeal
to their feelings and paflions, and
a forced and unnatural mifcon-
ftruftion and mifintcrpretation of
plain and obvious language, into
the paffing of a haily and unjull
cenfure, not only upon the meafurcs
of government, but upon a noble
lord and gentleman, who were ab-
feut in the fervice of their country,
and confequently incapable of vin-
dicating themfelves.

On this occafion, the new Lord
Chancellor had an opportunity of
difplaying in that Houfe, thofc
abilities which had been fo con-
fpicuous in another. A great law
lord, who has been long out of of-
fice, and a right reverend prelate,
who is fcarcely lefs diftinguifhed.

by his oppofition to many of the
meafurcs of adminiHration, than
by his eloquence, were no lefs
confpicuous on the other fide, in
their fupport of the motion, and
in their unqualified conderananon
of the terms, principle, and Jpirit
of the prociamation. Both thels
noble lords took occafion to re-
probate, in ftrong terms, the cir-
cumrtances attending the deltruclion
of feveral parts of America, parti-
cularly of the fettleaient of Wyom-
ing, and the cruelties exercifed by
Colonel Butler.

The queftion being at length
put, the motion for an addrefs of
cenfure was over-ruled upon a di-
vifion, by a majority of 71, includ-
ing proxies, to 37.

Thirty - one names appeared to
the proteli, which, if compared
with the number of the minority
on the divifion, was above the
ufual proportion. That prdtell
was penned with uncoTimon abi-
lity.

As the naval action of the 27th
of |uiy, was now to become a
fubje6l of parliamentary difcal"ion,
as well as cf public attention, it
will be neceflary to take notice of
fome intervening circumftances re-
lative to that bufmcf?, before we
enter upon the fubfcqut-nt detail.
It will fcarcely be fuppoJcd, that
the temper and fjience which had
been fo flridly obferved by t.e
commander in chief, relative to
the difagreeable and unfortunate
circumltances which were charged
to that memorable dny, could ope-
rate in any confiderable degree
upon the condo>!t of thofe, who
did not look to remot;^ motives of
public utility for their guidj of
adion ; or that fo many ihoufand
fearaen, and fo great a number of
oficers.

C2] A N N U A L R E G I S T E R, 1779.

cificcr.-, who were eyc-witnefles of
a comluci, which had in its nature
a queliionable appearance, could be
induced, by any motives of difcre-
tion, or power of example, totally to
rcllrain their words and fentiments
upon the fuhjetft.

A general murmur accordingly
fpread through the fleet, and the lols
of a complete and glorious vidory,
was attributed to the mifconduft,
and difobcdier.ee of orders, of the
blue divifion; infomuch, that forne
f)f the ofiicers belonging to that
divifion, whofe condutton that day,
as on ail others of fervice, had
bsen highly exemplary, could not
avoid fceming to feel their honour
wounded, through the generality
of the imputation. It would have
been impoffible in this countiy,
that fuch a ftate of things, and
fuch a matter of charge or cenfure,
could efcape becoming an objeft
of newfpaper difcuflion. But this
was probably accelerated in the
prefent inftance, by the conduft of
thofe public prints which had been
notorious for their attacks on the
commander in chief, becoming no
lefs indufrrious in their unbounded
panegyrics upon the vice-admiral
of the blue; whofe general merits,
as well as his fingular bravery and
high fervices in tlie late aflion, (in
which he was reprelented as bearing
away the whole palm ol honour)
were emblazoned in fo higli a ilile
of colouring, as could not other-
wjife be accounted for, than by
Aippofing the piece to be intended
merely as an invidious contraft, to
that degrading picture which they
had . already drawn of his com-
irandcr.

■ Such ill-judged and inviduous
fatircs arid panegyrics in newf-
japers, have frequently done much

mifchief in this country; and ne-
ver more than upon the prefent oc-
caiion. The panegyrics jull men-
tioned, drew out comments and
oblervations. A letter (which,
without a real fignature, was at-
tributed to an officer who had been
in the adion of the 27th of fuly)
appeared in one of the papers, in
which, the efcape of the French
on that day, was direilly charged
to, and circumftantially laid a-
gainll, the vice-admiral of the
blue, by his difobedience of the
fignals and the orders of his com-
mander in chief. In this piece,
leveral matters were Hated as fadts,
with which the public had hitherto
been unacquainted, and fome of
which were afterwards, in a very
confiderable degree, legally and
publicly eftablilhed by evidence.
In particular, the meflage fent by
Captain Windfor of the Fox, from
the admiral to the vice-admiral of
the blue, was now firft announced.
The vice - admiral was likewife
charged with continuing the whole
afternoon, with his divifion, to
windwards notwithftanding the re-
peated fignals that were made, and
the meffage fent, for his coming
down to hif ftation in the line.

This anonymous publication' oc-
cafioned a dired application, in
London, from the vice-admiral of
the blue to the commander in chief,
requiring from him a public jullifi-
cation of his condud, and an ex-
prefs contradidtion of thofe foul
afperfions, which, he faid, had
been propagated to injure his ho-
nour and charafter. And in or-
der, the more completely to ef-
fectuate this purpofe, he prefented
a written paper, which he required
to be figned and publifhed by the
admiral, containing a ftatement of

parti-

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

i9i

particulars, to all of which he
was to give the fanction of fads
by his name. In parncular. Ad-
miral Keppel, by figning the pa-
per, was to afferc as a tad, that
his calling the vice-admiral of the
blue, and Sir Robert Harland's di-
rifions, into his wake, on the even-
ing of the 27th of July, was not
for the purpofe of renewing the
battle at that time, but to be in
readinefs for it in the morning.
It was hardly to be fuppofed, that
any expectation was formed of the
admiral's compliance with fuch a
demand.

This propofal being peremp-
torily rejeded by the admiral,
and poflibly, not without fome ap-
parent marks of furprize or dif-
gull, the vice-admiral of the blue,
islir Hugh Pallifer, immediately
publilhed in one of the i loriiing
papers, a long ftatement of par-
ticulars relative to the action of
the 27th of July, together with an
introdudory letter ligned with his
name. This piece teemed with
dired or implied cenfure ag.iinft
the condud of the commander in
chief. It alfo ftated (everal parti-
cular circumllances as fads, which
in the courfe of the fubfequent ju-
dicial enquiry, were either not pro>
pcrly fupported,- or were over-
thrown by dired evidence. Among
the latter of thefe, the vice-ad-
miral's divifion was faid to have
been fo fcattered and feparated by
the fignal for chacing, that his own
Ihip, the Formidable, engaged
atid paiTed the French line alone,
without her having any fecond,
either a-head, or a-ftern. ind the
raelTage by the Fox frig; te, was
faid to have been delivered at night,
and in the dark, and to amount to
no more, than, " That the ad-

miral wanted the (hips of that di-
vifion t.i come into his wake ;•'*
but poficively denying, and de-
claring the aff-Ttion to be an ab-i
foiute faifehood, that Capr. Wir.d-
for had faid, that the admiril oily-
waited for him to renew tiu; at-
tack.

This extraordinary publication,
ftrikiiig diredly at the clnracier
and honour of the commander ia
chief, and tending to render him
odious to his couniry, without anr
vifible caufe (excepting that aa
anonymous paragraph in a r.^xi'i.
paper could be admitted as fuch)
no charge or accufitinn whatever
having been laid again !l: the vice-
admiral of the blue, could ■not
fail of exciting the greatell ouHx
aftoniibment. Upon this occa-Gon,
Admiral Keppel declared, and
likevvife thought it fitting to com-
municate the import of his de-
claration to the firJi Lord of the
Admiralty, that without a full
and fatisfadory explanation frona
that officer, he could not, com-
fillcntly with his honour, ever -go
upon any fervice, or ad in con-
jundion with the vice-ad mira! of
the blaci for that nothing Jefs tha;*
a mutiny could be expeded in lUe
fleet, where the writer of luch a
letter held any command.

As thefe matters took place juft
before the meeting of parliament,
they naturaiiy became fubjeds of
cbfervation in both Houies, ^nd
were taken up on the firit day of
the feflion by the Earl of Srillol,
who, having taken notice cf the
letter in queltion, called npon the
firll Lord of the Admiralty for aa
enquiry into the condud of the
naval officers on the 27th of July,
fou'iding his demand more parti-
cularly en the dscla:-;::ioa ioade to

94] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

him by Admiral Keppcl, that he
would ns'-'vr rcfiimc the command
of tlie wellcrn fquadron, nor could
he ever think ot going U[-.on any
feivice with ihe vice-admiral of the
blue, until the; tranfadHons of that
day were thoroughly enquired into,
and fifted to the botitom.

The naval miniller expre/Ted
the utmoll difapprobation of the
propofed enquiry. He faid the
adion olF Breft, excepcing merely
the dellruftion of the enemy's
fhips, hcd produced all the con-
lequencei, and all the benefits,
vviiich cculd have- been derived
from the completed vidlory. Our
trade bad been fully proteftcd,
that of France ruined, and our
fleet rcdc triumphantly mafters of
. the ft-a during the remainder of
the campaign, whilft the enemy
dared not venture to fhew their
fices. Ort the other hand, he
faid, thrit the propofed enquiry,
would draw on confequences no
lefs rnifchievous than a defeat; it
would fplit the navy, both feamen
and officers, into cabals and fac-
tions, than which, nothing could
hz more pernicious in its efFeds,
or ruinous to the fcrvice ; fuch an
enquiry v.ould bcfides take up a
great deal of time ; and would re-
quire the attendance of all the
principal ofTiccrs, either as wi:-
r.SiTes or judges, from their proper
duty, at a ieafcn, when their pre-
lence and fervices againll; the com-
mon enemy might be moft wanted ;
and would in a great meafurc re-
tard, and perhaps defeat, all tlie
ir.eafures of the enfuing fpring and
fummer. Such an enquiry would
befules rajfe a kind of commotion
in the naticr., as aimoll ev?ry per-
fon would berorrhe interclted on
one fide cr the: other; and at iti
4

conclufjon, it could neither afFord
t'.v^ fmalleft fatisfaclion to the pub-
lic, nor anfwer any one good pur-
pofe whatever.

Whilll he expreflcd his regret,
that any mifunderftanding had
rifcn between the two commanders
in queftion, he declared himfelf
fully convinced and fatisfied, that
they had both performed their duty
with the greaieil bravery and ho-
nour. He faid, that no man
living had a higher opinion of the
admiral than he had, refpc£ling
his ability and gallantry as a fea-
man, and his veracity as a man.
Upon the fame ground, arifing
from a like degree of knowledge,
he was juftified in a fimilar opi-
nion refpeifting the vice - admiral.
He farther obferved on that ground,
that the admiral, in his official let-
ter, had exprefled the higheft ap-
probation of tlie conduifl of ail the
officers of the fquadron, among
whom the vice-admiral mull of
courfe be included ; and that the
commar.der in chief's letter, if no
other ground of jultilication exilted,
would be, with him, a fufncienc
reafon for not calling for an en-
quiry.

The Hcufe of Commons being
in a committee of fupply on the
zd of December, this fubjefl was
called up in the debate tnat arofe
upon the voting of70;000 feamen
for the fervice of the enluing year.
On this occafion, a gentleman, in
the courfe of a long train of Itric-
tures upoo^ and fome kvtre charges
againft the naval department, both
with rcfpeft to osconomy and con-
duit, obferved to the committee,
that the bufinefs of the 27th of
J'jly loudly demanded r.n imme-
diate enquiry, either th^rc or eife-
whcre ; that as Admiral K.oppeI

had

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [95

had declared he could net fail
no-ain \Vith ihe vice-admiral of the
blue, it was become a matter of
the utmoft national importance,
and mod eagerly expedkd by the
people, that^the affair ihould be
fpcedily and thoroughly inveili-
gated : that if either ofiicer de-
ferved cenfure, it was fitting that
it (hould be paHVd ; or if their
difference proceeded from any ill-
founded jealoufy, that • it fhculd
be removed or accommodated ;
but, however it might be, it was
efleniially and abfolutely neceffary,
in this feafon of danger, that we
fhould no: lofe the fervices of our
beft and greateit officers, and that
if unanimity was not to be hoped
for any where eJfe, no difierer.ces
Ihould, however, prevail among
our military commanders. He
concluded by oblervirg, that as
the admiral and vice-admiral were
then prefent in their places, he
hoped, one, or both of them,
would afford the Kcufe fome fa-
tisfaftion on the fubjeft, as well
for the fake of their own honour,
as for that of the public tran-
quillity.

The minifter flood up, probably
with a view of qu<i!ifying matters,
at the very inflant in which Ad-
miral Keppel arofe to anfwer the
call upon him ; but the eagernefs
of the Houfe to hear the latter
prevailing, he proceeded with
giving fome general account of
his conduft, from the time of his
being called to the command; and
in anfwer to an obfervation which
had been thrown out on a former
, occafion, not imtnediacely relative
to the fubjeft, " that if Admiral
Kepp 1 were to go through the
b'ufinefs of that day again, he
ivould not fight the Frencti in the

fame .manner," he ca'led upoa
the gentleman who had made the
obrervation, to take nctice, ihac
he was himfelf then fpeaking, and
thji: he declared in his proper pcr-
fcn, that if he was a^^ain to go
over the bufinefs of tiie 27th of
July, he would cr-ncu<fl himfelf
in the fame manner he then hzd.
He faid, every thing he could do
againil the enemy, had been done ;
he was happy to hy the Biiiilh
flag had not been tarn;(hed in hU
hands ; he was perfetfily eafy on
that head, and fhiould never dif-
avow, or be afhamed cf his condii(ft
on the day in queftion. Bur, he
faid, that the oldeit and molt f.v-
pericnced naval officers, would
dli'cover fomethdrg in every en-
gagement, with which they were
before unacquainted ; aYid he ac-
knowledged ;hat, that day had
prefented to him fomethirg rev*-.
He impeached no man, he £aid,
of a negleft of duty, becaufe he
was fatisfied the officer who had
been alluded to, had manifefied no
want of courage, which was the
quality moll eirenclal to a Britilli
feaman.

He declared that nothing could
exceed has afroniihrnenr, when he
fa-v that an ofiicer under his cort^-
mand had made an appeal to the
public, fagned Vv'ith his name in a
newfpaper, and tending to render
himfelf odious and defpicable in
the eyes of his country, v.hen no
accufation whatever had bsen laid
againfl the ofHcer thus adling ;
and confefTed he had been at firfl
fo much (hocked, as to have de-
termined never to fet foot aboard
fliip again; as he could not but
from thence conclude, that there
was an end to ail difcipline and
command in the navy. When the

mil

96] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

£ril emotions, however, fubfided,
he, upon cooler reflection, only
ncquainted the firfl Lord of the
.Ad.Tiir.ilty, that hs could never
iai! wiih the gentl,eman in queiHon,
until matters vvere thoroughly ex-
plained. He did not believe, he
i.tid, the vice-admiral to be a
llranger from whence the anony-
mous attack upon him came. He
had'himielf been the fubjed of
much and frequent n^wfpaper
abufe ; yet he had not appealed
to the public, nor refufed to fcrve
h'.s country, whfn his fervices were
demanded. He did not charge
miniflers with being the authors
or proHioters of the abufe againft
him ; they, on the contrary feemed
to be his friends, and carefled and
fmiled upon him : or if any mi-
niilcrs were capable of endea-
vouring to CL't his throat behind
his back, of villifying and fe-
cretly aiperfmg him, he did not
think they were then near him ;
but if they vvere, he was perfeft-
jy indifferent as to their fniiles
cr their frowns, and regardlefs of
every confequence which n-.ight
follow from either; and was Hill
ready to ferve his country, with the
warmed zeal, and to the utmoll: ex-
tent cf his abilities.

'ibis neceiiarily called up the
vice - admiral to an explanation.
He iaid, the honourable admiral
feemcd to fpeak with a kind of
reicive, as if there was fornething
behind; he heartily ,wiflied him
to fpeak cut, that knowing fully
what was imputed to him, he
mJjjht have an opportunity of
f;drly anfwerir.g the charge; he
held all low inllnuations and af-
ie^ied tendernti's in the utmofl:
contempt, if there was any real
ground of accufation, why not

make it fairly and openly ? If
not, why infinuate that he had
been wanting in point of condudt,
at the fame time that a teftimony
was given in favour of his cou-
rage ? An officer's honour was not
lefs tender with refpeft to impu-
tations of ihifconduft, or diibbe-
dience of orders, than to thofe
which related merely to the article
of courage. Dark and indiredl
infinuation?, were more difficult to
be refilled or cured, and accord-
ingly more prejudicial to the cha-
rafier of an officer, than any di-
reft terms of accufation. It was
under fuch circumllances, that he
had been obliged to make that ap-
peal to the public, which feemed
TO afford fo much matter of dilTa-
tisfadlion to the admiral. It had
bt-en infmuated, that he was a
hindrance to renewing the adion
with the French fleet on the 27tli
of July ; feeling his honour thus
attacked, he waited upon the com-
mander in chief to have the mat-
ter fet to rights, the imputation
wiped away, and his honour
cleared. But finding that he
could not obtain that redrefs,
which he had a right to claim
and cxpeft, he was under a i-e-
ceffity of appealing to the public ;
he had ilated fa.Q.s to them, and
by thofe fafts he would Hand or
f::li. It was undoubtedly the mcft
difagreeable circumflance in na-
ture, to a man of fenhbility, to
be under a neccflity of faying any
thing againft a friend ; but where
an officer's reputation was at flake,
the removal cf an unjuf^ fligma,
was certainly an objcdl that fu-
perfeded all other confiderations.
He declared, in the flrongefl terms,
that the report of his not Obeying
fi^nals, Wns a diiecl falf;hood ;

but

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [97

b»it that if it had been even true,
confidering ths circuir. lances of
that day, the public leivice could
not have been affedled by it. That
however unadvifeable the meafore
might be at prefent with refpeft to
the public intereAs or fp-vice, it
was much his intercil to wifh for a
public enquiry or trialj as he was
certain it would then come out,
that he had done his duty in every
refpeft, both as an officer and a
man. He concluded by again af-
fertlng, that -he had neither been
guilty of negledt of duty nor of in-
aftivity ; that he was by no means
inftrumental in preventing a re-
adion with the fleet of Monf.
d'Orvilliers; that he defpifed all the
means refcrted to both within and
without doors, tovillify and traduce
him, as a profeffional man ; and
that, confcious of his innocence, he
feared neither reports nor aifertions,
a parliamentary enquiry, nor a pub-
lic trial.

Admiral Keppel replied, that
lie did not underftand what was
meant by indireft charges and in-
fmuations ; he had made none ;
his charge was fingle, open, di-
reft, and confined to its objeft ; it
went fully and fairly, to a letter
figned, Hugh Pallifer, in a pub-
lic newfpaper ; that publication,
exclufive of what related to the
defence or juftification of the vice-
admiral, contained feveral mat-
ters, fo objectionable in their na-
ture, as fufiiciently juftified his ad-
hering to his determination, of ne-
ver again going to fea with that
officer. He had made no other
charge againfl him ; but as the
vice-admiral had now entered up-
on the fubjeft of fignals, and de-
clared it to be no fault of his,
that the fleet of France was not
Vox. XXif.

re-attacked, he muft fay, as to
that, that he prefumed every infe-
rior officer was bbund to obey the
fignals of his conamander ; and,
as he was now called upon to
fpcak out, he would inform the
Houfe and the Public, that the
fignal for ci Tang into the Vic-
tory's wake, was flying from three
o'clock in the afternoon till eight
in the evening, without being
obeyed. At the fame time, - he
faid, that he did not charge ths
vice-admiral v/ith aftual difobe-
dience; and he doubted not, that
if an inquiry fhould be thought
necefl'ary, he would be able to
juflify himfelf, as he was fully
perfuaded of his perfonal bra-
very. He concluded, that as his
country's friend, he was ready to
do every thing in his power to
promote its interefl, and advance
its honour : but them were his ob-
jeds; he had nothing to do with
adminiftration, and was little foli-
citous about any matter, but what
related to the due performance of
his own duty.

The fixing of fo material a point
of charge, induced Mr. T. Lut-
trel, who had been the means of
bringing the fubjedt forward, im-^
mediately to ftand up, and to move
an addrefs to his Majelly, for an
order to bring Sir Hugh Pallifer
to his trial; but he was called to
order by another Lord of the Ad-
miralty, for deviating from the
fubjefi of debate ; another mo-
tion being yet undecided, and that
bufinefs not properly before the
committee. Ey this means, the
matter V/as deferred for the pre-
fent; but the gentleman who had
intended the motion, gave notice
that he would revive it on the fol-
lowing day.

[G] ?artly

98] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

. Partly from .the intervention of
other matters, and partly from a
lack of attendance on fome days,
which prevented the doing of any
bufi: efs, this lay over for above a
week, without farther notice. At
length, Mr. Luttrel having ftated
the grounds on which he founded
, his motion, moved for an
I ' addrefs to his Majefty, that

he would be plcafed to give direc-
tions for a court martial to enquire
into the conducl of Vice-Admi-
ral Sir Hugh Fallifer, in and re-
lative to an action off or near
Ulhant, on the 27th of July lalt,
between his Majefty's fleet and
the fleet of France; it appearing
to this Houfe, that the faid vice-
admiral did not obey the fignals
of his fuperior commander, when
preparing to re-engage the (hips of
the enemy.

The motion being feconded, the
vice-admiral, in a fpeech full of
paflion and vehemence, complained
bitterly of the injurious treatment
which he had received from the
commander in cliief, who inllead
of juiiifying his character, when
perfonally applied to for that pur-
pofe, feemed rathef to countenance
the viihunous infinuations which
fome daik aflaflins had thrown out
•againft him. That hi-j conducl fiiice
had been no lefs unbecoming and
injurious. For without venturing
to come fo)ward in a fair and
inanly manner, with any open and
tliredl accufation brought formally
againft him, the had ilill endea-
voured to fupport the afperfions
thrown upon his character, by fub-
Itantially charging him, in that
Hcule, with difobedience, and by
feeming to lay the want of fuccefs
on the 27th of July at his door.
But thtfe were infinuations which

which he had determined not to
lie under ; he was confcious of
having performed his duty ; nor
would he from any motives of
convenience, expedience, or public
opinion, father the faults of any
man. The truth he faid waj, that
the admiral wanted to load him
with the public odium arifing from
the mifcarriage of that day, and
compel him to fubmit to bear the
blame of his own palpable miftakes
and incapacity.

■ The violence of this language
having occafioned the friendly in-
terpoiition of a gentleman on the
court fide, who was apprehenfive
of difagreeable cojifequences from
its continuance, the vice-admiral
proceeded with lefs vehemence to
inform the Houfe, that under the
circumftances he had delcribed,
finding that he could not obtain
jultice by any perfonal application,
and that no public motives could
induce the admiral to bring for-
ward any charge againft him,
which might afford an opportunity
for the vindication of his charader,
he had been driven by neceliity,
(not having a right to demand a
trial on himfelf) in order to repair
the injury done to his honour, to
lay feveral articles of accufation
againft Admiral Keppel, tending
to fhew, as he would hereafter de-
monfrrate, that the failure of fuc-
cefs on the 27th of July, with the
fubfequent confequences and dif-
appointment to the nation, were
owing to the mifconducl and fault
of that commander; and that he
had alfo demanded a court-martial
on that gentleman, which the ad-
miralty accordingly granted. He
concluded, that the meafure he
had taken was diftated by felf-
defenCe j that he had taken it

with

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[99

with the utmofl pain and reluc-
tance, as there wtrt few men living
he had a higher elteem and venera-
tion for than the honourable gentle-
man, as a friend, and intimate ac-
quaintance, vy-hom he had known for
many years, and vvhofe intimacy and
friend (hip he had hitherto looked
ijpon as one of the happiell circum-
ftances of his life.

Nothing could now exceed the
mixed appearance of furprize, con-
cern, and difapprobation, which
prevailed in every' part of the
Houfe; and the vice-admiral had
the mortification to hear his con-
dud, both with refpeft to the
newfpaper publication, and the
demand of a court-martial againft
his admiral, openly, and without
referve condemned, by every gen-
tleman, of whatever fide or party,
who fpokeupon theoccafion. This
was ftill increafed by the difappro-
bation .which appeared from his
own profeflion, v/hich was no lefs
general or explicit ; f^'eral gentle-
ment of rank and diilinclion in
the navy, who were then prefenr,
although they expreffed great re-
fpefl and efteem for the vice-admi-
ral, and Ihesved the greateft ten-
dernefs for his charader, could not,
hovveveri refrain from an abfolute
condemnation of his conduct in
thofe refpefts. Nor was he defended
or fupported in any degree, either
On the fide of the minifters, or
even by his brethren on the admi-
ralty bench.

It feemed, however, ftill to be
the general hope as well as wifh,
on all fides, that fome means
might yet be adopted, to prevent
the matter from going any farther ;
and by healing ilie differences be-
tween the two officers, to evade
thofe fatal differtions in the navy<

and confequences to the public,
which they otherwife apprehended.
In this ftate, the riling of the gen-
tleman, who was himfelf the im-
mediate objeft of concern, could
not fail of drawing all eyes and
attention, any more than of com-
manding the moft profound fi-
lence. Admiral Keppel thanked
the gentlemen on every fide of
the Houfe, for their friendly par-
tiality in his favour, and for their
wifhes to prevent an inquiry,
wh'ch caxried in its very face, as
well as nature, an implication of
cenfure to his charadter. But,
their friendly endeavours, he in-
formed them, were now too late.
His accufer had laid fpecific char-
ges of criminality againft him,
which not only ftruck diredlly ac
his life, but ac what was infinitely
dearer to him, his honour; and in
a few hours after thefe charo-es
were laid, the admiralty, without
farther enquiry, fent notice to him
to prepare for his trial by a court-
martial. However difagreeable
fuch an event might feem, as the
confequence of forty yeal-s fpent
in the fervice of his country, ha
ftiould not only meet it with good
wiil, but with great inv/ard fa-
tisfaftion ; he was under no ap-
prehenfion, that the ifTue would
afford any caufe of concern to his
friends, or bring any difgrace upon
himfelf;, his heart acquitted him
of all guilt, and he made no doubt
that his country would. He ob-
ferved, that he was in a fituation
different from every other man in
that Houfe, and fiich as he had
never experienced before; that he
Ihould therefore take no part in
the prefent queftion, nor ftay any
longer than while he was fpeaking,
He concluded a Ihort, but exceed-
[G] t ingly

loo] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ingly afFe^ing and pathetic fpecch,
by thankin? God, tlia: he was the
arcufed, and not the accu/er; and
then immediately quitted the
HoQ'e.

The Houfe (hewed an unufual,
and an affedirg degree of iym-
pathy during this '.pjech ; and at
every paufe, as well as at its conclu-
fion, thofe plaudits, which parlia-
mentary forms will admit of, were
aimofi; generally bedowed. Upon
his departure^ the Situation of his
accufer became by no means plea-
fant ; as he was under a neceflity
of hearing fuch direft and unqua-
lified cenfure, and general condem-
nation of his condufl, as few men
have experienced in that Houfe,
and as he certainly little expefted
at the time of making his late
fpeech. This was carried to fuch
a length, that a gentleman in his
place "declared, the whole bufinefs
carried the appearance of a pre-
concerted fcheme for the ruin of
the admiral ; and pointed his fufpi-
cions direftly to the firft lord of
the admiralty ; confidering the vice-
admiral, and the other members
cf that board, as merely inftru-
mental. And notwithilanding vio-
lent and repeated calls of order
from the admiralty bench, fo much
\vas heard upon this fubjcfJ, that the
vice-admiral thought fit to fubmit
to the neceflity of declaring upon
his honour, that no perfon whatever
had any previous knowledge of his
intentions.

A naval commander of diftinc-
tion, rot higher in rank than in
public eilimation, gave the highefl
teftimony to the numerous public
and private virtues of the honour-
able admiral who had juft de-
parted. He faid, that in forty
yearj acquaintance and mutual fer-

vice, he did not know a fingle in*
fiance of his condud in all that
time, whether as a private or a
public man, as a gentleman or a
feaman, wnich did not redound to
his own honour, in many cafes
called forth the applaufe and gra-
titude of his country, and in all,
merited the approbation of every
good and honefl man. He took
notice, that the only accufation
againfl: the vice-admiral, was laid
by himfelf in a nevvfpaper publi-
cation figned with his name. For
in anfwer to an anonymous charge,
he brought forward and agitated a
matter, but little known and lefs
attended to, which was the point
of not obeying his admiral's fig-
nals ; and having, in that defence
againfl nothing, acknowledged that
he had not obeyed them, he thereby
eftabliflied the faft, and became
fubilantially his own accufer. And
the fatl being thus admitted, it
became impofllble for the admiral,
if he had been even fo inclined,
to weaken or explain it away ; the
proof being of that fpecies, which
no man could pretend to controvert.
Nor could the admiral, he faid,
confiftently with his own honour,
or with the public fervice, have
again ventured to fea with an officer,
who had in a public newfpaper
ccnfured his condudl, and on the day
of battle treated his fignals with
contempt.

He obferved, with refped to the
prcl'ent accufation, that the vice-
admiral was prefent on the 27th of
July; that he was a witnefs to the
pretended incapacity and miffcon-
dudl of his admiral; that he was
not only filent as to faults of fuch
magnitude and importance to his
country, but lavifh in his praifcs
that he remrned with him to pott,

cone-

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [loi

COrTefponded with him, coniinued
on terms of the greateft intimacy
vi-ith him ; went to fea again un-
der his command, returned again
to port;, and in all that time, and
during fo many different tranfac-
tions, not a fingle fyllable of fault
or complai it had been heard. But
now all at once, when five months
are elapTed, when the vice-admiral
ccnfiders himfelf as publicly accu-
fed in the newfpapers, and when
a motion for bringing him to trial,
had br-en announced. and intended in
that Houfe, the accufed Suddenly
becomes the accufer, and out ftart
Rve articles of accufation, each
tending dir^.'cWy to afFeft the life or
honour of that man whofe intimacy
and friendfhip he acknowledges to
have conlidered aa the greateft hap-
pinefs of his life.

But while this gentleman feemed
equally to condemn and regret the
condurt cf the vice-admiral, he
declared he could not refrain from
the utmoft altonilhment at that of
the admiralty ; and totally regard-
lefs of his military or profeffional
fituation, proceeded with no lefs
freedom in its cenfure. He fald,
that in the molt favourable con-
ftruftion that could be put upon
the conduct of that board, it could
not but be acknowledged, that they
bad, at leaft, afted precipitately
and ralhly in this bufinels. That
in a matter of fuch national im-
portance, and where the life and
honour of a commander, fo high
in charader, and of fuch diftin- .
guilhed lervice, were at ftake, a
greater degree of caution and de-
liberation would fcarcely have
been more neceflary, than it would
have been becoming the characler
of a board entrulted with fuch
lowers. That in the prcfent cri-

tical iituation of public aifairs,
this caution was the more necef-
fary, as it was well known, that
Admiral Keppel poffeffed the con-
fidence and affection of the navy
in fo eminent a degree, that he
was litde lefs than idolized by all
Britifh feamen. Under iuch cir-
cumllances, he faid, that board
ftiould have been exceedingly nice
in their conduft, and circumfpecl
in tjjcir proceedings ; and not the
lefs Co, for the vice-admiral being
one of their own body. Before
they received his complaint; or at
lealt before they afted upon it, by
taking a iingle official ftep againft
Admiral Keppel, tney fhould have
thoroughly conlidered the grounds
of difterence, the circumftances
which produced them, and the
length of time before the accufa-
tion was laid ; they (hould have
recolleded that the accufer was
himfelf accufed ; and that he Itood
in a ftate, which could fcarcely be
conlidered as Ihort of avowed per-
fonal enmity with his principal,
and which might well be fup-
pofed, to be even under the im-
mediate influence of paffion, at
the very inftant of his laying the
charges. They fhould have afted
as moderators upon the occafion;
they fhould have given paiGon
time to cool, and have interpofed
their influence in healing the dif-
ferences between two brave and
valuable officers, at a time when
their fervices were fo much wanted ;
inftead of blowing up the flame,
by rafhly and haftily receiving a
rafh, hafty, and paffionate accu-
fation, and thereby drawing on
thofe fatal difTen'.ions in the naval
fervice, and thofe numerous evils
to the public, which they had
themfelves declared, muft be tho
[G] 3 inc-

io2l ANNUAL REGISTER,

inevitable confequences of fuch a
trial as the prefent. But as things
aftually were, he would Ipeak out,
and could not but fay, that their
thus eagerly fnatchlng at an occa-
fion, which affefted the profeflional
chara£ler, the life, and the honour,
of a gentleman fo high and (o
dear in the ellimation of his coun-
try, more efpecially confidering
the fituation, and t|ie • particular
degree of favour in which his ad-
verfary Hood, carried fuch ilriking
marks of the molt glaring partia-
lity, as excited his utmoit allonilh-
ment.

This direft and profcffional
charge againlt the condud of the

1779-

and confequences of fuch a loofe
indefinite charge; tO' which, from
its inaccuracy, or want of fpecifi-
cation, no proper defence could
he made, and from whence, con-
fequently, no definitive iflue could
be obtained. But none of thefe
matters held in the prefer.t inllance.
The vice-admiral had preferred an
accufation, confifiing of five fepa-
rate articles, or charges, properly
drawn up, and fpecifically pcinied.
What then could the admiralty
board do ? They mull either take
upon them to prejudge tlie truth
of tliofe charges, or they rnull: ad-
mit them to be fuch as were fit to
be fent to the confideration of a

admiralty, opened a new fource of court-martial. Tl>e firH, they could

debate, which was warmly agitat
ed on both fides. The commif-
fioners of that board ilrcnuoufly in-
fifted their conftitation to be fuchj
that in all matters of accufation,
they were obliged to a6l nnnifte-
rially ; they had no judicial power ;
but when a complaint was prefer-
red, they were, as a matter of
courfe, and in difcharge of their
office, not only compeiled to re-
ceive it, but to give the neceffary
diredlions for proceeding to trial..
Under fuch circumfianccs the boaid
had no option ; the accufation be-

not, dared not do, being totally
ignorant of their truth or falfe-
hood ; the fecond, they were com-
pelled to comply with, becaufe
the matter admitted of no alterna-
tive.

But neither this dodrine, nor
the ground of defence to which
it was applied, paffed without
queilion and ccnfure in the pre-
ient inftance. The oppoiition in-
filled, that the admiralty were not
only endowed with difcretionary
powers competent to the purpofe ;
but that the exercife of them was

ing once made, they could not re- one of their great and principal

jed ; they could not qualify ; they
iHuft have aited jufl as they. did.
Being, however, afterwards hard
preffed in argument, they acknov/-
Jedged in the courfe of the debate,
that if the accufation was loofely
or inaccurately drawn up; if it
was frivolous and vexatious in its
tendency ; or if it was dellitute
of fpecificaticn; fhen, indeed, it

duties ; it was among the moil
ufeful purpofes of their inftitu-
tion ; and they repreiented their
omiffion of it on the prefent oc-
cafion as highly culpable. They
fald, that the rellridions by whicli
they pretended to be bound, and
the dodrine they founded upon'
that pretence, were not only the
raoft ridiculous that could be con-

might have been the duty of the ceived, but they led to the moft
j.^miralty to look to the tendency ruinpus confequences. They would

eiiabiilh

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [loj

edablifli a principle, which would
go to the deltruftion of all naval
fervice, and to the leaving of every
fuperior officer at the mercy of
his inferior. If the whole fleet
of England was upon the point
of failing, upon the moft fudden
and critical emergency, w.iether
for our immediate defence againft,
invafion, or for the prefervation
of our moll valuable foreign in-
terertsi it would, under this doc-
trine, be in the power of the moft
petty officer, in fo great a multi-
tude of men and variety of cha-
radlers, whether through malice,
folly, or treachery, to put a flop
to the whole defign and operation,
only by laying feme villainous
charge againft the commander in
chief, which would neceifarily
keep back all the principal of-
ficers, either as witnefles or as
judges. And thus, in efted, the
whole dire£lion of our naval ope-
rations, would either be con-
figned over into the hands ot the
enemy, or committed to the dif-
cretion of folly, of malice, or of
madnefs at home.

But they obferved, that the
commiffioners, finding themfelves
unable to fuftain that monllrous
doftrine in its full extent, had,
though apparently much againli
their will and intention, and dif-
guifed under loofe and vague
terms, virtually given it up. For
what lefs did their acknowledg-
ment amount to, that if accula-
tions were frivolous, vexatious, or
unimportant, the board might,
and would reje£l them, than to
thofe very difcretionary powers
which were contended for on the
Other fide ? Either the board is
not competent, in any inllance,
to judge; or, if competent, the

board, in every fuch a£l, exer-
cifes a difcretionary power. The
conclufion is clear either way;
every thing which malice, rage,
or folly, can fuggeft, is a proper
Jubjeil to be fent to be enquired
into by a court-martial, or the ad-
miralty board have the right con-
tended for; that of judging of the
magnitude, extent, and probabi-
lity of the charge, the circum-
llances which brought it inco ex.-
iftence, and every other matter con-
nected with it, which might enable
them to be the means of promoting
general and particular juilice.

It ieemed undoubiedly to be a
new and Angular circumftance, that
a great department of the itate,
fhould, to all appearance, endea-
vour to narrow its own conftitu-
tion, rights, and authority ; whilll,
on the other hand, its adverfaries
in the oppofition were endea- •
vouring to demonftrate its being
endowed with thofe powers, which
it totally dikiaimed and denied.
The difterent llatutes relative to
the admiralty, \vere quoted, exa-
mined, and .applied on both fides.
In elFeft, the great crov/n lawyers
being hard prefled by their adver-
faries, feemed rather to employ
their time and abilities in making
a defence for the iiril lord of the
admiralty, than in -ferioufly de-
nying the powers of the board at
which he prefided.

Although fome gentlemen flill
declared their opinion, that the
original motion of addrefs for the
trial of Sir Hugh Pallifer, fhould,
for the fake of public juflice be
carried forward, as it was con-
cluded, that motives of delicacy"
would ever prevent Admiral Kep-
pel from becoming his accufer, yeC
it was more generally concluded on
C<?J 4 that

I04l ANNUAL R EGI S TER, 1779.

that fide, to let it He dormant for
the prelent ; and to prevent its re-
ceiving a negative, it was difpcfed
of by moving for the order of the
dav, which operated as a previous
qutllion, and was carried without
oppofition.

It was jufl at the approach of
the recefs, when Admiral Figot,
who had during the courfe cf tliis
bufinefs, on every occaiion, ex-
erted himfelf with the greateft
warmth, «cal and adlivity, in fa-
vour of Admiral Keppel, made a

■i^ /-I motion, that on ac-
Dec. loth. f .1 J-

count or the exceiding

bad ftate of health, under which

that gentleman had long laboured,

and the extren c danger to which

his life mufc be expofed, by the

cor.fined air, and the want of ne-

ceffary room on board a fhip,

during the length of time that his

trial would probably Jail, and

confidering the great number of

ipcople with which it muft be ne-

ceffarily attended, he might have

leave to bring in a bill, to enable
the admiralty to order his trial to
be held at feme convenient place
on Ihore, inftead of its being held
aboard fhip, which was the mode
prefer ibcd at prefent by tlie law.

Notwithllanding the modifica-
tions and alterations which this
bill underwent .in both Houfes,
and that it; was necefiarily brought
back from the lords in coniequence
of their amendments, it was car-
ried thrsugh with wonderful dif-
patch and facility, and received
the royal afTcnt on Chriftnias Eve.
Nor did it meet with the fmalleft
oppofition with refpeft to its par-
ticular principle, as tending to
its direft objcft, in cither houfe;
while the elogiums on Admiral
Keppel which it drew out in its
progrefs through both, efpecially
the lords, would have been deemed
by a vain or ambitious man, as
more than a compenfation for all
the hardfhips and dangers of his
triaK '

CHAP.

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [105

CHAP.

VI.

Debates arljing en qucjiions of /apply, pre-vious to the recefs. Augmenta'
ticn of 1 4,coo msii, to the land Jervice. Trial at Pcrtfmouth. Ad-
miral Kpppel hononrably acquitted. Recei-ves the thanks of both Houfes.
Vice- Admiral of ths hlue rejigns his employments, and vacates his feat
in 'the Houfe of Commons, Memorial figned by tnvelve Admirals, pre-

fented. Great difcontents in the nanjy. Refolution of cenfure moved
by Mr, Fox, on the conJuii of tbe admiralty. Motion, after long de-
bates, rejected upon a divijion. Second motion, of a fmilar ttattire,
by Mr. Fox, reje&ed upon a divifion. T-iuo great naval commanders,
declare againji ailing under the prefent fyjlem. Refignation of naval
officers. Sir P. J. Gierke, brings in a bill againji the contraHhrs',

firjl quejiion carried upon a divifeon ; but the bill rejeSled upon another.
Bill in favour of Diffenters hrcught in and paffed. Affairs of Ire-
land. Various attempts and propo/als for affording commercial relief to
that country^ prove at length ineffeiiual.

ALTHOUGH the great quef-
tions of fupply had been
carried through by the minifters,
previous to the recefs, without any
marked oppofition, yet they were
produflive, as has been ufually the
cafe of late, of much difcuffion,
enquiry, and obfervation, relative
to the fpecific fcrvices to which
they were to be applied, and the
nature and amount of the re-
fpeftive demands. The mode of
conducing the war was a general
ground of cbjeftion with the op-
pofition, who contended, that our
force by fea and land fhould be
directed againft the foreign fettle-
ments, or home pofleffions of our
natural enemy, inftead of being
wafled and fpent in fruitlefs and
hopelefs exertions on the continent
of America,

That party infilled much on
what they confidered as the ruinous
policy, of perfevering in the vain
attempt of fubjugaiing America
by force, fupported as it now was
by a formidable and dangerous al-

liance, when we were already
taught by a dear-bought experi-
ence, which had at lead afforded
conviflion to all the reft of man-
kind, that it was extremely doubt-
ful whether we were capable of
executing the talk, even if Ame-
rica ftood fmgle handed. Our
only rational mode of conduft,
and ground of hope, now was,
they faid, to prefs ou;- natural foe,
with luch vigour and force, as
would compel him to renounce his
American fyftem ; and then to re-
new, upon fair and equitable
term?, fuch a communion of in-^
terells with that people, as our
pall: injuftice and madnefs would
ftill afford room for obtaining.
But no hope of this fort (thev
faid) could ever be entertained
upon any rational principle, while
we exhaufted our force, and fquan-
dered our treafure in America.
On the contrary, viftory and de-
feat, in that fatal war, produced
fimilar confequences to ourfelves,
and equally furthered the views of

the

Io6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

- the common enemy. And every
year of its continuance, went to
cftablilh the ruin of both coun-
tries ; nor would it require a Jong
fucceifion of fuch years, to render
our own dellruftion inevitable,
whatever might become of Ame-
•rica.

On the other hand, the m.inifters
contended, that America was re-
duced to the lowell ilate of weak-
nefs ; that her armies were anni-
hilated ; that (he had already ccn-
trafted a debt of fifty millions in
the profeculion of the war; that
her credit was fo totally funk, that
the cf ngrefs bills were fold for one
fortieth of fheir nominal value;
that her people were ftarving, and
in want of all the neceffaries of
life; and that in this ftate of
diftrefs, when they were enduring
all the moll prefiing calamities of
war, and every degree of domefiic
mifery, when they were enduring
the moft intolerable political op-
preflions, from the tyranny of their
vfurped powers of government.
That a very great majority of the
people abominated the French al-
liance, and execrated the congrefs
on that account; that the latter
had exceeded and abufed their
powers in that inftance; and that
the political and hoftile connection
with France had not been conlli-
tutionally ratified ; that is, it had
not yet received that fpecies of af-
fent, which was fundamentally,
and eifentially neceflary, to con-
ftitute a real and binding compact
on the people of America.

They afked whether fuch 3
fiate of things, when oppofed by
the bleffings of peace, and thefe
accompanied with conftilutional
ireedom. and fccuri,ty, did not af-
ford the moft probable caufes, and
5

the beft founded reafons for ex-
pefling, that the colonies, cither
feparately or conjundly, would
co-operate in meafures for re-
moving their public and private
dillrelles; for getting rid of their
* oppreffions, and diiTolving fuch a
fyJlem of ufurpation and tyranny?
The probabilities were fo ftrong
in our favour, they faid, as to
amount to little lefs than a£lual
proofs ; and to flop fhort, and
H.icken our exertions, at the very
moment that fo fair a profpedl was
opened, would be fuch a degree
of political abfurdity and mainefs,
as no people had ever before ex-
l|iibited.

As to withdrawing the troops, or
changing the objeft and diredion
of the war, it would amount to
no lefs, they faid, than a dere-
liftion of America for ever. Nor
would the evil be confined to the
lofs or independence of the re-
volted colonies merely. Cana-
da, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland,
Rhode Iflarid, New York, and
the Florida's, muft follow of
courfe. Our Weft India Iflands
could not fiay long behind, nor
could they afford any benefit while
they remained in our hands. And
yer, dreadful as thcfe confequences
ieem, even in idea, the abfolotc
lofs to ourfelvcs, would not be the
wcrft part of the evil. But all
thefe vaft acquilitions ; thefe une-
qualled fources of naval domi-
nion,' wealth, and power, would
be thrown into the balance againft
us. They would become additions
to the power and ftrength of our
natural and mortal enemy.

The oppofition ai;fvvered, that
it was to prevent thofe fatal con-
fequences, and to avoid that dread-
ful ftate of public affairs, now too

faith-

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [107

to the government of this coun-
try ; and we are informed, that
the many are not only moft unac-
coun.ablv kept in bondage by the
few, but that they are compelled
to take arms in their hands, and
total!)' contrary to their inclina-
tion and will, to fight the battles
of a vagrant congrefs, and of a
handful of fadious leaders, whom
they equally hate and delpife, a-
gainft us, whom they regard and
confider as their beft friends.

To thefe reprefentations, they
cppofed a view of the prodigious
force by fea and land, fupported
at an expence of treafure un-
known in any former warfare,
which had been fo loi.g and fo
ineffedlually employed for the re-
duction of fuch a country, de-
fended by fuch wretched foldiers,
and adlng under fuch a feeble and
odious government. A force and
a treafure they faid, which, un-
der a wife and able direclion,
might have afpired, and not un-
fuccefsfully, to the fubverfion of
feme one, among many, of the
oldeft and beil ellablifhed ftates ia
the univerfe. And yet, thofe fol-
diers, and that government, have
fuccefsfully refilled this mio-hty
force by fea and land; and have,
for a fucceffion of years, and
through a variety of hard and
bloody conflidb, baffled the ut-
moll: efrorts, of one of the bed pro-
vided, bell difciplined, and braveft
armies that ever exifted.

The motion for an augmenta-
tion of 14,000 men to the land
fervice, which was made by the
fecretary at war on the 14th of
December, although it was agreed
to, yet brought out much of this
fort of difcuffion. It alfo afforded
an opportunity for a revival of

thofe

faithfully defcribed, that they had
conftantly oppofed the meafures
which led to the lofs of America,
and endeavoured at all times to
heal the differences with our co-
lonies. But the event, which they
fo much dreaded, and endeavoured
to prevent, had already taken
place. America was . loft. It was
to little purpofe to wafte time in
cavilling about the term inde-
pendence. She was independent
in faft, whether we allowed it or
rot ; nor was it in our power to
render her otherwife. Were we
then to perfevere to the laft in our
folly, and ailing the part of a mad
and defperate gamefler, to throw
away the remainder of our fortune,
in a fit of vexation for the lofs of
that which we had already fquan-
dered ?

They faid, that the fame de-
lufive pidure of American affairs
.which was now prefented, had,
with fome occafional alterations in
the colouring, been exhibited at
the opening of every fcffion fince
the beginning of the troubles.
The objefl was, however, at all
times the fame. It being merely
intended to lead the nation, from
year to year, ftill farther on in
error and ruin. The Americans
had been alternately reprefented
as cowards,' as beggars, as an un-
difciplined mob, as being not only
without arms, and all military
provifion, but being dcflitute even
of the common means of exiftence,
and in that laft ftate of wretched-
nefs, exceedingly well difpofed to
cut each others throats. And as
if there were no bounds fuppofed
to our credulity, nor limits in-
tended to our wonder, they are
reprefented as being in general
. loyal fubjetJts, and firmly attached

io8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

thofe complaints, which had been together, to open that general

before introduced upon other oc- ground of difcontent in the navy,

caficns, of the undue and glaring Wiiich we have fince fecn unhap-

rartiality, which, it was faid, had piiy fpread, to To fatal an extent,

been difplayed, in the railing of as to feclude fcveral of our firft

rew reoimcnts. The whole tide and grcatefl officers from the ler-

of favour and preferment, the op- vice of their country, at the time

rofition contended, had been di- of her greateft diilreis and moft im-

jefted to a certain part of tlie minent peril.

united kingdom, and to a certain This naval difapprobation be-
defcription of men, without re- gan early to appear, in a memo-
gard to military rank or fcrvice, rial to the King, fiv;ned by twelve
and to the prejudice of many of admirals, including the oldeft or
the braveft and moll diftinguilhed moll: dilVinguiflied officers then at
Englifh officers. While, on the home, with the revered name of
other hand, they faid that fome Lord Hawke at the head of the
of our nobility ; men of tiie firft lift, ftrongly condemning the con-
rank, fortune, family, and dif- duel of the accufer through every
tinftion ; men alio high in mi- part of the tranfadion, and being
litarv fervice and knowledge ; who little lefs explicit with refpefl to
had "offered to raife regiments at that of the admiralty, fo far at
their own expence, for that pub- leaft, as they thought it fitting to
lie defence in which they were fo pronounce a divttl opinion on a
deeply intcrefted, were not only mere queflion of law ; and alfo
rcjefted ; but, in order to put a flating to his Majefty, in flrong co-
llop to all fuch offers or applica- lours, the prejudice and ruinous
tions, care was ftudioufiy taken, confequcnces, wnich the eftablifli-
that the mode of rejedtion fnould ment of the precedent and prin-
amount to dired infult. ciple now introduced would inevi-
During the recefs of parli.i- tably bring upon all naval lervice
ment, and for fo long after as the and difcipUne.
occafion continued, the attention On the mere point of difcre-
of the nation vvas drawn, and the tion, thefe naval commanders ex-
minds of the people agitated, in prefs themfelves in the following
a decree which v.e have not be- terms : We, who are not of the
fore \nosvn, by the trial of Ad- profclTion of tlie law, cannot po-
miral Keppel ; which commenced fuively affert, whether the board
at Fortfrnouth on the 7th of Ja- of admiralty hath by law any
Tiuary, 1779, and was not clofed fuch difcrction ; " but if we had
nntil the i ith of the following *' conceived that this board had
February. In the mean time, the " no legal ufe of their reafon in
peculiar circumftances relative to *' a point of fuch delicacy and
that affair, the conduft of the ad- *' importance, we faould have
iniralty, and th.e new dodrine (as " known on what terms we
it was charged to be) which they " ferved. But we never did ima-
endeavcured to eflablirh, that they " gine it poffible, that we were
held no difcretionary powers of " to receive orders from, and be
adir.g in fuch cafes, ferved all ** accountable to thofe who, by

" law.

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [109

** law, were reduced to become
*' paffive inftruiTients to the pof-
" iible malice, ignorance, or tfoa-
" fun, of any individual, who
*' mi^ht think fit to difarna his
*' Majefty's navy of its beil and
*' highelt officers. We conceive
'* it difre''pedful to the laws of
•• our c<; ;niry to fupoofe them ca-
*' pible of fach ma:Mk'!t injulHce
*' and ; blurdity."— The piece
concludes in the following man-
ner; " We therefore humbly re-
*' prefent, in behalf pF public or-
** der, as well as of the dllcipline
*' of the navy, to your Majefty,
*' the dangers of long concealed,
*' and afterwards precipitately a-
" dopted charges, and of all re-
«• criminatory acculations of fub-
** ordinate officers a^ainft their
*« commanders m chief; and par-
«' ticularly the mifchief and fcan-
" dal of permitting men, who are
" at once in high civil office, and
« in fubordinate military com-
" mand, previous to their making
" fuch accufations, to attempt to
*' corrupt the public judgmenc,
" by the publication of libels on
*' their officers in a common newf-
«' paper, thereby exciting mutiny
« in your Majeily's navy, as well
" as prejudicing the minds of
" chofe who are to try the merits
■ " of the aecufation againll the faid
*' fuperior officer."

This memorial was prefented in
the clofet to his Majeily, on the
laft day but one of the old year, by
the Duke of Bolton, who had de-
manded an audience for the pur-
pofe, and was himfelf one of the
fubfcribers. It feemed llrongly to
mark the general difTatisfaftion
of the navy, that, at leal^, two-
thirds of the admirals who figned
this piece, were known not to be

in any habits of connexion, or

communion of interells, with the
parties in oppofition; and that, oa
the contrary, feveral of them had
at all times been confidered, from
their fentimcnts, condud, connec-
tions, or particular obligations, to
be warmly attached to the prefent
adminiltration.

The trial at Portfmouth, feemed
not much lefs to afFecl the proceed-
ings of parliament, than it did the
minds of the people at large. No-
thing material was done, or even
brought forward in either Houfe
during its continuance. The com-
mons met on the 14th of January,
and excepting the preparation of
a new recruiting bill, (brought ia
by the fecretary at war) which
went to the repeal, and was per-
haps in fame refpefts an improve-
ment on the former, did little
more than meet from day to
day to adjourn. The Lords met
on the 20th of January, but no
public bufinefs was brought for-
ward until the middle of the en-
fuing month. Indeed fome of the
raofl: diftinguifned names, and moft
adive charaders in both Houfes,
attended the trial, during the
whole, or the greater part of the
time that it lafted.

The event, as well as the circum-
ftances of th^ trial, are too well and
too generally known, to render
our entering into any detail of the
fubjed necelfary. It will fuffice t3
obierve, that the court-martial,
after a long fitting of thirty days
upon adual bufinefs, and a pati-
ent hearing and invelligatioii of
the almoit endlefs detail of evi-
dence which it naturally afrbrded
on both fides, at length acquitted
the Admiral of every charge laid
againii him, in the rulleftj clear-
eft.

no] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

eft, and to him moft honourable
terms; farther declaring, mat he
had behaved as became a judicious,
brave, and experienced officer.
And that ac the fame time, con-
fidering thcmfelves as a court of
militarv honour, as well as of cri-
minal juriidiction, they marked the
conduct of his accufer, in the bo-
dy of the fentence, with the ftrong
and fevere condemnation, " that
** the charge was malicious and ill
«' founded." It was fuppofed to
be upon the fame principle, that
the court didnotclofe the trial, and
immediately proceed to fentence,
as foon as the profecutor's evidence
was finilhed : it appearing then
evidently, that the Admiral muil
have been fully acquitted, upon
the very teftimony wiiich was in-
tended to operate againft him.
But it was generally thought, that
the court deemed it a reparation
due to tile Admiral, to hear the
evidence in his favour ; and that
the world lliould be acquainted
with that unparalleled weight of
teiiimony to his conduft, honour,
and charatler, which was after-
wards given by fo great a number
of diftingulfhed, brave, and expe-
rienced officers. The addrefs of
the prefident of the court-martial,
^jpon reftoring his fword to the
Admiral, was no .lefs flattering to
the latter, than the fentence was ho-
nourable.

»y , ^, On thedayafter thefe

12.. . tranfactions at Portf-
*''^9* month, the fentence,
and the fliort fpeech made by the
prefident, being read in the Houfe oi
Commons, a motion was made, and
carried, with only one diffenting
voice, " That the thanks of this
*' Houfe be given to the Honour-
*« able Admiral Auguitus K.eppei,

** for his diftinguifned courage,
" condud, and ability, in defend-
" ing this kingdom in the courfe
" of the lall fummer, effectually
" protefting its trade, and more
•* particularly, for his having glo-
•* rioufly upheld the honour of the
'* Britilh flag on the 27th and
" 28th of July laft." The thanks
of the Lords, in nearly the fame
terms, were agreed to in four days
after, with every external appear-
ance of the moft perfeft unani-
mity.

The general, public, and unu-
fual rejoicings, which took place
in fach various and remote parts of
the kingdom upon this occafion,
feemed to afford a ftrong preiump-
tion, that the people in general
confidered this bufmefs, to be at
leaft as much a public as a private
concern ; and indeed the whole
manner of celebrating this event,
feemed rather as if it had been a
great national deliverance, than
that merely of an individual. The
rejoicings and illumlnatiftns in the
cities of London and Weftminfter,
were of fuch a magnitude, as has
fcarcely been exceeded upon any
public occaffon whatever. The
exceffes committed by the popu-
lace in the latter, which were di-
rected againft the houfes or perfons
of thofe, whofe fuppofed ftiare in
this tranfadtion had drawn on them
the odium of the multitude, are
frefh in every body's memory.
They were indeed furious, and
had a tendency to lliock and dif-
guft many of thofe who partook
the moft heartily in the general
joy. Even the iron gates and pal-
lifades of the Admiralty, were not
fufficient to preferve that building,
from receiving ftrong marks of the
popular indignation j nor wera

fume

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [iii

fome of the great officers of ftate
free from fufficient cauie of alarm,
until the troops were brought for-
ward to their protedtion.

The prevalent fpirit was now fo
ftrong, as to fecm to operate more
or lefs every where. Nobody was
fo hardy as to attempt, to juflify the
late profecution iipon its own pro-
per ground. For a confiderable
time, the admiralty was only de-
fended upon the plea of official ne-
ceflity; and the ccndud of the pro-
fecutorfeemed wholly abandoned by
all his friends.

Admiral Keppel had received
an early letter from the admiralty,
acquainting him that the lulpen-
fion was taken off in confequence
of his acquittal, and requiring him
accordingly to refume his com-
mand; although he complied with
this requifuion, yet from the cold
official terms in which the letter
was couched, as well as a maimed
quotation it included from the fen-
tence, in which the claufe moft to
his own honour, and that which
leaned molt upon his adversary,
were both equally omitted, it fecm-
cd upon the whole, to indicate,
and was underllood accordingly,
that that board was no (barer in
the general fatisfaftion which at-
tended the event of his trial. Nor
was his reception at court, faid to
be much more pleafing. Thefe
•circumllances being followed up
by others of the lame nature, the
line of condud was underllood to he
fo marked and apparent, that it
afforded a fubjedl of open difcuf-
fion at different times in both
Houfes ; the oppolition contend-
ing, that it tended llrongly to
fpread and confiim an opinion, al-
ready too generally received, than
' which, nothing could be more,

fcandalous or difgraceful to govern-
ment, namely, that the attack up-
on the admiral's life and honour,
was rather the efteft of a combi-
nation, and of a concerted fchemc,
framed under and fupported by the
fanftion of authority, than the ca-
fual refult of private pique, envy, or
malice.

On the other hand, the unfor-
tunate olficer, who was now be-
come the objed of general odium,
was compelled, befides the lofs of
public favour and opinion, to fub-
mit to that of honours, of autho-
rity, and of fubltantial emolu-
ments. On the very day that the
fentence of the court-martial was
difclofed in the Houfe of Com-
mons, a noble Lord, one of his
late brethren in office, after ex-
preffing fome doubts as to the pro-
priety of the notice, he, however-
laid, that in order to quiet th*
minds of the people, he would in-
form them, that Sir Hugh Palifer,
had no longer a feat at the admi-
ralty board; his refignation having
been accepted that morning. In
tills manner things continued for
about a week longer; the oppofi-
tion waiting, as they faid, to afford
an opportunity to the crown, to ex-
prefs its utmoil reprobation of the
late conduct, and therein vindicate
its own honour, by totally difmif-
fing the vice-admiral of the blue
from its fervice. At length, when
r-ie of the moil aftive leaders of
the oppofuion, was on the point of
moving an addrefs for that pur-
pofe, information was given, that
Sir Hugh Pallifer had refigned his
lieutenant-generallhip of the Ma*
' rines, and his government of Scar-
borough CalHe; that he had alfo
vacated his feat in parliament;
and only reiaia^d his vicc-admiral-

Ihip,

ii^] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779:

Clip, as a qualification for his trial
by a court-martial, which the ad-
miralty had ordered to be held upon
him.

The ftrorg interefts, ivhich were
thus agitated, and the fpirit of en-
<]uiry raifed by the paft and the de-
pending court-martial, were not
eafily laid or qualified, and natu-
rally diretted the attention of par-
liament to the affairs of the navy.
This fubjecl was almoil the only
one in which parties feemcd to en-
gage. The members of oppofi-
tion, direfted their attacks almoft
entirely againfl the'firft lord of the
admiralty, whom they confidered,
in the prefent fituation of affairs,
as the moft efficient, and confe-
quently as the moft immediately
refponfible, of any of the King's
fervants.

No lefs than three motions of
Icenfure, relative to the ftate and
difpofition of the navy, and one
for the removal of the Earl of
Sandwich from his Majefty's fer-
■vice, were made during the pre-
fent feffon in the Houfe of Com-
mons. In confequence of an ad-
drefs for the purpofe, feveral ex-
trafts of letters relative to the
equipment of the Breft fleet, ha-

•«/r L J vinor been laid before
March 3d. ^^^^ ^^^^^^ j^^_ p^^

moved the following refolution.—
" That it appears to this Houfe,
that the fending Admiral Kcppel,
in the month of June laft, to a
flation cfF the craft of France, with
a fquadron of twenty fhips of the
line, and four frigates, at a time
when a French fleet, confifting,
as there is great reafon to believe,
of thirty-two fhips of the lit.e, and
certainly of twenty-feven, with a
great number of frigates, was at
Breft, and ready to put to fea> v>'as

a meafore greatly hazardous to the
fafety of the kingdom, without
any prrfpcft of an adequate ad-
vantage."

Mr. Fox introduced his motion
by a very able and animated
foe"ch ; in the courfe of which he
acknowlec^[;cd, that if the prefent
was carried, he would follow it
with another for the removal of the
iirft lord of the admiralty ; and it
Vvould then reft with that Houfe,
whether the fafts ftated in his mo-
tion, would not furnifh matter fuf-
ficient to found upon it a parlia-
mentary enquiry. He began with
fome obfervations, on the advan-*
tages refulting from thofe fort of
enquiries which he propofed ; and
which are peculiar to free govern-
ments. He faid, that fubfequent
inquifitorial controuls, were a fub-
ftitute for that fecrecy and dif-
patch in v^hich arbitrary ftates are
thought to excel, and tliat it more
than compenfated for the want of
them; as was fully proved, by the
irrefiftible exertions, and the al-
moft inexhauftible refouices, of
free ftates. That, vigour of exer-
tion, and atten'ion to duty, are
always found where the final ac-
count is inevitable ; and where no
favour, no court cabal, can fecure
negledl and incapacity from detec-
tion and punifhment.

The propriety of entering into
the refolution propofed, was fup-
ported by the following very em-
barrafling dilemma. When Mr.
Keppel failed from Plymouth on
the 9th of June, with 20 (hips, un-
der orders to cruize off Ulhant for
a certain number of days; the ad-
miralty board muft have known
that there were thep thirty fail of
the line ready to proceed to fca in
JBrcft water, or elle that board was
1, iiurant

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [115

ignorant of the fa£t. If the for-
mer, it was faid to be an ad of the
higheft Criminality, to rifqne the
fate of this country in fo great a
difparity of force. Had an en-
gagement happened, which muft
have been inevitably the cafe, had
not the moll confummate wifdom
and "love for his country, induced
Admiral Keppel, in a cafe of fuch
infinite importance, todifregard the
orders of the minifters, the confe-
quences might have been fatal to
the naval power of ' this country.
Our trade might have been ruined,
our coails infulted, and, in the de-
ftruftion of Portfmouth and Ply-
mouth, the feeds of all future navies
for ever exterminated.

On the other hand, prefuming
tKat the firft lord of the admiralty
was ignorant of the real naval
force of France, would not the
confequences to the nation be the
fame? And therefore, it was a(k-
ed, was not his conduft equally
criminal ? For negligence in men,
entrufted with the fafety of na-
tions, was very different from the
negligences of ordinary perfons.
In fuch men, negligence was cri-
minality. And, that men high in
office, and in refponfible fituations,
did in efFeft acknowledge guilt,
when they pleaded ignorance in
j unification of mifcondudl and
neglefl.

On the other fide it was an-
fwered, that before ignorance was
fuffered to imply criminality, it
was abfolutely neceflfary, that the
fa6t in . queftion (liould be efta-
blilhed ; that it (hould be afcer-
tained beyond a poflibility of doubt.
That the fafl which was produced,
as the foundation of the refolution
now propofed, viz. " That there
*« were 27 fliips of the line in Breft
V©L. XXH.

" water," was {o far from being
proved, that it was not even
grounded on probability. If the
papers found on board the Pallas
and Licorne, were adduced as
proofs of the fad, nothing could
be more vague, indefinite, and in-
conclufive. For firft, fuppofing
the import of thofe papers to have
been ever fo precife, it was to ba
remembered, that they were en-
tirely without date; and in the
next place, that they contained
nothing more than an order to
provide anchorage for fuch a cer-
tain rate and number of fhips. It
therefore contained evidence, not
that the fhips were ready for fea,
but that anchorage was ordered for
them when they fhould be ready.
If the written evidence, they faid,
was defeftive, the parole evidence,
given by Admiral Keppel (who
had been examined in his place,
relative to the verbal information
he received by the capture of the
two French frigates) muft be no
lefs defeftive, for it was founded
entirely upon the written.

But the evidence, they faid, was
not more defedlive in fupport of
the prefumption on which the re-
folution was founded, than the cir-
cumftances were itrong, which went
direftly to its overthrow. For it
appeared, that a number of French
merchantmen had been fuffered to
pafs through the Britifh fleet, fo
late as the 23d or 24th of June.
The ftrength or weaknefs of the
Britifh fleet mufl have been known
to them. And if the Breft fleet
had fuch a fuperiority as was af-
ferted, what reafon could be given,
why they did not inftantly proceed
to fea, in order to meet and to
crufh fo inferior an enemy i But
although M. D'Orvilliers was in

[H] polTeffioa

ii4l ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

poiTeflion of that information from faid, muft have been the confe-
the 23d of June, he did not leave quences of a vidory, if they ha,d
Breft harbour until the 8th of July ; obtained one, in the prefcnt in-
a full proof that, contrary to the ftance.

On the other fide it was replied,
that M. D'Orvilliers continuing in
port after the arrival of the mer-
chantmen who had pafled through
the Britifh fleet,, was by no rneana
a proof, nor did it even amount to
a prefumptive evidence of any
weight, that he was not then, with
the force which had been Hated,
in adtual condition for proceeding
to fea. For it would have been a
meafure extremely hazardous for
that commander, and which, with-
out exprefs orders from his court
he could not have ventured, to
have trufted himfelf to fea with 27
fail of the Ime, before he had re-
ceived the moft undoubted inform-
ation of Admiral Byron's departure
from the channel. For, until he
was perfkdly fatisfied that the Bri-
tifh fleet vvas divided, he could
have had no aflhrance, that inftead
of twenty, he fhould not have en-
countered Admiral Keppel,witha
fleet of 35 {hips of the line; which
was the force he had caufe to appre-
hend, including Byron's fquadron,
, and three ihips, wiiich were ready
for fea, and which he had therefore
a right to confider as part of the
fleet. For the French merchant-
men could report no farther than
they faw. They faw three flags,
and they might perhaps count 20
fail of the line; but they could
not poflibly anfwer that there were
no more in company.

That this was the fcale by which
the French regulated their conduft,
was evident from what followed.
For as foon as Admiral Byron's
deftination was known in Paris,
orders were fcnt to Breft for the

fleet

words of the refoluiion, there was
no reafon to fuppofe, that there
were 32, or even 27 fliips of the
line in Breft;. water reaciy to put to

/ea.

It was aflenedon the fame fide,
that when Lord Hawke was-fent to
watch the motions of the French,
upon the rumour of an invafion in
the year 1758, the board of ad-
miralty, upon hearing the enemy
had a fuperior force out, fent him
orders to return : although he did
not receive the orders until thefer-
vice vvas ended, that gallant and
able oiticer anfwered the board in
his letter, that he fliould never re-
linquifli his duty, or return into
port, from any trifling fuperioriiy
of the enemy. They farther ob-
ferved, that if the evil, which was
fuppofed or apprehended, had really
happened, and that Admiral Kep-
pel had been defeated, was it pro-
ijable, or could it even be fup-
pofed, that a conflidl with a Britiih
fleet of 20 ihips of the line, fl"iould
have left the enemy in a condition
to purfue their viftory to the de-
ftradion of all our naval maga-
zines? The only vidory, they'
faid, which France ever obtained
over England at fea, was that over
Lord Torrington in the rtign of
King WilUam. Then, inftead of
purluing the advantage they had
gained, inftead of burning Fortf-

; mouth or Plymouth, inftead •' of
•♦ exterminatmg the feeds of all
*' future navies," the French fleet,
contented with its hdnours, retired
into the ports of France to repair
the damages which it had unavoid-
ably fuftained. And fucb, they

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [115

fieet to proceed to fca; and M.
D'Orvilliers inftantly weighed an-
chor; which afrbrds a lirong evi-
dence, that nothing had retained
him in Breft, but the diliicuky
which the French court, as well as
their commander, found in believ-
ing it pofiible, that any fet of men,
fhould fo far abufe the confidence
of the nation which they ferved, as
to commit, in a defperate contell,
that naval power, which it had coft
their country fo much blood, fo
much treafure, and fo much labour
to acquire.

Tiiey alfo faid, that nothing
could be more egregioufly mif-
tated or mifreprefented, than the
evidence acquired by the capture
of the French frigates, had been
by the minifters. It was not true,
that Admiral Keppel had regulated
his conduit by vague written or
unwritten evidence ; nor that the
latter was founded upon the for-
mer. That gentleman had telli-
fied in his place, that the evidence
which he had obtained from feve-
ral of the French feamen, who
were newly come out of Breft, and
whom he had feparately examined,
all went in the moft direfl and
ftrongeft manner, to corroborate
that of the written paper; and that
they all agreed in the great cir-
cumiiances, as to the number, force,
and fituation of the French fleet,
with fuch a degree of exadnefs,
as would have afrorded weight to
the moft doubtful teftimony. It
would have been curious, they
faid, if it had not of late become
fo common as to lofe the eftedt, to
hear thofe men, who have the au-
dacity to refufe all means of in-
formation to parliament, repeatedly
call upon the oppofition for thofe
direft and pofitive proofs in fup-

port of their charges, which they
themfelves openly and avowedly
keep back. It was only the other
day, that the oppolition had moved
for all thofe documents which would
have eftabliflied their charges, with
even the ftrongeft degree of legal
evidence ; and thofe very minifters,
who now have the effrontery to call
for proofs, were themfelves the
perfons, who under the moft fri-
volous and ftiameful pretences, had
procured, in that Houfe, a ne-
gative to their motion. It was,
however, fortunate, they faid, that
thofe papers on the table, which
minifters could find no pretence
or colour for keeping back, would,
along with the teftimony given by
the honourable admiral, afford fuf-
ficient evidence for the Houfe to
proceed on, and fufficient ground
for all the purpofes of the mo-
tion.

The queftion being put after
one o'clock, the motion was re-
jedled, upon a diviiion, by a ma-
jority only of 34., the numbers be-
ing 204 to 170. .

This was an unufual divifion on
the fide of the minority. And the
minifter ftievved a degree of paffion
and vehemence in different parts
of this debate, which v/as not at
all cuftomary wiih him. It has been
obferved by fome, who from long
experience think they may form
an opinion on the appearances of
things in that Houfe, that the
queftion would probably have been
carried in the afhrmative, if the
noble lord at the head of admini-
ftration, having equally perceived
the fame indications, had not im-
mediately applied hlmfelf to pre-
vent their efFedt. For that mini-.
fter, obferving ftrong marks ofde-
feftion, particularly among that
[B] z pare

ii61 ANNUAL REGISTER, 177^.

P«t of the country gentlemen who
Support adniiniftration, recalled both
*hcm and his other wavering friends
to the ftandard, by openly declar-
ing, that the motion of cenfure
againft the firft lord of the admiral-
ty, went diredlly to himfelf, and
to all the other minlfters ; that there
could be no difcrimination ; as they
were all equally concerned in the
condu6l of public affairs, they
were al) equally liable to anfwer
for the confequences ; there could
be ro feparate praife or cenfure;
whatever reached one, mull reach
the whole.

Notwithftanding this defeat, Mr.
Fox did not abandon, he only
fhifted his ground ; and keeping
his objeft iTill ileadily in view,
■ik/r L o 1. brouo'ht the bufmefs
March 8th. forward under another
form a few days after. As he hac|
given early notice of his intention,
adminiftration rallied all their forces,
and the Houfe was even more full
than it had been on the preceding
debate.

He obferved, in opening the
grounds of his intended motion,
tnat notwithftanding the general
refemblance, and the principle be-
ing the fame in both, it differed
from the former in one refpeft ;
that being particular and fpeciiic,
whereas this went to a general pro-
pofi.ion. It included only matter
of public and univerfal notoriety ;
matter as well known without
that Houfe as within ; and as fully
In the pofTeCion of all Europe, as
it was of the Eritifli parliament or
miniflers. It called for no fpecific
proofs. He lliould not trouble one
gentleman to ftate our weaknefs at
home ; another to fhew our infe-
riority in North - America ; nor
would he appeal to the whole world

for the proof, that we had totally
abandoned our commerce, our cort-
fequence, and our fortreffes in the
Mediterranean. Thofe forms, fo
neceffary to fubftantiate charges,
where there was the fm all eft room
for doubt, fufpence, or hefitation,
were in this inftance totally need-
lefs. He well forefaw what other
grounds of objedlion would be
taken againfl: his proportions, but
he had the fatisfadion of knowing,
thpt not a fyllable of their contents
could be controverted in point of
fadl; his hardiefl opponents muft
acknowledge them to be literally
and fubftantially true. He would
therefore truft his motion to the
feelings and convidtion of his hear-
ers ; he would reft it on that tef-
timony, which every thinking man
muft fecretly fubmit to, and every
honeft man avowedly declare ; he
would appeal to no other tribu-
nal.

He, however, thought it necef-
fary, by way of illuftration, and of
bringing fo great a variety of mat-
ter within fome moderate compafs
of view and remembrance, to trace
the round of public affairs and
tranfaftions, both at home and
abroad, from the beginning of the
troubles. In this courfe he took
a clear and comprehenfive view of
the diredion, management, ope-
rations, and confequences of the
war ; of the ftate and conduft of
the naval department; he fhewed
what minifters had done, and what
they had neglefted ; he recalled,
with precinon, their declarations,
profeffions, avowed views, and pro-
mifes, at different periods ; he
(hewed the ample means which
that Houfe and the nation had put
into their hands, and the fanguinc
expedations which they had ra-
tionally

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [117

tlonally formed, upon fuch means,
and fuch aflurances; and then
ftated, in what manner thofe ex-
peiSlations had been anfwered, and
thofe promifes fulfilled. • But he
did not confine himfelf to afTur-
ance?, or to declarations in either
Houfe. The great queftion at iffue
was, whether our preparations, and
the ftate of our navy, were ade-
quate to the vafl; fums which had
been granted for thofe fervices ?
This was a matter in. which there
was no occaCon for promifes to fix
the public refponfibility of mini-
Ilers. And it was a matter, he faid,
in vvhich there was not, nor could
not, be a fecond opinion, either
within or without the Houfc.

In taking a view of naval af-
fairs under the prefent marine mi-
nifter, he drew up a comparative
eilimate, of the ftate, condition,
and expences of the navy, during
certain periods, and under equal
circumftances, of that adminiftra-
tion, and of former times. By this
eftimate he would make it appear,
that our peace eftablilhment for the
navy, had coft the nation nearly
double tfie money, during the five
years previous to the prefent trou-
bles, which it had done in thofe
immediately pireceding the late
war; and from fimilar calculations
he endeavoured to demonflrate a
great excefs alfo in our prefent war
ellabliihment ; particularly that the
expenditure of the navy in the
year 1778, exceeded that of 1756,
by ft+U half a million. He then
entered into a ftrift inquiry, whe-
ther our naval preparation and ef-
fedive flrength in the prefent in-
ilance, bore that proportional fu-
periority over the former, which
the nation had a right to expedl
from the expenditure^ And hav>

ing on this ground, as he faid, not
only clearly demonftrated the con-
trary, but that the navy was, in
every fenfe and rcfped, greatly, and
moll alarmingly inferior ; he from
thence inferred jufl and full caufe
for the cenfure of that Houfe, and
for the well-founded relentments of
the people at large.

He fummed up the whole of a
long and fevere fcrutiny into the
condufl of public affairs, the ope-
rations of the war, with the ma-
nagement of the marine depart-
ment, and the ftate of the navy,
in the following conclufions : —
Either, that minifters aded under
the dominion of the grofleft and
dulleft ignorance, or that they were
actuated by finiiter, corrupt, and
dangerous motives ; and that they
were therefore, in either cafe, un-
worthy of public truft or confi-
dence. From this dilemma, he
faid, there was no efcape. Igno-
rance or treachery, was the only
alternative.— His motion was con-
ceived in the following terms :
" That it appears to this Houfe,
" that, the ftate of the navy, on
" the breaking out of the war
" with France, was very unequal
" to what this Houfe and the na-
" tion had been led to expeift, as
" well from the declarations of hi*
" Majefty's minifters, as from the
«' great fums of money granted,
" and debts incurred for tiiat ler-
" vice ; and inadequate to the ex-
•' igencies of the various fervices,
<' for which, it was the duty of the
" minifters to have provided at fo
" important a crifis."

On the other fide it was infifted,
that the terms of the motion were
not fupported by the faits ftated.
That it was exceedingly unfair and
irregular to refer to matters which

ii8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fell in former debates, and much
more fo to any thing which might
have been faid in the other Iloufe ;
but that the abfurdity as well as
irjuftice, of palhng a vote of cen-
fure, founded upon fuch loofe and
uncertain grounds, was fo palpa-
ble, as not to require obfervation.
They denied the fads, as to what,
they faid, were the main grounds
of the motion ; namely, the fupe-
riority attributed to the French in
the channel, and in America j and
with refpcdt to the Mediterranean,
they faid, that it was utterly im-
poflible to provide a fuitable de-
fence, to every part of pofTcfiiors
fo widely extended a<; thofe of
Great-Britain; fome muft be neg-
leded; and in fuch circumftances,
minifters muft exercife their dif-
cretion and judgment, in attend-
ing particularly to the fecurity of
thofe places, which were either of
the greateft importance, or the moft
immediately expcfed. No fair or
direft inference, they faid, could
be drawn, from the comparative
ftate of the, money granted for na-
val fervices, in the the two interims,
previous to the breaking out of the
laft and the prefent war ; nor from
that of the fleets, in the year 17^6,
and 1778. It was well known that
the fiiips were larger now than at
the former period ; we had then a
number of fmall lixtys and fixty-
fours ; none on that fmall fcale are
now retained ; that rate has not
only been greatly improved in
point of fize and ftrength'; but its
place has been in a great meafure
fupplied in the navy, by a number
of new feventy - fours, which are
built on fo large a conflrudion, as
to be nearly equal in point of ton-
nage to our old fecond rates. So
that upon the whole, fairly com-

paring the exertions at both periods*
it was not doubted, hut that our
force, in 1778, would be found fub-
llantially equal to what it had been
in 1756.

The contradiftion given to the
fafts ftated by Mr. Fox, along with
the reference to matters in which
they were themfelves immediately
concerned, called up the two great
naval commander?, who lately had
the condud of our fleets, on the
home, and on the American fer-
vice. The noble lord who was
newly returned from the latter,
and who feconded the motion,
(Lord Howe) obferved the diffi-
culty he was under in fpeaking,
left it fliould be fuppofed that what
he faid, might tend to any glofs,
or undue explanation, of the affair
which he had himfelf to fettle with
the minilters, and which he was
pledged to that Houfe to bring for-
ward. But being on the other
hand apprehenfive, that his total
filence might be confidcred as an
approbation of meafures which he
totally condemned ; meafures,
which, he was fully perfuaded, were
weak, incapable, and, if longer
permitted or purfued, which muft
terminate in the dethudion of the
naval power of this country, and
confequently of the country itfelfi
he held it incumbent on him, as a
public duty, to prevent fuch an
opinion from prevailing. Among
other profeflional matters, which he
accordingly entered upon, he de-
clared, that he thought the means
put into the hands of adminiftra-
tion, were fuch as enabled them
to have a much more refpedable
navy on foot ; that above all
things, the Mediterranean ought
to have been provided for ; he be-
ing thoroughly convinced, that it

would

HISTORY OF EUR OPE. [119

would be impofTible for this coun-
try at arty time to prel'erve its na-
val fuperiority, while that fervice
was neglefted ; but much more,
when, as in the prefent inftance,
it was apparently abandoned.

He concluded, by informing the
Houfe of the motives which in-
duced him to retire from the Ame-
rican fervice. He faid, that he
had been decei^'ed into his com-
mand ; that he had been deceived
while he retained it ; that, tired
and difgufted, he had required per-
million to refign ; that he would
have returned as foon as he had ob-
tained it, but that he could not
think of quitting the Britilh fleet
in a flate of danger, whillt it had
a fuperior enemy in the American
feas to encounter; that on the
whole, his iituation was fuch, that
he had been compelled to refign';
and that a thorough recolleftion of
what he had felt, and what he had
fufFered, induced him to decline
any rifque of ever returning into
a fituacion which might terminate
in equal ill treatment, mortiiica.
tion, and difguft. That the fame
motives and lentiments which ope-
rated with refpeft to America, muft
carry equal force, in inducing him
to decline all future fervice, fo
long as the prefent minifters con-
tinued in bf^ce; for that he was
fufficiently convinced, by a full and
decifive experience, that befides
rifqu\ng his honour and profeffional
character in fuch an attempt, he
could not, under fuch counfels,
render any effential fervice to his
country.

Admiral Keppel reprobated, in
terms of the utmoft feverity, the
daring affertion, as he called it,
made in the face of that Houfe,
and in dehaoce of a fadt known to

all Europe, by a noble member of
the admiralty board, " that the
" JBreft fleet confilled of onlv fe-
" venteen fhips of the line," at
the time, that under the apprehen-
fion of a fuperior force, he had re-
turned from his cruize off that
port. Among other curious par-
ticulars relative to naval affairs,
which came out in his fpeech, he
obferved, that in the years 1765
and 1766, when he fat at the ad-
miralty board, a fcheme was pro-
pofed and adopted, for keeping at
all times, eighty Ihips of the line
of battle, with a proportionable
number of frigates, ready for actual
fervice ; he likewife itated, tliat if
that determination had immedi-
ately after been totally abandoned,
and even fuppofing, that the whole
navy had been annihilated, at the
time that the prefent firft lord of
the admiralty came to prefide in
that department, it appeared evi-
dently, from the papers before
them, that the grants of parlia-
ment for the naval fervice, within
his adrainillration, had been fo
ample, and unufually great, that
a fleet of eighty Ihips of the line,
might have been conllruded from
the keel, and in adual fervice at
fea, without any additional charge
to the nation, by the clofe of the
year 1777; whereas, by that no-
ble lord's own account, we had
not at that period, in all llations,
at home and abroad, quite fifty,
that were in condition for fervice ;
and he believed that he Ihould be
juftified in faying, that we had not
forty, fit for real fervice. He far-
ther declared, that the' deficiency
in number, was not, at that time,
the moft alarming circuniflance
with refpedl to the navy ; for, that
he was well warranted in alSrming,
W 4 . that

i2o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ihat the (hips in general were not oppofition, whether with refpedl to
in good condition, nor fit to bear the prefent, or to any pall ftaie of

long or difficult fervices. He alfo
flated, the great lofs which the
raval fervice had fuftained, from
the want of a fufficient number of
frigates ; faid, that when he had
been advifed with in November
1776, as well as upon a prior oc-
cafion, when foreign preparations
were likewife fo formidablfe as to
excite an alarm, he had ftrongly
preffed the neceffiiy of fpeedily
fupplying the deficiency of fri-
gates; notwithfianding which, and
the obvioufnefs of the matter, that
cfTential part of the fervice had
been entirely negleftcd ; one con-
fequence of which, among a num-
ber of bad ones, was, that great
Ihips were obliged to be fent out,
upon every* petty occafion, where
frigates would anfwer the purpofe
equally, , if not better ; whereby
the nation was not only put to an
immenfe and unnecefTary expence,
in the repairs of thofe capital fhips;
but wh^t was ftill worfe, when they
came to be wanted for aftual fer-
vice, they were found crippled,
and in a great meafure unfervicer
able. He concluded his fpeech,
by declaring the admiralty board
to be totally negligent, uninform-
ed, and in every way unequal to
the adminiftration of the naval
affairs of this country.

It was not eafy to withfland, upon
their own ground, fuch profeffional
charges and opinions, coming from
fuch authorities. In effed, the mo-
tion was principally oppofed, upon

the navy. Fads and ailertions fo
diametrically oppofite, prefented
fuch an apparent opening for
doubt, that a gentleman, well un-
derftood to be a friend to admini-
ftration, though feemingly, in cer-
tain cafes, rather doubtful or ec-
centric in his conduft, made that
uncertainty his ground of argu-^
ment, why the Houfe could not in
confcience come to a vote of cen-
fure; but, as he alfo faid, that
appearances were fo ftrong, as to
juflify an opinion, that the mini-
Iters were culpable in fome in-
ftances, he would therefore move
the previous queftion, in order to
leave the matter open for further
enquiry.

The fulnefs of the Houfe, how-
ever, afforded fuch a confidence to
the minifler in his ftrength, as pre-
vented his being content to get rid
of the bufinefs by a previous quef-
tion. He faid, that the fads and
charges which had been ftated,
were fo diredl and important, as to
admit of no medium; they muft
be either eftablifhed or overthrown ;
and as they were not yet fupported
by 3 fingle tittle of proof, the
moft regular and parliamentary
mode of proceeding, he iaid, for
the prefent, was to meet them with
a diredl negative; which, he con-
tended, would not by any means
prevent a future enquiry into the
fubjed, if any fufRcient evidence
could be found for its fupport.

The quellion being to be put

the general allegation of its not after twelve o'clock, Mr. Fox arofe,
being fupported by any fufficient and requeftcd that no perfon would
evidence, and the conduct of the give a vote in favour of his mo-
admiralty defended, by a flat, di- tion, who was not perfedly fatis-
xe£t, and unqualified contradiflion, fied, that the general fafts ftated
O) almoft every faft ftated by the in it were fully proved, both

literally

HISTORY OF EfUROPE. [121

literally and fubftantially, and that
the minifters had faited in their re-
peated afTurances to that Houfe and
to the nation.

The motion was rejcfted upon a
divifion, by a majority of 246, to
174. Although 18 gentlemen, who
had not been prefent at the former
divifion, now voted with the mi-
nority, and that they had like-
wife made one convert from the
majority (a gentleman who ac-
knowledged in his fpeech the force,
of that univerfal notoriety, and in-
ternal conviftion, which were not
generally admitted as evidence) yet
we fee that thefe additions, were
fo nearly balanced by the prefent
abfentees, that the increafe of num-
ber on that fide was trifling.

The difcontents in the navy now
appeared in the moft alarming de-
gree. We have feen in the pre-
fent inftance, the determination of
Lord Howe. In the preceding de-
bate, Admiiral Keppel declared in
his place, that after what he had
already experienced and fuffered at
their hands, he could never 'chink
of refaming a command, under the
prefent naval adminiftration ; that
befides its being inconfiftent with a
due regard to his honour, and ex-
ceedingly hazardous with refpeft to
his profeiTional charafter, he was
fdlly convinced in his mind, that
he could not, under their influence
or conduft, promote in any efiential
degree the interefls of his country j
which was the only motive that
could induce him to undertake its
fervice. About this time alio, or
foon after. Sir Robert Harland,
Captain Levefon Gower, Sir John
Lindfay, and fome other officers
of high name and diftinguiflied
merit, either quitted the icrvice,
.or declined afting under the pre-

fent fyfl:em. And fo general wa«
the difcontent and defedion, that
it was reported and believed, that
no lefs than twenty, of the moft
experienced and diltinguilhed cap-
tains in the navy, were on the point
of throwing up their commiinons
on one day in a body. Nor was it
fuppofed, that the 'prevention of
this alarming event, was to be at-
tributed, either to official manage-
ment, or to governmental infla-
ence. Thus had the nation, the
mortification and grief to behold,
fome of her greatelt and mcfl popu-
lar naval commanders, and of her
bravefl ofiicers, declining her fer-
vice, in a feafon of no fmatl danger.

The fuccefs with which Sir P. J.
Gierke had carried his bill for ex-
cluding the contractors from Parli-
ament, through that Houfe, in the
preceding feffion, feemed, fo far,
to afford fome reafonable ground
of expedation of fuccefs, for the
prefent year; and perhaps he
thought it probable, that after fo
hiuch time for cool recolleaion*
the lords would not think it fit-
ting, to perfifl in their rejedion of
a bill, and their interference in a
bufinefs, which feemed fo peculi-
arly appropiiated to the Commons,
as tending merely to the indepen-
dence and purity of their own body.
And this opinion feemed the more
feafible, as the lords had, a few
ye-rs fince, feemed to lay it down
as a dodfine not to be departed
from, that they fliould not at all
interfere in any meafure of regu-
lation, adopted by the Houfe" of
Commons for their own internal
government.

However that was, the gentle-
man in queftion had moved on the
1 2th of February, for leave to
bring in a difqualifying bill, on

the

122] A NNU AL^ RE

the fame grounds with thofe for-
merly propofed. As nothing could,
peffibly be more mortifying and
■vexatious to minillers, than the con-
tinual renewal or introdudlion of
this fubjeft ; which, however it
might finally be difpofed of, fre-
quently called forth troublefome
defences, or humiliating acknow-
ledgments, and always allbrded
means for the ftirring up of fome
difagreeable or odious matter, fo
they were now, as ufual, exceed-
ingly tender and irritable upon the
occafior, feeming to confider the
attack, as if it were no lefs perfonal
to themfelves, than to thofe who
v/ere its avowed and immediate ob-
jedls. The motion was, however,
carried bpon a clofe divifion, by a
majority of 15? to 143; having
brought out in its way, no fmall
portion of the ufual matter of charge
and defence.

Notwithftanding this gleam of
fuccefs at the outfet, the mover had
foon the mortification to difcover,
that his favourite bill, was not like-
ly to prove again troublefome to
the lords, for that fome confsder-
sble change of temper and opinion
had taken pJace in that Houfe
upon the fubjed, fince the periocl
of its being canvafled there in the
preceding feffion. Whether it were,
that the gentlemen immediately
concerned, had found means, in
the intermediate time, to juftify
the purity of their conduft and
principles, and to fliew the inno-
cence and public utility of their
purfi5its, in fuch a manner, as fei v-
ed to convert and bring over any
part of their opponents, or from
whatever other caufe it proceeded,
fo it was, that the bill was lolt
upon the motion for referring it to

GISTER, 1779.

a committee, after the ,., 1 ' «
r ^ . J- u March nth,

lecona readmg ; when ; .

the queftion was rejected upon a
divifion by a majority .of 41, the
numbers being 165 to 124. After
which the minilter moved that it
might be laid by for four months,
which was carried without farther
trouble.

It would have appeared ftrange,
if that fpirit of toleration, which,
within a very few years, has fpread
fo wonderfully, though in different:
degrees, through, almoft, ei'ery
country in Europe, ihould have
pafi'ed this alone, which had fo
long valued itfelf for its enlighten-
ed views and liberal difpofition, in -
all cafes whether of civil or reli-
gious government, without difpenf-
ing any fhare of that influence
which it fo freely communicated to
others.

But they muft have little attended
to fuch fabjedts, who do not know
the difficulty of fhaking off the
trammels of fuperftition, and the
inveteracy of prejudice, amongll a
people at large ; and the llill, per-
haps, mors arduous tafk, to cure
laws and fyftems of government
of thofe habitual vices, which have
been fo long grafted into their con-
ftitution, as to appear a part of
their ori^rinal nature. In fa£t, the
number of penal and criminal laws
relative to religious doftrines and
opinions, which, in dtfpite of a
manly and liberal philofophy, ftill
fubfilted in our code, would have
difgraced that of a nation far be.
hind us, in arts, fcience, and civi-
lization.

Although a law had been pafTed

fome years ago, for removing fome

of thofe legal rellriftions, which

had more particularly affe(Sed our

diflenting

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [123

dilTenting proteftant brethren; yet
more ftill remained to be done in
their favour; and that bill was
confidcred, rather as an opening to-
wards future indulgence, as thefpi-
rit of the times Ihould ripen to a
higher degree of liberality in reli-
gious matters, than as immediately
curing all their prefent grievances.
The relief granted to the Roman
Catholics in the preceding feffion,
had laid the ground fairly open for
a prefent application to parliament
for redrefs ; and the liberal opi-
nions known to be held, and profef-
fions inade, by feme of the Bilhops
on that fubjed, feemed to obviate
the apprehenfions of an oppofition
in that quarter where it was moll
to be expe(5ted and dreaded. In-
deed the public lofTes, calamities,
and dangers of the times, feemed
to render it now a matter of necef-
fity, as it had at all times been of
duty and . wifdom, to unite the in-
terefts and afFedions of all orders
and denominations of men in one
common bond of union, and to con-
centrate into one mafs, all the
Itrength that could yet be found in
the remaining parts of the empire.

In thefe circumftances, Sir Henry
Hoghton, having on the loth of
March opened the way by an in-
troductory . fpeech, concluded by
moving, that the Houfe (hould re-
folve itfelf into a committee, in or-
der to confider of granting further
relief to proteftant dilTenting mi-
nifters and fchoolmafters. The
moiion being very generally agreed
to, Mr. Frederic Montague, by
whom it was feconded, was ap-
pointed chairman of the committee,
and the bill accordingly framed
and carried through, under his au-
fpices. It however brought out
fome confiderable debate in its

courfe, it being eagerly oppofed by
a few gentlemen, who iHll conti-
nued wedded to ancient high church
doftrines and principles. But this
oppofition was, in efreft, confined
only to debate; it being fo weak
in point of number, that a motion
which was made on the 17th of
March by Sir William Bagot,
and feconded by Sir R. Newdigate,
for putting off the confiderationof
the bill for four months, was fup-
ported upon a divifion by only fix
voices, to a majority of 77, The
bill was likewife carried through
the lords with great facility ; and
received the royal alTentin the courfe
of the feffion.

The unhappy confequences of
the American war, had, by this
time, affefted our filler, kingdom
and ifland in the molt ruinous de-
gree. For although, the whole
amount of her immediate lofTes,
confidered merely as a fpecific fum
in point of calculation, could hold
no comparifon with that fuftained
by England, yet the lefier lofs,
vas more feverely felt by the poorer
country, than the greater, had hi-
therto been, by that fo vaftly ex-
ceeding it in wealth, and which fet
Out with fo immenfe a capital in
every fpecies of commerce. Other
caufes, than thofe loffes immedi-
ately fuftained and diredly pro-
ceeding from the American war,
concurred in accumulating the grie-
vances and diftreffes of Ireland to
a moft alarming- pitch. Befides
the ancient reftraints upon her com-
merce, an embargo had been con-
tinued from the year \i~(i. Thus,
their great ftaple commodities of
beef and butter, were (hut up and
perifhing in their warehoufes, at
the very time that their great, their
only free, and confequcntly only
valuable

124] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

valuable manufaiElure, the linen, was
contraded under the definitive
and fatal blight of the American

war.

Although nothing could add to
the diitreffe* occafioncd by the em-
baro-o, yet the circumftances atten-
ding it, or which were fuppofed to
attend it, ferved to render that mea-
sure more intolerably grievous to
the people. It was faid, and feem-
ingly upon ^°°^ grounds, that it
anfwercd no beneficial or ufeful
purpofe whatever. It neither ap-
peared then, nor fince, that the
French armaments were deferred or
laid by, through the want of Infh
provifions; and their Wefl India
jflands were fo far from bemg ru-
ined upon that account, that it was
well known that they were fup-
plied upon as good terms as our
iflands with many articles.

So far, they alledged as to the
point of benefit. On the other
Land, the Irifh beheld with grief
and difmay, that the northern parts
of Germany, and other countries
adjoining to the Baltic, were with
great avidity preparing to grafp at
that beneficial trade, which was
flipping out of their hands. _ They
had already begun the experiment ;
were fparing no induflry or ex-
pence, in procuring proper fait for
the purpofe, and proper perfons for
inftru6ting them in the art of curing
and packing their beef, and had
even fent fome confiderablc quan-
tities of it to the French market.
Although thefe famples could not
come in any degree of competition
with the Irifh beef in point of
goodnefs, yet the attempt, or even
the idea, was exceedingly alarm-
ing; The vaft profits which the
fupply vvould afford, through the
lownefs of rents, and ;he cheap^

ncfs of cattle in thofe countries,
would induce great improvements
both in the articles of feeding and
curing; and there are few igno-
rant, that a branch of trade once
loft or transferred, is fcarcely ever
recoverable. To render all thefe
circumilances of lofs and appre-
henfion the more vexatious and
grievous, it was univerfally faid in
that country, and not without fome
confiderable concurrence both of
words and opinions in this, that
the fburce of all thefe mifchiefs
was nothing more or lefs than a
job, which owed its creation, or at
leafl: its continuance, merely to the
defign of throwing immenfe for-
tunes into the hands of fome fa-
vourite contractors. Nor was it of
any avail, how unfounded this opi-
nion might poffibly be ; the efFeft
was the fame, as if it had been efla-
blifhed by the firmeft authority.

Such an unhappy combination
of things, muft have g«nerated
difcontent in any people ; but
there were fome local and peculiar
circumftances relative to Ireland,
which, exclufive of the internal
weaknefs, proceeding from vices in
her government, and the former
fhackles on her trade, ferved to
render the calamity more fuddcn
and conclufive, than it might have
been perhaps in fome others.

The rent of lands in Ireland,
within the lafl thirty years, had
been very much increafed. Al-
though this rife in the rents, mull
have been generally fupported by
the prices given in thofe markets
which took off the produce of the
lands J yet it was aflerted by thofe
who were acquainted with that
country, that competition, and the
fpirit of fpeculation, which had
lately pro^ugcd f«ch pernicious ef-

fefts

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [135

fome degree brought forward be-
fore the holidays, by three mem-
bers of the Houfe of Commons,
who derived their titles from, and
whole fortunes principally lay in
that kingdom. They ftatcd ia
ftrong colours the diftre/Tes of that
people, and (hewed the neceflity to
ourfelves of affording thrm fpeedy
and fubRantial relief, which could,
as they aiTerted, only be done, to
any cffeft, by removing thofe im-
politic reflridlions on their trade,
which owed their rife uiercly lo
the narrow fpirit of monopoly, ope-
rating upon iTiilUken notions of all
true commercial principles ; thefe
reftridions being, in reality, as con-
trary to the real interelts of this
country, as they were abfolutely
ruinous to Ireland. They accord-
ingly gave notice, that they would
after the holidays move for a bill or
billsj for ^ranting commercial relief
to that country.

Notwithllanding this opening,
feveral things feemedto be wanting
to afford a profpeifl of fuccefs to
the propofed meal'ure. It was to
be lamented that no regular plaa
had been fcr.v.ed, either with re-
fpesfl r^ me precife nature, or to the
extent, of the relief wliich was to
be propoied or expefled. The mi-
nifter took no part in the bufinefs.
Thofe of the oppofiuon who fup-
ported the relief to Ireland in a
former feffion, fupported the pre-
fent bill.

We fhall bring together in one
point of view, without regard to
time or occafion, a few of the
reafons that were urged at the dif-
ferent periods in which this bufi-
nefs was agitated, whether in {ap-
port or oppofition to the propofed
meafure. Jt was contended on the
one fide, that leaving all ideas of
liberality

fe€ts in both kingdoms, had their
fhare in the rife. This fpeculation
failing, and the competition along
with it, lands fell ; the land owner
was diftreffcd, the farmer ruined ;
and a very general failure of all
credit enfued.

Under thefe unhappy circum-
Itances, the exceedingly numerous
populace of that country (where
the middle rank of life is but
thinly fcattered) confifting of the
labouring and manufacturing part
of the commupity, were turned
adrift, without employment, and
confequently deflitute of all the
neceffaries of life. Although all
the means were ufed, which great
and numerous ads of private cha-
rity, and liberal public fubfcrip-
tions, could poffibly reach to, for
alleviating this dreadful calamity,
and that 20,oco poor, were faid
to have been daily and charit^ibly
fed, for fome confiderable time, in
the city of Dublin only, yet all
thefe efforts could only cover a
fmall part of the evil, and it was
evident, that nothing lefs than
employment could procure that
fubfillence, which their daily la-
bour had hitherto fo ufefully pro-
vided.

It is probable that much of the
extremity of this dilfrefs, had
arifen from that flufiuation in the
ftate of commerce, which hap-
pens in the bell of times. But
the efFedb of this fluftuation, be-
ing fuperadded to the peculiar ca-
lamities of the time, funk deeply
into the minds of the people of
that kingdom. Of courfe, it cal-
led on the attention of many in
this; though not fo early, nor
with fo much fyftem on the part
of government, as could be wifhed.
The bufmefs v/as, however, in

126] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

liberality and of juftice out of the
qiielHon, we were now impelled
by abi'olutc necedity — by a regard
to our own prefenc fecurity, and
future prefervation, to cherifli and
preferve the remaining parts of
the empire, and to concentrate all
the people, ia one common bend
of union and defence, which could
only be done, by a general com-
munion of interefts, and partici-
pation of benefits. That the peo-
ple of Ireland cxpedtcd, and had
the flrongell right to expedl re-
lief. That this was no time, after
the heavy lofs of our colonies, and
of our American commerce, to
hazard that of our filler kingdom,
whether by invafion or reparation,
one of which was already threa-
tened, and the other equally to
be apprehended, if we did not
fpeedily afford that relief which
was expefted, and now propofed.

For, they faid, that however
exemplary and invincible the loy-
alty of Ireland had hitherto been,
and however lingular her long en-
during fufferings, patience, and
forbearance, there were certain
fixed limits to thofe qualities and
difpofitions of the mind, beyond
which human nature was utterly
incapable of paffing; and was
even liable to the danger of re-
coiling with great violence in the
attempt. But if neither of thofe
dreaded events, of feparalion or '
conqueft, ihould take place, and
that we -fliould ftill retain the in-
glorious and unprofitable boaft, of
remaining the fole tyrants of the
foil, vve Ihould even in that cafe,
infallibly lofe all that could ftamp
any value upon it, — we Ihould lofe
the inhabitants. For it was evi-
dent, that as foon as a peace took
place, if our oppreffion, and their

mi.'eries confequently ftill con-
tinued, the people of Ireland
would inevitably, under the im-
pulfe of the firit law of nature,
emigrate to America; whither
they would convey their manu-
fadures, arts, and their induftry.
It was already too well known,
that the American armies were
principally ' recruited, and their
bcft troops in a great degree com-
pofed, of thofe unhappy emigrants
Irom Ireland, who being driven
from their country by want and
oppreffion, were, compelled, under
an equal neceflity, to take up arms
in a quarrel, in which they had no
natural intereft, and to fiied their
blood in a contefl; with their friejids
and brethren.

They Hated that the Irifh were
our bell cuflomers in many great
articles of our merchandize and
manufadlures ; they ftiewed the
great wealth, with the additional
Itrength and power which we had
fo long derived from that coun-
try; they endeavoured to demon-
ftrate, the infinitely greater ad-
vantages of every kind which ftie
was capable of affording, under a
wife and liberal fyftem of govern-
ment; and infilled, that the fruits
of every benefit we afforded to her
in commerce, would come back to
ourfelves with accumulated intereft.
To juftify their various affertions,
and ellablilh their fails, they had
moved for various papers, from
which they fhewed. That the ex-
ports from England to Ireland, on
an average of ten years, amounted
to 2,057,0001. yearly. That the
exports from Ireland into Eng-
land, upon an average of the fame
time, did not exceed 1,353,000!.
by the year. — That confequently,
the balance of trade in favour of
England,

HrrSTORY OF EUROPE. [127

-Ehglfthd,' exceeded feven millions
-Ilerlihg iii that time'. — That this
"was'^xclufive of-the imsienfe fums
driwn from thafcountry every year
-under the foliowing heads — viz.
■Rents to abfent^e? — Penfions, and
the emoluments of places to thofe
•who never faw the country — Ap-
peals in law and e-quity — Bufinels
'aWd pleafure. "

■ They alfo (heaved, that the de-
creafe of the exports from Englasid
to Ireland, during the lait two
' years of calamity in that country,
amounted, upon a:n average, to
RO'Iefs than 716,000!. per year.
From thence -they argued the pro-
digious lofs to the revenue, as well
as to the trade and manufaflures of
this country, which muft proceed
from- a contiouaiKe, and a confe-
quent increafe, of the diftrefTes of
that country. They concluded by
aflcing, whether fuch a country,
and fuch benefits as we derived
from it, were to be wantonly played
with, and committed 'to unnecef-
fary danger and rifque r If it ad-
mitted of a doubt, whether it were
better to aftbrd a -jaft and reafon-
able indulgence, or to hazard the
lofs of a nation ? — Whether to
have the trade, manufactures, and
inhabitants of Ireland, transferred
'to America, or rendered a con (li-
tuenc. part of our^ body politic, of
our common fteeic of.vveaith,
llrength, and defence ? j^nd whe-
ther a kingdom fhouid be facrificed
to a Angle town, to the monopoly
of a particular diftridi, or to the
ill-judged clamours, and abfurd
prejudices, of any body of ma-
r.ufadturers whatever ? Gentlemen
were requefted to profit by expe-
rience; to recollect the fmall con-
defcenlion, which, a few years
fince, would have prefervfed and

gratified all our American colo-
nies.

On the other fide, it was not
-believed that the diilreffes of Ire-
land were fo great as they had
-been reprcfented ; but if the me-
lancholy defcription Vvas really
true, it was not fo much to be
attributed to the trade-laws here,
-as to mal - adminiliration there;
to faults in the internal conllitu-
tion of their government, and to
general mifmanagemenc in the
condutl of their aftairs. Thefc
were matters which fnould be en-
quifed into and redrcfTed; and
without that, no fubilantial relief
could be afForded. They faid,
that the unhappy confequences of
the American war were equSlly felt
in both countries; that Ireland
bore no more than her fhare of the
calamity ; that if her people were
famiihing, our manufacturers were
f^arving : for that the plenty or
cheapnefs of proviiions were of no
avail to thofe who wanted the
means to procure 'them, and who
were rendered incapable of ob-
taining the means, through the
general lack of employment which
now prevailed. That in this fiare
of common diftrefs, however our
feelings might be aSeclcd with re-
fpt:£t to our brethren in Ireland,
ouf fympathy was more llrongly,
and more naturally attrafted, by
thofe fufFerings which were imme-
diately within our knowledge ; and
that however alarming a rebellioa
in Ireland might be, it could not
furely be (o much a matter of ap-
prehenfion as one at home ; an event
which was to the full as probable,
if any addition was made to the
fuifcrings and grievances which our
manufacturers already endu'red, by
a ftirrender of thofe advantages in

tradff.

I2S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

trade, wlucli they confidered as their
birthright.

The firft propofitions held out in
favour of Ireland, although not fpe-
cifically applied or moved for,
went to the granting of her a ge-
neral exportation, in all matters,
except with refpeft to her woollens
(that article being reckoned too
facred, to be yet meddled with) —
The eltablifhment of a cotton ma-
nufaflory, under that right ;— with
a liberty of trading to and from
America, the Welt-Indies, and the
coalt of Africa. Eut thefe being
thought, on the other fide, too ge-
neral and exteniive, as well as too
alarming to the manufidurers here,
thev were by degrees narrowed,
until at length. Lord Newhaven,
who conduif^ed this bufinefs in the
detail, entered into a kind of com-
promife, on the 15 th of February,
xo give up the general outline of
relief, and to confine himfelf to
fome particular and fpecific pro-
pofition. He accordingly moved,
on the loth of March, that the
Houfe {hould (oh a given day) re-
folve itfelf into a committee, to take
into confideration the afts of parli-
ament relating to the importation
of fugars fcom the Weft Indies into
Ireland.

The objeft of this motion, was
to repeal that claufe in the aft of
navigation, by which all (hips laden
with fugars, were compelled to

bring their cargoes direflly to Eng-
land, from whence the quantity ne-
cefTary for the confumption of that
country, was afterwards to be re-
exported to Ireland. As the mi-
nifter had ftill kept himfelf clear of
the bufinefs, the queftion was fairly
and coolly debated on both fides,
without any other appearance of
party, than what merely arofe from
the locality of reprefentation ; and
after a full difcuflion, was carried by
a majority of 47 to 42.

In the mean time, the clamour
without doors had been much
fainter, and the oppofition from
the manufaduring diilridts weaker,
than they had been in the pre-
ceding felTion, and than had been
now expefted. Glafgow and Man-
chefter, however, petitioned ; and
the minifter's late warm partizans
in both, began now to accufe
him of the duplicity, which they
charged to his prefent fyftem of
neutrality. This clamour and re-
proach fuddenly brought him to
a determination; and fetting his
face totally againft the propofed
relief, it was accordingly rejeded
upon a clofe divifion ; the queftion
for the fpeaker's quit- j^^^^j^^g^j^^
tmg the chair, in or-
der that the Houfe might, on the
day appointed, refolve itfelf into
a committee, 4)eing loft only by a
majority of 63 to 58.

CHAP,

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

[129

CHAP.

VII.

Debates on the army extraordinaries. Motion for printing the ejiimates rt"
jeBed upon a divifton. Committee on Eaji India affairs. ^Rejoluticns
mo-ved fr and carried, relati-ue to the 'violence cemmitied en tie late Lord
Pigot in his government. Motion for profeciitiftg certain Tnembers of the
late council at Madrafs, ag'eed to. Mr. Fox's motion, for the remo'val
of the fir ft lord of the admiralty from that department, is ^ after long
debates, rejeSied upon a di'vijion. Cctnmittee of enquiry into the condull
of the American nxiar. Amendment mo-ued to the motion for the examina-
tion of Earl Corn<-v:allis, by the min.fter, and carried upon a divifun in
the committee. Amended motion then put, and rejeBed upon a divifion,
7'hird -motion rejeiled. Tranfadions in the ccmn.it tee, dij cuffed in the
Houfe, and refcinded. Cc?nmiltce re--vi-ved. Er.r: Ccrnijcaliis, and other
nxitneffes examined, in behaf of Lord and Sir William Hciue. Counter
evidence propofed, and agreed to. In the interim. General Burgoyne's
evidence brought forvjard and examined. Counter evidence examined.
Committee fuddinly diffolved.

TH E large amount of the
army extraordinaries in the
preceding year, which exceeded
two millions, and, was faid, to
have about doubled the charge un-
der the fame head, during any
year of the late glorious war,
when our military operations were
conduced with fuch vigour and
etfed, in every quarter of the
world, occahoned much complaint

•I, T , J and cenfure on the
Marcn 22d. /-, r ., r.-

iide or the oppolition,

and a motion from Sir P. J. Clerlce,

, tiiat the account fhould be printed

for the ufe of the members. He

obferved, in fupport/ of the motion,

that from the great lengtli of the

eftimate, the fingle copy on the

table could not be read, much lefs

examined or comprehended, by

one tenth of the members, until

the queftion was brought before

them in debate, and a refoiution

propofed to be paiTed blindfold

upon it. He faid farther, that in

a matter of fuch importance to the

Vol. XXII.

public at large, in which everv man
vvidiout doors, as well as within
was immediately concerned, it was
fair and necelTary, that they {hould
know the manner in which fuch
immenfe fums of tht-ir money were
difpofcd of.

The minifter oppofed the mo-
tion, as new, unprecedented, and
diredly contrary to the praAice of
the Houfe. The eJlimate was a
matter which undoubtedly con-
cerned the public ; but he could
by no means admit, that it was
therefore to be fubmitted to the
diicuiiion of the' populace, and of
the colfee-houfe readers of news-
papers. The real public-, were
the reprefentatives of the commons
of England in that Houfe ; they
had a right to information; but
he would never allow, that the
people without doors had any fuch
righc. He alfo faid, that al-
thv;ugh he was not prepared to
anfwer it precifely, he was fully
perfuadcd and confident, that the

[7 ] affer-

i3o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

alTertion was not fcmdeJ, of the
prefenc account of exiraordinaries,
exceeding that of any year of the
late war." But it was, however, to
be remembered, that the vail dif-
tance of the feat of aiJtion, mull
necelTarily enhance the expences of
the prefent war.

On the other fide, the noble
lord was defired to recoiled, that
if the motion wns new and unpre-
cedented, (o were likewile the na-
ture, the condudl, and the confe-
quences, fo far as the latter had
yet appeared, of that war to which
the requifition related. They faid,
that the prefent enormous ac-
count of more than two millions,
was a matter not only of the moll
alarming nature, but which went
direftly home to every man in
England ; it as materially afFefted
thofe without, as thofe within that
Houfe. The whole body of the
people of England, whom the
noble lord politely refrained from
calling a mob, but whom he de-
signated under the term;, of po-
pulace and coffee -houfe readers, were
the very identical perfons, who
were to pay this enormous ac-
count of extraordlnaries, and who
feemed therefore to have fome
right to be informed, and even
i'atisfied, as to the expenditure of
their own money. They faid,
that the extraordinaries charged en
this account, amounted to very
near 40I. a man, exclufive of the
ftanding pay, clothes, arms, and
ammunition, of all who had
ferved in the American army,
during the year 1778; and that
this enormous expence was in-
curred in a year, not only dillin-
guilhed either for inadlivity, or ill
iuccefs; but in which this country
had not near fo many foldiers to

maintain in America, as (he had in

the two preceding, when the charge
under this head, did not rtach 10
within a million of the prefenc ac-
count.

The minifler, and his friends,
controverted fome of the fads and
calculations made on the other
fide. He oblerved particularly,
that the vaft diftaiice of the field
of adion, placed him under a ne-
ceffity of anfwering the bills drawn
upon him when they came ; as
without that degree of confidence
on the fide of government, with,
refped to thofe who were en-
trulled with the care and fupply
of the army, it wculd be im-
pofilble to condud fo vail and
complex a bufinefs. He allowed,
th;it he cculd not poffibly anfwer
for the fpccific application of the
extraordinaries ; but he had no
doubt that they were properly ap-
plied ; and if it fhould happen in
any particular inftance to be
otherwife, the error, impofition,
or peculation, would be readily
difcovered, and fpeediiy redrefied,
when the particular accounts were,
in due time, received and exa-
mined.

He dill perfifled in objedlng to
the printing of the ellimates; and
the queltion being put, the mo-
tion was rfje6ted upon a divifion,
by a majority of 130 to 104.— The
fubjed of the extraordinaries was,
however, produdive of much fub-
fequent difcullion, as well with re-
fped to particular articles of the
charge, as to the magnitude of the
whole, and the indecency, which was
charged in very Icvere terms, of
pafling {0 enormous a fum in the
lump, by a fingle vote, without
examination, and that done at a lat8
hour, and in a thin Houfe.

The

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [131

April 16th.

The Houfe being in
a commictee on En ft
India affairs, foon after the Eailer
recel's, Admiral Pigot entered into
a detail of the caufes which led to,
and the circumftanccs which at-
tended, the appointment of his
brother, the late Lord Pigot, to

fympachy in defcribing the fuf-
ferings and death of his brother,
the afredlion and warmth with
which he vindicated his condudt
and ciiar&ftfT, and ftated his un-
common public and private vir-
tues, was no kfs laudable. On
that ground j to (hew the clear up-

the government and prefidentfliip rightnefs and irtimoveable integrity

of Madrafs. Having Hated, that
the great objefts and views of the
company in that appointment,
were, in the firft place, the re-
ftoration of the King of Tanjore
to the throne and dominions of his
anceftors;-— in the fecond, the pur-
fuit of fuch meafures as would re-

of the late lord, he ftated, that he
had been offered ten lucks of pa-
godas to witho'd, only for a
fhort given time, the reinftatement
of the King of Tanjore ; that
upon his refufal, an additional of-
fer of five lacks more was made,
and refufed; the whole br-ibe.

ftrain the rapacity and ambition of amounting in v-il'.ie to about fix
the nabob, from breaking out hundred thCufard pounds in Eng-

into fuch future afts of violence
and injuftice;— i-and in the laft, to
endeavour to counteraft and re-
medy that undue, alarming, and
dangerous influence, which that
nabob had (a iucccfsfuily and
glaringly eftablilhed, in the Englilli
council and government in that fet-
tlemcnt.

He then proceeded, in a con-
neded and regular detail, to (liew
the meafures purfued by the late
lord, for anfwering the purpcfes,
and attaining the objeds, pro-
pofed by his appointment; as aifo
the confequences of thofe mea-
fures; taking in, of courfe, the
reiloration of the King of Tan-
jore, the approbation of the coun-
cil to that meafure, the fubfequcnt
revolution at IVIadrafs, the violent
feizure and confinement of Lord
3'igot's perfon, under a great and
uriufual military guard, thole
marked and ftriking circumftances
which attended his long imprifon-
ir.ent, and his death finally, in the
hands of the confpirators.

ilh fteriing money. As a farther
proof and illuftration of this clean-
nefs of hand and integrity of
heart, and how far the late lord
was fuperior to that general cor-
ruption, which (he faid) faps the
whole foundation of the company's
trade and government at Madrafs,
he {hewed that he died fo little en-
riched by his then governmcKt,
that his fon-in-!aw, Mr. Monck-
ton, had been under a neceffity of
feiling all his houfes and effeds in
India, in order to difcharge the
debts which he had conirafted
there. And yet, faid he, what
was the return he received for this -
fingular condudl? for having no
fingle obje(5l in view while he was
in India but the interefts of the
company, and a punftual <:om-
pliance, at all hazards, with their
inftru£t;ons? His perfonal freedom
v/as violently and dilgracefully in-
vaded; and after he had been firft
dc'prived of his liberty, and that
his life feemed for many months
to have been fufpended only by a
While he (hewed the greateft f:ngie hair, he was at length de-

[/] a prived

132] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

clofe of his examination, he how-

privcd of that alfo. — Would any man
pretend to fay how ?

Although the countenance of the
committee did not feem to indi-
cate any doubt, with refped to the
fa£ls or circumftances relating to
the late tranfaftions at Madrafs,
the admiral defired leave to call a
lingle, but efTential evidence to
the bar, in order to afford a clear
demonllration of the , glaring at-
tempts which were made to in-
fluence and corrupt the council,
and to bring them over to fupport
the nabob in his defigns, in dired
opooiition to the orders, as .well
as to the intentions of the com-
pany.

The gentleman brought forward
upon this occalion was a Mr. Daw-
fon, who was one of the council
of Madrafs, previous to, and
during the time of the revolution
in that government. His evidence
went dire£lly to perfonal applica-
tions made to him at different
times by the nabob's fon, and, as
he underftood and prcfumed, on
the part of his father. That on
one of thefe occafions, he had
been ofi^ered by him a fpeciiic
bribe, amounting to a confiderable
fum , of money, orily for Haying
away fcr one particular day from
the council, on which a queffion
of confequence relative to Tanjore
was to be agitated. And, that
the commander in chief of the
forces, who was likewife high in
the council, had advifed him to
abfent himfelf on that day, as was
defired. He faid, at firft, that his
memory did not ferve him to fix
exadtly the precife fum which had
been offered as a bribe; but that
■ he was fure, it was at kail a lack
of rupees; (which amounts to
about i2,oool.) Towards the

ever, declared pofitively, that ihe
fum ofi'ered was a lack of pagodas,
(about 40,0001.) and not a lack of
rupees.

Admiral Plgot then moved three
rcfolutions, fVating the matters of
fad, relativtf to the violence firll
committed, • and afterwards con-
tinued to his death, on the perfon
of George Lord Pigot, a member
of that Houfe, in his arreft and
confinement by and under a mili-
t,ary force. — The names of the felf-
created council, the revolu ion
they efteded, and the orders they
had iflued to the military on that
occafion. — And, the orders ilTued
by the company from hence, for the
trial by courts-martial of thofe of-
ficers, who had arreiled and con-
fined, under a military force, their
governor and commander in chief,
the late lord.

Although, on a former difcufTion
of this fubjed, the miniffer had
feemed little difpofed to counte-
nance any thing fimilar to the
motions now made, yet on the
prefent occafion, he appeared fo
fenfible of the fixed opinion, and
general difpofition of the Houfe
upon this fubjed, that he made no
dired oppcliiion to the refolutions ;
and only objeded to thofe words
in the firl!, — '' being a member of _
" this Houfe," which, he faid,
as no breach of privilege was com-
plained of, might better be omit-
ted. This cbjedion was not, how-
ever, lillened to: and the three re-
folutions were feparately carried,
nemine contradicente.

The admiral then made his con-
cluding motion for an addrefs, —
" Praying his Majcfly, that he
" would be gracioully pleafed to
<< give diredions to his attoroey-
" general

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [135

" general to profecu;e George and government of the naval de-
" Stratton, Henry Brooke, Charles partmenr, propofed by Mr. Fox,
*' Floyer, and George Mackay, had hitherto met with, that gen-
'* Efquires, for ordering their go- tlenian Teemed determined not yet

to aba:idon his purfuit, and to
b.-ing forward the aggregate of
thofe fafls, real or prefumed, con-
tained in all the former, as the
foundation of a new motipn, which
fhould be rendered conclufive by
going directly to its object. Hav-
ing accordii^gly given die ufual pre-
liminary notice before the Ealler
recefs of his intention, he moved
an addrefs to the throne", for the
removal of the Earl . .. ,
of Sandwich from his ^ 9" '
Majetty's prefence, councils, ar.d
fervice, on acco'Jnc of inifconducl:
in his oiEce, as firft co m million er
of the admiralty, and of the gene-

" vernor and commander in chief,
" George Lord Pigot, to be ar-
" reded and confined under a mi-
" licary force ; they being r?-
" turned to England, and now
" within the jurifdit^ion of his
" Majefty's couris of Wellminfter
« Hall."

It was remarkable, that the firft
gentleman named in .the addrefs,
and who had been the principal
mover and adlor in the revolution
at Madrafs, was, at this critical
inftant of time, perfonaliy prefent
in his place, as a member of the
Houfe of Commons, to which he
had been lately returned ; thereby

verifying the prediclion which had ral ill itate of the navy at the moft

been thrown out by a celebrated
member of the oppofition, at the
time that this bufineis was formerly
agitated in p:.rliament. That gen-
tleman, accordingly entered into

critical feafons under his admini-
llration.

As the mode of proceeding
feemed new, and lay open to the
following difficult train of ob-

fome defence and juftification of jedion and reafoning, viz. Have

his own condud, as well as that 4iot the preiumed fads, the mo-

of his colleagues ; reiling princi- tives, and circumftances, which

paljy upon the necefliy of the mea- are now laid down as firm ground

fure, through the violent and ar- to proceed on, been already urged,

bitrary ads which he attributed to and already rejeded, by as many

Lord Pigot ; and ftating the appro-
bation which it received from the
governor and council of Bengal, as
evidence of its propriety. This
vindication produced, however, fo
little efFed, that the prefent motion

diftind negative-, when they were
feparately propofed ? Shall we now
agree to come to a general vote of
cenfure upon an accuflition, which
has been negatived in all its con-
ftituent parts } And fhall we, as

was carried as unanimoufly as the judges, proceed to a dired cen-
prececiing ; and the Houie being fure, and confequent panifhment.

then refumed, the report was im
mediately received from the com-
mittee, and the refoiutions without
any delay confirmed.

Notwithllanding the conftant re-
jedion, which the various refolu-

of the party accufed, after we nave
already declared to all the world,
that not one of the allegations
a gain ft him is true r— Mr. Fox en-
deavoured with his ufual ability to
combat thefe tobjedions, and to

tions of cenfure upon the condud lellen their future efied, by taking

[/] 3 them

134] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

them up before they were dirctlly
apflied.

He arpucd, that although the
Houl'e did net concur in a vote of
ceniure on any one of the feparate
grounds of accufption, it might
weM concur upon the whole charge
colledively taken. The great wafte
of the public mon-jy, the impofi-
tion on the nation, and the lofs
and danger which it had fui'ained,
through the mifreprelentations,
and delufive promiics held out by
the noble Icrd in uuelHon, our
inadequate Hate of detence in the
preceding month of June, the neg-
left cf reinforcing Lord Howe, at
a time when the fate of our Ame-
rican fleet, army, and of our fhare
or hope in that continent, nearly
depended upon it, with the aban-
doning of our trade and fcrtrefTes
in the Mecirerranean, m.ight none
cf them fingly, any more than of
the other articles of accufation
which had been brought forwards,
contain fuffitient caufe of removal,
in the opinion of a majority in that
Houfe: but taking them in the ag-
gregr.t-j, they would furnilh matter
well worthy of the vote of ccnfurc
which he propcfed, on the clear
ground, of wihul negledt, ov of grofs
incapacity.

The reafon of fuch a mode of de-
termining upun a complex charge,
he faid, was obvious, and came
p'ainly and fully within the inrjui-
htoria! power of the Houfe. The
Houfe was competent to enquire,
to examine, and to cenfure. They
might accufe, but could net punilh.
Wntn criminal charges, reci'inp-
fpec.fic ofFerccs, v.ere made, they
could only be decided upon in
cour".s of criminal juflice. On-
th-fe occafions the Houfe of Com-
mons, upon igipeachmcnts, ad as

the grand inqueft of the nation,
The prefent proceeding was of a
diflerent nature, and not having a
{hadow of criminality attending it,
did not call for that fpecification
and certainty, which the law juflly
and wifely requires, when a man
is queilioned in a court of public
judicature, and put upon a trial,
on the ifTue of which may depend
his honour, his propertv, and his
life.

He ftated precedents to {hew the
ufage of the Houfe upon fimilar oc-r
cafions, particularly with refpecl to
complex and aggregate charges ;
and drew the line accurately be-
tween removal and punifhment — ?
Criminal accufation, and charges
only of cenfure. He then went
progreflively through the various
charges of mifcondud, incapacity,
ignorance, or wilful negligence,
which he laid againft the admi-
ralty, as arifing merely and di-
redlly from thofe uncontroverted
parts of their conduft, which he
pointed out, and which were pub-
licly known. He faid the bufinefs
referred to them for their confide-
r?.tion might be comprized within
a very narrow compafs. The
whole might be included in a few
fnort queftions, and an anfvver of
no great length. — Was the firft
lord of the admiralty equal to dif-
charge the furdtions of his office,
with fafety to the ftate, and with
honour to the nation ? Had he
hitherto done fo ? What reafons
are there for fuppofmg, that he
who has failed in the performance
of every part of his pad duty, fhall
aft more wifely or capably for tiie
future ? — The only anfwer, he faid,
that could be deduced from fair and
impartial reafoning, fupported by
common fenfe and experience, muft

be.

I

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [135

be, that it would be the laft degree
of folly and madnefs to expert, that
a perfon, who by his ignorance
and grofs mifcondud, had brought
or fuffered this country to fall from
the highell pinnacle of fame, and
naval glory, to the lafi: frage of na-
tional degradation, weaknefs, and
difgrace, and that rapid fall, con-
trary to every principle of public
opinion and experience, fliould ne-
verthelefs become at once {o fud-
denly illumined, as to prove equal
to the arduous tafk of redeeming
her from that calamity and danger,
and of reftoring her to her former
reputation and profperity.

It cannot be expecled, after what
we have already feen upon this fub-
jed, that any new ground of ar-
gument, excepting merely as arif-
ing from fome new charge, could
have been opened in the prefent
debate. Notwithflanding the dif-
tindlion fo ingenioufly ftated of the
feparate- and colledtive matter, it
was evident, that the real merits
of the caufe had been difcuffed
and decided before ; and that this
was no more than a new mode of
bringing the fame fubjeft before
the Houfe, without the violacion of
parliamentary rules. The houfe
had already pafled its judgment;
and the public had pafTed theirs.

The great injury to the nation in
lofing at this critical feafon the
fervice of her beft naval officers,
and the danger to which fhe vvasex-
pofed through the alarming and ge-
neral difcontents which now prevail-
ed in the navy, afforded the only
new matter that was brought in
fupport of the motion ; for as thefe
misfortunes were charged in the
moll direct and unqualified terms to
the fir.l lord of the admiralty, it
-was trom thence infilted, that if

the other parts of his conduit were
even laudable, and that no other
caufe exifted for his removal, that
alone was offuch importance and
magnitude, as to render it a matter
not only of expedience _and wif-
dom, but, in the prefent circum-
ftances, of abfolute neceflity.

This brought out much diredl or
implied cenfure on the conduct of
Lord Howe, and of Admiral Kcp-
pel, who were charged with fetting
that example, and fpreading that
difcontent in the navy, whicii were
fo pernicious to their country, and
fo dangerous to the <late. For al-
though the minifters thought it con-
venient to preferve (in their own
perfons) fome terms with thofe two^
commanders, particularly the for,
mer (who, with his brother, they
wifhed by all means to wean or di-
v^ert from that enquiry which they
were bringing forward into the
condufl of the American war) yet
iome of thofe who were, or who
feemed to expedt to be in their
confidence, were fo far from being
guided by this example, that they
miffed no occafion during the fel-
fion, of expreffing their fenriments
with refpedi to the two admirals,
in a manner which carried the ap-
pearance of ftudied and premedi.
tated attack; and without confining
themfelves to prefent matter, car-
ried their cenfures back to the pail
military and profellional condufl
of thofe ofiicers. It was now ad-
vanced, that when military com-
manders grew too great for the
Hate, and /et fo high a rate upon
their fer vices, as to expect a com-
pliance with extraordinary and «n-
reafonable conditions, as the price
upon which they would exert them
in the defence of their country,
luch propofals fhould net only be

[/] 4 rejei5ted

1361 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

rcjcdtcd with that contempt and
dilvjain which they deft^rved ; but,
howtver great tl:c protcffional me-
rits of the {>ropofers, it was litting,
that they Ihould at all future tinits
continue to experience the jolt in-
dignation cf their country, by her
coailinily dcfpifing thoie lervices,
which they had witheld in the hour
of her dillrelV. It was little to be
doubted or apprehended, they faid,
that there were now, and vvoui l be
at all times, a fufficient number of
brave and experienced dfRcers to
be found in the Britifh navy, who
only wanted to be brought forward,
in order efientially to ferve their
country, and whole zeal and loy-
alty wouhl abundantly compenfate
for the abfence of thofe who had
grown beyond h?r fervice.

This heavy charge and reproach,
neceflarily called up tiie two ad-
mirals, to a j unification of their
pall ar.d prefeut conduci, which
led of courie into a fredi detail, of
the late and immediate tranfaftions
between thern and the admiralty ; '
and alio brought out, in the courfe
of the debate, partly from tb.em,
and ftill more perhaps from others,
no fmall fhare of exceedingly bitter
charge, retort, and cenfure, with
jefped to the condudl and views of
the minifters in general, and of
that board more particularly, in all
matters that related to the military
fervice. They faid, that a vifible,
fettled, concerted, and fcarceiy dif-
avowed fcheme, was now in full
execution, for driving from the
fervice by fea and land, or for ru-
ining while in it, not only all whig,
or popular, commanders and otli-
cers, but all thcfe gcniicmcn of
independent fpirit and principles
who ventured to think for them-
felves in political matters, and l:o-

nefily to diicharge the duty which
they owed to their country as fe-
nators. That to this objeft was
facriticed, along with the meari.s of
our immediate defence and fecurity,
every poflible profpedVand hope of
fucctls, in that ruinous and dan-
gerous civil and foveif»n war, in
which they had wickedly involved
th;- nation. And, that in-order to
palliate, or in iome degree to dif-
guife, this atrocious fcheme, from
the o^jfeVvation of the public, their
firft meafure was an attLmpt o ruin
the reputation and charatler, and
thereby^ to deprive of their popu-
larity, and to flrip of their good
name, thofe ' officers whoir. they
had fecretly devoted todeftrudtion.

They charged, that the miniiters
finding their malice and treachery
had failed, in the direct attack
which they had made on the life
and honour of Admiral Keppel,
after all the pains they had taken
to inveigle him, merely for that
purpole, into the fervice, they had
now only changed their mode,
without in arty degree abandoning
their purpofe, fo far as it yet ap-
peared to them to be pradticable,
and were now indiredlly trying him
a fccond' time at Portfmouth, under
the mockery of trying his accufer,
againft whom there was no charge
laid, nor prcfecuior to fiVpport it if
there was. They aiked to what
othiT purpofe the infiitution of that
trial, circumftanced, and attended
with (uch extraordinary manuceuvres
as it was, could poffibly be attri-
buted, excepting to the vain hope,
of directing fbme fjde wind from
thence which might aftedl the re-
putation of the admiral, and that
the acquittal of their favourite,
might, under their fanclion, autho-
rity, and management, be perverted

to

'HISTORY OF EUROPE. [137

to the purpofe of raifing feme fuf-
picions, injurious to the iionour of
thofe able and diltinguiflied officers,
who had either compofed the court
by whicii he was tried, or afrorded
that evidence which difplay d to
all the world the iniquity of the
profecution ? For the admiral, they
faid, had refufed, and difdained,
to profecute his accu<; r ; and no-
thing lay againll iiini but the re-
cord of that fentcncp, of having
carried < n an unf u ded and mali-
cious profecution ngainlt -his com-
mander; and that fentence, no fu-
ture court could reverfe, no trial
acquit from, nor no power ' undo.
But this attempt, they faid, w;>uld
be found as vain as it was wicked ;
and the admiral's reputation, as
well as the honour of thofe brave
officers, were far beyond their reach,
and fuperior to all the. eifecls of
their mrilice.

It will not be fuppofed that fuch
charger were not anfwered or re-
turned wi:n equal acrimony. They
were faid to be fo falfe, fo extrava-
gant, fo abfurd, and fo monftrous,
that they could cniy have origi
gated, from the rage of difappoint-
ment, the madnefs of party, and the
malevolence of faction. It was
infifted, that the admirahy had be-
haved with the greacell candour and
fairnefs with refpeft to the two
officers in queilion. The admiral
had been acquitted, and his honour
thereby happily cleared. So far,
if the admiralty had not acted
merely officially, he would have
owed them a favour, for affording
him an opportunity, which re-
dounded fo much to his advantage.
As to his advevfary, was he to be
denied tiiat equal jufticc, which
was fo fairly dillnbuced to Admiral
Keppel ?— Was a trial, in the one

cafe, an injury, and iu the other,
a favour ? If the vice-admiral vas
innocent, it was equally litting ind
jutt, that his h)nouc fhould like-
wife be cleared ; or if guilty, •: was'
highly necefTary that he .iiouid be
made amenable, to tiie juihce of his
country.

Tiie Houfe divi.itd on the quef-
tion at a late hour, when the mo-
tion was rejected by a majority of
221, ro n8, who voted fur the re-
moval of the firft lord of the .;dmi-
ralty.

The ncible brothers who lately
commanded on the American fer-
vice, had omitted no occ fion,
during t.Te courfe nf the feliion, of
prtilTing in t.iC itrongeft lermi, for
an enquiry into the cotiiuct of the
war, lo far particularly, as they
were thel^.felvc-^ immediately con-
cerned They fupportfd this ur-
gency of application, and the pro-
priety of the meature, upon the
differe'.it grounds, of lubhc utility,
and of particular jultict. ftiey
Hated it to be a matter of great na-
tional importance, that th^ real
caufes of oar failure, hitiierto,
of I'uccefs, migh: be thoroughly
known and unde. fiood ; as a pro-
per application of tiiat k lowledge,
could v.nly aiturd any rational nope
of greater advantage' in the furtfier
profecution of the war. it /as
likewife a fatisfadiun du' to the
people, for the heavy loll'.s tney
had iuftained, and the iumenie ex-
pences they were at, ^o let themi
fee the true llate of their aff > rs ;
ai it would be a iaruier flur..;ice
and enc jurage^nent to them to dif-
cover that tlie cauies were remuktd,
which had hicherLO di apf> nted
their expjdations. W;,ii refpedl
to thtmiolves, their ^ ucavoars to
ferve their couutry, Ixad betn pro-
ductive

138] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

dudlive of fuch a torrent of invec-
tive, and unceafing obloquy, as
had not perhaps been equalled in
any former period ; although nii-
niflers themfelves were fileiit, and
had not ventured to bring any
charge againlt any part of their
condud\, they had full reafon to be-
lieve, and the world held the fame
opinion, that this abufe proceeded
wholly from their hireling eniif-
faries, and penfioned writers. Their
conduft had likewife been publicly
arraigned in that Houfe, by per
fons either in office, or who were
at h'afl; known to be in the confi-
dence ar)d favour of miniilcrs ;
whiiil the latter, thoroughly fen-
iiblc as they were of '.he injuilice of
the ccnfure, and with the full means
of their juftification in pofleflion,
ufcd rot the fmalleft effort for that
purpoi'e. On thefe grounds, they
were under a neceiliiy, they laid,
of demanding a parliamentary en-
quiry : that if any blame was due
in the conduct of the American
war, it might be applied to its pro-
per objecl ; and if they were to-
tally clear from it, as they trufied,
they might therejay obtain juHice,
in the vindication of their honour
and character.

On the other hand, the miniflers,
among other caufes, objected to
the enquiry, a? being totally need-
lefs. Government had laid no
charge againfi the noble brothers ;
and on the contrary, feveral parts
of their condud had met its appro-
bation. As to the abufe or char-
ges contained in r.ewfpapers or
pamphlets, any more than the opi-
nions held, or cenfures thrown out •
by individuals, whether wiijiin or
without doors, they could not furely
be confidered of fufficient moment,
to authorize the bringing out of an

enquiry, which muft neceflarily
break in fo prodigioufly upon the
time and attention of the Houfe,
and that in a fefiion, when there
was already fo much bufinefs of
importance before them, and fo
much more llill in expedation, or
at leaft within the line of probable
contingency. As to themfelves,
whatever their private opinions in
certain matters might be, they had
no fiiare in any attacks that were
made upon the charadlers of the
noble brothers without doors, nor
arraignments of their conduct with-
in. Of thefe matters they were to-
tally innocent.

Although the minifters did not
approve of the enquiry, they, how-
ever, acquicfced in the moiionr, for
laying tl;e American papers before
the Houfe ; which were accordingly
brought forward in great abun-
dance, and continued on the table
during a great part of the feflion.
In thefe were incUtded the whole
correfpondence between the mini-
Iters, and the commanders on the
main fervice in America, from about
the time of Sir William Howe's ar-
rival at Bofton, in the year 1775,
to his return from Philadelphia, in
1778 ; together with a great num-
ber of accounts, returns, and other
papers, tending to (hew the Hate,
number, efleditivc llrength, and con-
dition of the army, at different
periods of the inttrmeaiate time ;
their real movemcnis and opera-
tions ; as well as the different plans
of action which had been propcfed,
difcuffed, or conceited, by the mi-
niiters and generals.

General Burgoyne was no lefs
importunate in this feffion, than he
had been ever fince his return, for
an enquiry into his own condud,
snd into all matters relative to the
Canada

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [139

Canada expedition. We have al-
ready feen, that his particular fitu-
ation under the convention of Sa-
ratoga, had been laid down as an
infuperable obftaele to his gratifica-
tion in that refpeft ; and it may be
conceived from obvious caufes, that
his complaints and applications
were now full as little attended to
as thofe of the other commanders.
The northern expedition, was,
however, fo connefted in its con-
fequences with the operations of
the grand army, and they fo ma-
terially afFefted the event and ge-
neral fortune of the war, that it
was not eafy to feparate matters fo
blended in any courfe of enquiry ;
and this difficulty was increaled by
the circumftance, that Sir William
Howe had been fpecifically ar-
raigned, both within doors and
without, for undertaking the fou-
thern expedition, at the time that
he (hould have waited to facilitate
and fupport the operations of the
other army on the north river.
General Burgoyne accordingly fei-
zed this opportunity of bringing
forward his own bufincfs, as ne-
cefTarily belonging to andinfenarn-
fale from the re It ; fo that the Hoi;ie
was in pofleffion of the whole
correfpondence of the three com-
manders, and of all the documents
, relative to the different lervices.
A ■] 2 th Although the Houfe
* " * had gone fo far as to
form itfelf into a committee for en-
quiring into the condud of the
American war ; had made a pre-
vious application to the Houfe of
Lords fcr the attendance of Earl
Cornwallis, as an evidence, ar.d
had Jillened for two hours, with the
greateft attention, to the very clear
and able narrative of his conduft,
delivered in the plaia eloquence of

a foldier by Sir William Howe ;
yet, the noble lord at the head of
affairs, who had all along expreffsd
the utmoll difapprobation of the
enquiry, was IHII determined to
quafh it. It was faid in general,
that there had been no nt-ceffity,
nor even occalion at any time for
the enquiry; but that if there had,
that neceffity or occafion was now
fully removed, as well by the able
explanation of his condud given
by the honourable general, as by
the papers before them. That al-
moft every part of the correfpon.
dence went to (hew, the utmoft fa-
tisfadion of government, and its
vvarmeft approbation with refpecl
to the fervices of the two noble
commanders; that the perfonal de-
clarations of the minifters (hewed
that they ftill retained the fame
fentiments; and that a douht could
not be entertained in the committee
on the fubjedl. That without re-
gard to occafxon, the commanders
had hitherto been indulged in
bringing forward every thing they
prcpofed, m.erely to fati^fy their
delicacy; but that end being at*,
tained, it would be abfurd to pur-
lue the fubjeft any farther; there
was neither charge nor accufer:
and it would be merely combating a
fhadow.

But they went farther, and con-
tended, that if matters had been
different, and that an accufation
had been rea'Iylaid again!! the of-
ficerf; that Houfe wa^ touUy in-
competent to any enquiry into, or
any decifion upon mi'i:ary matters.
Military charges and accufations,
rauft be enquired into, tried, and
decided upon, in their ow:i proper
courts; r.nd no where elle. It
would be in the highell degree ab-
furd to fuppofe, that gentlemen fit-
ting

i4c] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ting- in that Houfe, fliould pretend
to judge of the proper dlftribution
of a large military force ; of the
rnovements of^ coiumns, the evolu-
tions of brigades, or the good cr
bad difpofitions made in a field of
battle. The rainifter feemcd to
think, that the condudl of minillers
was the latent objeft of the enquiry,
with a view of injuring tliem by a
fi^e wind; of trying .them in an
oblique and indiredt manner ; if
that was the objeft, he defircd it
m'ght be declared ;' that the ac-
cuit r {hculd fland forth, avow h-is
Charge, nnd compel them to an-
fwci. When that "w-as avowed,
miriiuers would know the accufer
and the acculaiion ; and tliey would
knew in v/hat manner to make
their defence. If that w^is not
the objcdl, a further purfuit of
the enquiry would be futile and
necdlefs.

With ,a view to the incompe-
tency of the Houfe in military
ndatters, upon Sir William Howe's
motion for the examination of Earl
Cornwallis, the queliion was put
to him, •• upon what points he
*' meant to inteiro?^ate the noble
** lord;" to which the general re-
plied, *' to the general condudl of
" the American war; to military
*' points generally and particular-
•' ly." 1 hefe words were eagerly
feiztd by the miniiler, who work-
ing them up with the original into
the form of an amendment, under
that colour nearly framed a new
motion, which he knew carried its_
own rejeftion along with it. The
words of the motion in that
flatewere — " That Lord Corn-
" wallis be called in and examined
" relative to general and particu-
*' lar military points, touching
*' the general condudl of the Ame-
« rican war."

There was fcarcely any thing
during the fcfiion that drew out
fuch feverity of cenfure, and even
of reproach, as this manoeuvre, or,
as it was termed, trick, in debate,
now did It was faid, that fo
Ihamelefs and palpable an evafion,
of enquiry and truth, and fo bare-
faced an acknowledgment of guilt,
had never been ventured upon by
any other miniller, nor could not
have been endured at any other
period. The degraded fituation of
ihe nuble lord, which reduced him
to the neceffity, of adopting io
fhameful a mealure, in order to
fcreen his afTociates, and the open
acknowledgment which it included,
that he durll not venture to truit,
even his own Handing ma ority
with their guilt, was exprelTed in
thofe terms of piiy, whica convey
the foreft ideas of contempt and ri-
dicule.

It was contended, that the two
objefts were fo clofely united, that
there was nor a poliibility . in the
prefent en<juiiy, of feparating the
conduft of the minillers, and of
the military commanders. No opi*
nion could be formed with refpedl
to the former, without knowing
how far their plans were or were
not pradlicable -, nor of the latter,
v;ithout knowing and meafuring
the means which had been put into
their hands. And from v.hom was
this information to be fought or
obtained, but from thole officers
who had fervcd en the fpot, and
who being employed in indeavour-
ing to carry thole plans into exe-
cution, were thoroughly acquainted
with the fufficiency or deficiency of
the means, as well as with the na-
ture and extent of thesimpediments
which were oppofed to them ? Se-
veral queftions v.ould come before

the

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [141

the rommittee, which were merely
political and deliberative; and thefe
could only be decided upon, by
taking the opinion of profeffional
men on the Ipot; men who knew
the counTv, were informed of the
nature of the refinance expelled co
be mace, and the real motives
which gave, or did not give, a
preference to the meafures purfued,
before others which might be pro-
pofed. To ftop fuch information,
therefore, by a vote of that Houfe,
was, in faiT, the converting par-
liament into a fcreen, for prevent-
ing an enquiry into the conduiEl of
adminiftracion ; for if the comman-
der had adted right, it necefTarily
followed, that the meafures of po-
licy were didlated by weaknefs and •
ignorance, as they were now at-
tempted to be covered by the moft
fliameful and criminal evafion and
impofition.

The point of order was ftrongly
infifted on, and this was faid to be
the firft ir.itance in thp annals of
parliament, in which the reference
of any order of the Houfe to a
committee was clogged with any
amendment or condition whatever
in that committee. The order of
the Houfe was Ipeciiic, for the at-
tendance on that day, and the ex-
amination of Lord Cornwallis ;
and the amendment imported a
negative to that order, and ac-
cordingly went to a fubftantial con-
tradicilion of it. Thus was the
dignity of the Houfe of Commons
facriHced, and their orders treated
with a contempt, which would re-
duce them in all future times to
the condition of wafte paper, merely
to fave minilters from that punilh-
ment, which they had fojuftly me-
rited, and which the ruin they had
brought upon their country fo loud-

ly called for. It was latnented, that
any man, or fet of men, Ihculd pof-
fefs fo baneful an influence, and
apply it to fo deplorable a purpole,
as to induce them in fuch a manner
to a furrender of their own inhe-
rent privileges; and thus to efta-
blifh a precedent, which muft go
to the banilhment of all order and
regulation from their future pro-
ceedings, and to the introdudlioa
of anarchy and confafion.

A general officer, wiio had ac-
quired great reputation in the late
war in Germany, who was even
then near the top of his profeffion,
in point of rank, and v.ho had
fince filled, with no fmall degree
of eminence, one of the higheH
civil departments of the Itate,
called upon the minillers to de-
clare, whether they denied the
competence of the Houfe to infli-
tute or proceed upon fuch an en-
quiry ? He dared them to theaffer-
tion; and protelied, that during
thirty years he had fat in parlia-
ment, he never faw fu grofs an at-
tempt to violate the inherent and
conftitutional privileges of that
HouJe ; whether with refpeft to
the breach of order, or to what
was of infinitely greater import-
ance, the denying- that Houfe to .
have a right of inquihtorial jurif-
didion over every department of the
ftate, every eRablifhmcnt, whether
civil, military, or criminal.

The minifter's amendment was,
however, carried upon a diviaon,
though by a fmaller majority than
might perhaps have been expedcd
in fo full a houfe, the numbers being
189 to 155.

The debate was again renewed
on the mr.in queftion, whether the
motion fo amended fhculd pafs, when
the quelHon being called for, it

was

142] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

was rejected, although by a fmaller
mr.joritv than on the preceding di-
vlfion, the numbers being 180 to
15S. A gentleman of the cppofi-
tion then moved, in the terms of
the crij^inal order of the Houfe,
*' That Lord Cornwallis be called in,
" and examined refpecUng the fub-
" jedl matter of the papers refer-
" red to faid committee." This
mot'on was negatived without a
divluon. And thus the enquiry
feemed to have been laid to deep
for ever. The committee was not,
however, diflblved ; for although a •
motion for that purpcfe liad been
propofcd early in the debate by a
noble lord in office, it had been
withdrawn at the minifter's defirc,
who preferred this fcheme of ma-
nagement which wc have fecn. In
Itridnefs, the committee was ppen
to recL-ive any teitimony tending to
the elucidation of the papers before
them, excepting that teftimony re-
lated to military matters ; and the
whole fubjedl of thofe papers was
military.

The oppofition were, however,
determined not to let- this (late of
things reil in abfoluie quiet; and
to try hew far the Houfe could,
upon recolleftion, and in its proper
form, fubmii to fuch an apparent
contempt and reje<flion of i^.s au-
thority, by a committee, a crea-
ture cf its own making, ard fur-
rilhed only with confined and tem-
porary powers, direfted to a parti--
cular objctt, and revocable at plea-
1 fure. The bufin^fs was
May 3a.- jj(.(-(j^(]ingiy introduced a

few days after, by a recital of the
tranfaflicns which had pafled in
the committee, and a renewal of
the motion for the examination of
Lord Cornwallis, and the whole

matter of complaint and redrcfs
fuj^portcd with great vigour.

The minifter and his friends had
taken but little notice of the
charges with refpeft to the point
of order, v.'hich had been fo llrongly
urged by the other fide in the com-
mittee ; and he now apparently
left room open for an apology on
that ground, by an acknowledg-
ment that he was not fully prepared
on thai fubjeft. He, however, faid,
that he confid'^reci committees of
the whole Houfe, and the Houfe
itfelf, as nearly analogous, and their
powers co-extenfive ; fo that in re-
ality, the dilfercnce between the
orders of one, and the refolucicns
of the other, was merely in terms,
as they fubllaniially imported the
fame thing. They were, on quef-
tions of importance, equally well
attended ; and the difference, in his
apprehenfion, was little more, than
whether the fpeaker was in the
chair, or whether one of the mem*
bcrs prefidcd for the time in his
place.

On the queflion of competency
h'i was now remarkably tender,
and did not at all pufli that mat-
ter as he had done in the com-
mittee. He began to perceive
that fuch a principle once laid
dvHvn might go to great lengths,
and fuch as might prove highly in-
ccnven'cntto minilleis themielvcs.
But wiih refped to the impropriety
of examining wiaicfles on military
quellions, he was dift'ufe ; and
feemed to lay all his ftrength to
that point. He obfcrved, that as
the evidence mufl be ejc parte, it
could never be deemed, by any
rule of reafon, fanflion of prece-
dent, or confillency with the regu-
lar proceedings of judicature, {uffi-
- cienily

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [143

ciently full and conclufive, either
for acquittal or cenuire. It might
furnilh a good ground for belief or
periuafiun; but from the nature of
the evidence, as well as the man-
ner in which it would be delivered,
no man in that Houfe, or with-
out, could lay any other Urefs
upon it, or give it any higher de-
gree of credit, than merely what
ex parte evidence was entitled to in
the firfl: inftance, and what telli-
mony, not delivered upon oath,
was entitled to in the fecond. And
that, therefore, neither the ceniure
nor acquittal of the honourable
general, by a vote of that Houfe,
would be capable of changing in
k f:ngle instance, the opinions al-
ready formed upon that fubjeiSl.

He had accordingly always held
and I'ciil retained his opinion, that
enquiries into the conduft of mili-
tary men, were exceedingly impro-
per in that Houfe. When fuch
occafions occurred, military courts
were provided by the conftitution
for the purpofe. He confidered a
court-martial as the only tribunal,
wiiere the party accufed could pro-
cure fubllantial reparation for his
injured honour, and where, on the
other hand, in cafe of failure or
negled, the juftice of the nation
could be legally and conftitutionally
fatisfied.

He alfo obferved, that if under
the appearance of an enquiry into
the condudl of military officers, it
was intended to bring charges of
neglcd or incapacity againft mini-
fters, be could not but cqnfider it
as an exceedingly unfair mode of
proceeding. No man had yet
avowed that defign. And yet he
could not fee, what other motives
there could be, for urging the pre-
fcnt enquiry farther. The Houfe

had undoubtedly an inqulfitorial
power to enquire into and ceniure
the conduift of minifters ; but he
trufted their condud was not to be
decided upon by the evidence of
military men; mu;;h lefs whea
that evidence was profefiedly given
on military meafures, which th-y
had neither planned nor executed.
If, however, any fpeclfic accufa-
tion was brought againll minifters,
as one of his Majefty's confidential
lervants, he was ready to have
witneffcs inftantly called, to the
bar, provided the matter on whicJi
they were to be examined v/as pre-
vioufly Itated, and was fuch as di-
rectly asp'j fpecincally pointed to any
one particular meaiureofadmiaiiira-
tion.

On the other fide, it was h\\
down as a clear and indifputable
rule of proceeding in that Houfe,
that a committee was always bound
by the order of reference made to
it ; otherwife, there would be two
contradiftory powers and claQiing
jurifdidlions in the fame body; a
doftrine too abfurd and monitrous
to be heard or endured. A greac
part of their bufinels was tranfided
by commi.tees, particularly by
committees of the whole Houfe;
if, therefore, it fhould be adopted
as parliamentary law, that what
the Houfe entertained in one in-
ftance and referred to a com.mitrce,
was fo far controulable by tliat
committee, as that the latter had
an option to difobey the order of
reference, all bufinefs would be at
an end; and as often as circum-
ftances aftbrdid a pretence, the
proceedings of that ' Houfe would
be involved in endlefs confufion,
and in contefts with itfelf. Tiie
Houfe was therefore called upon,
and requefted ferioufly to reflecl

and

i44l ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

and conlidcr, the fatal confequences
th. t would ncceflarily enfue, if it
did not preleive a proper con-
troul over its feverai conlHtuent
part^.— The qjeftioi they were to
dc ide upon was (hort a d plain,
but ir included much matter: — It
was fimpiy this: Shall the Houfe
controul and diredl a commutee
appointed by icfelf, or (hall they con-
troul and dired ihe H 'ufe ?

The ground of propriety, with
refpeft to military enquiries in that
Houfe, was not only abundantly
fupported, but covered with a fu-
perriuity both of arguments and of
precedeius. The debate, however,
hunff .yet in fufpence, when the
'unexpected part taken by 'a gentle-,
Xnan high in office, and clofcly
connected with a ftrong and power-
ful party, fuddenly , turned the
balance. That gentleman de-
clared, that although it 'was with
infinite reluftance that he differed
in opinion with the two noble
lords , in adminiftration, yet he
could not avoid thinking the con-
duce of the committee, even at the
time, very extraordinary. He had,
however, fomc doubts upon the
fubjeft, which occasioned his going
away, without fpcaking or voting,
on that night. But thefe doubts
were. now uially removed. Kor as
he confidered certain words (which
be recited) that had fallen from
the American r/iinifter in the pre-
fent debate, as a direft charge and
accufacion againit the commander
in chief, he ihould think it an a<fl
of the greatefl; cruelty and injuilice
if the pfet'ent motion was not pall-
ed, in order to aiFord an opportu-
nity for his vindication and de-
fence.

Thefe words operated like a
charm,

z

Nothing would aftcr'-vard:

be liftened to from the other fide.
The minirter attempted feverai
(times to fp' ik, but in vain. A com-
plete revolution was effected; and
the enquiry, which a few days before
had been rejected by a majority,
was now refumed with an appear-
ance of almoll: general unanimity.

The committee was ,- ^.v
J. , • ■ , May 6th.

accordmgiy revived a ■'

iit\n days after, and the examination
of the olficers commenced by tnat of
Earl CornWdliis.

Ic would be equally beyond our
purpofe, and our limits, to enter
into any particular detail of this
ehquiry. It was taken up with
much general expectation, and it
might, perhaps, be faid hope.
The public were in the higheil
degree impatient for it. Thofe
who had conceived that the total
reduftion of America ought to have
been but the buiinefs of one ^d.{y
campaign, were eager to fee the
fault fixed upon thofe generals,
whofe mifmanagcment had render-
ed the war not only fo tedious and
fo expenfive, but at prcfentalmoft
hopelefs. Others, wiQied to fix
the fault on the original ill policy
of the undertaking, rendered ad-
ditionally ruinous by the weakncfs
and contradiftion of the councils
by which it had been conducted.
But as the enquiry might be, as in
reality it waa, drawn out to a very
great length, it foon became evi-
dent, that thofe who origjnally op-
pofed any enquiry at all ; and only
had given way, becaui'e they were
unable to refiit the torrenr, would
prevent it from producing any ef-
fect; and this it was not diificult
to do, as it was in their power to
dravv the examination of witnefTes
into an infinite lengtli ; and the at-
tention . of all be;i!g fatigued by

fuel)

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [145

fuch a purfjit, attendance would
riaturfjlly relax along with it ; and
the bufinefs would laiiguifh, and
expire of itl'elf.

The officers who were examined
were the following, who were alfo
called in the order that we ftate
them, viz. Earl Comwallis, Major-
Gcneral Grev, Sir Andrew Snape
Hammond, Major Montrefor, chief
engineer, and Sir George Ofoorne,
a member of the Houfe. Their
teftimony, taken together, went to
the ellablifhment of .the following
points of fadl, or of opinion. —
That the force fent to America
was at no time equal to the fubju-
gation of the country — That this
proceeded in a great meaiure from
the general enmity and holtiiity of
the people, who were almofl una-
nimous in their averfion to the go-
vernment of Great- Britain; and
alfo from the nature of the country,
which was the mofl: difficult and
impradticable with refpe<il to mili-
tary operations that could poffibly
be conceived— That theie circum-
ftances of country and people, ren-
dered the fervices of reconnoitring,
of obtaining intelligence, of ac-
<]uiring any previous knowledge
that could be depended on, of the
ftate of the roads, and the nature
of the ground which they were to
traverfe, along with the eflential
objedl of procuring provifions and
forage, exceedingly difficult, and
in fome refpefts impradlicablc —
That this latter circumllance ren-
dered it impoflible for the army to
carry on its operations at any dif-
tance from the fleet; at lead, with-
out the full poireflion, on both its
fides, of fome navigable river—
And that its operations were much
retarded, and frequently endan-
gered, by being generally con-
VoL. XXII.

ftrained, through the circumflances
of roads and country, to march
Only in a fingle column.

It alfo went to the eftablifhment
of the following particular points,
in direfl contradidibn to ieveral
charges which had been made
againft the conduft of the com-
mander in chief, viz. That the re-
bel lines and redoubts at Brooklyn,
in Long - Jfland; on the 27th of
Auguil 1776, were in fuch a ftate
of flrength and defence, that any
imm.ediate attack upon them, with-
out waiting to make proper ap-
proaches, and without the artil-
lery, fcaling ladders, axes, and
other articles neceffary to the fer-
vice, would have been fcarcely lefs
than an act of defperate raftinefs.
— That Lord Cornwall ia's halting
at Brunfwick, when in purfuit of
the enemy, in the fame year, was
ncccftary, as well with rcfped to
the condition of the troops in point
of fatigue and provifion, as to their
number, and the polls which it
was firft neceffary to occupy, in
order to preferve their communi-
cation; and that his pafling the
Delaware, and advancing to Phila-
delphia, when he afterwards ar--
rived at Trenton, was utterly im-
pradticable, from the total want of
boats, and of all other means for
that purpofe. — That the going by
fea to Philadelphia, was the moft
eligible, if not the only method,
which could have been adopted,
for the reduftion of Penfylvania,
and that the Chefapeak was a
more eligible paffage than the De-
laware.—That from the ftrength
of the highlands, and other cir-
cumftances, the attempt of going
up the North River towards Al-
bany, while Waftiington was at
hand with a ftrong army, to profit
[K] of

146] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

of all tlie advantages which it
muft afford, would have been
difficult, dangerous, and probably
found impracticable in the event.
— And that tlie drawing of Ge-
neral Wathington and his army,
near 300 miles from the North
^iver, to the defence of Pentyl-
vania, was the molt effectual di-
verfion that could have been made
in favour of the northern army;
and at the fame time held out the
greateft probability, that the defire
of protT^ing Philadelphia, would
have induced him to hazard a ge-
neral adlioM ; an event fo long and
fo ardently coveted, as the only
means which could tend to bring
the war to a fpeedy concluiion,
and which every other meafure
had been found incapable of pro-
ducing.

Genera! Howe had endeavoured,
in his narrative, as well as in the
diflFerent fpeeches which were
drawn from him on the fubjed, to
eftabiilh as an indifputable fadl,
and demonftrably to prove from
the correfpondence before them,
that he had conftantly ftated to the
American minifter, the great diffi-
culty and imprafticable nature of
the war ; and the utter impoffibi-
lity of fubJLigating that contment
with the force under his command.
That lie had accordingly accom-
panied the plans for the operations
of the campaign of 1777, with a
requifition, in one inltance, of a
reinforcement of 20,000, and in
another, of 15,000 men, ftrongly
ilating and arguing, that nothing
lefs could efFedlually anfwer the
purpole of bringing the war to a
fpeedy conclufion. That on the
other hand, the minifter did not
feem to credit, that the difficulties
were fo great as they were repre-

fented, nor that fo great an addF-
tional force as was demanded could
be ncceffary; and placed much of
his dependance in the firm per-
fuafion, that the well - affeded in
Pcnfylvania were fo numerous,
that the general would be able to
raife fuch a force there, as would
be fufficient for the future defence
and protection of the provitice,
when the army departed to finiflx
the remaining fervite. That ac-
cordingly, he had promiied, only
about half the force ftated in the
f'.'cond number ; that not a fifth of
the force, even fo promifed, was at
length fent ; and that reinforce-
ment, when it did come, arrived
too late to anfwer any of the ori-
ginal purpofes of the campaign-
He likewife ftated, and fupported
by the fame authority, that fo far
from any concert or co operation
being propofed or intended be-
tween him and the northern army,
that, that expedition had never
even been cafually mentioned, in
any of the difcuffions relative to the
plans of the future campaign,
which had pafi'ed between him and
the miniller. That the firtl: know-
ledge he had of that defign, and
which induced him to write a letter
to Sir Guy Carleton upon the fub-
jcft, was merely from public re-
port. And, that the firft intima-
tion he received from the minifter,
that the fmalleft degree of fupport
v;ouId be expcfted from him in fa-
vour of that expedition, was by a
letter which he received in the
middle of Auguft, in the Chefa-
peak, when his meafures were al-
ready taken in purfuance of that
plan which he had previoufly fet-
tled with the noble fecretary, and
when it would have been too lace
for him in any cafe to have receded.

But

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [147

But even that letter cxpreiTed no
more than a confident hope, that
he fliould be returned foon enough
back from the fouthward to concur
in the further operations of the nor-
thern army.

It will be eafily feen, that no-
thiug could poffibly have been
more galling or vexatious to the
minifters, than fome' part of this
narrative, and of the preceding
evidence. Particularly that part
of the former, which ftated the
general's communication of the
imprafticability of the American
war ; or at leaft the infufficiency
of the force appointed to that fer-
vice for the accomplifhmenc of its
purpofe, at a time that the mini-
fters held oat a language and
hopes fo diredly contrary, to the
parliament and people of England.
The charge of general dilalfedlion
among the Americans, which was
laid by the general, as well as the
other officers, although more guard-
ed perhaps in terms and fpecifica-
tion, was likewife an exceeding
tender fubjedl with the minifters.
The oppoiition too never omitted
any occafion of reminding them,
that from the beginning of the trou-
bles, they had been conftanily re-
prefented by them, as being the ads
merely V of a fartion in America,
who had by a fort of furprize pof-
fefled themfelves of the civil and
military' powers of that country;
but that the great bulk, or at leaft
a large majority of the people,
were firmly attached to the go-
vernment of Great-Britain. In-
deed, if that reprefentation was an
error, it feems pretty clearly, that
the minifters were no lefs involved
in it themfelves, than the public.
At any rate it was a very favourite
opinion; and nothing could be

13th.

more grating than this teRimony,
which went direflly to its fubvjr-
fion.

For thefe and other caufes, it
was thought neceftary to call in
queftion the validity of this evi-
dence, and nothing could fo well
anfwer that purpofe, as the op-
pjfing to it another body of the
fame nature; for as no dtaiive
vidory was to be gained, nor de-
feat feared in fuch a conceft, the
iffue muft unavoidably be, the
leaving the queftion of fad in
doubt and uncertainty ; and no more
was warned.

It was accordingly pro-
pofed, towards, what feem-
ed, the clofe of the examination,
that other witneffes fhould be called
in and examined, relative to feveral
matters which were ftated in the
prefent evidence. In fupport of
this proceeding it was advance!,
that ex parte evidence had been re-
ceived, relative to matters of fad
and opinion, to military jma-
nceuvres, to the propriety of plans,
and to the execution of them; and
that this had been principally di-
reded to the laying of implied or
dired charges againft the condud
of minifters, particularly of the
noble lord at the head of the Amcr
rican department. That it was
therefore necelTary, fair, and equi-
table, that witneffes Ihould be
brought on the other fide, and evi-
dence received relative to thofe
points, and to fet aftde thofe
charges. The noble minifter him-
felf difclaimed the idea of becom-
ing an accufer; (with which he
was charged) but as he was at-
tacked, and charged with being
the caufe of the mifcarriage of the
American war, it was neceflary he
fhould defend himfelf; and the
[K] 2 fadj

H?] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

{z£i- wl ich hf (hould Hate, the wit-
ncllcs he fhould bTirp to iupport
them, ;.nd the arguments which he
mig. t life, would all tend to that
poir.t merjy, and not to the ac-
cuf. ion of any man. He, how-
ever, declared, that his main objedl
in ciling vvi-ncffes, was to reicue
the brave, loyal, and meritorious
fuffpiers :n America, from the un-
juft general imputation or cenlure
throw. n on them by the prefcnt
evidence, particularly that pafTage
which fays, that the Americans
were •• almeft unanimous" in their
refinance againll the claims of this
country.

C n the other fide, the oppofition

' ccnuenincd, as extremely unfair
and iriegular, the propofi;:g to
bring forward at the tail of an
enquiry, without any previous no
tice, and when the evidence
brought forward by the honourable
general, in his own vindication,
was nearly clofcd, new witnefTes,
to ftir up m.iuer, and perhaps
charges, of which he could have
no knowledge, and for which he
confequcntiy could have ^lade no
provifion in the examination of his
own. That it was a new proce-
dure, and fuch as would not be'
endured any where, to draw out

' the whole of any man's evidence
to examine where its ftrength or
we^knefs lay, and without an
avowal of the fmalleft intention to
conttcvert any part of it, then fud-
denly to attempt to conjure up
witnelTes before unknown and un-
heard of, and each having before
him the part, to which he chofe to
be called, thereby endeavour to
overthrow the whole of the for-
mer tellimony. Tiiey likewife
fpoke in terms of Ibme indigna-
tion, to the defigu of bringiiig up

American refugees, penfioncrs, and
CLiIlom-houfe oflictrs, to inpeach
and iet afide the evidence of mi-
litary men of high rank, and of
great profefTional knowledge. And
what, faid they, is the point which
thefe men are called principally to
prove ? why, that the Americans,
(that is, themfelves) whofc places,
penfions, and exiltence, depend
upon their attachment, are exceed-
ingly well difpofed to acknowledge
and fupport the rights and claims of
this country over the colonies.

That party, however, in con-
formity with their profeflions of
wilhing for, and furthering, full
and general enquiry into public
matters, at length acquiefced in
the motion, and orders were iflued,
befides General Robertfon, for the
attendance of General Jones, Col.
Dixon, and Major Stanton ; as
al.o, for John Maxwell, Jofeph
Galloway, Andrew Allen, John
Paterfon, Theodore Morris, and
Enoch Story, Efqrs.

The exceedingly fevere and vi-
rulent cenlure and reproach re-
peatedly thrown upon General
Burgoyne, by fome perfons high
in office, produced at length an
effcft, wnich was as little intended
as exptfted, by the authors of the
caufe from whence it proceeded.
The harllinefs and frequency of
the reproach, which was not al-
ways guarded or chafte, feemed by
degrees to awaken men ofallde«-
fcnptions and parties, into fome
particular confideration, of thofe
very peculiar and unhappy circum-
flances of fituation, under which
that oflicer was compelled to fub-
mit to fuch reproach, without a
poffibility of vindicating in any
manner his charaditer aud honour.
At length, all fides of tlie Houfe,
feemed

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [149

feemed at once to fed for and com-
miferate the unhappy fituation of
that general.

A'l occafi )n for cilling forth
this dirpolition prefenced irfelf. Sir
William Ho'.ve having clofed his
evidciice, and the time b^ing yet
open for bringing forward the coun-
ter evidenc'e, there was a chafm of
fame davs in the bufinefs of the
Committee. General Burgoyne feiz-
ed the opportunity, and while a (e['i{'e
of the recent charge and reproach
was fti'l frefh in every mnd, he
thre^^ himfelf on the jullice, and
claimed the prote'Hon of the Houfe,
conjuring them, that they would
afford him an opportunity, by en-
tering upon his defence, to redeem
his honour and charader from thit
unwarranted ceniure, fo publicly
and licentiouflv bellowed upon both.
He Hated, that the argument of
the impropriety of military en-
.quiries in the Houfe, could not ap-
ply to hinl, even if they hjid any
weight in themfelves, as he had
frequently applied for a court-
martial, and had as often been re-
fufed it.

He was fupported by gentlemen
on both fides of the Houfe; and
the American minifter himlelf gave
into it, and faid, that fuch ifrong
accufations had been recently laid
againft hitn. that he was entitled in
jultice to be heard in his defence.
This was readily agreed to, and
., , the next day but one.

May 20th. r , r u- * •

•' nxed for his entering

upon it.

I'he officers examined uoon this
bufinefs were. Sir Guy Carleton,
then Governor of Quebec ; Earl of
Balcarras ; Captain Money, aflmg
Quarter Mafter General ; Earl of
Harrington; Major Forbes; Cap-
tain Bioomfield, of the artillery ;

and Lieutenant Colonel Kingfton,
A jurant Gent^ral ; all of whom,
excepting the firff, were prefent
during the whole campaign; and
eminent partake'-s in all the unpa-
ralleled dificuUics, diftreffes, aud
dangers of . the northern expedi-
tion.

The evidence was unufually
clear, plain, accurate, and d:rjdl
to its matter. It went uniformly
to place the character of the fufFer-
ing and unfortunate general in a
very high point of view, .vhether
conlidered as a man, a foldier, or
the leader of an army in the moft
trying and perilous fervice. Tnat
he poifelfed the confidence and af-
fection of his army in fo extraor-
dinary a degree, that no lofs or
misfortune could fhake the one,
nor dillrefs or afflidlion weaken the
other. It eflablifhed an inltance,
fo far as it could be conclufive,
(and a clofe crois-examination was
not able to weaken it) perhaps un-
equalled in military hiftory ; that
during fo long and continued a
fcene of unC'.-afing farigue, hard-
fhip, danger, and dillrefs, finally
ending in general ruin, and capti-
vity, not a fmgle voice was heard
through the army, to upbraid,
cenfure, or blame their geaeral ;
and that at length, when all their
courage a^id efforts were fou'id in-
effectual, and every hope totally
cut off, they were fiill Willing to
perilli along with him. It may,
however, be a queltion of rivalihip
in honour, what ihare of the praifc
arihng from this exemplary conduit
fhould be attributed to the general,
and what, to the admirable tem-
per, diicipline, and vir.ue of hi«
troops .''

This evidence went alfo, io far

as from its nature it waa canabie

[K]i * of

j5o] ANNUAL R E G 1 S TER, 1779.

of doing, to the direft overthrow or
removal, of every charge or cen-
fure, which had been thrown out,
or infinuated, againft the conduft
of the commander; leaving, how-
ever, the queftion of opinion ne-
celiarily open, whether his orders
for proceeding to Albany were
peremptory or conditional ; and
perhaps leaving likewife fome
doubts behind^ with refpefl both
to the defign and to the mode of
conducing the expedition, under
Colonel Baume, to Bennington.
In other matters it Teems conclu-
five; and particularly deteiils two
falfehoods, at the beginning of this
enquiry in full credit and vigour ;
the one, that General Phillips, at
tne time of the convention, oiFered
to force his way, with a fpecified
part of the army, from Saratoga,
back to Ticonderago ; the other,
that the late gallant General Fra-
zer, had expreffed the utmoft dif-
approbation to the meafure of pafT-
jng the Hudfon's river.

The witnefTes were generally of
opinion, from what they faw and
heard of the temper and language
of the troops, that nothing lefs
tharl the pafiing of that river, and
advancing to fight the enemy,
could have faiisfied the array ; or
preferved the general's character
v.^ith it : and that even, after all
the misfortunes that happened, it
was itill univerfally coniidered as
a matter of necefiity which he
could not have avoided; or which
if he had, that it would have been
fuch a failure, as he never could
have forgiven to himfelf, nor been
able to juitify to his country. Their
teftimony went likewife fully and
decifively to the fubverfion of that
injurious flander, which it was
once a faihion with fome perfcus

high in rank and office here to
throw out, relative to a fuppofed
natural deficiency of fpirit which
they attributed to the Americans.
Fully mailers and judges of the
fubjeft, and pofleffiug fentiments
more liberal aud generous, thefe
officers fcorned to depreciate the
charafter of an enemy, from any
refentment for his fair hoftility ;
and declared freely, that the Ame-
ricans fhevved a refolution, perfe-
yerance, and evAi oblHnacy in ac-
tion, which rendered them by no
means unworthy of a conteft with ■
the brave troops to whom they
-v.'ere oppofed. Written evidence
was alfo produced, and fupported>
that the number of the rebel army,
at the time of the furrendcr, amount-
ed to 19,000 men, of which thirteen
or fourteen thoufand were men ac-
tually carrying mufquets.

The examination of General
Burgoyne's witnefles being clofed,
the American minifter opened the
counter evidence, which was
brought to oppofe that given in
favour of Lord and Sir William
Howe. . The only witneffes, which
it was thought expedient or necef-
fary to examine on that fide, of
thofe whofe names we have ftated,
were Major General Robertfon,
Deputy Governor of New York ;
and Mr. fofeph Galloway. None
of the officers, ordered to attend,
except the general above mentioned,
were called upon. Mr. Galloway
had been an American lawyer, and
a member of the firit Congrefs ;
and was one of thofe that had
come over to Sir William Howe at
the time when the rebel caufe Teem-
ed nearly ruined, by his great fuc-
ceffes at New York, and Long
]fland, towards the clofe of the year
1776, and when that violent cou-
teniion

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [151

tention of parties broke out at
Philadelphia, which we have for-
merly taken notice of. The ge-
neral had immediately afforded a
liberal provifion for this laft wit-
nefs, (from whofe fervices he ex-
pe(fled fome confiderable advan-
tages, in which, however, he. de-
clared himfelf dilappointed) and
afterwards advanced him to lucra-
tive, as well as flattering civil em-
ployments.

The general tendency of this
evidence was to overthrow, inva-
lidate, or weaken, the teltimony
already given in favour of the com-
manders. And the points which
it principally laboured to eJlabliih
for that purpofe, and for the vin-
dication of the miniilers, were the
following. The vatt majority,
who from principle and difpofition,
were zealoully attached to the go-
vernment of this country, and
confequently enemies to the con-
duft aiid tyranny of the ruling
powers; this was rated by the iirll:
witnefs at two-tiiirds, and by the
fecond at four-fifths, of the whole
people on that continent. That
if a proper ufe had been made of
this favourable difpofition of the
multitude, it might have been di-
rected to fuch elfential purpofes,
as would have brought the war to
a fpeedy' and happy concluiion.
That the force fent out from this
country was fully competent to the
attainment of its objedl, by the
total redudion of the rebellion,
and the confequent recovery of the
colonies. That the country of
America was not in its nature par-
ticularly flrong, much lefs imprac-
ticable, with refpect to military
operations. That the face of a
country being covered with wood,
afforded no impediment to the

march of an army, in as many co-
lumns as they pleafed. That the
Britifh troops pofTciTed a- greater
fjper.ority over the Americans, in
their own favourite modi of buih-
fighting, and the detached fervice
in woods, th:in in any other what-
ever. Thit armies might carry
nineteen days praviiion on their
backs, and confeqaently need noc
be deterred from the undertaking
of expeditions, through tlic want
of thofe means of conveyance
which are now deemed indifpea-
fible. Taat the rebel force, b Jch
with refpeil to number, and to ef-
feftive flrength, was, at the moit
intereliing periods, if not aKvays,
much inferior to what was repre-
fented. And, to a general con^
demnation of the fouchern e;<pedi-
tion ; along witii an endeavour to
fhew, the great advantages which
would haVe rcfulted in that cam-
paign, if Sir William IId.vc had
taken poiTeiGon of the north river,
and direded his operations towards
Albany.

Several other more direct char*
ges or accufations were brought
againfl the military condufl of the
brother commanders, which were
chiefly undertaken by Mr. Gallo-
way. Particularly with refped to
the going round by the Chefapeak,
initead of up the Delaware, on the
fouthern expedition; the want of
fufhcient difpatch, and vigour in
the purfuit of the rebels from
Brunfwick acrofs the Jerfies, in the
year 1776, to which their efcape
was attributed; the not cutting off"
Wafhington at Trenton, before
he could crofs the River, which was
contended to be practicable; and
the not paffing the Delaware, and
proceeding to Pniladelphia at that
time, which, it was aflerted, would
[K] 4 have

152] ANNUAL REGISTER,

have put an end to the war ; along
with a number of other matters
tending to the fame purpofe.

On this the oppofition from time
to time remarked, that the greater
part of thefe gentlemen's telTimony
was founded upon private opinion,
heaifay knowlcdg.-, intelligence
from abfent or unknown perfons,
ard ftrong aflertions of fads, un-
fupportcd by any collateral evi-
dence. It was alfo remarked by
them, that the only officer pro-
duced, had been very little, if at
all, out of our garrifons, fince the
commencement of the war, and
was therefore little qualified, either
to give fatiofaftory information re-
lative to the difpofition of a people
with whom he was fo little conver-
fant, or to give critical opinion on
military meufures which he had
never feen. As to the witnefs of a
civil defcription, they faid it was
fingular, that, although bred a
lawyer, and habituated to bufi-
nefs, he could fcarcely be brought
to recoUedt the fmallell part of his
own conduct in the moft trying,
fignal, and poflibly dangercus fitu-
ation of his life, and the moft con-
ipicuous fphere of adion to which
he had ever been exalted, when a
member of the congrefs; and yet,
that the fame man, a total Itranger
to the profefTion, and only flying
for refuge to the Britifh army,
ftiould all at once acquire an accu-
racy with refpecl to military de-
tails, and the corn plicated buhnefs
of a camp, which could fcarcely
be expected from a quarter-mafter-
general, and as fuddenly become
poffefTed, along with the minutis,
of that nice difcernment and criti-
cal judgment, in the general con-
duft, and all jhc great operations

1779-

of war, which the oldeft and moft
experienced commanders do not
often pretend to.

The examination of thefe two
vvitnefTes was fpun out, by the in-
tervention of bufinefs, and other
means, to the end of June. In the
mean time, as it was uncertain
what farther evidence might be cal-
led on that fide, and the feffion be-
ing fo near a conclufion, Sir Wil-
liam Howe requefted, that, in con-
fequence of the attack made upon
his character in the evidence of
Mr. Galloway, a day might be
appointed, on which he fhould be
permitted to bring witneffes, in
order to controvert and difprove
thofe charges. This was refufed
by the minifters, and did not
feem to be approved of by the
Houfe, who had got tired of the
bufinefs, and befides faw no polli-
bility of bringing it to a conclu-
fion, during the fhort remainder
of the feflion. The former faid,
that the general had already met
\yith every indulgence he could
reafonably expect; but that the
callings in of new witnefTes at that
time, could not be admitted ; that
he however had it ftill in his power
to crofs -examine Mv. Galloway as
much as he pleafed.

This was far from affording any
fatisfadion to the other fide, who
complained loudly, that after the
attacks made upon the general's
character, the refufing to hear evi-
dence in his vindication, was no
lefi than a denial of jullice. They
were, however, obliged to fubmit
to what they could not remedy.
The committee was refumed on
the 29th of June; but an advan-
tage being taken of fome little
delay, (which he iUtcd not to be

above

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [153

above a quarter of an hour) in Sir mittee was fuddcnly difiblved*

William Howe's not bcnng imme- without coming to a fingie refo-

diately prefent for the crols-exami- lution upon any parr of the bu-

nation of the witnefs, the com- finefs.

CHAP. VIII..

5"ai'o enquiries in the Hoiife cf Lords y tending to the fame o^eB , and carried
en through the greater part of the JeJJlon. Enquiry itito the Jiate of the
navy, and the conduit of the admiralty ^ i7ijlituted by the Earl of BrijloL
Motions for na'val papers, bring out much debate, and are rejected upon a
di-vijion. Motion by the Earl of Brijiol, fr the revio-val of the firji Lord
cf the admiralty from his employment. Great Debates. Motion rcjtded
upon a di'vifion. Protejis. Enquiry into the government and management
cfGreeniuich Hofpital, conducted by the Duke cf Richmond. Mo<ves for
a compenfation to Captain Baillie, late Lieutenant-Governor of Green^jjicb
Hcfpital. Motion rejeSied upon a di'vifion. Minority Lords quit the Houfe,
Refolutions in vindicaticn of the Earl ofSandvjich. Hard Cafe of Captain
Baillie. Marquis of Rockingham endeavours to bring foriuard an enquiry
into \the affairs of Ireland. After federal inefedual attempts, a kind of
compromife takes place, referring the bufinefs of that country to the enfuing
fefp.on. Mr. To-wn.hend's moiion to defer the prorogation of parliament,
rejeBed upon a divifion. Spanijh manifejlo. AJ.drefs f om the Commons.
Second addrefs moved by Lord John Cavendijh. Motion of adjournment
'tarried up:n a divifion. Amendment to the addrefs of the Lords, moved by
the Earl of Abingdon, and rejected upon a divifion. Second amendment
propofed by the Duke of Richmond ; rejected upon a divifion, aj'ter ccnfider-
able debate. Bill brought in by the minijler j'or doubling the iniliiia, after
much debate end propofed amendment , paffed by the Conunons. Indemnity
hill likevjife paffed. Militia bill meets viith great oppofition in the Houfr
of Lords. Indetnnity bill much oppojed \ but carried through. Protejis.
Militia, bill deprived of its principal effective povuers, and returned to the
Commons. Debate on a point of privilege. Bill paffed. Speech frJtn the
throne.

DURING thefe tranfaflions in Briftol, which went direfiiy and
the Hoafe of Commons, the avowedly to the crimination in the
Lords were principally taken up firlt in!tance, and to the removal
wivh two enquiries of an unufual in the fecond, of that nohlem.an,
call and nature; and both tending from the very high and important
diredly, or indiredly, to the fame department in wnich he had fo long
objed, to the crimination or cen- prefided. In the conduct and pur-
lure of the firft lord of the admi- fuit of this enquiry and objed, he
ralty. The firft of thefe, was an was profefTionally afiilled by the
enquiry inlHtuted into the ftate of Duke of Bolton, and ably fup-
the navy and the condudl of the ported by the Duke of Richmond,
admiraity, by the late Earl of and fome other of the molt adivc

iorda

154] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

lords of the oppofition. The in-
durtry, patience, and conllancy,
with which he applied himfclf to
io complicated and laborious a bu-
iincfs, encumbered with frequent
and tirefome calculation, and with
tedious comparative elHmates, at a
time when he was finking under the
preiTure of various infirmities, and
a viftim to the moll excruciating
difeafes, could not but excite admi-
ration ; and indeed, however right,
or otherwife, his opinions ^rnight
have been founded, afforded no
fmail indication, that, in a feafon and
Jituation which Teemed fo effectually
to fhut out all pcrfonal confidera-
lions, his conducft mull have pro-
ceeded from the moil difinterefted
and genuine patriotilm.

Although the noble earl had on
the firll day of the feffion given
fome intimation of his defign ; yet
his fubfequent ftate o{ health was fo
deplorable, that, on the 19th of
February, the Duke of Richmond
was obliged to make the motions,
in his name and behalf, for the
bringliig forward of thofe papers
which were immediately neceiTary
to the enquiry. The demand of
papers, tending, it was faid, to ex-
pofe the flate of the navy, and
without the knowledge o'" any im-
portant purpofe or cbje(^t in view
for the jufliiication of fuch a mea-
fure, being ftrongly oppofed by
the court lords, the noble duke
was brought to an explanation and
avowal, that the abienc Earl in-
tended tliofe papers, along with
other materials, for laying the
foundations of a public enquiry in-
to naval affairs, and a comparifon
of the prefent Hate of ihe navy,
with that in which it had devolved
from Lord Hawke, to tiie trull and
governmenv of the prelent firit lord

of the admiralty; and thereon to
ground charges of malverfation
againllthat nobleman ; with a view
more particularly of opening the
eyes of a great perfonage, and that
he might not continue the only man
in the nation, who was unacquainted
with the deplorable flate of his
navy.

It was, however, the 24th of
March, before the Earl of liriftol
was able to attend in perfon, and
he was then fo feeble and broken
down, as to depend only on hij
crutches for fupport while he W£S
fpeaking. His (peech did not feem
the lefs vehement for his weak-
nefs.

He affirmed, and faid he would
prove, that the conduft of the no-
ble lord at the head of the navy,
with refpeft to the great trufl re-
pofed in him, was highly criminal ;
and fuch as called aloud for the
fulleft cenfure of that Houfe, and
for the utmoft indignation of the
people. After defcribing, v.'hat ap-
peared immediately to himfelf, as
moll particularly ruinous and ca-
lamitous, in the conduifl and Hate
of naval affairs, he drew one con-
folation, he faid, from the ineffec-
tivenefs of the attempts made by
the marine minilter, upon the cha-
rafter, life, and honour, of Ad'
miral Kcppel; and from the fai-
lure of thofe machiavelian arts
(which, he faid, he had fo fuccefs-
fully employed on other oceafions)
when their objeft was to create an
improper and corrupt influence
among the Briiilh feamen. That
noble lord, he faid, had now
found by experience, that no pro-
mifes could allure, nor threats
prevent them, from a performance
of their duty, and the preferva-
tion of their honour. Having

becB

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [155

been called to order for the terms
machiwuelian arts, he repeated
them, and faid he would prove
them at a proper time. His in-
tended motions were taken up
with that view, and he meant to
direcft them folely to the criminal
conviflion of the firll: lord of the
admiralty; he therefore gave this
early notice, that tlie Houfe might
be prepared, as well as the noble
earl, on the l6ch of April ; he
then moved, that the lords might
be fummoned for that day, when
iie would enter fully, he faid, in-
to the proof and inveftigatlon of
thofe fads, which had induced
him to inllitute the enquiry.

Thus was the gauntlet thrown
down, the day appointed, and
the lifts prepared, for the decifion
of this conteft. The noble lord
at the head of the admiralty, juf^
tified his conduct with refpefl to
Admiral Keppel, upon the fame
ground which we have already
feen taken upon that fubjed. And
being furprized into fome warmth,
as well by other attacks, as by
what we have ftated, he declared
that he v./a3 afraid of no man liv-
ing: «' That his intentions were
upright, his heart was honeft, and
he had no dread tliat they would
not bear him out againft every at-
tack which might be made upon
him by his enemies."

Several motions being made on
the 30th of March, by the Earl of
Brillol, for a great number of ad-
divional accounts, naval lifts, and
other papers, neceffary to the fup-
port of the enquiry, they were
llrongly oppofed by the noble lord
at the head of the navy, upon the
old ground, that fuch communi-
cation would be exceedingly im-
proper, ar.d highly dangerous at

prefent, as affording means of in-
formation to the enemy, which
they could not otherwife poflibly
acquire. Although the validity
of this objedion was not acknow-
ledged on the other fide, the noble
mover offered to modify or con-
tratt his motions in any manner
that might be thought neceffary
for preventing the fuppofed ef-
fe£ls. He wiftied, at the fame
time, to imprefs one truth impor-
tant to his purpofe on their lord-
fhips minds, which he vouched
for, that there was not a finale
iota of the matter which his mo-
tions were intended to'draw forth,
with which the French cabinet was
not already perfectly acquainted;
and, upon the ground of prece-
dent, that they v/ere literally co-
pied from fimilar motions made
and agreed to in the year 1759, ^'^
the very height of the late war, and
when an invafion was diredly
threatened from France. Nothing
he could fay being, however,
deemed fatisfadlory, and no quali-
fication to the total refufal of the
papers admitted, much debate
arofe, and the former feverity of
cenfure was not only renewed, but
it had now, 'by a fupply oi frelh
matter, acquired additional ftrength
and (harpnefs.

This proceeded from the recent
appointment of a commander to
the grand fleer, which was dellined
for tne iiOme defence. They faid,
that the immediate confequinces
which had already appeared, of
thofe manoeuvres of the admiralty,
by which they had driven Admiral
Keppel, Lord Howe, Sir Robert
Harland, and other diftinguiihed
oflicers, from the fervice and de-
fence of their country, were in the
higheft degree alarming and un-
happy

156] ANNUAL REGISTER, T-79.

happy to the nation. Through
tiie lofs of ihefe great officers,
the admiralty were now under a
ncceffity, of dragging forth Sir
Charles Hardy from h s intended
linal retreat, and from that repofe,
fuited to his time of life, which
had been afiigncd to him in the
government of Greenwich hof-
pital ; and after an abfeace of
twenty years from the fea, and
having necelTarily laid by every
idea of a prcfeffion, to which he
did not even dream of ever- re-
turning, it compelled, at an age,
likewile unfit for aftive fervice, to
undertake a tafk of the mod ar-
duous and difficult nature, and
which may probably require the
greateft adVivicy and exertion, which
were ever yet difplayeJ by a Britiih
feanian. They defired it might
be underltood, that they did not
mean the fmalleft imputation to
the charai^er of that gentleman,
nor the moll remote iniinuation to
his difad vantage; their oblerva-
tions (vvcre confined merely to his
p.'.rticular circumllances and fitua-
iion. iJut it was, they faid, a
matter ol the moft alarming na-
ture, to fee perhaps the fate of
England, com milted to the hands
cf a fuperap.nu;»ted, and it might
be faid, a rurticated officer; who
•nuft coi'.fider the appointment ra-
ther as an injury than a favour;
ar;d was btfiJcs confcious, that he
Wis merely an objcci ofneceliity,
and not oi choice, even with his
employers. And this Hate of
things was rendered, ftiil more
grievous and deplorable, by feeing,
at the lame inftant, fome of the
greateft names and characters, that
had ever graced the Biitilh navy,
or exalted its renown, profcribi^d
from the fervice of their countrv.

through the rancour and maligntty,
if nv t the treachery, of the ad-
miralty.

Lord Brillol's motions were re -
jef'ed, on a divifion, by a rna-
jo>-ity of j aft two to one, the num-
bers being 60 ro 30. The lords
had been lummo eJ on t'lat day,
on a motion of ihe Dulce of Man-
chefter's ; which was likewile for
naval papers, but not r lative to
the prefent enquiry; it being in-
tended to convey ccnfure or cri-
minality againll the miniders in
the other Houfe, on a change of
fingular negleft. It was aHerted,
and we believe has not been dif-
priived, that in fome time after
orders -were difprttched from hence
for the evacuation of Philadelphia,
a fleet of victuallers had been fuf-
fered to depart from Ireland for
that place, in total ignorance of
the deiign of the minillers, and
having accordingly entered the
Delaware, efcaped narrowly, and
by mere accident, from falling
into the hands of the enemy. The
motion was for the papers iiecefrary
to an enquiry into this tranfadtion.
As this could not be oppoied upon
any fuppofition of danger, from
the afibrding of intelligence to the
enemy, the motion was objeded to
for its gpneralily, in not b^ing ap-
plied to the fpecific papers and
dates which were wanted; and
alfo, that it was totally unnecef-
fary, as no ill coniequence what-
ever had arifen from ttie faCt, even
fuppofing it to be exactly as had
been reprefented. This mutiouwas
likewife ,rejeCled, by a majority of
40 to 28.

The appointment for the Lords
to attend on the naval difcuflion,
having been changed from the
16th to the 23d of April, the

Earl

HISTORY OF EUROPE. ^^157

Earl of Briftol introduced and
Supported his motiois with an ex-
traordinary degree of ability and
protiflional knowledge. 'I'he in-
formation brought ouc was various,
and fcems to have been collefled
with accuracy. He informed the
Lords, that he had every one of
the papers which they had retulcd
to him then in his hands, but that
as he conceived from that reKifal,
that they were of opinion there
would be fome impropriety in ex-
pofing them to public .view, how-
ever contrary 'hat was to his own
knowledge, and hoA^ever neceii'ary
they migtit be towards the accom-
plilhmcnt of the great national
purpofe which he was purluing,
he would, notwi^hllaiiding, upon
that account, retrain trom brirging
them forward. He fdrther pro-
felfed, that in regard to the un-
happy circumftances of our fitua-
tion, and nectfiicy of the time, he
would himleif throw a veil over
all thofe parts, the expofu e of
which could pcliibly affoid any ufe-
ful information to tiie enemy.

He obferved, at the cloie of his
fpeech, that tlieie were various
parliamentary methods of removing
any minifter ; ar.d ail of wiiich,
excepting one, tended to punilh
as well as to remove ;— as, a bill
of impeachment, a bill of at-
tainder, a bill of pains and pe-
nalties ; all thefe went to punilh
as well as to remove ; but that of
addre/liog the King to remove from
his Majelty's councils and prefence
for ever, tends only to remove the
evil, without infliding any real
punilliment on the offender. iic
had, however, chofen a milder me-
thod than any of thofe, in hopes
oi the concuircncc in general of
the Lords ; and thai many of thofe

who had formerly concurrel in fup-
porting thofe meaiures, which had
fo notorioufly brought the navy,
and "confequently tne na:ion, into
their prefent fnuation, being now
convinced of their pernicious ten-
dency, and how much they had been
deteived by artiul mifreprefenta-
tion, would condemn thofj very
meafures, which they had then been
feduced to approve.

He accordingly moved, " That
" an humble addrefs be prefentei
" to his Majerty, that he will be
« gracioufly pleafed to remove ths
" R g;u Hoi.oarable John Earl of
" 3a id>vicii, Jirrt commitrioner for
" executing the office of lord higii
" ad niral of Great Britain, &c.
" and one of his Majeily's molt
•* honourable privy council, from
" the fad office of the firll lord
« commiflio.jcr of the admiralty."

vVe have had fo much occaiion,
for lome time palt, to ftate matter
of charge and defence, as they
were laid or fuftained in bo:ii
Houfes, with refpecl to the ftate
of the navy, and the condud, of
the aJmiraUy, that it will no: be
fuppoied that much new ground
relative to the fubjed could now
be opened. The curious naval
li.ls, calculations, and comparative
cibnaates ftaced by the Earl of
Briltol, are not properly within
our province. The great point of
cnarge, principally laboured by
the harl of Brillol, and to which
all the others were far fuboi^dinate,
W3S to Uie folloA^ing purport, viz.
Tiiat about ieven millions more
money had been allotted for the
lupport and increafe of our navy
during the lalt feven years than
in any former period ; and that,
during tnat time, the decreafe and
decline of the navy, had been ia

an

158] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

an inverfe ratio to the excefs of
the expenditure. Upon this part
of the fubjedl he exclailned, as he
had done with great energy upon
a former occafion — " What is be-
** come of'our navy ?— Or, if there
" is no navy, what is become of
*' our money f"

The noble lord at the head of
the navy, defended himfelf in his
ufual manner, and with his ufual
ability. He affirmed his inno-
cence in ftrong terms, and exprefled
with great feeling, the confolation
and plcafure which a confcidufnefs
of it afforded; he declared his fe-
dulous attention to the duties of
his office, and the happy effeds
which refulted from It, in the pre-
fent high and flourifhing ftate of
the navy. He, however, ihifted
off all perfonal refponfibility ; de-
claring that he was anfvverable for
nothing more than his fhare, in
common with the other cabinet
counfellors. With refpeft to other
matters, he gave a flat contra-
diction to almoll every calculation
and eftimate produced by his no-
ble antagonill, whether with re-
gard to the pall or the prefent flate
of raval affairs in this country ;
and did not believe thofe which
related to France or Spain. Some
of the charges broirght on the
other lide, were treated with as
little ceremony* One in parti-
cular, which liated that the want
of ftores was fo deplorable, that
ibme ihips of Keppel's fleet, al-
though under failing orders for
the immediate protedtion of their
country, had been uript of ;their
cordage and running rigging, in
order to enable Byron's iquadron
to proceed to America;— and, that
when the former had returned to
fort, after the aiTtion of the *7th

of« July, they were detained for
feveral days through the want of
mafls, and other elTential articles
of fupply. — To this it was an-
fwercd, that the fuperabundancs
of ftores in the docks and yards
was fo great, that the warehoufes
and other proper receptacles were
not capa.ble of containing them ;
and that the ftockof hemp in par-
ticular was fo vaft, that the ad-
miralty found it neceflary to ob-
lige the artificers to take feme of
it off their hands. The noble
lord, with great fatisfaftion and
good temper, ended a long fpeech
in a joke, which threw the whole
Houfe into good humour.

The Earl of Briftol, however,
took care to remind their lord-
fhips, that every one of his charges
were now fully eftablilhed; for
that his fpecific accufations were
anfwered only by general affer-
tions; and terminated by attempts
at wit. The debates were long,
and moft of the lords who are
fpeakers, took fome fliare in them.
The quertion being at length put,
the motion for the removal of the
Earl of Sandwich was rejedted upon
a divifion, by a majority of 78 to
39; being a fecond time exadtly
two to one.

It may perhaps be thought fm-
gular, that the two royal brother
dukes, both voted on this occafion
for the removal of the Earl of
Sandwich from the government of
the navy. It was obferved in a
fubfequent debate in the Houfe of
Lords, that the fortune of that
nobleman was unequalled in the,
hiftory of England, namely, in
continuing to hold an ofnce of
fuch vaft importance in the ftate,
after 39 lords, and 174 members
of the other Houfe, had declared

upon

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [159

tipcn record, his being unfit, inca-
pable, and confequently his removal
from it neceffary.

A (hort procift, couched tn the
following terms, was figned by 25
lords — *' Becaufi', as ic is highly
" becoming this great council of
«' the nation, to addrefs his Ma-
*' jeRy for the removal of any
« minifter for neglect of duty or
'« incapacity, in order to prevent
" public detriment ; fo we con-
" ceive the notoriety of the fads
" in this debaie furfid<;r,tly war-
" rants, and the prelent alarmmg
" iituation of public attair^ loudiy
" calls for, this interpofition."—
The Earl of Briiol being the
mover, thought it incumbent on
him, that polterity fhou»d be ac-
quainted with the particular grounds
upon which he founded hs nioiion.
He accordingly entered a feparate
protelt, of lome length, for that
purpi fe. His death, foon after,
rrndered this almotl the lafl of liis
public exertion.

Thefecond enquiry, although not
of fiich magnitude, confidered with
relpeil to its national importance
and confequence, was, however,
upon a fubjedl of an intereiting
nature ; an«l was continue.', with
no fmall fhare of trouble, labour,
and difficulty, through much the
greater part of the lefiion. This
was the enquiry into the govern-
ment and management of Green-
wich Hofpitul ; the hrft papers on
which were moved for by the
Duke of Richmo.d, on the i6.h
of February, and the final deci-
fion of the Lords delivered only
on the 7ch of June. As the fu-
pervifion of this noble foundation
lay officially in the admiralty, the
enquiry, of courfe, tended virtually
to the csnfure or crimination of

the noble lord at the head of
that department ; who according-
ly underilanding it in that light,
took iuch means of defence, as
if it had been an avowed and di-
red perfonal accufation. The af-
fair was accordingly fully and ably
difculTid ; and a great number of
witni^lfcs, as well as no fmall quan-
tity of written teftimoify, brought
forward.

It would not perhaps be vsry
fafe with regard to juitice, (if it
even lay proocrly within our line
of oblervadon) to give any account
of this enquiry, which did not
nearly comprize the whole volu-
minous detail of evidence, with
which it was accompanied, the
crofs-examination and particular
objections which it brought our,
together with the fpeecfies made
by the noble duke, earl, and other
lords. Which are to be confidered
as the pleadings in this caufe. In
this flate it has already been com-
municated to the public, in the
accounts which have been pub-
liihed of the parliamentary pro-
ceedings of that time ; and the abls
fpeech made by the firft h rd of the
admiralty in his own defence, has
likevvife appeared in a feparate, and,
probably. correded publicat on. We
alio trull, that the printed cafi of
the late unfortunate lieutenant-go-
vernor. Captain Bailiie, is in moll
hands.

The chief matters of abufe which
appeared in the enquiry, were the
two following; firfl, fome improper
variations in tne new charter from
the pld, and feme fufpicious ma-
nagement with rtlatkin to it; and,
that Captain Baillie, the lieure-
nant- governor, who had ihewn
great zeal and aftivity in detecting
abufes, and particularly had pro-
fee uted

i6o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fecuted to convitflion the butcher,
who by contrad fupplied the hof-
pi:al witli provifion, for fraudu-
lently furniihiiig meat of a bad
quality, when lie was paid as for
the beft ; had, on his part, been
profecuted by the otiicers of the
houfc on aiflions brought by thofe,
whom he had charged with abufes
—in which adions they were de-
feated— Yet the convifted butcher
vas continuL-d in one of the courts,
and had his contraft renewed, and
the acquitted Capiain Baillie was
turned out of his office to fta'rve,
without any provifion or compen-
sation whatlucver. — The other de-
tails it would be impoffible to enter
into, and difficult to form a judg-
ment on, as the feveral particulars
of charges, feem to have been
fome better and fome worfe fup-
ported.

It will be fufficient to obferve,
that as the Duke of Richmond had
conlUntly difclaimed every iJea
of any acciifation againft the firll
lord (<f the admiralty, and de-
clared that he took up the enquiry
meitly for the fake of public juf-
tice, and the benefit of the poor
penfioners, fo, upon its clofe, and
the fumming up of the evidence,
he did not move for any vote of
cenTure againlt that nobleman;
but only propofed the bringing in
of a bill, for remedying thofe
grievances in the holpital, and
thoie maUeriations in its govern-
ment, which he fuppofed he had
proved. And as he cor.fidercd the
lieutenant-governor to be merely a
viftim to his integrity, to a faith-
ful and diligent difcharge of his
duty, and particularly to his in-
flexible oppoiiticn to thofe inno-
-vaticns, which the noble duke, as
well as himfelf, deemed totally de-

firuftivc to the government and
intereils of the liof;>ital, he thought
it an aft of the moll ncc'-ffary
juflice, that fuch an officer fliould
receive a reafonable compenfation,
for the loifes, fuffL-rings, and per-
fecution, which he had fiiflained ;
the more efpeciallv', as his place,
which was properly to be ccnfider-
ed as a freehold, was, at a market
price, worth a very conliderable fum
of monev.

He accordingly moved, that, in
confidcration of Captain Baillie's
having been illeg.illy removed from
his office, by the board of admi-
raky, and of the 2eal he had uni-
formly ihewn during the courfe
of feventeen years fervice in the
faid hofpital, the Houfe fhould
addrefs his Majefty, to confer on
him fome mark of his royal fa-
vour.

The motion was rejefled, upon
a divifion, by a majority of 67
to 25.

A fecefTion of the minority lords
immediately took place, as foon
as the divifion was over; but the
court party were far from being
content with a bare vidory, and
feemed determined to affix fuch a
lligma upon fuch enquiries, as
might prevent any trouble of the
fame nature for the future. Three
lords fucceffively moved three kn
parate motions, each of the fuc-
ceeding furpaffing the preceding
in energy and efFeft. The firll
went to a fimple declaration, that
nothing had appeared in the courfe
of the enquiry, which called for
any interpofition of the legifla-
ture. — The fecond, that the book
which had been referred to the
committee, (Captain Eailllc's cafe
of the royal hofpital, &c.) con-
tained a groundlefs and malicious

repre-

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [i6i

reprefentation of the condu£l of
the Earl of Sandwich, and others,
the officers of Greenwich hofpital.
— And the third declared, that the
revenues of Greenwich hofpital
had been confiderabl/ increafed,
and that it had derived feveral other
fpecified benefits and advantages,
under the adminifiration of the
prefent noble lord.

It fcems upon the whole pro-
bable, that the iiTue of this en-
<^uiry went as far beyond all ex-
pectation on the one fide, as it
fell totally fliort of it on the other.
The fate of Captain Baillie has
been much and generally com-
miferated. His cafe, indeed, feems
very hard ; and it can fcarcely be
doubted, that if the affording him
a compenfation, could have been
V feparated from the idea of con-
veying cenfure on the firft lord of
the admiralty, that it muit have
been liberally granted. How far
the prefent decifion, along with
the ruin of that gentleman, may
operate as an example, in ex-
citing the integrity and diligence
of the fervants of the public, in
the future execution of their re-
fpeftive offices,, mud be deter-
mined by experience; but that it
niuft produce a full efFecTt, while
ever it is remembered, in reftrain-
iing all indifcreet zcjI for the cor-
rettioa or reformation of abufes,
will fcarcely be queilioned.

The feafon was now far ad-
vanced, which demanded a recefs
from the toils of a very trouble-
fome and laborious feffion. The
affairs of Ireland were, however,
becoming every day more alarm-
ing ; but notwithftanding the re-
peated efforts of the oppofition in
both Houfes, the minifters de-

VoL. xxn.

feated every attempt towards en-
quiry upon that fubjedl. The
Marquis of Rockingham had taken
up the bufinefs, on the nth
of IVIay, in a very long and able
fpeech, in which he equally fhswed
his intimate and extenfive know-
ledge of the fubjefl, and dif-
played, in ftriking colours, the de-
plorable diftreffes, the grievances,
and the very alarming circtm-
flances, which attended the pre-
fent fituatiou of that country. He
accordingly urged, in the ftrongeft
terms, the neceffity of providing
immediate remedies for thofe evils,'
and the fatal confequences to which
any delay mull be liable. He was
oppofed, partly with refpefl to the
latenefs of the feafon, and partly
with refpecl to the nicenefs and
difficulty of the fubjeft, in which
the intercil of both countries were
fo materially affected, and at the
fame tim.e that theyi clafhed, fo
complicated and intricate, that any
fcheme for the relief of one, with-
er!: injury to the other, mull re-
quire long application and iludy,
minute enquiry, and the mofl ma-
ture deliberation. The repeated
fubfequent endeavours of the no-
ble marquis, and of the Earl of
Shelburne, who were likewife con-
itantly fupported by other lords
in oppofition, brought on, how-
ever, at length, and near the clof«
of the feffion, a kind of compro-
mife with the lord prefident of the
council; that nobleman pledging
himfelf, that in good faith, and
fo far as he cculd venture to anfwer
abfolutely for others, a proper
plan for accommodating the af-
fairs of Ireland, fnould be pre-
pared, and digelled by the mi^
nillers, during the recefs, and in
[L] readi-

i6o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

readinefs to lay before parliament
at the opening of the enfuing fef-
flon.

Notvvithftanding the latenefs of
the feafon, the affairs of Ireland,
with the unfiniQied ftate of the
American enquiry, and the con-
fequent cenfure which lay upon the
commanders, from the unexpeded
charges and evidence brought a-
gainft them, without any oppor-
tunity of calling witnefles to their
vindication, were taken as grounds
by Mr. Thomas Townfhend, for

I.,--. -»u 2n addrefs to the Kin?
June icth. • n , • °

•' ■' againlt the prorogation

of parliament, until the bufmefs
and macters ftated in the motion,
were finifhed or fettled. This mo-
tion brought out much mifcella-
neous debate, and was at length
rejedled upon a divifion, by a ma-
jority of 143 to 70.

But the following day prefented
a new face of affairs, and opened
a new fcene of bufinefs, by the
difclofure of one of the moft a-
larming events which could well
have happened, in the already em-
barrafled and critical ftate of the
nation. This was the hoflile ma-
nifeilo which was prefented by the
Marquis D'Almodovar, the Spa-
ni(h ambafraclor, and accompanied
with the no:ice of his immediate
departLie from this country.

, The minifler ulhcred in

' * ll-e manifeflo, as ufual, with
a royal meffage, in which they
were acquainted with the conle-
quent recal of the Britilh ambaf-
fador from the court of Madrid.
His Majefly ajfo declared in the
moll folemn ■ manner, that his de-
fire to preferve and tn cultivate
peace and fricnuly intercourfe with
the Court of Spain, had been uni-
forna. and fincerej and that his

conduft towards that power, had
been guided by no other motives
or principles, than thofe of good
faith, honour, and juftice. Great
furprife was exprefled at the pre-
tences on which the declaration
was grounded, as fome of the
grievances therein enumerated, had
never come to the knowledge of
his Majefty, either by reprefenta-
tion on the part of Spain, or by
intelligence from any other quar-
ter ; and that in all cafes where
applications had been received, the
matter of complaint had been
treated with the utmoft attention,
and put into a due courfe of en-
quiry and redrefs. It concluded
with the firmeft confidence, that
the Commons, with the fame zeal
and public fpirit, which his Ma-
jefty had fo often experienced,
would fupport him in his refolu-
tion to exert all the power, and
all the refources of the nation, to
refill and repel any hoftile attempts
of the court of Spain.

The Spanifh manifefto, was a
loofe, and rather a lirange fort of
a compolicion ; dealing almoit en-
tirely in generals ; without any
clear arrangement or dillribution
of matter; without any accuracy
in the ftating, or n,och I'pecifica-
tion of time, place, or circum-
llance, with refpecl to fa^fls, it
Jeems to throw charges about at
random, without any attention to
their diiediion.. or care about their
efiedl. Nor is the reafoning much
more conclufive. Yet it affords
one inflance of precifion, perhaps
unequ:il!ed in all the proceeding^
of the corps diplom;uiqiie, from
the commencement of their earlieil
records. That is, where it fpe-
cifies in oiie line, that the whole
number of infuUs and injuries

which

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [163

Vihitii Spain had received from
Great Britain, amounted lately, to
juft one hundred.

The manifefto, however, efta-
bliftied one fadl, and that of fuf-
ficient confequence; namely, that
Spain had taken a decided part
with France and America againft
Great Britain. It alfo afforded
an information not before Icnown
to the public, although we think
it had been mentioned as a matter
of reprobation by fome gentlemen
in parliament. That was, that
S;)ain had been employed as a
mediator Taetween England and
France, and had been adually ne-
gociating a treaty of peace between
the two nations for above eight
months. A principal part of the

mon obje£l, and comprifing their
fettlement in the fame treaty. The
full efFeft of that family compaft,
which had been overlooked or neg-
lected at the treaty of Paris, now
unhappily appeared in its moft
dangerous afpeft.

It could fcarcely be expefted that
the difclofure of this alarming
event, which had been fo long
and fo often predided by the mi-
nority, fhould not have brought
out fome reproach upon the mi-
ni Hers. They were accordingly-
reminded, with great feverity, of
their blindnefs, obfcinacy, and ab-
furdity upon that fubjcft. Of the
contempt with which they had
treated every timely warning of
the danger, and the exultation and

refentment expreffed or implied in triumph which they conftantly ex

the manifefto, feems to derive its
fource from the conduft of Great
Britain with refpeft to this nego-
ciation ; the cabinet being diredly
or indireflly charged, {m the loofe
manner of that declaration) with
difingenuity or infincerity, in pro-
trafting and fpinning it out, with

prefTcd, at the folly and ignorance
of the oppofition in entertaining
fuch ideas. Spain could have no
intereft in joining our enemies:
Spain had colonies of her own,
and would not fet fo bad an ex-
ample as to afford aid or fuccour
to our rebellious colonies : Spain

out any fixed or real intention of vvas befides naturally attached to

peace, and ufmg Spain as its in- Great Britain ; and if it were

flrument in that purpofe. This otherwife, fiie was not able to en-

feems repeated or confirmed at the ter into a war. Even the honour,

end of the manifcflo, where it is fincerity, and undoubted fidelity

fuppofed, that the experience of of the court of Spain, were held

other nations in thecondudl of the upasfacred ; and the venturing to

Britifh miniflry, will prove a jufti-
iication of the decifive meafures
adopted by the Spanifh monarch.

It feems to appear, that the ne-
gociation now in queftion was con-
duced upon the fame ground and

call them in queftion, by reafoning
from the eftcd to the caufe, and
fhewing her defjgn from her ap-
parent preparation, was refented
as a high degree of prophanation.
Such were the language and doc-

principle, the bare propofal of trines, they faid, conilantly held

which was treated with fuch in
dignation and difdain by Mr. Se;
cretary Pitt, in the late war; viz.
the confidering the feparate claims
-of France and Spain as one cora-

out, and perfiltcd in to the lafi:
moment by the miniflers. And
thus was parliament and the na-
tion kept in a conflant Itate of de-
lufion, until they were awakened
[LJ z from

164] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

from their dream, by the fudden his majefty would give immediate
craih of the mighty ruin which orders, for the colleding of his
was falling upon them. Thele fleets and armies in iuch a manner,
delufions feemcd ever to incrcaie, as that he might be enabled to
as we approached to the decifive exert the whole force of this coun-
moment of their detedion. And try, againft the united force of the
thofe niinifters, who were utterly Houfe of Bourbon. The fecretaiy
incapable of governing the affairs at war having then alked, whether
of their own country with pio- the words " nubole force,'''' were
priety or fafety, had the matchlefs intended to include the force in
effrontery of fetting themlelves up America ; and being anfwered in
as Ilateimen and politicians for the the affirmative, he immediately
Houfe of Bourbon j and ot know- moved for an adjournment.
ing the interefts of France and It was contended in fupport of
Spain, better than they did them- the motion, that it was iir.polfjble
felves. to fupport the Ameiican war, and
But notwithftanding the ftrong to oppofe France and Spain with
reflexions and charges on thecon- efTcft, or even with fafety. That
duft of minillers, both Iloufes the Britifh dominions in Europe
were unanimous in their determi- were now at Hake, which necef-
nation, of fupporting the war farily demanded our firil care and
againft the Houfe of Bourbon, concern , and that the Britifli force
with all the powers, and all the fhould therefoie be in Europe, as
refources of the nation. The con- well for their defence, as for car-
tinuance of the war with America, rying the dangers and calamities of
and the mode of applying the un- war home to our enemies. That
limited means which were to be could only afford a rational hope
granted, affording the only dif- of curing their malice and in-
ference of opinion. juiUce ; and of ccmpelling them
The addrefs to the throne in to renounce their ambitious and
anfwer to the royal meffage and infidious defigns. That to employ
communication, which the minifter the great body of the force, and
moved for in the Houfe of Com- to exhauft the refources of this

mons, was accordingly unani-
moufly agreed to ; and contained
the fuUeft alTurance, that they
would, with unfhaken fidelity and
refolution, and with their lives and

kingdom in North America, would
be to play the game ' f France and
Spain, and to put us in a fituatioii
of a mere defcnfive war ; in which,
bcfides the incrcdir-le charge of

fortunes, (land by and fupport his fupporting it, much vvas to be loll

inajefty, in repelling all the hoftile and nothing gained.

defigns and attempts of his ene- On the other fide, befides the

mies, againlt the honour of his reafons which we have frtquently

crown, and the rights and common feen for not atiandoning America,

interefts of his fubjefls. it was principally oppoled, as an

But as foon as the addrefs was invafioi of the royal prerog,itive,

agreed to. Lord John Cavendifh in prefcribing to the king the mode

moved for another, to be prefented of conduc'ling the war. That even,

at the fam« time, praying, that cvcluiue of that confideration, the

open

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [165

prefling the ftrongeft rerentment
and indignation agaixift thole mi-
nifters, to whom he direftly and
pofitively charged all the calamity
which had fallen upon the Britilh
'empire ; and who, he faid, at the
lame time that they were employed
in breaking down and trampling
upon the fences of the conllitutioa
at home, were, for the completion
of the fame nefarious fyltem, equal-
ly induftrious in fowing the ieeds
of difcord and civil war, and of
fpreading diftrefs and ruin through
all our dependencies, until they had
at length expofed us, enfeebled and
worn down, to the enmity and
threatened deftrudlion of our na-
tural rivals, and hereditary ene-
mies, moved a claufe by way of
amendmf'nt to the addrefs. This
clauie, with the bittereft cenfure
upon pad conduft, went to a total
change of fyftem and of men, as
the only means of reftoring con-
fidence and union, and of prefer-
vation left for the political exill-
ence of this once great empire.

As the Duke of Richmond in-
tended a motion, which being lefs
pointed and more general, was
hoped to meet with a much greater
concurrence, the noble earl was
intreated to withdraw or pollpone
his amendment ; he was, however,
inflexible in his determination of
abiding by his motion, if he were
even iure of being alone in its
fupport. The queltion was ac-
cordingly put, and the claufe re-
jected upon a divifion, by a ma-
jority of 62 to 23.

The duke, .then, after urging
unanimity, and (hewing its abfolute
neceliity in the moft prefTmg terms,
moved an amendment to the fol-
lowing purport. — That in a mo-
ment, fb critical as that which
[L] 3 now

•pen council of the nation was ex-
ceedingly ill calculated for fuch
difcuflions, and fcr charging itfelf
with the executive conduft of the
ilate, at any time; but more par-
ticularly in a war of fo complicated
a nature, and in a fea'on of fuch
critical emergency as the prefent.
And that at molt, whether the
council was right cr wrong, it
could only amount to a rtcom-
mendation to minifters to do their
duty ; to do that, for the due and
wi e performance of which, the
coniHtution had already made them
refponfible. It was added, that
fuppofing the meafure to be the
wifeft that could be adopted, and
fuppofing it to be even already
refolved on, it would be extremely
improper to announce the defign to
our various enemies, and thereby
afford them an opportunity of pre-
paring for and bafHing theeffeft.

The motion of adjournment was
carried on a divihon, by a majo-
rity of 156 to 80. — Some mem-
bers on both fides exprefTed their
Itrongeft vvilhes, that feme meafure
miglu De taken, in a feafon of fo
mucli danger, to induce Lord
Howe and Admiral Keppel to
afford their fervices to the public,
A noble vilcount, in particular,
acknowledged that private conii-
derations were mixed with his
public, in his concern on that ac-
count ; and that without the fmall-
elt dilrefped to the Officers now
employed, he could not avoid
thinking it a great addition to the
fe^curity of his eftates and property,
that thole great commanders were
at the head of our fleets.

. Theaddrels in the Houfe

' ' * of Lords met with an op-

-pofition of a different nature. A

noble earl, after i.-nraediately fx-

i66] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

now prefents itfeJf to the confider-
ation of parliament, the moft
aweiul this country has ever ex-
perienced, it would be deceiving
his Majcfty and the nation, if, at
the fame time that they lamented
the fatal efFcdl of thofe councils,
which, by dividing and wafting the
force of the empire in civil wars,
had thereby incited our natural
enemies to take advantage of our
weak and dillra«Sled condition, they
were not to reprefent to his ma-
jefty, that the only means of re-
fifting the powerful combination
which now threatened this country,
would be, by a tot^l change of that
fyftem, which had involved us in
cur prefent difficulties in America,
in Ireland, and at home ; by fuch
means, attended with prudent os-
conomy, and the due exertion of a
brave and united people, they
truiled that his majefty, under the
afliftance of Divine Providence,
would be able to withftand all his
enemies, and to reftore Great Bri-
tain to its former refpeded and
happy iituaticn.

He fupported .the motion with
his ufual ability. He faid, that
he would not confider pa(t mif-
carriages ; he would not refer to
any former circumftances, which
might tend to create a diverfity of
opinion. His amendment was
founded on the broad bafis of pub-
Jic union and public ftrength, and
was intended to dlrefl the atten-
tion of the throne and of the houfe,
to the real, and actually exifdng
circumftances of the nation, and
to irtiprefs the public with a dtie
fenfe of their condition ; a full
knowledge of which, could only
infpire union, confidence, and vi-
gour in exertion. He entered fully
aod feparately into the confidera-

tion of the three principal objects
of ihe amendment, America, Ire-
land, and the home defence. By
the home defence, he meant our
naval force in the European feas.
He was forry to find, that thirty-
one Ihips of the line, compofed
the whole naval force on which
this country was to rely at prefent
for protedion and fafety. At the
fame time that he underllood, and
could not doubt the authority, that
the French and Spanilh fleets in
the European feas amounted to
about double that number, all now
fit for aftual fervice. But a pre-
fent circumftance, which alarmed
him exceedingly, was the authentic
intelligence he had received, that
a French fleet, confilling of 28
fhips of the line, wiih feveral thou-
fand land forces on board, had
failed from Brclt on the 3d of the
prefent June, and were at that
moment, if they chofe it, matters
of the Britifli channel. On this
occafion he faid, that although he
did not intend to enter into any
retrofpeddve matter, he could not
refrain irom expreffing his utmoft
aftonilhment at the condud of the
firft Lord of the Admiralty ; whe-
ther it were with refpeft to the un-
pardonable negled of his duty, if
he did not know that the French
fleet were to fail about that time,
or to his dired criminality, if he
was apprized of that event, in not
having the grand fleet in timely
readinefs to meet the French at
their coming out to fea, inftead
of thus abandoning our commerce
and our coafl:s to their mercy.

After placing, in a very clear
point of view, the itate of our ^
public affairs in every quarter, he
obferved, that the extent of the
danger, inftead -of finking us into

abjed

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [167

fidence in the fpirit and exertion o^
a free and united people.

His idea was, immediately to
abandon the American war, at
lead for the prefent; and to em-
ploy the' great military force,
which was doing wcrfe than no-
thing there, againft our enemies.
If fuch a meafure was not the
means of recovering America, it
could not be the caufe of lofing it.
America was already worfe than
loft. It was the drain of our trea-
fure, and of our beft blood; it
was the great caufe of divifion in
parliament, and in the nation. If
that unfortunate war was once
abandoned, and with it the fyftem
which gave it birth, and upon
which all the councils from whence
we derive our calamities were
founded, welhould again fee union
at home, vigorous and fuccefsful
exertions abroad, the people again
placing a full and proper confi-
dence in thofe who were entrullcd
with the condudl of public aftairs ;
and, he had not a doubt, that
Britain, as {he had often been
before, would prove more than a
match for the whole Houle of
Bourbon. He concluded by put-
ting in a refervation, that when
he fhould be called upon to pledge
his life and fortune, fuch a pledge,
on his part, mult be met with by
that fpecies of fecurity, which is
ever underttood ro be the condition
of fo facred a truft. He muft
have one grand tell of the wifdom
of future meafures ; and that was
an immediate change of the ruling
fyftem.

Some other lords on the fame
fide, particularly the Earl of Shel-
burne, could not confine their ideas
to a change of fyftem only ; no
good, they faid, could be done,

[L] ^. •without

abjeft defpondency and defpair,
fliould rouze us to the utmoft ex-
ertions of our native courage, our
talents, and natural powers, with
the Hioft unlimited application of
our means, of whatever fort. It
was the duty of man to ftruggle
with difficulties, and to furmount
them by refoiution and aftivity ;
and whatever he was bound to bear
or perform in his individual ca-
pacity, he was bound to bear or
perform as a member of the com-
munity. Every man, he faid, was
called upon in the prefent calami-
tous and dangerous fituation, to
affift by his purfe or his perfon.
Thofe who were qualified to fight
would fulfil their duty generoufly
that way ; thofe who could pay,
muft contribute to the fervice of
their country in the manner they
were beft able. No exemption
could be admitted. It was a feafon
of peculiar urgency ; and the means
of defence muft correfpond with
the fituation. Thofe Avho were
bleft with affluence muft contribute
largely. When the fafety of the
Hate was at ftake, all reafoning was
at an end.

But if the means were freely ad-
miniftered, it was equally necef-
fary that they (hould be wifely
• applied. Indeed the one can never
be afforded, to its proper extent,
any more than efFed, without a
confidence in the other. To attain
that confidence, a total change of
that fyftem, to which our prefent
fituation, and all cur pall loffes
and misfortunes were attributed,
was ablolutely and inoifpenfibly
neceflary. Without that, nothing
could be done. With it, notwith-
ftanding the prodigious combina-
tion of power leagued for our de-
|tru(^ion, he had the fulleft con-

i68] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

without a total change of men, as
well as of fyllem. Thofe phan-
toms of minillersj thofe things,
they faid, who had been tricked
out in that g'irb and likenefs,
merely for the purpofes of delu-
iion, and who had been employed
as the fervile inliruments o» carry-
ing that dellruftive fyAera into
execution, mull be totally done
away. If there was a ho;"e, they
faid, of ever relloring this conntry,
in any degree, to its prilline feli-
city, the evil mull be traced to its
very fource. The noble lord at
the head of the naval department
underwent, upon this occafion, no
fmall degree of cenfure and re-
proach ; and was not only confi-
dercd as one of the principals in
that fyilem which was fo repro-
bated, but was charged directly,
and to his face, with having been
the means through his ignorance,
incapacity, and official regledt, of
firft ^nviring the French attack,
and then bringing on the Spanifh
war.

That noble earl, undoubtedly,
from a due attention to the prefcnt
ftate of circumftances, did not
think fit to interrupt the public
bufinefs, by entering into any de-
fence or exculpation of his condud.
Neither did the lords immediately
in adminiftration, enter into any
further difcuflion of the arguments
or pofuions ftated by the Duke of
Richmcnd, than what related
merely to the withdrawing of the
troops from North America. X^at
mea.ure, which they conlidered as
a total and everlafiing derelidtion
of the colonies, they oppofed upon
the fame ground which we have
feen taken in thp: Houfe of Com-
mons. The only new matter which
aopeared upon this fubjecl, was

the information given by a noble
viicount, now one of the lecrctarics
of ftate, but lately Ambafl'ador at
the Court of France. This wa«
a fa<^ which came ofncially, at that
time, within his knowledge ; viz.
that " in one of the private arti-
'• cles of the treaty, figned in Fe-
*' bruary, 1778, between France
" and the Congrefs delegates, it is
" fpecially provided, that the co-
'* lonies and France fliall never
" agree to any terms, until the
'* former are acknowledged inde-
" pendent by Great Britain."— -
This lecret article he faid afforded
the ground of his diflent, to any
propofition for withdrawing the
troops, as it was evident from
thence, that it was not in the
power of America to treat upon
any terms ftiort ot independence ;
and fuch a meafure couid therefore
produce no effedl in conciliating
the colonies, or in dilTolving the
combination.

The Duke of Richmond's pro-
pofed amendment was rejected, upon
a diviiion, by a majority of 57 IQ
32 Jnrds.

This rejeflion brought out a long
and argumentative proteft, figned
by twenty peers, being in eifedl
the fijbftance of the debate, and
concluding with a co.mplaint, of
the prcfent fullen and unfatisfac-
tory filence of the minillers, with
relpect to feveral fpecific enquiries;
and declaring, that alter doing
their utmoll to awaken the Koufe
ip a better fenfe of things, they
take that method of clearing them-
feives from the confequences which
muft refuk from the continuance of
fuch meafurcs.

The firft: and great meafure of
national defence, adopted and pur-
fued by the miniller^ in oppofiiiorj

t«

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [169

to the confequenccs of that dan-

T n. gerous combination, now

June 21ft. p ,, , J ,

•' tint openly avowed by

the court of Spain, was a propofal
in the Houfe of Commons, for
increafing the militia to fuch a
degree as Ihould 4Ruble its prefeat
number. Although the oppofition
confjdered the meafure as probably
impratflicable, and even dangerous,
from the apprehenfions they had
of its being violently oppofed by
the people at large ; and that along
with fevera' other caufes of ob-
jedtion, they faw it would go in
its effecl to the annihiliation of the
regular or ftanding army, in cut-
ting ofF its ufual and only means
of lupply from the recruiting fer-
vic^ . et, they faid, that in a
fealoii of fuch imminent public
danger, they could not oppofe any
fcheme, which carried a rational
appearance of conducing to the
public lecuriiy. They would only
ufe their endeavours to correcl and
improve, but they would by no
means obllruft, any propofals of
tha: nature. But although they To
far concurred, they were not at all
fatisfied that the meafure was well
or wifely cho'en ; nor could they
think any fyftem of warfare, which
went merely to the defenfive, as
that did, could be produdive of
honour or advantage to the nation.
They thought the raifing of new
regiments would be infinitely bet-
ter ; and they fevcrely reprehended
the minifters for the continuance
of that wretched fyftem of policy,
which had hitherto led them to re-
jedl with indifference, and even
with contempt, the liberal and pa-
triotic offers made by feveral of the
peers inoppofuion, for immediately
rajfing regiments a: their private

expcnce for the defence of their
country. But that narrow predi-
leAioB in favour of men of a cer-
tain defcription, and particularl]r
of the northern part of the ifland,
was ftill, they faid, predominant,
and would continue while there
was any thing left to bertow, or to
lofe ; and thus the Duke of Rut-
land, the Earl of Derby, and c-ihers
of the oldelt Englilh nobility, and
fupporters of the throne and confti-
tution, met with indifference or
infult, in their generous offers for
the defence and protedtion of their
country. It was bitterly obferved,
on this occsfion, that all the ge-
nerous and difintereited offers for
the fervice and prefervation of
their country, in this feafcn of the
greateft peril which Ihe had ever
known, came from thole only, who
were called the leaders or partizans
of failion, and who were conftantly
reprelented as enemies to govern-
ment ; whiift not one of thofc
who had grown rich in her fpoils,
or great in her ruin, neither mini-
llers, contraftors, court favourites,
or king^s friends, had offered to
raii'e a fjngle man, or to expend a,
ftiiliing in her defence.

The minilter feemed rather un-
determined and irrelolute about his
bill, which he acknowledged to be
merely an expedient. He called
on all fides for afliltance ; and as
there was an end of all particular
party in this refpett, the Houfe
was divided into as many parties
as individuals, each propofing to
add or fubcracl fomething. The
firll idea was, that government
fhould be enabled to add 31,500
men to the militia, or, in other
words, that it (hould be augmented
to double its prefent number ; the

matter

lyo] ANNUALREGISTER, 1779.

matter beiag ftill left open and dif-
cretional, at the option cf govern-
ment, whether any, and how far
tne augmentation fhould take place.
Among a multitude of particular
opinions, three Teemed more pre-
valent and general. One, for
adopting the propoial as it ori-
ginally flood; the fecond, for a
mixed fcheme, which, with a fmal-
ler augmentation of the militia,
propofed the raifing of diftinft vo-
lunteer corps, and the third, were
againft any augmentation of the
militia, and would truft to the call-
ing out and arming of the coun-
try in cafe of neceffuy, and to the
fpirit and patriotifm of the nobility
and gentry in raifing forces, ac-
cording to the oiFers which had
been already made. Among the
variety of amendments propofed,
that by Lord Beauchamp, was the
only one of any confequence that
was carried through. That was a
claole for the raifing of volunteer
companies,^ which were to be at-
tached to the militia regiments of
the county or dillridt to which they
belonged ; and for this purpofe,
the lord-lieutenants of counties,
were empowered to grant com-
juiffions to officers, as high as the
rank of lieutenant-colonel, in pro-
portion to the number of men they
were able to procure.

, The committee having
^^ * fat till pall midnight up n
this bill, the Hcufe was no fooner
refumcd, than they were furprized
by the iniroduciion of a bill of
another nature, by the frrlt law
officer of the crown. The purpofe
of this bill was, to takeaway, for
a limited lime, the legal exemp-
tions from being prefi'ed to ferve
on board the navy, which feveral

dcfcriptions of men and of appren-
tices, appertaining to the lea, or
fome degree to maritime affairs,
had hitherto enjoyed; and alio for
fufpending the right of fuing out
a writ of habeas corpus, for fuch
breaches of thofe exemptions, as
had already taken place Irom the
17th of that month, or as might
llill take place, before the final ra-
tification of the bill.

It can fcarcely be imagined,
however the necelTuy of the time
induced an acquiefcence, that a
mcafure of that nature could have
pafied without cenfure, and with-
out much and warm difculTion.
The manner of bringinjj it for-
ward, at fo late an hour, and in a
very thin houfe, already fatigued
and worn down, by fitting fo many
hours to bufinefs, was even more
reprobated than the meafure. In
the Houfe of Commons, it was
likened to every thing that was
mod odious. The oppofition like-
wife condemned the meafure itfelf,
upon many accounts ; but more
particularly, for its being a breach
of that public faith between the
legiflature and the people, which
fliould ever be held (acred.

The learned mover juHified thofe
circuinftances which were fo le-
verely condemned, by acknowledg-
ing that they had been defigned
and chofen, for the purpofes of
fecrecy and difpatch ; and to pre-
vent the effeft of the bill from be-
ing defeated, by the knowledge of
its defign, which the public prints
would have fpread through the
whole nation. He jultified the
meafure itfelf upon the ground of
that neceffity from which it ori-
ginated; and obferved, with his
ufual acutenels, that he could not

avoid

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [171

avoid being afloniftied at the horror
which was now expreffed with re-
fpedl to compulfion, -when they
were but newly rifen from a com-
Riittee wherein they had beeti for
ten iiours engaged in framing a
compuiuve 1. .<', whereby arms
would be forced into the hands of
30,000 men, whochcr they liked
them or lui

The. (pfufkion totally denied the
juftnels (jf the obiervaiion ; as the
one caie, though fxceedino/y hard,
wa^ clear from mv injuMticej wliilll
the other, widi equal hardihip,
carried tin . mod man: left iiijuftice.
They lamented the fate of their
country, which, being expofed to
the moll imminent danger from
without, had, at the ^ame time,
its conilitution torn to pieces wi:h-
in ; and all thofe moft valuable
parts of it, which had hitherto ex-
cited the admiration or envy of
mankind, we're now doing away in
the grofs, or mangled and perifhing
in the detail.

In fad it is much to be doubted,
whether chere was any advantage
to be obtained by this bill, which
could fairly warrant fome of the
ftronger parts of it. The urgency
of the time, however, prevailed
over every other confideration, and
the indemnity bill (as it was called
froms its retrofpeftive efFed) was
read twice on that night, and com-
mitted for the following, or rather
the fame day. And on that day,
after a good deal of debate, both
the indemnity and militia bills,
were carried through all the forms
and pafled.

Both the bills were combated
with great vigour and ability in
the ether Houie, by the Marquis
of„ Rockingham, and fome oihcr

of the lords in oppofition. It was,
however, to the furprife of all par-
ties and people, that the militia
bill was found not to meet with
that favour from the lord prefident
of the council, and feveral other
lords on that fide, which was, and
with good reafon, expeded from 2
coniideration of its author. The
indemnity ji!l was more fortunate,
and after feveral propofed amend-
ments, which were rejected, and
one, in favour of colliers, which
p'oved (fFeftive, it was at length
carried, upon a divifion, by a ma-
jority of 51 to 20 lords.

A former divifion had taken
place upon a queftion of re-com-
mitment, which was lolt, by a ma-
jority of 50 to 24. — Fourteen
peers entered a proteft relative to
that queftion ; and another was en-
tered upon <he lalt, which was
figned only by fourteen lords.

In the mean time, various pro-
pofals of amendment, modification,
and fubrtituti )n, were made with
refpedl to the militia bill. The
Dake of Richmond's knowledge
in military affairs, fupported by
his uncommon abilities, gave him
a fuperiority on this fubjed, which
he difplayed with great efFed.
Some of the court lords even ac-
knowledged, that the objedions
and arguments, on that fide, were
fo flrong, that they could not be
anfwered. Nor were the lord-lieu-
tenants of counties, in general, at
all fatisfied with the bill.

In this ftate of t 1

things, the queftion J""e 30th.
being at length put, whether the
claufe, empowering his Majefty to
order the militia to be augmented
to double its prefent number, ftand
part of the bill, it was carried in

the

lya] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the negative, by a majority of 39 therefore, the bill mull be totally
to 22. rejedled. The miniller was, how-
It was remarkable, that the lord ever, fo #ager, that fomethinp-
prefident of the council, and both fhould be done, that mi^hc at ieall
the fecretaries of ftate, voted againll carry an appearance of looking to-
the compulfory principle of this wards the public defence and fe-
bill. The divifion was fingular, curity, that ic was determined, in
in placing 22 lords on the one fide, the prefent inftance, to overlook
and the whole oppolition on the the point of privilege. Ingenious
other, in fituaiions which they arguments were accordingly ufcd,
rarely experienced on either. Two and nice lines of diftindion drawn,
of the right reverend bench, un- to {hew that the prefcnt was not
doubtedly through their ignorance properly a money bill ; and thefe
IB military aftairs, were lurprized were combated, and attempted to
into a minority on this occafion. be difproved, with equal inge-
Thus difembowelled of all its nuity. The bill was, however,
original fubilance, the Ikeleton of carried upon a divifion, by a majo-
the militia bill was returned to the rityof63 to 45.
Commons, with nothing of efficacy .As the repeated attempts of the
remaining, except the folitary fup- oppciinon in both Houfes, for ob-
plemental claufe added by Lord taining an addrefs to prevent the
Beauchamp for the raifing of vo- prorogation of parliament, had
Junteer companies. And thus the failed of fuccefs, that event now
minifter was expofed to the bitter took place, in the fpeech , , ,
taunts of the oppofuion, who oh- from the throne, the J ^ 3 •
ferved, that that fpirit of difanion moll cordial thanks were returned,
and difcord, which adnjiniitration for the many great and effential
had fo induftrioufly and fuccefsfully fervices they had rendered to his
fpread, through every department Majefty and their country, during
of the Hate, whether civil or mili- the courfe of their long attendance
tary, and through every part of the in Parliament. Entire approbation
caipire, had now feized the cabi- v.'as cxprelled, to the zeal which
net, and was equally vifible among they had manifefted in the lupport
themfel-ves. The minilier cculd of 'the juil and necefTary war, in
not conceal his chagrin, ror refrain which he was engaged, and of the
from complaining of the conduft attention which they had paid to
of his colleagues in the other the ilate of Ireland. It was ob-
Koufe. ferved, chat the events of war had
A new queftion now arofe, which afforded the court of France no
brought out confide rable debase, reafon to triumph on the confe-
f or the militia bill being confiJercd quences of their injultice and
by feveral, as to all intents and breach of public faith ; and it
purpofes a money bill, they infill- was trulled, that by fpirited and
ed, that no amendment of the Lords profperous exertions, that ambi-
cojld be admitted, without a fur- tlons power might be brought to
render of their o\vn molt valuable willi that they had not, w'thout
and peculiar privilege; and thut, prcvccaiicn or caafe of complaint,

in-vilte4

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [173

infulted the honour and invaded
the rights of the crown. With re-
fped to Spain, whatever colour
might be attempted to be put upon
the unjuft proceeding of that
court, his Majefty was confcious
that he had nothing to reproach
himfelf w ich ; the warmeft acknow-
ledgments were made, for thoie
clear uemonftrations of loyalty and
affeflion to his perfon and govern-
ment, which parliament had fhewn
upon that occafion ; and it was
confidered as a happy omen to the
fuccefs of his arms, that the in-
creafe of difficulties, ferved only co
augment the courage and conftancy
of the nation. The additional bur-
thens on the people were fmcerely
regretted. And i: wa^ faid, that

fufficient thanks could not be paid
to the Commons for the confidence
they had repofed in him, and for
the chearfulnefs and public fpirit,
with which the large fupplies for
the current year had been granted.
It was impolTible to fpeak of the
continuance of the rebellion in
North America without the deepeft
concern ; but they had given (the
Crown and Parliament) fuch un-
queftionable proofs of their fincere
difpofition to put an end to thofc
troubles, that it was ftill hoped,
that the malignant defigns of the
enemies of Great-Britain, coald
not long prevail againft the evi-
dent intercft of thofe tinhappy
provinces.

CHAP.

t74] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

CHAP. IX.

Uofiilities in the Eafi Indies. Sea-fight between Sir Eii<ward Vernon at
M. de Tronjolly. French fquadron abandon the coafi of Coromande.
Siege of Pojidicherry. Gallant defence by M. de Bellecombe. Capitu
lation. State of affairs in Georgia and the Carolina's. Loyalijis dt.^
feated in North Carolina. American General, Lincoln, arrives in Sout\\
Carolina to oppofe Major General Pre'-voji'. Rebels defeated at Bria\ '
Creek. General Pre-vofi pajj'es the Saiiannah, and penetrates into Soutt
Carolina ; advances to Charles Tonxn ; retires. ASlion at Stono Ferry \
General Prevoji takes pcJJcjJJon of the ifland of Port Royal. Expedition
from Isenu York to Chef apeak Bay, under the conduit of Sir George Col
Her and Major General Malthe-iv. Great damage done to the American.
in the neighbcurhood of Ha?npton and Norfolk. Expedition up the North
Ri'ver; Stoney Point and Verplanks taken. Expedition to ConneSicut^
under Sir George Collier, and Governor Tryon. Surprize of Stoney
Point by General Wayne. Recovery of that pojl. Attack upon Paului
Hcok. Lieut ena?it Colonel Maclane befeged by an armed force from Bojion,
Relieved by Sir George Collier, nvho defrays the nvhole rebel marine in
the Penobfcot.

T has happened unfortunately
«for the repofe of a great part
of mankind, that while the aftive
and enterprizing fpirit of the Eu-
ropeans has extended their com-
merce and intercourfe to the mofl
dillant parts of the world, their
contentions have kept an equal
pace with their difcoveries, and
have been either difieminated a-
mongft, or in feme degree afteded
the remoteft nations ; experience
thereby overrhrowing all that fyf-
tem of general benefit, which a
fpeculative philofophy might other-
wife have hoped, from a tree and
eafy comiiiunication between ali
the different communities of men.
Such indeed is the nature of man,
that it may be a queilion of no
fmall doubt, whether the profcrip-
tive laws or policy of China and
Japan againit the admiflion of fo-
reigners, are not founded in true
wildomi and however fatal they

may be to the progrefs of fcience,
of arts, and of general know-
ledge, whether they do not lay a
fairer and more permanent foun-
dation of public fecurity and pri-
vate happinefs, than more liberal
inftitutions. It is at any rate
clear, that the adoption of this
policy, would have faved many
great nations from unexpefted
ruin, and from general defola-
tion.

V/hilft the efFeils of the conteft
between France and England,
were gradually fpreading thro' dif-
ferent parts of the o!d and of the
new weftern world, its rage was
fpeedily communicated, and un-
expededly broke out, in the re-
mote regions of the eaft ; in a
quarter of the globe, naturally
and originally appertaining to
the moll peaceable, as well as to
the moft unmixed and primitive
race of mankind ; a race more ab-
horrent

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [175

( horrent of blood and cruelty than
I any other.

It feems that the Englllli Eaft
[India company, well feeing the
confequences which the French
j treaties with America, and the
1 delivery of the refcript at the court
jof London, muft neceflarily pro-
Iduce, did not think it fitting to re-
jgulate their policy, by that tempo-
j( rizing fyftem of condud, which
I apparently took place between the
1 principals. They faw that fem-
I blance of peace could not long be
' preferved ; and that no interme-
! diate ftate, however coloured or
Idifguifed, could be kept long free
{from all the confequences of war;
j and they well judged, that long
I before any account of their pro-
ceedings in the call could be re-
I ceived in Europe, thefe confe-
Iquences would take fuch cffedl, as
i to afford a fufficient cover and fanc-
tion to their meafures.

The company had not forgot-'
ten, the iniminent danger to
which her fettlements, and in-
deed her exigence in India, had
only a few years ago been ex-
poied ; ,when, in a fcafon of pro-
found peace, France had cian-
de/linely conveyed fo great a mi-
litary force to ihe iflands of Mau-
ritius and Bourbon, that fhe
ieemed to owe her deliverance
more to fortune or accident, than
to any timely knowledge Ihe had
of the defign. Such a force might
fooii again be formed in thofe
iflands, with the fame privacy as
before; and from the ihortneis of
the parage to Pondicherry, might
drop io luddenly and unexpededly
upon the ground of adion, that
nothing could be hoped to refill
iis progrefs.

'.'. der fome or all of thefe con-

fidcrations, the company deter-
mined not to hazard the fecurity
of their invaluable pofTeflions, by
paying too great an attention to
formalities, which carry no far-
ther value, than what their im-
mediate interell induces the re-
fpedive parties to affix upon them.
A bold and decifive meafure, for
the final reduftion of the French
power in India, was accordingly
refolved immediately upon, or
very foon after the delivery of the
French refcript; and the bufinefs
was conduced with fuch laudable,
but, for fuch a body, unufual fe-
crecy, that the fmalleft idea of the
defign, until the eiFeft was pub-
licly difclofed by the accounts froni
India, did not tranfpire, even ia
this coui '.ry.

T!'.e company had alfo the for-
tune, that the inftrudions were
conveyed vviih unufual expedition
to Madrafs ; and preparations were
accordingly immediately made for
undertaking the fiege of Pondi-
cherry. Major General Monroe,
who now commanded the com-
pany's troops on the coaft of Co-
romandel, had afTembled part of
the force deftined for . _ ,
the fiege, on a fpot of -^"g- ^tf*-
ground called the Red ^77^'
Hill, within four miles of that
city, pretty early in the month of
Auguft. Jt was not, however,
until the 21ft of that month, that
they were in fufficient Itrength to
invert that fortrefs clofely. On
that day the troops advanced fo
near as to take polTeffion of the
bound hedge, (a planted fence,
which at fome diftatice furrounded
all the works) within cannot fhot
of the fortifications, by which all
communication with the country
was entirely cut off. Some farther
t impe-

176] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

impediments, poffibly arifing from
the climate, and from the difficulty
of finding means for the convey-
ance of the artillery and flores, flill
retarded the progrefs of the works,
until the 6th and yth of September,
on which days the befiegers were
enabled to break ground both on
the north and the fouth fides of
the town, under a determination of
carrying on both attacks at the
fame time.

Previous to thefe operations by
land, Sir Howard Vernon, who
commanded the fmall Britifli na-
val force in thore feas, failed from
Madrafs at the end of July to block
up Pondicherry. His fquadron con-
fifted of the Rippon ot 60 guns, the
Coventry of 28, the Sea Horfe of
20, the Cormorant floop, and the
Valentine Eaft Indiaman. He had
Icarcely arrived on his ftation, when
j&e obtained fight of the French
fquadron under IV! . de Tronjolly,
con filling of the Brillante of 64
guns, the Pourvoyeufe of 36 eigh-
teen pounders, the Sartine of 32
guns, and two French India fhips
armed for war.

- , A very clofe and

Aug. loth. ^

° warm engagement en-

fued, which lalled above two
liours, when the French thought
fit to quit the aflion. The Eng-
lifh (hips had fafFrned alfo too
much, to continue long after in
the falne fituation j but were pre-
paring during the night, for the
Icrvice which they expeftcd in the
morning. The French had, how-
ever, fo much the worft in this ac-
tion, that they were in no difpofi-
tion at all for its renewal, and
were accordingly, at day-break,
totally out of fight. It appeared
after, that they had got into Pon-
dicherry that night 10 refit ; whilft.

from the contrary winds, and a
northern current. Sir Edward was
not able to recover his ftation un-
til the 20th of the month, at mid-
night. In this time he had been
joined by the Befborough India-
man, which fupplied the place of
the Valentine, then on her way to
Europe. Early jn the morning, a
French veflel from Europe and the
Mauritius, fell in among the Bri-
tifli fhips, and was taken. At the
fame time, they could perceive the
French fquadron, under an eafy
fail, ftanding out of Pondicherry
road. An immediate engagement
was now expected and prepared
for, and nothing was left undone
by the commodore, in order to
clofe, as fpeedily as poffible, with
the enemy ; but the alternate fai-
lure, and contrary direftion of the
winds, rendered all his efforts in«
effeflual. As the French com-
mander had, however, as great and
interefting an objeft in view, in
keeping the town free by fea, as
Sir Edward could have in ftiutting
up the port, he made no doubt that
the adion would take place on' the
following morning as a matter of
courfe, and on the fide of the ene-
my, in a great meafure of necef-
fity.

Under this perfuafion, he ftood
in for Pondicherry road at the ap-
proach of night, where he call an-
chor, expcdlmg the enemy would
have done the fame ; more efpe-
cially, as their motions during the
day, had not indicated any defign
of avoiding an engagement. The
French commander, however, feems
to have confuhed more the prefer-
vation of his fhips, than that of
the town. He accordingly, taking
advantage ot" the night, aban-
doned Poadicherry, and a gar.-

ril'oa

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [177

The artillery of the befiegers,
however, foon gained an evident
fuperiority, and they were inde-
fatigable in Carrying on their ap-
proaches; but the alertnefs and
obftinate defence of the garrifon,
rendered caution a matter of ne-
ceffity; and together with the vio-
lent rains that then frequently fell,
could not fail of confiderably re-
tarding their works. Notwith-
ftanding thefe impediments, mat-
ters were fo far advanced towards
the middle of Odober, as to ren-
der an attack on the body of the
place prafticable. By that time,
the befiegers had, on the fouth
fide, puHied a gallery into the
ditch of the town, made a prac-
ticable breach in the baftion, called
L'Hofpital, deftroyed the faces of
the adjacent ballions, and prepared
a bridge of boats for paffing the
ditch. Nor was the attack on the
north fide of the town, in much
lefs forwardnefs. The befiegers
had there alfo deftroyed the face
of the oppofite ballion, and had
conilrudled a float for pafling the
ditch, which they were to bring
into ufe, at the fame time that
their fellows were paffing it to the
fouthward. . Thefe two attacks
were to be accompanied by a
third, which was to take place by
the fea fide to the northward,
where the enemy had a llockade
running into the water ; And
when the general aflault was re-
folved on. Sir Edward Vernon
landed all his marines, and 200
feamen, to fupport and invigorate
the attacks.

An exceeding heavy rain, which
occafioned a great and fiiddcn fwell
in the water of the ditch, on the
very day pr*eceding the intended
ftorm, checked the defign for the
[M] prefent.

rlfon which deferved better for-
tune, to their fate; and was fo
expeditious in his means of efcape,
that the French fquadron were to-
tally out of fight in the morning;
nor were they at any time after
feen or heard of on the coaft. In
, three days after, the Sartine fri-
gate, which' had loft company with
the fquadron on the night of the
late adion, being ignorant of the
prefent change of circumftances,
had advanced fo far in her way to
get into Pondicherry, that when
Ihe difcovered her miftake it was
too late to be remedied, and fhe
was accordingly taken by the Bri-
tifii frigates. Thus was Pondi-
cherry as clofely blocked up by fea
as by land.

This fuccefs of Sir Edward Ver-
non fcrved greatly to facilitate the
operations of the befiegers, and
might have feemed fufficient, to
have fpread univerfal difmay and
defpondency among the befieged.

c ^ .o.u The batteries were
Sept. i8th. J J .u

*^ opened under the pow-

erful fire of 28 pieces of heavy
artillery, and 27 mortars. Not-
wich Handing the difmantled ftate
in which Pondicherry had been re-
ftored to the French at the con-
clufion of the late war, the for-
tifications feem to have been in
no contemptible condition at this
time; or if they were otherwife,
the deficiency of ftrength was am-
ply fupplied by the gallantry of
M. de Bellecombc, (who was both
governor of the town, and general
commandant of all the French
fettlements in the Indies) and t!ie
j-efolution of his brave garrifun;
who, nearly cut off as they were
from every hope of fuccour, per-
fevered to the Lift extr,cmity in a
determined and noble defence.

Vol. XXII.

178] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

prci'cnt, and fortunately prevented
"a cruel and bloody encounter.
The water rofe fo high in the
ditch to the fouihvvard, as to fill
and blow up the gallery, befides
-'reatly damaging the boats be-
longing to the bridge. But this
l:n pediment was but temporary-
The damage was fpeedily repaired ;

and the 17th ot October fixed on
for making the general alVauIt.
Jn the mean time, AI. de Belle-

A numerous artillery, amount-
ing in the whole, of all forts and
fizcs, ferviceable and unfervice-
able, to about 300 pieces, became
a prize to the conquerors. Alt
public property underwent the
lame fate; but whatever was pri-
vate, was fecured to the owners.
The company's .troops emplo)ed
in this fiege, amounted to 10,500
men, of whom 1500 were Euro-
p'jans. The garrilonto near 3000,

combe was neither ignorant of of which 900 were Europeans.

the impraflicabllity of longer dc-
fendino- the place, nor blind to
the danger and total ruin, in
which an obftinate and unfounded
perfeverance would involve his
garrifon and the inhabitants. He
accordingly, on the day preceding
the intended attack, propofed a
capitulation, which was willingly
agreed to by the Briti[h com-
manders.

The conquerors gave the mofl
ample and honourable teftimony
to the gallantry of their enemy in
the terms of capitulaiion. The
conditions were fuitable to the ge-
nerofity of thofefentiments. Every
requifition, that did not interfere

The comparative lofs on both
fides, was neither proportioned to
the number or circumflances of
thofe who were engaged; if we
confider, as ufual, the cover of
the garrifon as being far fuperior
to that afforded by the works of
the bcfiegers. The lofs of the
latter amounted to 224 flain, and
693 wounded; and the garrifon,
who were not near a third in
number, had 200 men killed, and
4S0 wounded. A circumftance
which perhaps may be attributed
to the obilinacy with which their
commander difpuied every part ol
his ground.

Mr. Law, who had feen and uh-

with the public benefit or fecuricy, dergone fo many changes of for
was liberally agreed to. It was
only on thofe accounts, that it
was determined to fend the Eu-
ropean part of the garriion home
to France, and to dilband the fea-

t'jne in India, and who had him-
felf borne fo confiderable a fhare
in its former revolutions, was in-
cluded in this capitulation, and
again beheld the power of hiscoun-

poys and other native troops in the try annihilated in that quarter of
country, inftead of fending the the globe. It appears from fome
whole in a body to the iile of of the terms propofed by the be-
France (or Mauritius,) which was fieged, by which they were de-
propoled. The garrifon were al- firous of including in the prefent
lowed all the honours of war ; and capitulation, feveral French fac-
as a particular mark of attention tories and fettlements which had
to M, de Bcllecombe, the regi- already been feized by the com-
ment of Fondicherry were, at his pany's forces in Bengal and clfe-
requeft, allowed to keep their co- where, as alfo the crews of feveral
lours. I'rench veffels which had been

taken

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [179

t^ken in the Ganges, as well as
on the coafts of Coromandel, that
hoftilities had been commenced in
feme of thofe parts fo early as the
firft of July. The faftories at
Chandenagor, at Yaman, and at
Karical, with the fettlement at
Mafulipatam, are particularly fpe-
cified in thefe propofed condi-
tions ; and others kem to be fup-
pofed. This extenfion of the ca-
pitulation, to paft adts, and to
dillant places, was, however,
deemed inadmiffible by the con-
querors.

We are now to turn our atten-
tion to the other fide of the globe ;
and to relate the efFefls of this
war in the place of its origin.
The reduftion of Georgia by the
royal forces, foon afforded fuffi-
cient caufe of alarm, and matter
for trouble* to the two Carolina's.
The Loyalifls, or in American
language the Tories, in the back
part's of North Carolina, con-
ceiving hope and courage from
that event, were fpeedily in mo-
tion. We have formerly feen, that
thefe people were numerous in the
back of the fouthern colonies, par-
ticularly in thofe we have now
mentioned ; and although the lofs
and defeat winch they had fuf-
tained under their leader Mac-
donald, in the beginning of the
troubles, with other diiappoint-
ments and loffes of lefs magni-
tude, had confiderably broken their
fplrit, and obliged thofe who were
leaft venturous, or who were moll:
attached to their families and fet-
tlements, to an apparent fubniif-
fion to the conditions prefcribed by
the viftors, yet neither fubmiffions
nor conventions were fufficient to
rettrain the elFeds of that invin-
cible averfion which they bore to

their prefent governors and govern-
ments, nor to prevent their watch-
ing, with the moll eager attention,
for any new opportunity that
might offer for their again having
recourfe to arms, and endeavour-
ing to fliake off fo grievous a
yoke.

The nioft hardy and defperate
of thefe people, had long been in
the condition of outlaws, and had
attached themfelves to the Indians,
and others. of their own defcrip-
tion, in the incurfions on the fron-
tiers. The nature and remotenefs
of the country, afforded them an
opportunity of keeping up a free
intercourfe with their old friends,
neighbours, and fellow fufferers in
the fame caufe, who filll continuing
at home, had apparently fubmitted
to the prefent government. This
clrcumftance neceffarily ferved to
nourifh and ftrengthen that dif-
pofition and fplrit which we have
defcribed. From thefe circum-
ftances, and from the caft of mind
and of manners acquired by their
conftant intercourfej whether as
friends or as enemies, with the fa«
vagesj they were ever ready to take
up arms ; and many of thofe, who
continued in the occupation of their
farms, and affumed the charafler of
living peaceably <.t home, occafion-
ally joined the parties which were
openly in arms on the frontiers, and
bore a fliare in all the devaluation
they committed.

About 700 of thefe people ac-
cordingly affembled in arms, in
the back part of North Carolina.
It does not feem probable that
their hopes could have extended to
the bringing about of a revolution
in that province by any force of
their own ; and the dirtance, with
Other circumftanccs, afforded no

[M] 2 well-

i8o] ANNUAL RE

well-founded expeftatioii, that they
could have received any timely
iupport for its accomplilhment.
Their ulertnefs and y.eal were,
however, Simulated into action
by the accounts of General Pre-
voft's fuccefs. But their ufual ill
fortune ftill ftuck by them; and
before they were able to do any
thing of moment, they were at-
tacked and entirely defeated by
fome of the neareft militia, having
loft near half their number, in
killed, wounded, or taken. About
300 of the remainder, however,
found means to make their way
good in a body to the back part
of Georgia ; from whence having
proceeded to the nearcll Britilh
pofts, they by degrees joined the
royal army. It appears that the
loyal party, even in this quarter
where it was ftrongeft, (being in a
great meafure compofed of emi-
grants from North Britain) was
infinitely inferior to the ill-afieded ;
and that without the great and con-
tinual affiftance of the royal army,
the well-afFetliled inhabitants, in no
part of America, were in a con-
dition to make head againlt the
rebels.

South Carolina was the great
and immediate object of hope
and fear. Its great diftance from
the main army, and fcene of ac-
tion, together with the difficulties
of the way, rendered relief flow;
and there v.'cre other fufficient clr-
cumflances to make it uncertain.
Money is jufrly confidered as the
great finew of war ; and its want,
neceflarily cramped all the mili-
tary operations of the Americans;
the deleft, however, increafing,
in proportion to the diftance of
xhe fervice, and the confequent
jncreafe of the expence. Thofe

GISTER, 1779.

who are accuftomed to the aid of
boundlefs refources, are apt to
conceive no other impediment,
than what may arife from the
counter operations of the enemy.
But a people fcarce of money, new
in government, and confequently
deftitute of thofe fources and efta-
bliihments, which the indufiry
and policy of ages have been ac-
cumulating or forming in antient
Hates, experience other more in-
fuperable difficulties than marching
or fighting in their military ope-
rations. Under a due confidera-
tion of tliei'e circumftances, of the
mighty force, immenfe wealth,
and unbounded fupply of that
great power with which they were
contending, together with the vail
extent, the remote fervices, and
complicated nature of a war, car-
ried on equally by fea and by
land, on every fide and on every
quarter, but ftill blazing up more
fiercely and ftrongly in the very
center of life and aftion, it muft
ever excite the aftonilhrnent of
mankind, and perhaps be here-
after confidered as an inexplicable
paradox, by what means the new
American colonies could have been
able, for fo long a time, to have
fuftained, in any manner, fuch a
contention.

Although a detachment of Bri-
tifh troops under Colonel Camp-
bell, had penetrated as far up the
river as Augufta, which lies 130
miles higher than the town of Sa-
vannah, yet the length and dif-
ficulty of the communication, and
the danger to which it was ex-
pofed from the vicinity of the
enemy ■ in South Carolina, the
river bt-ing the only boundary be-
tween the two provinces, induced
General Prevoft, in fome time

aftsr.

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [i3r

after, to rccal that party, and to
contrail his pofls in fuch a man-
ner, that Iludfon's Ferry, at 24
miles diilance, was the upper ex-
tremity of tliat chain which he
formed along the frontier from the
capital.

In the mean lime. General Lin-
coln, with a reinforcement of con-
tinental troops, had arrived for
the proteftion of South Carolina,
and was polled at Purryfburgh, on
the north, fide of the river, and
about 20 miles above the town of
Savannah; a circumftance to which
probably may be atcribated the
meafure adopted by General Pre-
voll, of colledipg his force within
a clofer compafs, A body of the
provincial troops, and militia of
the Carolina's and of Georgia,
amounting to about 2,000 men,
were higher up the river, under
the command of a General Alhe;
and upon the retreat of the de-
tachment from Auguila, were or-
dered by Lincoln to leave their
baggage behind, and pafTing the
river into Georgia, to take poll
in a very ftrong fituation on Briar
Creek ; intending thereby to cover
the upper part of the country,
where the difafFcded to the royal
caufe had, on the departure of
the Britifli troops, again aiTumed
their wonted fuperiority.

Lieutenant Colonel Prevoft, who
was ported at Hudfon's Ferry,
about ij miles lower down the
river, formed a defign of fur-
prizing Allie in his itrong poU ;
a meafure which did not feeiii
very practicable, as Briar's Creek,
which covered his front, was for
foveral miles too deep to be
forded; the Savannah, and a
deep morafs covered his left, and
he had 200 horfe to guard his

right. The defign being ripened
for execution. General Prevoft
■made fuch difpofitions and move-
ments on the borders of the river,
between Savannah and Ebenezer,
as were fufhcient to attraft and
take Lip the attention of General
Lincoln, during its profecution.
The colonel, in the mean time,
having divided his force in two
• parts, advanced one, with t\\o
pieces of cannon, towards Briar
Creek, with an apparent view of
attacking the enemy, where they
were invulnerable, in front. The
other divifion of his force, con-
fiding of the fecond battalion of
thcr 71ft regiment, three compa-
nies of grenadiers, fome light in-
fantry and horfe, amounting in
the whole to about 900 men, he
led himfelf a circuitous march of
about 50 miles, in order to get
round, or to crofs Briar Creek, and
thereby turning the right, to fall
unexpeftedly upon the rear of the
enemy.

The fucccfs of the enterprize
was infured by the injudicious con-
du6l of the American General,
Afhe, who, in the mompnt of
peril, had detached his light horfe
upon fome unprofitable expedition,
and thereby laid himfelf open to
furprize, and left the only weak
part of his camp expofed and un-
covered. The furprize was ac-

cordinely as complete iv* • 1
^A , t March ?d.

as could have been -"

wilhed. The Ameri- 7 Z^-
cans were furprized in open day-
light, and received the firil no-
tice of danger, from the havock
which the Britifh troops made in
their camp. Whole regiments Hed
without firing a {hot, and num-
bers without even attempting to
lav hold of their arms. The deep
[M] 3 marfh.

iS:] ANNUAL R EG I S T ER, 1779.

m.ir(h, anJ the river, which (hould
have .aftbrded iecurity, became now
the inrtrumenis of their deftruc-
tion. ■ Blinded ' by their flight and
t-Tror, many were fwallowed up
by the one, and drowned in the
othi;r. Several of the officers,
with a regiment of North Caro-
lina men, took bravely, however,
to their arms, and gained fome
honour by an incftcdtual defence.

The rebels loll feven pieces of
cannon, almoft all their arms,
their ammunition, and what bag-'
gage they had been under a nc-
ceiTity of bringing with them.
About 150 men were killed, and
2O0 taken, among whom was Bri-
gadier General Elbert, the fecond
in command, and one of their
beft offic.rs, befides fome others of
note. The number loft in the
Savannah and the fwamp is not
known; and the lofs on the fide
of the vidors was fo trifling as
not to deferve mention. By this
defeat, the province was again
cleared of the enemy; and al-
though the general did not think
it prudent to advance his polls far
upwards, yet thole which he re-
tained were freed from infults ; his
communicauons were opened with
the back country ; the Joyalilts,
both in Carolina and Georgia,
were encouraged to join the army ;
and his force being collcfted, was
ready to aft upon any immediate
fervice which might ofF.r.

Sucli continu-'d, pret y nearly,
the fituation of the two fmnll
hoftile armies until the latter end
of April, Separated by a river,
which neither of them could ven-
ture to pafs in the face of the
other, they were both fecure in
th-ir polls, and each covered his
rcfpcflivc province, A movement

at that time made by General Lin*
coin, preiented, however, a new
face of atrairs, and opened a way
for confcquences, which he evi-
dently did not apprehend, and
which he undoubtedly would not
have hazarded if he had. In or-
der to protefl either a meeting,
or an eleiftion, of delegates for
the province of Georgia, which
was appointed to be held tt Au-
gulla in the beginning of May,
he quitted his lituation on the
lower part of the river, which ef-
fedlually enabled him to fecure
Charles Town, as well as to co-
ver the province in general, and
marched with the bed part of his
army towards that place. Indeed
it did not appear eafy to fuppofe,
that this meafure was liable to
any dangerous confequences. The
frefhes were then out, which
feemed to render the river in it-
felf a fufficient rampart; but the
deep fwaniDS on the other fide
feemed utterly impalfable; or if
thefe. could even be evaded, the
general appearance of the flat
flooded country along the coaflr,
every were interfeded with rivers
and creeks, feemed to forbid all
military operations at that feafon
on that fide. But Lincoln did
not trufl: entirely to natural dif-
ficulties; he befides left, under
the condad of General Moultrie,
a body eftimated at about 1500
men, and compof-.-d chiefly of the
provincial militia, to gu;rd the
pafTes of the river and fwamps.

This movement infpired General
Prevoft with an idea of attempting
to penetrate into Carolina. He
confidered, that oftenfive opera-
tions were neceffary to fupport and
increafe the reputation of the Bri-
tilh arms in that quarter; that his

torce

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [i8j

force was already confiderably in-
creafed by the acceffion of loyaliJh
from that province as well as Geor-
gia, from whence there was reafon
to hope, t'.at his appearance in
the country might induce grtat bo-
dies of the well-afFc(fled to declare
in his favour; and, in any cafe, it
would be the fure means of oblig-
ing Lincoln to abandon his defign,
and vvou'd at the fame time afford
an opportunity of procuring a plen-
tiful fupply of proviiions, which he
wanted.

Under the influence of thefe
confiderations, he pafled the river
in different parts near the end of
April, wich a force which, fo far
as can be gathered, may be efti-
mated atabcut 3,000 men. Moul-
trie's militia were flruck with fuch
a panic, at feeing the Britiih troops
traverling a country, and emerging
from fwamps which they deemed
impaflable, that they made but a
weak refinance in defending the
i'veral ftrong pafles which might
have efFeClually checked their pro-
grels; and at length, as the coun-
try became more pra^flicable, gave
way on all fides, and retired towards
Charles Town,

The facility with which the army
had triumphed over the extra-
ordinary natural impediments of
the country, together with the
feeble refiftance of the enemy, fer-
ved to extend the views of the ge-
neral to objeds of greater moment,
than thofe which had operated in
engaging him to undertake the ex-
pedition. The loyalilb, in the ea-
gernefs of their hopes and wiflies,
which no fiilure or difappointment
could ever flacken or damp, failed
not to improve this difpofition,
which was fo favourable to them.
T^ey aflured the general, as a mat-

ter of undoubted certainty, that
Charles Town would furrender
without refinance, at his firlt ap-
pearance. The objeifl was fo im-
portant, and the tempration lb
great, that inclination and duty
mull have been equally urgent to
irs acquifition. Nor did it feem
well in the pcuer of a commander,
in a matter of lb much confeqaence
to the Hate, to have fliglited the
information of thofe, who had the
bed means of knowing both the
Hate of the place and the difpofi-
tion of the people; it wovld be no
eafy matter afterwards to fiiew that
it deferved no credit, and that the
defign was u.terly impracticable.
General Prevoft, notwithllanding,
did not think it fitting entirely to
rely upon his ovvn opinion, and
therefore called all the field officers
of his army to confultation upon
the fubject, who unanimoufly con-
curred in their advice for his ad-
vancing directly to Charles Town.
The condudt cf General Lincoln
ferved greatly to llrengthen this
opinion, who was fo pofitively per-
luaded, that General Prevoll in-
tended nothing more than to forage
the country, that it was not until
fome days after the Britiih forces
had pafled the river, that he could
be induced to return to the defence
of the capital. But when he was
at length convinced of the real
danger of that city, he immediately
detached a body of infantry, mount-
ed on horfebick, for the greater ex-
pedition, to its defence, and collccl-
ing the militia of the upp:;r coun-
try, returned with his whole force,
to aft as circumltances might offer
for its relief.

Li this fituation of things, the
Britifh army were fome days march
?.-head of Lincoln, in the way fo

[ilf] 4 _ Charles

184] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Charles Town, and Moultrie's
Miliua, and Polafici's Legion, re-
tiring from one creek and river to
another towards that place, as they
were preffed by the former. So
many bridges and pafles Qculi not
be gained without fome (kirmilhes,
but the refiilunce was ftill fo weak,
that they were attended with no

, circumftances of any conlcquence ;
it is however to be obferved, that
as the families and efFe^s of Moul-
trie's Militia lay pretty generally
in the line of march, thefe confi-
derations touched them fo clofely,
that his force fuffered a continual
diminution from the outfet, which,
befides the wcaknefs it produced in
leflening his numbers, ferved ne-
ceffarily to difnearten thofe who
remained.

May nth. ,.^' ^^"Stl^ ^.^%S";
tun army arrived at

Afhley River, which they paflcd,
a few miles above Charles Town,
and advancing along the Neck
formed by the two rivers of Alhley
and Coop-r, took pofi; within little
more than cannon fhot from the
works of that city. A continued
fucceffion of Ikirmilhes took place
on that day and the enfuing night,
which, though necefTarily attended
with. Icfs on both fides, were of
no farther ccnfequence to either.
On the following morning, the
general fummoned the town to fur-
render, and held out very flattering
conditions to induce them to a com-
pliance. Tiie ncgociation conti-
nued during the day, and a pro-
pofal was made by the city for a
neutrality for their province during
the continuance of the war. This
being rejeded on the one fide, as
the favourable conditions propofed
by the general were on the other,
the negociation was broken, ofF in

the evening, and every preparation
made by the inhabitants and garri-
fon, for vigoroufly repelling a ge-
neral aflault which was expedled to
take place in the night.

But General PrevoR, finding
himfe If totally difappointed in every
hope that had been held out to
him relative to ■ Charles Town,
had other obje£ls of ferious con-
fidcration now before him. He
found that no offers he could make
were fufficient to induce the enemy
to a furrender, and that their coun-
tenance fnewed the fullell determi-
nation of defence; that their lines
were defended by a numerous ar-
tillery, and flanked by their armed
{hipping and gallies ; and that Gen.
Lincoln, with a force at leaft
equal, if not fuperior to his own,
was faft approaching. On his
own fide, he had neither battering
artillery, nor a naval force to co-
operate with his land forces ; which
were two articles fo indifpenfably
neceflTary for carrying the place,
that their want feemed an infuper-
ab'e bar to every hope of fuccefs.
And if he were repulfed with any
confiderable lofs, which was much
to be apprehended, his fituation,
involved as he was, in a labyrinth
of rivers and creeks, furrounded
on all fides by a fuperior enemy,
and his retreat continually impeded
by fwamps and difncult pafiTes,
feem.ed fcarcely td admit of a hope,
that any part of his fmall array
could have been preferved.

Under thefe conficlerations, he
prudently decamped en that very
night, and having previoufiy tak-
en care to leave a proper guard
for the fecurity of the pafs at Afii-
ley Ferry, he had by morning re-
turned to the fouth fide of that ri-
ver, without interruption, or the

kaow-

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [185

knowledge or fmalleft fufpicion of
the enemy, who had been the whole
time ftanding to their arms, under
the momentary apprehenfion of a
furious attack. From thence the
army pafTed to the iflands of St.
James and St. John, which lie to the
fouthward of Charles Town Har-
bour, and from their- cultivation and
fertiliiy afforded good quarters and
plenty of provifions for the troop?.
Thefe begin that almoft continued
fucccffion, and fometimes labyrinth
of iflands, into which the fea, with
its numerous inlets, and the frequent
rivers and creeks, have divided that
low flat country, vvhich extends along
the coaft from Charles Tovv-n to Sa-
vannah; the channels by which
they are interfered, or feparated
from the continent, being in fome
places very narrow and inconfider-
able, are in others fo great, as to
afford excellent harbours or roads
for fliipping.

In thefe iflands the army impa-
tiently expedted thole fupplies of
ammuninon and necefl'aries from
New York, vvhich they exceedingly
want-ed. The firft iliips winch had
been dilpatched with thefe fup-
plies had the ill fortune of being
either taken, dellroyed, or driven
back by the enemy. The arrival
of two frigates of war, at length
removed the diftrefies of the troops,
and enabled the army to return to
the fouthward.

The objeft now with the general
was to take and hold polTeflion of
the ifland of Port Royal; a mea-
fure which held out many prefent
and future advantages, among
which it was not the leaft, that it
would afford good quarters and an
eligible fituation to tne troops, du-
ring the intenfe heats and the very

unhealthy feafon, which were then
either prevailing or approaching.
By this means alfo, he would hold
a fure footing in South Carolina,
from vvhich it was not in the power
of the enemy to move him, until
the long expeded and wifhed for re-
in forcemeats arrived, which might
enable him.. to proceed elfedtually
in the reduction of that colony.
In the mean time, no pofuion could
be better chofen for covering Geor-
gia on that fide; the excellent har-
bour of Port Royal, was the beft
itaiion in that quarter for the royal
Ihipping, and its vicinity to the
town of Savannah, with the open
communication between both pla-
ces, ferved all together to render it
a pofi: of great importance.

While the greater part of the ar-
my were engaged in the operations
of moving from one ifland to ano-
ther, and of ellabliQiiug the differ-
ent pofts which it was thought ne-
celTary to occupy during the fickly
fealon. General Lincoln thought
it a proper opportunity to attack
Lieutenant Colonel Maitland, who
was ftrongly ported at the pafs of
Stono Ferry, which feems to be
on the inlet between the continent
and the ifland of St. John. The
Colonel's force confifted of the firil
battalion of the 7 ill, and one Hef-
.fian, together with the Carolina
refugees; the two battalions being
fo weak nnd reduced, that his
whole number i^r.;fn:id to have
amounted only to. Sioout 8oo men.
The poft, however, 6efides its natu-
ral advantages, was well covered
with redoubts, an abbatis, and artil-
lery. On the other fide, the Ame-
rican force is reprefented as amount-
ing ^ 5,000 men, and eight pieces
of cannon.

They

i86] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

June zcih.

Thcv made the at-

tack with great fpirit,
and fupporttd it for about an hour;
but were received with fuch a coun-
tenance, and fuch coolnefs and
firmnefs, and (o much galled by
the fire of an armed fia', which
covered the left flank of the pod,
thit they were then obliged to re-
tire wita confiderable lofs. The
ailailanrs attribute their retreat to
the ilrength of the redoubts, which
their light field pieces were totally
incapable of making any impref-'
£on on, and to a ftrong reinforce-
ment, which arrived from the
iHand of St. John, daring the ac-
tion, to the fupport of the pert.
Tne royal forces loil fome ofiicers.
as well as men; and above a hun-
dred of both were wounded. The
Americans loft fome officers of
name ; and ir cannot be doubted
that their Ibfs in 2;"-'-'>eral was con-
fiderabiy greater. The army met
with no obftruftio-.i in its move-
ment to Port Royal ; and the fea-
fon put an end to all operations on
either fide in that ijuarter.

In the beginning of May, Sir
Kenry Clinton cciicerted with Sir
George Collier, who now com-
manded the marine at New York, an
expedition to the C.hefapeak, and a
d'-fcent upon Virginia, as meafures,
which more than any other that
could be undertaken, would con
tribute to the embarrafi'ment and
dillrefs of the enemy.

A fufficient naval and land force
for the intended purpofes, was
accordingly difpaci'.ed from New
York, under the ccndufl of Sir
Geo. Collier, and Maj. Gen. Ma-
thtw. The fieet having fuccefs-
fully pafled between the Capes of
Virginia, the Raifonable man of

war, with fome armed tender^-,
were left in Hampton Road, to
block up that port, and to inter-
cept the navigation of the River
James ; whilll Sir George Collier,
having fhifted his pendant to a
frigate, proceeded with the fmaller
fhips of war and tranfports up Eli-
zabeth River. The town of Portf-
mouch being their immediate cb-
jeft, and the fleet delayed by fome
circumftances of wind or tide in
its pafl'age, the general and troops,
impatient of delay, and apprehcn-
five that the enemy mig'iit have
time either to ilrengthen their

works or receive fuc- ^, ,

, J J ^ jNlay loth.
cours, were landed at ^

fome dillance, and marched direftly
towards that place.

The town was open and defence-
lefs, but the paiTage to it by water
was covered by Fort Nellon, which
had been conllrudted at about half
a mile's dillance for that purpofe.
But the garrifon of the fort, know-
ing that no fuccour was at hand,
and that the fort was incapable of
any effeclual defence, to avoid be-
ing furrour.ded and made prifoners,
abandoned it at the approach of
the army, who of courfe took pof-
feflion both of that and the town.
The town, or remains, of Norfolk,
on the oppofite fide of the river,
fell likevvife into their hands.
Upon' the approach of the fleet
and army, tne enemy burned fe-
veral of the vefl"els in thefe ports,
among which were tuo large
French fliips, loaded with a thou-
fand hogflieads of tobacco; the
celerity of the invaders having,
however, checked the deftrufiion
pretty early, feveral others were
faved, and fell accordingly into their
hands.

The

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [187

The general pufhed on dctach-
rnents to take poflefTion of two
ilrong ports fevernl miles in front,
which from the nature of the coun-
try, ferved to cover the approaches
to his canip from any hidden at-
tempt of the enemy. In the mean
time, the Britifh guards having
marched eightten miles by night
to the town of Suffolk, on the
Nanfemond river, arrived there at
day- break. They found the place
had been haftily abandoned at their
approach ; and they immediately
proceeded to t'le deftruclion of a
very large magazine of provifions,
logethet with the veflels and naval
ftores which they found there. A
fimilar deftrudion was carried on
at Kempe's lamping. Shepherd's,
Gofport, Tanner's creek, and other
places in that quarter; nor were
the frigates and armed veflels lefs
adlive or fuccefsful in their fervice,
on the rivers, and in the near parts
of the bay.

Within a fortnight, that the
fleet and army continued upon the
coaft, the loft fuftained by the
Americans was prodigiou;;. Se-
veral thoufand barrels of poik,
with other provifions in proportion,
which had been prepared for Wafh-
ington'? army, and a great quan-
tify of- ftores, were deftroyed at
Suffolk and Shepherd's. In other
places thefe articles were broL:ght
off. Above 1 30 fhips and veifels
of all forts, were deftroyed or tak-
en. Of thefe, 17 prizes wefe
brought away; among thofe de-
ftroyed or taken, 'were fome pri-
vateers, and vefTels of force. All
thofe upon the flocks were burned;
a confiderable quantity of naviil
ftores brought off; and every thing
relative to the building or fitting

cf fhips that was not conveniently
portable, deftroyed.

The commanders received from
the loyalifts, according to their
ufuai cuflom, fuch flattering ac-
counts and pofitive afTurances, of
the general difpofition of the peo-
ple of that colony to return to the
obedience of their fovereign, and
their impatience to fee the roval
ftandard erected amongft them,
that Sir George Collier could noc
avoid reprefenting the matter ia
his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, ia
the full view in which it appeared
to himfelf. If it was not, how-
ever, thought fitting to adopt the
meafure in its full extent, he
ftrongly urged the great advantages
which would accrue from fending
them fuch reinforcements, as would
enable them to hold a footing in
the country, by converting Portf-
mouth into a place of arms, and
rendering it thereby a fure afylum
for fiiipping ; purpofes, which from
its fituation, it feemed well calcu-
lated for anfwering, and which
would have totally deftroyed the
trade of the Chelapeak. On the
other hand, it was a place removed
from fuccour, and in a manner
furroun.ied with the greated; forces
of tie enemy. It is evident that
Sir Henry Clinton faw thefe mat-
ters in a very different light, from
that in which they were viewed by
Sir George Collier. He fent an
order for their immediate return.
The fleet and army, with their
prizes and booty, (having firft de-
inoliihed Fort Nclfcn, and fct fire
to the ftore-hoiifes, and all the
ether buildings in the do^k yard
at Gofport) arrived fafe at New
York before the expiration of the
month.

Aa

183] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

An c.xpedif'on which General
S'r ilcnry Clinton was upon the
point of undertaking up the North
Klver, prob.ibly contributed to the
jnore fpeeuy recaJ cf the torces
from the Virginia adventure. The
enemy had for fome time been
«;ngagftl, arid at great labour and
fcxpencc, in conltruding very rtrong
%orks, at the two important polts
of Verplanks Neck, and Sconey
Point, in the Highlaiids. Thefe
polls, which are en nearly cppofite
points of land, the firft being oh
the Eafl, and the oihcr en the
.Weft fide of the North River, were
cf the utmoil importance for keep-
ing the communication open be-
tween the Ealtern and VVeftern
colonies, the great pafs called
JLing's Ferry lying diredtly be-
tween them. As thefe works were
ntarly completed, but not yet de-
fcnfible, the ger.CraJ thought it
the proper feafon to avail himfelf
of th-i induftry of the enemy, and
to reap the fruits of liieir toil.
Walhingtcn, who lay vvidi Ws army
e.t Middle Brook, in Jerfey, was at
too gteac a diilance to interrupt the
execution of the defign ; nor could
Jiis eftorts at any rate have ex-
tended to the eallcrn fide of the
jivcr. We have already had oc-
. cafion to fee the prodigious advant-
age, which the naval command of
that great river and boundary af-
forded to an army, in any fmgle or
tlouble fchcme of operation on ei-
ther fide.

Trie troops defined for this fcr-
^ice, under the command of Ma-
jor General Vaughan, were only

M, newly embarked, when
av :och. . •' -JUL
' -^ they were joined by the

Jorcc returred from the Chefapeak,

and proceeded all together up the

Kof ih River J the naval depart-

ment being under the conduft of
Sir George Collier. On the fol-
lowing morning. General Vauo-han,
with the greater part of the army,
landed on the Eail fide of the ri-
ver, about eight miles fiiort of
Verplanks; whilfl: the remainder,
under the conduft of General Pat-
tifon, and accompanied by Sir
Henry Clinton, advancing farther
up, landed within three miles of
Stoney Point. Upon the appear-
ance of the fl)ips, the enemy im-
mediately abandoned their works ;
but took care to fet fire to a large
block-houfe. Upon the approach
of the troops to take pcffeilion of
Stoney Point; they, however,
made fome fhew of refillance, by
drawing up on the hills ; but they
did not venture to abide the coa-
flia.

The Americans had finifhed a
fmall, but Itrong and complete
work, on the oppofite fide of the
river, which they called Fort la
Fayette ; this was defended by
four pieces of artillery, and a fmall
garrilbn of between 70 and 80
men. But this little redoubt,
though ftrong in itfelf, was effec-
tually commanded by Stoney Point,
which lies at about a thoufand
yards diftance on the oppofite
Ihore ; and it being exceedingly
difficult of approach from its own
fide, at leafl for the conveyance of
artillery, the attack was accord-
ingly intended fro.m the other.
For this purpofe. General Pattifon,
with infinite fatigue and labour,
and the moft indefatigable perfe-
verance during the night, over-
came the difliculties of dragging
the heavy arrtillery, from a very
bad landing place up a fteep pre-
cipice, to the top of the hill ; and
his exertion! and arrangements

were

HISTORY OF EQROPE. [1S9

were fo efFeftual and judicious,
that by five on the following morn-
ing, he had opened a battery of
cannon, and, another of mortars,
on the fummit of the difficult rocks
of Stoney Point, which poured a
ftorm of fire over on Fort la
Fayette.

The attack was fupported by
Sir George Collier, who advanced
with the galJies and gun -boats
within reach of the fort. The
cannonade was continued on all
fides during the day; and as foon
as it was dark, Sir George ordered
two of the gallies to pafs the fort,
and anchor above it, in order to
prevent the efcape of the gairiron
by water. In the mean time, Ge-
neral Vaughan with his divifion,
having made a long circuit through
the hills, was at length arrived,
and had clofely invelted the fort
on the land fide. -The garrifoa
feeing that all poffibility of efcape
was now cut cfi^, and that their
fire was totally overpowered and
loft in the magnitude of that which
they received, furrendered their
little fortrefs on the following
itiorning, and themfelves prifoners
of war, without any other Jlipu-
lation than that of humane treat-
ment. The boldnefs of their de-
fence certainly merited fom'e praife,
although "we do not know that it
was paid on either fide.

The general gave im.v.Ediate
dircftion for finifhing and com-
pleting the works of both pofts,
and for putting Stoney Point in
particular, in tne^ftrongetl {late of
defence. And, for their better
fupport and proteftion, as well as
v/ith a view to the further opera-
tions of the campaign, encamped
his army at PhilipfDurg, fomething
about half way down the river to

New York Idand ; which he like-
wife rendered a poft of forae im-
portance, by throwing up works,
in order for the cftablifiiment and
prefervation of a free communi-
cation in future. By the lofs of
thefe pofts, the rebels in the Jer--
feys were under a neceffity of
making a detour of above ninety
miles through the mountains, to
communicate with the countrieS|
Eaft of Hudfon's River.

The ftate of the hou;:ie armies
on both fides with refpeQ: to aftua!
force, together with the want of
money, and tlie paucity of mili-
tary provifion on one, necefiariiy
limited the views of the oppofite
commanders, and prevented their
undertaking any deciiive or cxtec-
five operations. They were each
in a frrong ftate of defence, and
neither had fach a fuperiority of
force, as could compel his adver-
fary to relinquifh the advantages,
of his fituation. Wadaington w^s
befides in expedlation of foreign
aid; and it would have been little
conuftcnt vvith his ufual charaSer
of caution and judgment, to liave
run the hazard, by any previous
attempt, or hafty "meafure, of
weakening his natural ftrength ia
fuch a degree, as might render
him incapable of profiting by the
ailiftance of his ally, and the Ame-
rican arms and force, of courfe
contemptible in his eyes. The
campaign was accordingly languid,
and its operations confined to the
furprize of pofts, and to defultiory
excurfionsj to the Jaft of which,
the /Americans were now, asataii
times, exceedingly expofed, an«i
upon no footing of equality with
their enemy.

7'he numberlefs fma'l cruizers,
v/hale-boats, and other craft of

that

190] ANNUAL RE

that nature, frcm the ConneAicut
coafts, which infefted the found,
Jying between that colony and
Long Ifland, were (o watchful and
conftant in their deprtdations, and
their fituation aflorded them fuch
opportunities, that they had nearly
dellroycd the trade to and from
New Yotk on that fide, to the very
great difcommocuy and diHrejs of
that city, as well as of the fleet
and army. Upon this aci^ount.
General Sir Henry Clinton, and
Sir George Collier, determined on
a courfe of defultory irivafions
along that coall, with a view of
curing the evil, by cutting ofi' the
means of depredation in the de-
flrudtion of their piratical craft,
and fo far as it could be done, of
their othcjr veiTels and materials for
b'-'ilding.

Governor Tryon, who was like-
wife a general officer, was appoint-
ed to the conduft of the land ler-
vice in this expedition; his force
amounted to about 2,6co men,
and he was fecondtd by Ijrigadier
General Garth, an officer of dif-
, . , tinguifhed merit and ac-

July 5th. jj^.jjy_ ^J^^ ^^gj. Jj^yjj^g

arrived at Nevvhaven, the forces
were landed, and took pofieflion
of that town, and of a battery
that covered the harbour, without
any great lofs, although they met
with every impediment in their
power, and no fmsll (liare of ir-
regular refiliance from the inha-
bitants and neighbouring miliiin.
The fort, and every thing for
raval or military purpofes, were
deftfoyeii. The town was fpared,
although firft doomed to deftruc-
lion, owing to feme meafures ob-
ferved by the militia, in not mcleft-
ing the troops on their retreat.
The fleet departed from New-

GISTER, 1779.

haven to Fairfield, where the troops
«ere again landed, and again op-
pofcd. Here the town was fet on
fire, and every thing of value con-
fumed. The fame meafure was
repeated in the fubfequcnt and
concluding expedition to Norwalk;
where the militia being more nu-
merous, and the refinance greater,
than in the former places, both
that town, and the fmall one of
Greenfield, were totally deftroyed.
The lofs fu Gained by the Ameri-
cans in this lail aft of the expedi-
tion was very great. Befides that
of their houfes and effcfts, a con-
fiderable number of fhips, either
finiftied or on the flocks, with »
flill greater of whale boats and
fmall craft, with flores and mer-
chandize to a large amount, were
all deftroyed.

Whether it wa?, that this courfe
of deftruftion was contrary to the
intention and approbation of Sir
Henry Clinton, or from whatever
other caufe it proceeded, it was
fuddenly ftopped in its career, by
an order from that general ,

for the immediate return of ^
the troops. The lofs fullained by
the royal forces was very trifling,
confidering the oppofnioa they met
with; the whole number, in flain,
v^ounded, and mifTrng, being un-
der 150, of which, not above a
feventh were killed on the fpot.

The fires and deftruftion which
marked this expediuon. were at-
tributed to different caufes. Partly
to the refcntment excited by the
rebels, in their firing from the
tops and windows of their houfes;
partly to the zeal of the loyal
American refugees, who were im-
placable in the refentment which
th'^y bore to their countrymen on-
the oppofite fide, and who froni,

that

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [191

that fpirit, along with their inti-
mate knowled l: e of the country,
were particularly neciflary in thefe
enterprizes ; and, as it was faid,
in fome inllances to- military ne-
ceflity, the bu'-oing of the houfcs
fervirig to mafic the retreat of the
trcoDs. Major General Tryon,
however, juftiiied the meafure, in
his letter to the genera], upon the
fair principles of policy; and faid,
he (hculd be very forry, if it was
thought lefs reconcileable with
humanity, than with the love of
his country, duty to the king, and
the law of arms, to Vv-hich America
had been led to make the awful
appeal. That the ufurpers had
profeiTedly placed their hopes of
fevering the empire, in avoiding
decifive aclions, upon the wafle of
the Britifh treafure, and the efcape
of their own property, during the
protradling of the war. That their
power was fupported by the general
dread of their tyranny, and the
arts praclifed to infpire a credulous
multitude with a preluniptuous con-
iidence in the forbearance of .he
royal forces. And, that he wiihed
to detedl this delufion, and, if
pollible, without injury to the lov-
alifts.

Whatever force or juftice there
might be in thefe arguments, the
meafure of burning and dellroy-
ing the country, fecmed, an im-,
proper accompaniment, to an ad-
dreis of invitation which was cir-
culated among the inhabitants,
urging them to return to their
duty and allegiance. Mr. Trycn,
however, regrets in his letter, the
burning of their places of worlhip;
but juiily obferves, the great dif-
ficulty of afligning any fixed limits
to a conflagration, where the build-
ings are clofe, and the iioufcs com-

pofed of fach very co.mbuftible
materials as boards and (hingles.
This expedition afforded abundant
matter, for the renewal and in-
creale of that loud clamour, which
the Americans had fo long raifed,
and fo widely extended, relative
to the cruel, and unheard-of man-
ner, in which, they pretended, that
the war was conduced on tie
royal fide. Nor did it feem to
produce any great effedl with re-
fpeifl to its immediate object, of
checking the depredations of the
American cruizers ; for fo bold
and numerous were they, that in
a very few days after, two of the
royal floops of war were taken by
them.

The furprize of Verplanks and
Stoney Point, drew Wafiiington
and liis army from the Jerfeys, to
the liigh, ftrong, and mountainous
country, above thofe polls, and on
both fides of the North river.
General Sir -Henry Clinton's ob-
ject was, to draw him down, if
pofrible, from thefe faftneffes into
the flat country, and thereby to
bring on a general engagement in
that fort of ground, which would
have been adapted to the exertion
of thefe peculiar advantages, and
that decided fupfriority, which
the royal army pofTffTed. This
was among the motives which led
to the Connedlicut expedition ;
and others of lefs note, were un-
dertaken upon the fame principle.
It was, however, a matter of no
fmall difficulty to lead Wafiiingtoa
into Inch an error ; nor could any
art in the laying or covering of
the defigr, afford more than a
very doubtful profpeiT: of its
fuccefs,

V/hilil the hofiilo ar.mlcs were
thus v/atphing each other morions

with

192] ANNUAL RE

with the moll unremitted attention,
an enterprise of fpirir, and echt,
was undertaken on the American
fide, and fuccefsfully carried into
execution by General Wayne. As
no induftry had been wanting in
compleating or repairing the works
at Stoney Point, which the length
of pofl'efiion would admit of,
that poil was now in a very ftrong
ftate of defence; and was gar-
rilbned by the r/th regiment
of foot, the grenadier companies
of the 7 ill, a company of Icyal
Americans, and fome artillery;
the whole being under the com-
mand of Lieutena.nt Colonel john-
fon. The garrifon in the oppo-
fite poil at Verplanks Neck, was
under the condudt of Lieutenant
Colonel Webfler ; and was at
leail equal in force to that at
Stcney point.

General Wayne was appointed
to the diflicult tafk of furpriling
and reducing Stoney Point; for
Which he was provided with a
ftrcng detachment of the moft
active infantry in the American
army. Thefe troops having fet
, , , out from Sandy Reach
juiy 5 ii. jj'pgm noon, had a

march of about fourteen miles to
furmonnt, over high mountains,
through deep moraffcis, difficult
defiles, and roads exceedingly bad
ar.d narrow, fo that they could ■
only move in fmgle files during
the greateft part of the way. About
eight o'clock in the evening, the
van arrived within a mile and a
half of their objeft, where they
lialted, and the troops were formed
into two columns, as fall as they
came up. While they were in this
pofition, Wayne, with mofl of his
principal officers, went to recon-

GISTER, 1779.

noitre the works, and to obferve the
fituation of the garrifon.

It was fomething not unworthy
of obfervation, that the bayonet,
which had been fo often fatally
employed againU the Americans in
fimilar cafes, was the only weapon
which they ufed in this attack.
It was near midnight before the
two columns approached the place;
that on the right, con filling of
Febiger and Meig's regiments,
was led by General Wayne; the
van, confuHng of 150 picked men,
led by the moll adventurous offi-
cers, and commanded by Lieute-
nant Colonel Flciiry, advanced to
the attack, with unloaded mufkets
and fixed bayonets; they being
preceded by an avant-guard, con-
filling of an officer of the moll
dillinguilhed courage, accompanied
by twenty of the moll defperate
private men, who, among other
offices, were particularly intended
to remove the abbatis, and other' .
obftrudions, which lay in the way
of the fucceeuing troops. The
column on the left, was led by a
fimilar chofen van, v/ith unloaded
muflcets and fixed bayonets, under
the command of a Majdr StcrWard;
and that was alio preceded by a
fimilar forlorn hope. The general
iffued the mofl pointed orders to
both columns, (which they leem
llridly to have adhered to) not to
fire a fliot on any account, but to
place their whole reliance on the
bayonet.

The two attacks feem to have
been diredted to oppcfite points of
the works; whilll a detachment
under a Major M:irfree engaged
the attention of the garrifon, by a
feint in their front. They found
the approaches more difficult, than

even

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [193*

even their knowledge of the place
had induced them to expeftj the
works being covered by a deep
morafs, and which at this time
was f-lfo overflowed by the tide.
The Americans fay, that neither
the deep morafs, the formidable
and double rows of abbatis, or the
rtrong works in front and flankj
could damp the ardour of their
troops ; who> in the face of a
moft inceflant and tremendous fire
of mufquetry, and of cannon
loaded with grape fhot, forced
their way at the point of the bay-
onet through every obftacle, until
the van of each column met in
the center of the works, where
they arrived at nearly the fame in-
flant.

General Wayne wzs wounded in
the head by a muflcet ball, as he
paffed the laft abbatis ; but was
gallantly fupported, and helped
through the works, by his two
brave Aid de Camps, Fifhbourn
and Archer, to whom he acknow-
ledged the utmoft gratitude in his
public letter. Colonel Fleury, who
we may perceive by his name to
be a French Officer, had the ho-
nour of ftriking the Britilh ftan-
dard with his own hand. Ma-
jor Steward, and feveral other of-
ficers, received great praife ; as
did in particular the two Lieute-
nants. Gibbons and Knox, one of
whom led the forlorn hope on the
right, as the other did on the left ;
and who had both the fortune to
efcape unhurt, although the firft loft
feventeen men out of twenty in
the attack.

There is fcarceiy any thing in
the tranfaftions of war, which af-
fords more room for furprize, and
fcems lefs to be accounted for, than
the prodigious difparity betwee.'i the

Vol. XXII.

numbers flain in thofe different ac-
-tions, which feem otherwife fimi-
lar, or greatly to correfpond, in
their principal circumftances, nature
and magnitude. Nothmg could
well be fuppofed, from its nature
and circumftances more bloody, in
proportion to the numbers engaged,
than this adlion : and yet the lofs
on both fides was exceedingly mo-
derate. The fate of Captain Tew
of the 17th regiment, who fell in
this aftion, being rather fmgular
and unfortunate, was accordingly
regretted. He had been left for
dead on the field in the laft war;
and perhaps no other officer in Eu-
rope had furvived fo great a num-
ber of wounds, as he had receiv-
ed in the courfe of his fervice.
Promotion had been long promifed
and expected ; but through the
want of any particular interell: to
fuppcrt that claim, which his long
fervices, merit, and particular fuf-
ferings, feenied, indeed, to ren-
der unnecelfpry, he finilhed his
military career at the head only of
a company.

Nothing ccu'd exceed the tri-
umph of tlie Americans, upon the
fuccefs of this enterprize, and the
vigour end fpirit with which it was
conduced. It muft, indeed, be
acknowledged, that, confidered in
all its parts and difhculties, it
would have done honour to the
moft veteran foldiers. Wafhing-
ton, the Congrefs, the General
Afl'embly, and the Supreme Ex-
ecutive Council of Pennfylvania,
feemed emulous in their acknow-
ledgments, and in the praifes
which they bellowed upon General
Wayne, his officers, and troopa.
In thefe they particularly applaud
the humanity and clemency Ihewn,
to the vanqailhed, when, (they

*I94] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fay) by the laws of war, and fti-
mulated by refencment from the
remtmbrance of a former maffa-
crc, they would have been jufti-
iied in putting the whole garrifon
to the hvord. Nor were real or
honorary rewards to the officers
forgotten. The total number of
prifoners amounted to 543, and the
flain of the garrifon, according to
the American account to 63 ; which
taken together do not differ very
widely from the imperfeft return
fent in a hurry by Colonel johnfon;
taking it for granted, (as was un-
doubtedly the cafe) that thofe
whom he reckons as mifling, are
included in either part of the cal-
culation. The trophies, artillery,
and ftores, were not, in refpedl to
the nature and extent of the poft,
inconfiderable.

As foon as Stoney Point was ta-
ken, the artillery was diredtly turn-
ed againll Verplanks, and a furi-
ous cannonade enfued, which ne-
ceflarily obliged the fhipping at the
latter place to cut their cables, and
fall down the river. The news of
this difafter, and of Webfter's fitua-
tion, who alfo expeded an imme-
diate attack on the land fide, no
fooner reached Sir Henry Clinton,
than he took the moft fpeedy mea-
fures for the immediate relief of
the one pofl:, and "the recovery of
the other. The whole Biitifh land
and naval force was accordingly in
motion. The general, with the
main arm, advanced to Dobb's
Ferry : the cavalry, with a detach-
ment of light infantry, pulhed
forwards to the banks of the Cro-
ton river, in order to awe the
enemy on that fide, in their at-
tempts by land againft Verplanks ;
and Sir George Collier, with the
frigates, armed veffcls, and tranf-

ports of the fleet, having Brigadie?
General Sterling, with three regi-
ments on board, proceeded up the
river.

But however great the impor-
tance or value of Stoney l^oint,
Wafliington was by no means dif-
pofed to hazard a general engage-
ment on its account; more efpeci-
ally in a fituation, where the com-
mand of the river would afford
fuch decifive advantages to his
enemy in the difpofition, and fud-
den movement of their troops,
whether with refpedl to the imme-
diate point of.adlion, or to the feiz-
ing of the paffes, and cutting off
the retreat of his army, as might
probably be attended with the moft
fatal confequences. He informs the
Congrefs in his letter, that it had
been previoufly determined in coun-
cil not to attempt keeping that poft,
and that nothing more was origi-
nally intended, than the deftrudlion
of th3 works, and the bringing off
the artillery and ftores. Sir Henry
Clinton regained the poft, after it had
been three days in the poffeffion of
the enemy, and placed a ftrong
garrifon in it.

A few repetitions of fuch fuc-
cefs, would have rendered the
Americans fo daring and adven-
turous, that the advanced pofts
on the royal fide, muft have been
kept in a conftant ftate of alarm
and danger. But Fortune was not
always in the fame humour; nor
could they often find officers or
men, who were capable of afting
with fuch vigour and fpirit, as
thofe who had fucceeded in the
ftorm of Stoney Point. On ,

the very day that Briga- °
dier Sterling had taken poffeffion
of that poft, an enterprize fuffici-
ently daring in the defign, and ex-
tremely

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [195'

kremely well conduced in the out-
let, but whieli failed wretchedly in
the execution, was undertaken a-
gainft Paul us Hook, which lies al-
mofl oppofue to the city of New
York on the Jerfey fide. It feems
that the ftrength of the poft, had in-
duced fuch a remiiTnefs on the fide
of the garrifon, that the enemy
completely furprized the place at
three o'clock in the morning, and
carried a blockhoufe and two re-
doubts almoft without any reftft-
ance. In that critical moment of ex-
igency. Major Sutherland, the com-
mander, threw himfelf haftily, with
forty Heffians, into another re-
doubt, from which they kept fo
warm and inceflant a fire, that the
Americans fcandaloufly deferted
their new poftsj with as much expe-
dition, and as little difficulty as they
had been attained ; thus, by a re-
treat as difgraceful, as the attempt
had been apparently bold and well
condufted, they abandoned a con-
queft already evidently in their
hands, without having had courage
even to fpike the artillery, or to fet
fire to the barracks. The com-
mandant had the fortune to redeem
his character, by the gallantry with
which he retrieved the confequences
of his negligence.

But at the heel of thefe tranfac-
tions, intelligence of an alarming
nature was received from the eaft-
ward, which fuddenly called Sir
George Collier, with the greater
part of his naval force, away from
New York. This neceffity origi-
nated from an expedition under-
taken in the fummer from Halli-
fax by Colonel Macleane, with a
view of eftablifhing a ftrong poit
on the river Penoblcot, in the ea-
ftern confines of New England,
where that colony borders on Nova

Scotia, and amidft thofe new and
weak fettlements, which the Maf-
fachufetts people have eftabliflied
in that quarter fince the lafl war,
and formed into a county under
the name of Lincoln. The force
with which he arrived in the Pe-
nobfcot about the middle of June,
confifted of a detachment of 450
rank and file of the 74th regiment,
and 200 of the 8 2d; which were
convoyed by three (loops of war.
Here Colonel Macleane began to
conftrudl a fort, in a fituation per-
feftly well chofen for annoying the
enemy.

This tranfadlion occafioned an
unufual alarm at Bofion, and the
moft vigorous meafures were adop-
ted by that government to prevent
its completion. Orders were im-
mediately given for an expedition
to the Penobfcot ; and in order to
fecure armed veflels and tranfports,
as well as failors, an embargo of
forty days was laid on all their
fhipping. As a further encou-
ragement, the ftate gave up its
Ihare in all prizes that were taken
to the captors. A very confider-
able naval armament, (for fo new
a ftate) under the conduct of Com-
modore Saltonllall, was according-
ly fitted out with extraordinary ex-
pedition ; and a body of troops em-
barked under the condudl of a Ge-
neral Lovel.

On the other fide, the works of
the new fort, notwithflianding that
the utraoll diligence was ufed
in their confl:ru£tion, were yet fo
far from being finifhed, as to af-
ford but very imperfect means of
defence, againft any great fuperi-
ority of force. Colonel Macleane
had, however, the fortune to re-
ceive intelligence of the armament
preparing at Bofton, a few days

[•A] 2 before

•igS] ANKUAL REGISTER, 1779.

before its arrival ; upon which,
be immediately changed his plan
of operation ; and inlTead of pro-
ceeding farther in the conftriiftion
of works, which there could be no
time for completing, applied him-
felf with the greateft afliduity, to
the putting of the poft in the beft
prefcnt llate of defence, which its
fjtuation, and the fhortnefs of the
notice, could admit. In this, .is
in every thing elfe, he received the
moft cordial and efficacious fupport
and aflirtance from the officers and
crews of the three royal frigates in
the river, who committed them-
felves with the greatclt chearful-
nefs to abide the fate of the garri-
fon,

, , , At length, the hof-

july 25th. ^j,^ ^^^ dreaded fleet,

to the amount of 37 fail, appear-
ed in fight; and foon after, their
armed veffels began to cannonade
the ftiips of war, and a battery of
four twelve pounders, which had
been thrown up on the bank of the
river for their proteflion. It ap-
pears, that the works of the fort
were commenced about the middl*
of a fmall perinfula, the weftern
point of which run pretty deeply
into the river; and the whole, fo
far av we can judge, forming a
fort of hook, within which was
included a little bay or harbour,
wherein the frigates were ftationed.
The commander had the prccau-
tioji to inirench the lUhmus or
neck, which joined the peninfula
to the continent, by which he was
fccured on the back. The weak
Hde of the peninfula lay to the har-
bour, the entrance to which was,
as we have feen, defended by the
frigates, and the four gun battery ;
and the oppofite fide Teems not to
have admitted of a landing. From

this fituation, the only feafible
means the enemy pofleficd for ap-
proaching the fort, was by cfFeft-
ing a landing on the weft point;
and even there, the ground was
naturally fo ftrong and difficult, as
to afford no fmall room for hope to
the commander, that he fhould be
able to protraft their operations for
fome conftderable time, which was
the great objeft he had in view, at
holding out the profpedl of expec-
ted relief.

The fire of the enemy was fo
well returned, that their lhip«
found it necefTary to retire ; upon
which their fleet anchored cfF the
weft end of the peninfula. They
renewed the attack upon the Ihip-
ping on the following day ; but
being again rppulfed as be-
fore, they feemed, for the pre-
fent, to give up all hope of fuc-
ceeding on that fide. They made
feveral attempts to land, both on
the firft night, and after, in which
they were alfo conllantly repulfed
by the piquets, who were advan-
tagcoufly polled on the point for
their reception. To the great fur-
prize, however, and difappoint-
ment of the commander and garri-
fon, they made good their land-
ing under a violent cannonade, ors
the morning of the zSih, and
obliged the piquets to retire to the
fort.

'J he attention of the comman-
der, his ofhcers and garrifon, were
now neceHarily confined to the
itrengthcning and defence of their
works ; operations in which they
were equally indefatigable and fuc».

30th.

cefsful. On the third day
after their landing, the
enemy opened a battery at about
750 yards diltance ; and in a few
days after, another fomewbat near-
t ";

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [197'

cr ; but although the cannonade
from both was very briflc and well
fupported, the works were carried
on in the fort with the fame Ipirit
and induftry as before. Thus the
befieged exhibited the fingular
phaeiiomenon, of acquiring a daily
acceflion of internal llrength and
fecurity, under the immediate al-
faults of the enemy.

In the mean time, the Ameri-
cans having erected a battery on
an ifland at the entrance of the
harbour, the frigates and {hipping
thought it neceffary, upon a con-
fultation between the land and na-
val force, to retire farther within
the baycrcieek; and having alfo
landed guns to cover their o\\n
battery, the cogimander was there-
by enabled to withdraw the four
twelve pounders for tlie defence of
the fort. For about a fortnight
the cannonade was fupported with
great fpirit on both fidts : at the
end of which time, the commander
received intelligence from a de-
ferter, that a general ftorm was
fixed upon, it being intended to
attack the (hips and the fort at the
fame imiant. Upon this informa-
tion, he immediately threw up a
fmall work, covered with light
artillery, at about 150 yards dif-
tance, in the front oi the fort ; thus
adding a further fecurity and cover
to the body of the place.

Whilll the commanders, garri-
fon, and fearr.en were in impatient
expectation of the attack, and
without the fmallefl apprehenficn
as to the event, an unufual quiet
being obfcrved on the enemy's

Au?. uth. "'^^' y^y ^"^y "■" ^^^

° ^ morning, it induced
a defer infpeftion, in confequence
ot which it was foon, to their inex-
prsllible aftonilhnicnt, difcovercd.

that the rebels had totally abandon-
ed their camp and works in the
night, and had re-embarked both
their forces and artillery. Nor
were they left long in the dark as
to the caufe of this myllerious
event ; for while they were endea-
vouring to profit in fome degree of
the confufion v/hich they faw in
the enemy's fleet, Sir George Col-
lier, with his fquadron, appeared
full to their view in the river.

That commander had failed from
Sandy Kock, in the Raifonable
man of war, on the 3d of Auguft,
and arrived in the Penobfcot, ac-
companied by the Greyhound,
Blonde, Virginia, Camilla, and
Galatea frigates. The Americans
at firft feemed to make fome (hew
of intended refiftance, by drawing
up in a crefcent acrofs the river,
as if they determined to difpute
the paffage. But their refolution
foon failed, and a mod ignomini-
ous flight took place. Perhaps
they intended no more by that
(hew of refiftance, than to aiford
time for the tranfports to make
fome wa)'" up the river, and 10 gain
thereby an opportunity of landing
the troops. However that was, a
general chace, and unreiilted de-
Itriidion took place ; in both of
which the three floops of war,
which had been fo long cooped up
with the garrifon, now took an ea-
ger part. The fugitives them-
leives, finding there was no pofli-
bility of efcape, (hortened the bu«
fireis, by fetting fire to, and blow-
ing up their own veffels. No de-
ftrudlion could be more complete,
for nothing efcaped. One frigate
of 20 guns, and another of 18,
were, however, taken.

Few Angle towns have ever ex-
perienced fuch a blow to their ma-

l*N] 3 rine.

ipS] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

rine, as Bofton now fufFered. The
Warren, a fine new frigate, of 32
eighteen and twelve pounders,
with five others, from 20 to 24
guns, one of 16, and one of 18,
were all blown up. Six armed
brigs or floops, from 14 to 16 guns
each, with one of 12, met the
fame fate. The whole number of
armed velTels deftroyed or taken,
including two, which the fquadron
took on their paffagc, amounting
to nineteen. A force, little, if at
all inferior, whether with refpeft
to fhips or guns, to the navy royal
of England, for feveral years after
the acceflion of Queen Elizabeth.

Twenty-four fail of tranfports
were likewife deftroyed, and fome
provifion vefTels taken. As no-
thing could be more defpicable than
the condu(ft of Sakonftall, fo no man
could be more execrated than he
was by his countrymen. It is even

faid, that the indignation and
rage of the land forces rofe fa
high upon the common difgrace
which they were obliged to fharc
in, that they could not refrain
from coming to blows with the fea-
men, in the courfe of their fubfe-
quent return by land. It mull,
however, be acknowledged, that
the Americans were not able to
cope with the royal fquadron, in
an open and regular fea fight, and
that the fuperior force and weight
of metal of the Raifonable, afford-
ed fufficient caufe of terror to fri-
gates. But the pafles, windings,
and fhallows of the river, might
have ferved much to leiTcn that fu-
periority ; and at any rate, except-
ing the efFufion of blood, the moft
defperate refiftance could not have
been attended with more fatal con-
fequences than their ignominioug
flight.

CHAP.

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [199^

C H A P. X.

Admiral Bp-on takes the command in the Wejl Indies. Endeavours to
draw M. WEJlaing to an engagement 'without efftSi. Mortality at St.
Lucia. Air. Byron convoys the home-iuard -bound trade. Lo/s of the
ijland of St. Vincent* s, during the uhfence of the fleet, French fleet re-
inforced by the arrival of M. de la Motte , proceeds to the redvclior/. cf
the Granadcs. Lands a ,body of forces, nvhich iavefl the Hfpiial Hill
in the ifland cf Granada. Attack the luorks by night, and carry thenf.
by florftt. Lord Macartney propofes to capitulate ; but the terms offered
hj} D^Eflaing being _deemed iaadmifjible, furrenders the fort and ifland ap
difcretion. Admiral Byron returns to St. Lucia ; proceeds 'with the
fleet and army for the reco'very of St. Vincent* s. Receives intelligence
at fea cf the attack upon Granada, and being ignorant of the great fu-
periority of the French fleet, changes his courfe in order to fuccour that
ifland. Different vie^vs -and conduct of the hoflile cbmmanders. En-
gagement. Extraordinary aSis of gallajitry. Vice-admiral Barrinftoa
•wounded. French perfevere in their reflation of not coming to a clofe
action, Vie-ws of the Britifh commanders totally changed, upon difco-
vering that the ifland ivas already lofl, as they had no force capable of
attempting its recovery. Tranf ports and difabled fl/ips fent off to St.
Chriflopher^s in the evening, Follo^ved next day by the f.eet; ths
enemy having returned to Granada in the night. Prodigious lofs of tnen
on the French fide accounted for. Claim a viSlory ; and upon vchat
ground. M. D*Eflaing direds his operations to the northward. Firft
object, the reduction of Georgia. — Second, an attack upon New York,
in cenjunrtion vjith General Wafmngton. Arrives upon the coafl cf
Carolina ; takes the Experiment man of ivar, and fome frigates.
Anchors off Tybee. Lands his troops and invefls the town of Sa-
'vunnah. Summo7is General Prevofl. Is joined hy General Lincoln,
and Count Polafli. Attacks the Britijh lines, and is repulpid vjith
great flaughter. French retire to their Jhips, and totally abandon the
coafls of America.

THE arrival of Admiral Byron ter. They accordingly emitted
in the Weft Indies, juft nothing which could draw M. D'-
after the double repulfe which Eftaing to an engagement; and
D'Eftaing had met with ac Santa repeatedly infulted him in the har-
Lucia, and the furrender of that bour of Port Royal, with a view
ifland to Admiral Barrington, of provoking him to quit the re-
threw the command of the fleet curity afforded by that faftnefs.
into the hands of the forme;- of Their endeavours were, however,
thefe gentlemen, at the fame time fruitlefs : and that commande;:
that the jundion of the fquadron? fhewed a degree of phlegm, and a
enabled them to afiume a fnperi- government of his temper, which
sjity over the French in that quar- could fcarcely have been cxpedled

i*N] ^ from

►2oo] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

from liis general charafler, confi-
dering that there was Utile, if any,
difparity of force. But the Bri-
tifh naval fame was ftill ftrong in
memory ; and the event of the at-
tempt upon Admiral Barrington,
ferved to imprefs it with yet greater
force. The expeftation he was in
cf daily reinforcement, however,
jullified his condud.

In the mean time, the noxious cli-
mate and air of the ifland of St. Lu-
cia fpread and continued a dreadful
mortality among the Britifh troops ;
and every day ferved to render the
Jofs of Dominique the more fen-
fibly felt. This calamity was the
more grievous, as it would be ex-
ceedingly difficult to fupply the
place of the brave gorps who ferved
in that ifland ; who, with reipedt
to difcipline, fpirit, and attual
fervice, could fcarcely have been
matched by any equal number of
troops in the univerle. But it vyas
not the firil inllance, in which the
rigours and noxious vapours of a
fouthern climate, had finifhed the
career of thofe unconquerable
troops, who had been formed in the
wars of Northern America.

At length, reinforcemen'ts ar-
rived on both fidf s ; /admiral
Rowley havi.ig joined the Britifh
fquadroii, with feveral {hip5 of war
from Europe ; about the fame
time, that M. de GrafTe, not-
withilanding the watchfulnefs of
the oppofue commanders, arrived
fafe, with a large convoy, an4 a
confiderable force, at Martinique.
Although thcfe reinforcements pro-
duced no great difference in the
coqp^rative ftrength of the hoftile
fleets, which were llill pretty
equally balanced in that refped,
yet nothing could induce D'Eftaing
to hazard a general engagementj,

Indeed he adhered fo pertinacioufly
to this condud, that when upon
different occafions of feparation
in the Britiih fquadrons, or other
circum fiances which feemed to offer
advantage, he fometimes ventured
to fail out of Port Royal ; yet, he
more than once, under circum-
flanccs of apparent difgrace, re-
treated again into that harbour,
from the eager purfuit and infult
of an enemy, who was not at all
fuperior to him either in force or in
numbfr.

An occafjon, however, at length
offered, which fully demonftraie4
the propriety and judgment of his
condud, and amply rewarded the
perfeverance with whjch he adhe.
red to his fyftem. The trade
from the Weft India Iflands to
England, having affembled at St.
Chriftopher's towards the middle
of June, the very great importance
and value of that nurnerous fleet of
pierchantmen, made Admiral By-
ron think it neceflary to convoy
them with his whole fquadron, for
feme confiderable part of the way.
Indeed, no feparation of it could
have been ventured upon with any
degree of fafety. For we had no
port, in thofe iflands of fufhcient
ftrength, to have afforded protec-
tion to the remaining divifton of
the fleet, againft the great fuperi-
ority cf land, as well as of naval
force, which D'Eflaing had in his
hands. And on the other hand,
the French ccmmander would have
had it in option to purfue the con-
voy, and if he even failed of over-
taking it, he could fcarcely mifs
of intercepting the fquadron on its
return, which had been fent for its
prote^^ion. The meafure of afford-
ing a ftrong protedion to the trade,
was the more indifpenfit)le, as it

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [201^

was known that M. de la Motte
Piquet was then on his way from
France with a ftrong reinforcement
toD'Eftaing; and no common or
ordinary convoy would have been
fufficient for the proteftion of the
trade, in cafe of its falling in with
his fquadron.

No W'fdom in the defign, nor
judgment in the executior;, can at
all times prevent meafares from
proving unfortunate; as the pre-
sent did in a high degree. The
firft cor-rsquca:e o( the departure
of the fl-c- was the lofs of the va-
Juabl? ifland of St. Vincent's; a
jofs whicli would have been ftill
010! .; t'lOugKt of, if it had not been
fpeedin followed by a greater.
The circumftances attending the
lofs of that ifland were rather ex-
traordiiiary, and have not yet been
explained in any manner which
could afford fatisfaftion to the pub-
lic. A handful of French from
Martinique, under the command
only of a naval lieutenant, efH-
mated by one account at 300, and
by the governor's own at 450 men,
rot above half of which were re-
gulars, ventured to land upon a
holtile ifland, garrifoned by feven
companies of regular troops, under
the condudi ot a lieutenant-co-
lonel, the garrifon alfo exceeding
the invaders in number, and the
ifland inhabited likewife by a peo-
ple, who had always fiiewn the
utmoft fiercenefs and eagernefs for
war, when it was accompanied
with the hope of plundering the
unfortunate Caribbs of their lands ;
and yet -this ifland, fo circum-
ftanced as to garrifon and inhabi-
tants, was delivered up to the
enemy, without the firing of a
fingle fliot on either flde.

f he capitulation was figncd only

by Governor Morris, and th«
French lieutenant; nor can we
help thinking it fomcwhat Angular,
that the name of no other officer,
civil or military, on the part of the
ifland, fliould appear to it. The
conditions were fufficiently favour-
able to the inhabitants, being ia
general drawn upon the model of
thofe at Dominique. The natural
eiFeft of that oppreflion and inhu-
manity, which the inordinate co-
ve toufnefs of the planters, had in-
duced them fome years ago to exr?
ercife upon the Caribbs, and
through which they led govern-
ment into that difgraceful war we
have feen for their extermination,
was now apparent; that people
having immediately joined the
French upon their landing, and it
may well be fuppofed, had no
fmall fliare in inducing them tQ
undertake the expedition. The
terror with which the inhabitants
now regarded that people, is alfo
obvious, from the fervency with
which they claim the French pro-
tedlion againft them in the articles
of capitulation. It is not impoili-
ble but that terror contributed to
the otherwife unaccountable fur.
render of the ifland.

D'Eftaing had the fortune of be-*
ing joined by the reinforcement
under M. de la Motte, with a fup-
ply of troops, and of what was at
leaft equally neceflTary, of naval
and military ftores and provifion,
during the abfence of the Bridfli
fleet. His great fuperiority by land
and fea, now neceffarily called him
to aftion, and the ifland of Granada
was the immediate obje£l of his
enterprize. He arrived t , .
off that ifland with a J"V ^a.
fleet of five or flx-and-twenty
fliips of the line, with ten or

twelve

^202] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

twelve frigates, and, according to
their own report, near 10,000 land
forces, including the marines, on
board. The whole defence of the
jfland lay in about 150 foldiers and
artillery men, and three or four
hundred armed inhabitants ; and
its llrength confilled in a fortified
or entrenched hill, which com-
manded the fort, harbour, and ca-
pital town of St. George.

The French landed between two
and three thoufand regular forces,
»ander the condudl of Count Dillon,
on that evening ; who the next day
irjvelled the hill, and made the
necefla-y j-^ reparations for carrying
jt by Itorm on the following night.
The governor. Lord Macartney,
made every poffible preparation for
defence ; but it feems probable,
jthat he unfortunately placed a
greater reliance on the natural and
artificial ilrength of the port, than
an experienced military comman-
der would have done. The French
■fay it was deemed to afford fo per-
£e£t a fecurity, thai it was ren-
dered a depoiit for plate, jevvels,
^nd other mofl: valuable moveables.
However that was, or whatever the
ilrength of the port, the defence
\yas extraordinary, confidering the
pature and amount of the force by
which Jt was defended ; and al-
though D'Eflaing headed a column
of the French troops in perfon,
they were repulfed in the firll on-
jTet ; but the fuperiority of number
was at length deciiive, and they
carried the lines afier a hard con-
f»ift, which lafted about an hour
and a half. The French are faid
to have had 300 men killed or
Avounded in this afiault; but they
(do not acknowledge any fuch num-
ber in their own public account.
Their lofs was, hcwevcr, confider.

able, and chiefly arofe from a well-
diredled fire from fome veflels in
the road, which galled them ex-
ceedingly in their approach.

The cannon which they had
taken on the top of the hill, being
turned at break of day againU the
fort, which then lay at their dif-
cretion, the governor was under a
neceffity of propofing, what he had
before rejected, a capitulation.
D'Eftaing treated the flag with
great haughtinefs ; would grant
but an hour and a half for framing
the propofals ; and when they were
prefented, rejefted them in the
grofs, and in the mod peremptory
manner. He, however, framed
fome terms himfelf, with which
they were immediately to comply,
without the fmalleft deviation on
their fide, or relaxation on his.
But thefe were of fo extraordinary
a nature, that the governor and
principal inhabitants thought it,
better to truH to the law and cuf-
toms of nations, to the jullice of
one court, and the interpofition of
the ' other, by furrendering at dif-
cretion, than to bind themfelves to
fuch unexampled conditions.

Nothing could be more unfa-
vourable to D'Eftaing's charader,
than the accounts of his conduct
in his new acquifition, which were
fpread about at that time. His
continuance in the ifland of Gra-
nada has been reprefented as a
conflant fcenc of fe verity and op-
preflion. It was faid that his fol-
diers were indulged in the molt
unbridled licence ; and that if it
had not been for the humanity and
tendernefs (hewn by the officers and
private men of Dillon's Irifh regi-
ment to the inhabitants, their con-
dition would have been too deplor-
able to be endured 07 defcribcd.

In

HISTORY OF

EUROPE. [203*

In the mean time. Admiral By-
yon had returned to St. Lucia,
where he arrived on the firft of the
month; his fleet being now weak-
ened by the convoy which he had
fent with the trade to England.
He there received the firll intelli-
gence of the lofs of St. Vincent's J
upon which intelligence he con-
cluded with General Grant, that
they Ihould proceed with the land
and -naval force for the recovery of
that ifland. In their pafTage for
that ^{land they received the un-
welcome information, that D'Ef-
taing had attacked Granada ; their
advices were very imperfeft ; did
not ftate the French fleet at any
thing near its real force; and re-
prefented Lord Macartney to be in
a condition which would enable
him to hold out for fome days.
Nor had they yet received any in-
telligence of de la Motte's jundion
with D'Ellaing. They accordingly
changed their courfe and intention,
and proceeded for the relief of the
Granades.

In this ftate of ignorance, v/ith
refpe<St to the ftrength of the enemy,
and the circumftances of the ifland,
the Britifli commanders arrived
within flght of the French fleet,
9t the break qf day, on the 6th of
July. Their force confilled in 21
ihips of the line, and a Angle fri-
gate : and they were accompanied,
and as things fell out exceedingly
incumbered, by a fomewhat greater
number of tranfports which con-
veyed the troops. The enemy had
been at anchor off the harbour of
St. George's; but having received
previous 'information of the ap-
proach of the Britiflj fleets they
were then moftly getting under
way, and thofe which had not al-
ready hoifted their anchors, im-

mediately flipped their Cables, and
kept ftretching out to fca. As the
objefts of the hoftile commanders
were totally different, it is ne-
cefl"ary to explain them, for the
better comprehending the nature
of the enfuing engagement. The
Britifli admirals wanted to bring
the enemy to the clofefl aftion that
was poflible ; not only as a mode
of fighting which at all times af-
forded the greateft advantage to
their flde ; but as affording the
means, befides the relief of the
ifland, (which they made no doubt
of) of obtaining that decifive fu-
periority in thofe feas which they
wiflied to eftablifli. On the other
hand, M. D'Eltaing fought for no
other profit or advantage than the
prefervation of his new acquifi-
tion; that was to him a fufiicient
vidory; he was in no difpofidon
to feek honour at the hazard of
that, in the doubtful ifiue of a
bloody and defperate conflid with
a Britifli fleet, if it could poflibly
be avoided ; but he would, not-
withflanding, rifque all things,
f(X)ner than give up what he had
got.

Such motives operating on both
fides, and the French Ihips being
cleaner, and confequently failing
much better than the Englifli,
which threw the choice with re-
fpeft to the mode of fight in a
great degree into their hands, the
aftion was neceffarily partial, and
could not, without fome change of
circumftances, have become ge-
neral. For the few Britifh ftiips
which could firft reach (or in fea
language fetch) the enemy, were
expofea to the encounter of a pro-
digious fuperiority of force, and
confequently fuftained great da-
mage, before they could be fup-

porie4

204*] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ported even by their neareft fel-
lows ; and thefe were again, in
their turn, to experience the fame
dil'advantage ; while feveral Ihips
of the rear divifion, were never
able to come at all into adlion ;
and a llill greater number of the
fleet in general, could not obtain
that ftiare in it which they wifhed.

The firft fignal made by the ad-
miral, on feeing the difpofition,
and difcovering the intention of
the enemy, was that for a general
chace ; and tlie fecond, (he being
yet ignorant, or rather mifinform-
ed, as to their ftrength) was, for
the (hips to engage, and to form
as they could get up ; and even
when the fuperiority of the enemy
was difcovered, the fignal for
chace was ftill continued, with the
addition of that for a clofe en-
gagement. About half pall ft^ven
the aftion was commenced by
Admiral Barrington, in the Prince
of Wales, with the captains Saw-
yer and Gardner, in the Boyne
and Suitan, having clofed with
the van of the enemy. That dif-
tinguilhed command^T, with his
brave colleagues, made and fup-
ported the attack with a fpirit
and refolution, which would have
llamped the higheft honour, where
there had been none acknowledged
before. But being obliged to en-
dure the whole weight of fire from
that divifion of the enemy, for a
confiderable fpace of time before
they could be fupported, they fuf-
fered accordingly ; and b^.- fides the
damage to the fhips, and lofs of
men, the vice-admiral was himfelf
wounded.

I'he fuperiority which the French
(hips pofTefTed in point of failing,
ftill enabled thsm to elude every
effort >vhich was made by the Bri-

tifh commanders, to bring on a
clofe and a decifive enf,agcment. »
The former, indeed, fometimes
happened in particular inllances ;
but it was only, when the evolu-
tions on both fides, and tlic ea-
gernefs on one, threw a few of the
Britilh flnps into a fituation, which
obliged tlicm to endure a conflift,
with a much greater number of
the enemy. Tl.us, the Grafton,
Collingwood ; the Cornwall,- Ed-
wards; and the Lion, Cornwallis,
fullaincd the whole fire of the
French fleet, as it pafTed them
fucceffively on a tack; and Cap-
tain Fanfhawe, of the Monmouth,
having gallantly attempted, fingly,
to arreft the progrefs of the enemy's
van, hoping thereby to bring on
a general adlion ; it will not be
wondered at, that as his defign
failed, his Ihip fhould be little
better than a wreck. The Suf-
folk, Rear- Admiral Rowley, (who
had been left originally for the
protedion of the tranfports) with
the Fame, Butchart, had likewife
fujFered confiderably in fimilar fitu-
ation s.

The peculiar circumftances and
fituations of the (ieets, including
perhapi their diilance, together
with the oppofue views of the
commanders, brought on a celTa-
tion of adion about twelve o'clock;
and although it was renewed at
two, and at other times, in fome
degree, during the evening, yet
nothing efTential was done on ei^
ther fide. The objed of the Bri-
tifh commanders was now totally
changed, from what it had been at
the commencement of tlie engage^
ment. Some of the fiiips had
pulhtd their way boldly during
the heat of the adion, to the very
eiiU'ante of the h-rbour of St.
George's,

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [205^

George's, thinking thereby to ad-
minifter courage at lead, if not
fuccour, to their fuppofed friends
in the garrifon ; but, to their ut-
moft aftoni(hment, they not only
beheld French colours on the fort,
but were fired at by the batteries.
Their main objed, in the relief
of the ifland, was therefore no
more. The ifland was already
loft I and their total inferiority of
force by fea and land, rendered
them utterly incapable of attempt-
ing its recovery. They had been
equally difappointed with refpeft
to the force of the French fleet, as
to the fituation of the ifland. The
care of the tranfports, had been a
conftant clog upon them during
the aftion ; and their proteftion
now, along with that of the dilabled
{hips, were the great and only ob-
jects of confideration.

Three of the difablcd fhips were
a great way a-flern ; and one of
them, the Lion, had fuftered fo
extremely, that being incapable of
attempting to rejoin the fleet, fhe
was obliged to bear away fingly,
in the bell manner fhe could, be-
fore the wind ; and had the good
fortune to arrive fome time after
in Jamaica, although in point of
condition little better than a wreck.
It feemed in the power of the
French to have cut off the two
" other difabled fliips ; but they
would not hazard the attempt, as
it wo'jJd have been the means of
bringing on a cloie and decifive
adion. Indeed nothing could more
clearly ftiew D'Eftaing's inflexible
Uetermination on that point, which
can only account for his conduft,
than, that wirh fuch a foperiority
In his line of battle, and fuch a
number of large and Uout frigates,
he neither attempted to cut off the

tranfports, or the two difablcd
fliips ; nor would even venture to
detach a fingle ihip in purfuit of
the Lion.

In thefe circumfiances, the Bri-
tifli admiral fent inftruftions in the
evening to the Monmouth, (which
was in much about the fame con-
dition with the Lion), as he like-
wife did to the tranfports, to make
the beft of their way to Antigua
or St. Chriftopher's. His line
being now reduced to nineteen
fliips, of which feveral \yere great-
ly difabled, was drawn up at the
clofe of the evening, at about three
miles diftance from the enemy; in
full expectation of being attacked
in the morning, as he did not
think it poflible, that with fo great
a fuperiority, the French com-
mander would fuffer the tranfports
to be carried ofF without purfuit
or molellation. M. D'Eftaing
evidently held a different opinion,
and returned with his fleet to
Granada during the night.

Tiie Generals Grant and Mea-
dowes, were fpeftators of an ac-
tion in which they could not par-
take, and fek the higheft military-
rapture, at the many extraordinary
exertions of gallantry which the/
faw exhibited by their naval
friends ; and being ignorant of the
fuperiority with which they were
contending, had raifed their ex-
pedaiions to the full confidence of
becoming Iharers in a triumph and
conlcquences which could not take
place. It was odd enough, that
the two wrecks, the Monmouth
and the Lion, fliould fall in with
each other at fea ; and that being
mutually disfigured, Capt. Corn-
wallis, at lealt, miftook the oppo-
fuc for an enemy, and was accord«
Lngly bringing up his torn veucl

with

^2o6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

with the grcatefl eagernefs, to the
encounter of the other, which was
not in quite fo bad condition.

The lols of men in the Britifh
fleet, amounted to 183 killed, and
346 wounded, of whom there were
four officers in each lift. This was
fufficiently moderate ; but the other
circumilances of the adlion were
exceedingly grievous; for the great
damage fudained by the ftiips,
particularly in their mafts and rig-
ging, (and for which the diftant
lire of the enemy was fo peculiarly
calculated) was a misfortune diffi-
cultly remedied in that quarter,
and which muft have been any
where attended with a confiderable
lofs of time. This afforded fo
prodigious a fuperiority of force to
the French, that while that conti-
nued, it was inipoffible any longer
tD difpute the empire of the fea
tvith them in the Weft Indies. Such
a ftate of things, could not but
fpread a great and general panic
through all the Britifti 1 Hands ; and
although D'Eftaing did not follow
up his new conqueft by any farther
attempts ; yet upon learning the -
weak ftate ofhis enemy, he did not
negleft to return the former vifits
he had received at Martinico, by
parading for a day with his whole
force in fight of St. Chriftopher's,
as if it were to challenge him to
aftion.

All accounts concur in defcrib-
jng the French lofs of men in this
action to be prodigious. The
loweft eftimate we have feen, ftates
it at 27CD, of v/hich the flain'
amount to 1200; but other ac-
counts go higher confiderably than
three thoufand. So great a num-
ber of land forces, being crowded
on board fhips, which are always
rated at a high complement with

rcfpeft to their crews, will in fotfld
degree account for fo great a lofs j
to which may be added, that this
engagement confifted in a great
meafure on one fide, of a facceffion
of fierce and defperate afiaults,
which made a dreadful impreflion
in thofc particular points to which
they were dircfted. The French
account, publiflied by authority*
gives no farther fpecification of the
lofs, than what relates to the offi-
cers, which could not be conceal-
ed. The number of officers, which
we find by thefe lifts, to have been
killed or wounded, was confider-
able, both in the naval and the land
departments, Of the former, three
commanders of ftiips were killed;
and it feems fingular, that the cap'*
tain and five lieutenants fell in one
fhip.

The French claimed a viftory<
on the ground, that they gained
their objeft, in the prefervation of
their acquifition, while the Englifti
loft theirs, in being obliged to re-
linquifti the Iftand. The French
King's letter to the Archbiftiop of
Paris, for a thankfgiving, on this
occafion, has been publi(hed.

The alarm excited in the Britifti
Weft India Iflands by the fuperio-
rity of the enemy was not long
lived; for D'Eftaing's operations
were deftined to another quarter j
nor could he probably have at-
chieved any thing farther there if
it had been otherwife. The foot-
ing which the Britifh forces had
gained in Georgia and South Ca-
rolina, was highly diftrefling in its
prcfent eff'ed, and ftiil more alarm-
ing, with refpect to its probable
confequences, to the Americans.
1 he (cene of adtion was fo remote
from the centre of force, and the
feat of council, that the war there

was

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [207'

was in a great degree beyond their
reach ; and the Britirfi marine
force, afforded luch decilive advan-
tages to the operations of their
troops, in countries every where
bordered by the fea, and chequer-
ed by inland navigations, as could
I'carceiy be counteraded with cf-
feft, by any moderate fuperiority at
land.

America had as yet received no
very effential fervice, with refpedl
to the diredl operations of the
war, from any co-operation of the
French arms. The attempt on
Rhode Illand, in conjundlion with
D'Eftaing, was proJuvftive of ex-
pence, danger, and lofs, without
the fmalleft benefit. Nor did the
condud of that commander afford
much more of fatisfadion, than
the expedition itfelf did of advan-
tage. On the other hand, the
mifchief and danger to the fouth-
ern provinces, had taken place
during the height of the connec-
tion ; and was perhaps fcarcely
compenfated for by the recovery of
Philadelphia; even throwing that
event into the fcale, as an indi-
redl confequence of the French al-
liances and fuppofing that the Bri-
tifh forces would not oiherwife have
abandoned that capital. It could
not befides but be very galling to
the Americans, that the protec-
tion, equipment, and fupply, af-
forded to the French fleet at Bofton,
fhould produce no better efFed, than
that immediate defertion of their
coafts, which expofed them to the
fouthern invafion. Upon the whole,
their new alliance had not as yet
produced thofe high advantages,
which were undoubtedly held out
in the warmth of fpeculation ; nor
even that proportion of them,
which might have been reafonably

expeded, as well from a confidera-
tion of the motives which led to the
connedion, as of the general ftateof
affairs, and the means and power of
the ally.

Under fome of thefe confidera-
tions, or the imprefTion of all, the
French court determined now to
afford feme elTential aid to their
new allies, by diredingD'Eftaing's
whole force to their a ffi fiance ; or
probably it was a part of the ori-
ginal plan of the campaign, that as
foon as he had acquired that effec-
tive fuperiority in the Well Indies,
which they were refolved to endow
him with, he fhould proceed to
the execution of the latter mea-
fure. That commander, accord-
ingly, having fir ft waited to fee the
French homeward-bound Wefl In-
dia trade clear of danger, proceed-
ed, with about 22 (hips of the line,
and fomething lefs than half the
number of large and heavy-metal
frigates, in all the pride of a con-
queror, to fweep the coafts of
North America. His firfl objed,
which was expeded to be accom-
plifhed with little difficulty, was
the deftrudion of the fmall force
under General Prevoft, and con-
fequently freeing the fouthern co-
lonies from all their prefent alarm
and danger. The fecond, was of
greater importance, and likely to
be attended with much greater
difficulty and danger; and that
was, a delign to attack, in con-
jundion with General Wafhington,
the Britlfh force at New York, by
fea and land at the fame time ; and
thus, by the redudion of that
ifland and its dependencies, along
with the confequent ruin of the op-
pofite fleet and army, to bring the
war on that cpntinent to a final con-
clufion,

Threugh

>2o8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Through the fudden and unex-
pc€>ed appearance of the French
fleet on the coafts of South Carolina
and Georgia, the Experiment man
of war, of fifty guns, and three
royal frigates, being totally unap-
prehenfive of danger, and upon fe-
parate fervices, had the misfortune
of falling in with them, and there-
by adding to their triumph and
number. The firft, under the com-
mand of Sir James Wallace, was
on her paffagc fiom New York to
the Savannah with fupplies : and
although flie had been already dif-
mafted in a violent ftorm, Ihe made
a gallant and defperate defence
againft an irrcfi liable fuperiority
of force, in the view of the hollile
fleet.

General Prevoft was at this
time at the town of Savannah ;
but the better, if not the greater
part of his force, was (till on the
jfland of Port Royal, in South
Carolina, where we have already
feen it took poll after the retreat
from Charles Town. As the
enemy were mailers by fea, that
corps had no other means of join-
ing the main body, but by the nu-
merous inland navigations which
interfed that country. The in-
tercepting of an exprefs by the
Americans, who conveyed orders
to Co!onel Mnitland from the ge-
neral, for fpeedily joining him with
the whole effcdive body under his
command, delayed the meafure fo
long, tliat the enemy had time to
feizc the principal communications
before it could take efFeft. This
rendered the junction of that corps
with the garrifon, upon which only
any hope of defending the Savan-
nah could be founded, a matter of
great doubt, difficulty, and dan-
ger. The addrefs of Colonel Mait-

land, the zeal of his troops* with
the diftinguilhed fervices of Lieute-
nant Goldefbrough of the navyj
were happily found fuperior to all
thefe obftacles.

As D'Eftaine was obliged to
communicate with the government
at Charles Town, relative to the
movements, of General Lincoln,
who was to a^ in concert with him
in the intended reduilion of Geor-
gia, this probably induced fome
delay with refpedl to his own ope-
rations ; fo that although he ar-
rived on the coalt about the liril of
September, it was more than a
week after, before the whole fleet,
amounting to above 40 o ,

fail, anchored oif tlip P • 9 •
bar of Tybec, at the mouth of
the river Savannah. For the three
or four facceeding days, the French
were taken up in paffing their
troops, in fmall American velTels,
through the Oflabaw inlet, and land-
ing them at Beaulieu, about 13
miles from the town of Savannah :
at the fame time that their frigates
were occupied in taking poffeiTion
of the lower river, and of the dif-
ferent inlets; approaching as near
to the town and lines, as the cir*
cum (lances of water or of defence
would admit.

On the 15 th the French, with
Polafki's American light horfe* ap-
peared fo near the Britifh lines, aa
to fkirmifh with the picquets; and
as the force under General Prevoft,
did not admit of his having any
other objeft in view than the mere
defence of the town, his pofts were
contradled within the cover of the
artillery on the works. On the
following day, M. D'Eftaing fent
in a haughty fummons to the ge-
neral, to furrender the place to
the arms of his moft Chriftian
Majelly.

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [209*

Majefty. He vaunted in high lan-
guage, that he commanded the
fame troops, a detachment of
whom had recently taken the Hof-
pital Hill in Granada by ftorm ;
notvvithflanding that its natural
and artificial Urength was fo great,
that it was deemed impregnable
by its defenders. He held out the
circumftances of that tranfadtion as
a leflbn of caution, to fhew the futi-
lity, and the very great danger,
with the force which the general
had in his hands, and fuch works
as he had to defend, if he ventured
to refift the ardour of thofe con-
quering troops: — Lord Macartney
had the good fortune to efcape tha
firll tranfports of their rage — He
could not himfelf retrain their
pillage. General Frevoll was there-
fore warned, in rather command-
ing terms, that he ftiould be per-
fonally refponfible, for all the un-
happy or fatal confequences, which
might be the refult of his obliinacy,
in venturing a fruitlefs refiftance
againft a force, with which he
was totally incapable of contend-
ing.

Colonel Maitland's divifion had
not yet joined the garrifon ; nor
was there any intelligence of their
fituation, nor knowledge of their
ability to perform the jundlion. In
thefe circumftances, althcugh Ge-
neral Prevoft and his officers were
determined, even with the force in
their hands, to defend the place
to the utmoft extremity, yet it was
thought prudent and neceflary to
gain all the time that was pof-
fible ; and this the more efpecially^
as the lines were llill in a very im-
perfed ftdte of defence, and there
had not been time to convey the
artillery from the (hipping, for the
protection, fuch as they were, of

Vol.. XXIL

the works. The commander had
the addrefs to carry this point.
Meflages pafTed backwards and for-
wards ; and at length, a truce for
24 hours was agreed upon, to afford
time for deliberation.

During this interval, the fortu-
nate arrival of Colonel Maitland,
with the troops from Port Royal,
prefented a new face of aftairs, and
furniftied a frefii ftock of ftrength
^d fpirits to the defence. An an-
fwer was accordingly returned, that:
they were unanimouily determined
to defend therafelves to the lafl
man. Nothing could prevent the
failors (who had been all crawa
from the fliips to conftruft and
man the batteries) from exprefTing
their ufual ardour, by giving three
loud cheers, upon firing thC fignal
gun for the recommencement of
hollilities.

On the day after delivering the
fummons. Count D'Eltaing was
joined by General Lincoln, as ha
had been before by Polafl:i. The
allies took feparate but adjoining
camps ; and each began imme-
diately to carry on their approaches
as in a regular fiege. Their joint
or feparate force cannot be very
exadlly afcertained. The French
are faid to have landed, from firll
to laft, about 4,800 regular troops,
befides fome hundreds of mulat-
toes and free negroes, whom they
had brought from the Weft Indies.
Lincoln's force was coritinually in-
creafing ; it was fuppofed not much
to exceed 1,500 men at the time
of his jundion with D'Eftaing ;
but was afterwards eftimated from
3,000 to 3,500 i-nen.

No account has been given of
the number of the garrifon ; but
it would feem, from the exceeding
weaknefs of the battalions, and aa

[*0J examiqa-

^2io] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

examination of various relative
circumftanccs, that taking in all
delcriptions of men, provincial
troops, loyalilh, under whatever
denomination, and iailors, that
the whole could not exceed 3,000
jnen.

The fpirit, vigour of exertion,
and perfeverance in toil, which
were exhibited in carrying on the
dcfenfive works, at leait equalled,
if not exceeded, any thing of the
fort we have read or heard of.
From the general to the private
centinel, from the commanders of
the royal frigates to the common
feamen, every man without dif-
tindion was employed in the
hardeft labour, and chearfuUy un-
derwent his fhare of the toil. At
the time that the general received
the French fummons, the lines
were not only weak and imperfeft,
but were not protefted by above
eight or ten pieces of cannon ;
and at the conclufion of the fiege
or blockade, the works (by the
aid of the fhip guns, and the un-
ceafing exertion ufed in landing
and bringing them forward) were
covered with a numerous artillery,
amounting to near ico pieces.
Nor was the labour or exertion
greater than the judgment ufed in
their diredion. In this refpe(5l.
Captain Moncrieffe, the engineer,
equally excited the admiration of
friends and of enemies. The
Briti^ forces inde-d owed much
to his Ikill and ability; and were
accordingly unanimous in their
acknowledgments of his fervices ;
while the French officers declared,
that his works and batteries fprung
up every night upon them like
champignons. He gained great
honour, and merited more fub-
ftantial rewards.

The enemy were by no mean*
idle in their endeavours to inter-
rupt the workj ; but their efforts
were inefFeftual. In the meaa
time, they fpared no induftry ift
carrying on their own ; and in
about a we -k after the fum- ,

mons, had puihed a fap to ^^^ '
within 300 yards of the abbatis,
to the left of the Britifh center-
Although the ftate of General
Prevoft's force, rendered him ex-.
ceedingly fparing of his men, yet
in the few coufliifls which took
place, the enemy were con(l»ntIy
and confiderably lofers. About
midnight, between the 3d and the
4th of Odtober, the enemy began
a heavy bombardment ; and at
day-light, they opened a vehement
cannonade, with 37 pieces of hea-
vy artillery, and nine mortars,
from their land batteries, and 16
cannon from the water. This can-
nonade was continued, with more
or lefs aftivity, for five days. Its
eifecl fell moftly upon the town ;
where, befides the deftruttion of
houfes ; women, , children, and '
negroes were the only fufferers.
All others were in the works;
and thefe continually acquired ad-
ditional flrength, inftead of fuf-
taining any efl'ential damage, dur-
ing the violence of this canno-
nade.

In this diftrefs of the women
and chidren, which was Hill in-
creafed by the throwing in of
carcafles, which fet fome houfet
on fire, the general wrote a letter
to D'Eftaing, requiring permiffion,
that they fhould be fent aboard
fhips dovvn the river, and placed
under the proteftion of a French
man of war, in which ftate they
were to continue until the bufinefs
ihould be finally decided. At the

fame

HISTORY OF EQROPE. [211'

fjime time acquainting him, that not afford any, and in a mod cri-

his own wife and family, (hould be
among the firlt to profit of the in-
dulgence. After a delay of three
hours, during which the time was
filled up by the difcharge of can-
non and (hells, the rcquelt was not
cnly refufed, but the refufal was

tical feafon of the year; u may
well be anfwered, that this very
circumflance afforded the llrongeft
mo ive for immediately attacking
his enemy; and confequently could
afford no. realonable caufe for de-
laving that attack, whillt the de-

conveyed in unufual and infulcing fenfive ftrength on the other fid«

language, in a letter figned both was daily incrtafing.
by Lincoln and D'Eltaing. The Whatever motives operated upon

attempts made afterwards by the the French commander in the hiA

French officersj to charge this harfh inftance, it feems as if his temper

and cruel refufal, as well as the or patience failed him, in waiting

mode of it, to the brutality of the the flow refuk of fap in the fecond.

American general, are by no means
fufHcient to exculpate D'Ellaing
from his full ihare in the tranfac-
tion, and in the difgrace belonging
to it ; however it may (qtvc to

It is poiTible, that his approaches
had already colt him more time
than he expcded; that the refiJl-
ance was alfo much greater; tha',
as his batteries produced very little

ihew their confcioufnefs that the effedt upon the Britlfh works, he

aft was indefenfible.

Whatever D'Eilaing's merits
nay be as a naval commander, he
feems to have committed two capi-
tal errors in this adventure by land.
The firft was, his not immediately
attacking the Britifh lines in their
original weakneis, and before
General Prevoft was joined by
Colonel Maitland. The leafons
that may be ufed againft this mea-
fure are obvious, and may be an-
fwered with little difficulty — The
fecond was, that as he did lofe
fo much time in carrying on re-
gular approaches againft field
works, he fhouid have ftill con-
tinued to proceed by fap, until
he had fo far obviated the de-
fences of the enemy, that his
troops might engage them upon

was difappointed in that refpeft
likewife ; and that he finally
placed too great a confidence in
the fuperiority of his force, and th«
goodnefs of his troops.

However that was, after a very
heavy cannonade and bombard-
ment for feveral hours, the allies
attacked the Britifh lines, q^ ^^
with their utmoit force, " ^
and with great fury, a little befor*
day-light. The firing began oa
the left of the Britifh lines, but
foon after became general. As it
was Hill too dark to perceive the
movements of the enemy, aad un-
certain where their principal at-
tacks would take place, no change
was made in the difpofition of the
Britifh troops ; but each command
waited coolly in its polt, prepared

Something approaching to equal for, and expeding, whatever could

terms in the final affault. If to happen.

this it be cppofed, that his fleet The nature of the ground en

of heavy capital fliips was expofed both flanks of the lines, was fo

to great rifque and danger, by favourable to the appioaches of

lying fo long without fheher, upon the enemy, that the defed could

«n intTofpitable coalt, which could not be remedied by all the f"^*'!

1*0} z ami

*2i2] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

and endeavours of the engineer.
Thus an attack was to be expefted,
towards either or both of the
points. A fwampy hollow way on
the right, might b/ing the enemy
under cover to within a very fmall
diltance of fome of the principal
works ; on the left, the approach
was not fo well covered; but the
ground being firm and clear, .
leemed better calculated for the
operation of regular troops, or at
Icafc more inviting to them, than
that on the other fide. The French
being likewife encamped on that
lide, it was expected that they
would diredl their whole force to
that point ; and that the attack on
the other, if really undertaken,
would be left to the Americans,

The grand attack was, however,
direfted to the right, whither
P'Eitaing in perfon led the flower
of both arnriies, and was accompa-
nied by all the principal officers of
each. They advanced in three co-
lumns, under cover of the hollow
we have mentioned ; but it feems,
that through the darknefs, they
took a greater circuit, and got
deeper in the bog, than they need-
ed or intended to have done; a
circumftance, which befides a lofs
of critical time, could (carcely fail
of producing fome difarrangement
or diforder. Tl'he attack was,
however, made with great fpirit,
and fapported with an extraordi-
nary degree of obliinate pcrfeve-
rance. A redoubt on the Ebene-
zar road, was the fcene of much
ai^lon, lofs, and gallantry. It was
cbllinately defended by Captain
Taws ; the enemy planted two
Hand of colours on it ; the parapet
was covered with their dead; at
length the brave captain fell, gal-
lantly fighting in his redoubt ;
7

his fword being plunged, at the
inftant of death, in the body of
the third enemy whom he had
flain with his own hand. His
place was inftantly and equally
fupplied by Captain Wic^khara ;
who, with better fortune, dif-
played aits of the moft fignal
valour.

While the conflifl was flill du-
bious and bloody, particularly at
th.at redoubt, the Ikill and defign
which operated in the conftruflion
of the new works, were difplayed
with great advantage. Three bat-
teries which were occupied by fea-
nftn, took the enemy in almoft-
every direftion ; and made fuch
havock in their ranks, as caufed
fome little diforder, or at leaft oc-
cafioned a paufe in their violence.
At that critical moment of deci-
fion, a body of grenadiers and ma-
rines advanced fuddenly from the
lines, and charged the enemy with
fuch rapidity and fury, throwing
themfelves headlong into the ditch-
es and works amongft them, that
in an inftant, the redoubt, and a
battery to its right, were totally
cleared of them. The vidors did
not purfue their advantage with
lefs vigour than they had gained
it. The enemy were broken, rout-
ed, and driven in the greateft dif-
order and confufion, through the
abbatis into the fvvamp.* The
whole was performed with fuch ra-
pidity, that three companies of the
moft adive troops in the army, who
were ordered to fuftain the grena-
diers, could not, with all their ce-
lerity, come in for any (hare of the
honour.

Although it was then day, yet

the fog and the fmcke together

caufed fo great a darknefs, that

the general could form no accurate

judgmentt

HISTORY OF EUROPE. [213^

judgment, either as to the condi-
tion or the difpofitiohs of the ene-
my ; ^nd as a conilant firing was
flill heard in different psrts of the
lines, thefe circumftanccs, all toge-
ther, prevented his venturing to
purfue the enemy, in their flight
and confufion acrofs the morafs.
They were, however, every where
repulfed ; but as that was done
elfewhere with lefs difRculty, fo
their iofs was proportionally fmal-
Jer. As the day cleared, the works
and ditches near the Eb.enezar re-
doubt, prefented fuch a fpedacle
of killed anti wounded, as Tome of
the officers and foldiers laid, had
only been equalled at Bunker's
hill. At ten o'clock, the enemy
requefled a truce, with leave to
bury the dead, and carry off the
wounded; the firfl was granted;
but a reftridtion laid in point of
dillance as to the reft.

The lofs of the enemy, in killed
and wounded, was, by the lowefl
calculations, eftimated from a thou-
fand to twelve hundred men. The
French acknowledged 44. officers,
and about 700 private men, on
their fide only. The amount of
the American lofs was not acknow-
ledged. It was faid, that nothing
but mutual reproach, and the molt
violent anim^ficy, now took place
between the- new allies. Each ac-
cufcd the other with bad condud
or bad performance, and being the
author of his own particular lofs

loufy had fubfifted on the Ameri-
can fide, from D'Eftaing's fum-
moning the place to furrender to
the arms of the French King only.

However thefe things might be,
nothing was thought of after by
either party, but the means of get-
ting away, with the greateft pofE-
ble fpeed and fafety. But it was
neceflary to maik this purpofe, by
flill fupporting the appearance of a
blockade. The removal of the
French heavy artillery, baggao-e,
fick, and wounded, was particu-
larly a work of time, labour, and
difficulty. Great civiliiies now
pafTed between the French camp
and the Brltifli lines ; and num-
berlefs apologies were offered, for
the refufal with refpeft to the wo-
men and children. They were
now p'effed to place themfeives in
the fituation which they had then
requefted ; and a particular fhip
of war and commander were nam-
ed, for the reception of Mrs. ?re-
voft, her children, and company.
The anfwer was blunt and fol-
dierly; that what had been once
refu'.ed, and that in terms of in-
fult, could not in any circumltance
be deemed worth the acceptance.

The celebrated Polilh Count Po-
lafki, whole name has bee a fo often
mentioned in the Americin war,
was mortally wounded in this ac-
tion. M. D'Eftaing himlelf was
forely woanded in two places.
Major-General de Fontange, with

or difgrace. It was even laid, that, fome other French officers of di-

the troops on both fides were with
diificulty reltrained from proceed-
ing to extremities ; and that the
French and American commanders
and principal officers, were as little
fatisfied with each other as the pri-
vate men. It was likewife lup-
pofed, that a firong previous jea-

ftindiLn, were likewife wounded.
The Ipfs on the Britilh fide was in-
conceivably fmall. Too much
could not be faid in praife of
every order of men who compofed
the defence of the Savannah. The
loyalifts of both the Carolinas
were diftinguifhed ; nor fhculd it

be

♦214] ANNUAL

be forgotten, that the captains and
failors of the tranfports took their
ilation in the batteries, with the
fame alacrity as their brethren in
the royal fervice.

In fomethino; more than a week,

REGISTER, 1779.

that the French did not lofe lefs H
every way, than 1500 men on this
adventure. Their commander found
his fleet as much out of heart and
condition, and nearly as fickly as
his army. He accordingly totally

_ „ „ , upon the clearing up of abandoned the coaft of America,
lot . a foCT, it was dilcovered, about the i ft of November, and pro-

that the- French and Americans had
abandoned their camps in the pre-
ceding night. Some purfuit was
made, but it was foon found, that
they had broken down all the
bridges behind them, and purfued
their refpedtive routs with the
greatefl: celerity. It was, compsted.

ceeded with the greater part of his
fleet diredlly to France ; the reli
having returned to the Weft- Indies.
Such was the beginning and ending
of M. D'Eftaing's American cam-
paign ; and fuch the iffue of the
great defigns he had formed , and the
mighty hopes he had conceive*!.

e H Ji O-

CHRONICLE.

[ ^93 1

CHRONICLE.

JANUARY.

'„ '^^HE new year was ufher-
X ed in with the moft
violent gale of wind that has been
experienced fmce the remarkable
one that happened in the begin-
ning of the prefent century. It is
impoffible for us to fpare room to
enumerate one-third of the mif-
chiefs and accidents it produced :
fuffice it to fay, that the danger
\va!> univerfal ; and that every pub-
lic and private building in and
near the metropolis, as well as the
fhipping in the river, furtained
fome damage from its tempelluous
violence. We fhall add the fol-
lowing accident, as a proof of the
truth of our affertion.

A flack of chimnies was blown
down at the Queen's palace, which
broke through the roof into the
apartments of three of the young
Princes. Their Majeliies got up
and went into all the apartments,
io fee if any of the children or fa-
mily were hurt, but no difarter
had happened to them ; though it
was n^xt to a miracle, that the
three Princes above mentioned v/ere
not killed in their beds.

Advices from Oxford, Cam-
bridge, Norwich, and almoft eve-
-ry city and town of the kingdooi.
Vol. XXii.

alfo mention great damages to have
been fuftained in public and pri-
vate property, from the lair.e
caufe.

By the above gale of wind, great
damage was done to the Ihipping
all around the iiland. The York
Ealt-Jndlaman, juft arrived from
Bengal, was ran alhore in Mar-
gate Roads ; and from various ac-
counts received from the fea-porrs,
it is computed that upwards of
300 velTels have been loft, in which
a confiderable number of mariners
have perifhed. What is very re-
markable and providential, the
fouthern channel felt none of its
fury, fo that the ileet of merchant-
men and convoy, which had juft
failed from St. Helen's, proceeded
on their voyage without knowing
that fuch a ftorm had happened.

Extracl of a Letter frcm an O fleer
on board the Rnjfd Man of War,
dated Spithead, Jan. i. contain-
ing an Account of thje running
do-Mti of the London Eafi-lhdia-
man,

*' We failed from hence on Sa-
turday laft the 26th ult. with one
of the fineft fleets ever feen ; but,
alas ! we met with our ufual ill-
luck. On iVIonday laft, off Berry-
Head, it blowing a frefh breeze,
and under clofe-reefed top-Tails,

194] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the wind at fouth weft, being ne::r
the London Ealt- Indiaman, and
finding we could not weather her,
ihe on one tack and we on the
other, we bore away, during which,
(he clapped her helm a-weather,
and we ran right on board, which
Hove in her bow; in half an hour
Ihe funk, ar,d the greater part of
her crew periled ; out of 160 only
5owerefaved! it was a molt dif-
mal fcene to behold the men ftand-
ing on the gunnel as ihe went
down. What rendered the fcene
i\i\\ more melancholy, a man of
war's boat with fevera) hands, who
very humanely, at the rifque of
their own lives, had picked up
ten or eleven of the London's crew,
and were endeavouring 10 fave
more, got direflly over the place
where The went down, the fuftion
of which was fo great, that it drew
the boat under, and they all
perifhed. More of the crew would
have been faved, but that they
were kept at the pumps too long,
in order, if poffiblc, to fave the
fhip. Our head and cut-water are
entirely gone, and our bowfprit,
I believe, is fprung, as we carried
away the fore-maft and bowfprit.
We faved about twelve or fourteen
hands. The Rcfource was fent
by the admiral to take care of us,
fearing we might prove leaky ;
but, thank God, we are not,
though her anchor went through
our bow."
J At fix o'clock in the morn-
ing, a dreadful fire broke out
at Greenwich - hofpital, which
burnt moft furioufly. At ten
o'clock the chapel (the moft beau-
tiful in the kingdom,) the dome
on the* fouth-eart quarter of the
building, and the great dining-
hall, were entirely confumed. The

refervoirs at the top of the build-
ing were unfortunately almoft
tmpty, and no water to be had
for fome time, but by a line of -
penfioners who handed buckets
from the Thames; but this fupply
was fo very inadequate, that the
fire raged for feveral hours with
unreftrained fury : a great many of
the wards were deftroyed, and the
weft wing, in which is the beauti-
ful painted - hall, was in great
danger, as the wind fet that way.
About eleven o'clock feveral en-
gines arrived from London, and
the fire was got under in the even-
ing. The damage done is im-
roenfe, and it will coft a very large
fum to reftore the hofpital to its
former beauty and elegance. The
fire began in the taylor's (hop,
wherein the men had been at work
the preceding day, but had ming-
led holiday rejoicing too much with
their labours.

The follov^ing are the wards burnt
down at the late fire at Greenwich-
hofpital, viz. K'ng's, Queen'si
Prince of Wales, Duke of York's,
and Anfon's befides two or three
others confiderably damaged thai
are in that quarter : the walls
however of the mall, together with
that of the chapel, remain nearly
eniire. The grand hall has not
fuftained the leaft injury, the fire
being confined to the fouih-eaft
quarter-
Being the day appointed for ,
the trial of Admiral Kcppel '
at Portfmouth, at nine in the morn-
ing Admiral Pye, as admiral of the
white, and prefident of the court-
martial, hoilted his R^g on board
the Britannia. See J}ppendix.

Edinburgh, Jan. 8 The towng
of Glafgow, Perth, Dundee, Dun-
fermline, Kilmarnock, Stiihng,

Dunle,

CHRONICLE.

b9S

iJunfc, &c. and a great many
others, entered into relolutions to
oppofe to the utmoft any relaxatiun
of thf laws againft the Roman Ca-
tholicks.

A great number of the inhabi-
tants of Glafgo^*/ alio formed them-
felves into a iociety to oppofe the
Roman Catholick bill, the fame as
thefociety at Edinburgh, under the
denomination of friends to the Pro-
teftant intereft.

Kirkzvall, in Orkney, December 1 2.
The Brig Fortune is re urned
from Suliflcery to Stromnels har-
bour, having carried home the
nine men who had been left upon
that rock, all of them in better
health than could have been ex-
pefted. They were 19 days and
nights upon the ifland, the great-
eft part of that time being as tem-
peftuous weather as has been known
there for many winters paft. They
built a hut k)r themfelves of ftone
and fods, the wooden battons
which they carried along with
them to kill the feals fupported
the roof, wh*th was of fod and
feal-fkin ; but it could not keep
out the rain and fpray from the
fea, with which the whole ifland is
covered when the wind blows high.
As they had no fire, they con-
tented themielves with eating the
flelh of young feals raw, different
kinds of fea weed, particularly
dulfcj and a confiderable quantity
of fcurvy - grafs. They fufFered
moll by want of blankets to keep
them warm in the night time.
They endeavoured to fupply this
by mats, which they made of long
withered grafs, with which this
ifland is covered in the winter fea-
fon ; but as thefe and their clothes
were conftantly wet, it did not an.
fwer the intention.

At Hicks's Hall yefler- ^,
day, John Powel was tried ^
on an ii diflment for Healing dead
bodies out of the burying-grnund
of St George's, Hanover Iquare ;
when he was ientcnced to be pub-
lickly whipped, which was imme-
diately inflided.

At the Quarter- feflicns of the
Peace for Surry, held at St. Mar-
garet's-hill, Southwark, Humphry
Finnimore, Efq; a perfon of 70
years of age, and who has an in-
come of upwards of 500 1. a year,
was convided of fl^ealing five tur-
kies, the property of Thomas
Humphries, mafter of the Gipfy-
houfe, near Norwood.

The feflions ended at the ^ ,
Old Bailey, when the fol- '°'"*
lowing prifoners received fentence
of dea'h, viz. Pierre Mafleau, for
burglanoufly breaking and enter-
ing the dwelling houfe of John
Harriot, the White Horfe Cellar,
in Piccadilly, with an intent to
fteal ; he was recommended by
the jury as an objeift of his Ma-
jelty's mercy ; Joha Hutton, for
ftealing a lamb, the property of John
V^inten, out of the fheep-pens in
Smithfield ; Henry Hall, William
Heifdon, and Thomas Ofljorn, for
a burglary in the dwelling- houfe
of Mr. Wood, at Mill Hill, Hcn-
don, and ftealing a quantity of
houfehold furniture ; William Binns
and John Bird, for robbing Anne
Hanams on ihe highway of a bun-
dle of linen.

Philip Sherwin, for a rape on his
own daughter, a child of ten years
of age, was acquitted.

Plymouth, Jan. 26. On Satur-
day night laft, between the hours
of II and 12, a man was difcover-
ed on the wall of the dock-yard,
near the hemp houfe. The vvatch-
[A^J 2 man

396 j ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

man llationcd there, immediately
fired, on which he jumped off, and
although iniiantly purfued could
not be found. The method he
made ufe cf to get on the wall, was
by the means of a large fifh-hook
fallened to a fmall cord : this was
thrown over the wall, by which
means he hauled himfelf up : in
his hand he toolc a fmall rope with
a baiket Jixcd to it, in which was
contained a pint bottle of gunpow-
der, feme match, and a dark lan-
tern : it was luppofed he intended
(when got on the wall) to pull
thefe materials after him. A long
piece of match was fallened to the
bottle, and, what is very remark-
able, a window of the hemp-houfe
was left open at the place he
afcended. The fcheme feems highly
probable to have been concerted,
as it happened on a very dark night,
and when the yard-men were paid
off, as on thofe nights they gene-
rally drink rather freely. Several
of the people belonging to the
hemp houfe have been examined,
but nothing has tranfpircd to cffeft
a difcovery.

Died, On the 20th of this
rtionch, in the morning, at his
houle on the Adelphi Terrace,
univerfally lamented, David Gar-
rick, Kfq; the firlt of adors, the
irioft afteftionate hufbund, the
kindeil relation, the moit gene-
rous benefador, and the warmeft
friend. By his uncommon thea-
trical talents, he, for near forty
years, continued to command the
unbounded applaufe of an admir-
ing public, and gave a new lullre
and dignity to the profefllon itfelf,
of which he was fo dillinguifhed
an ornament. In private life he
was fo amiable, that he was not
only the- familiar companion, but

the intimate friend, of fome of the
firll char;iders of the age, by whom
his lofs is moll feverely felt, and
moil fincerely regretted. He had
for many years been unfortuqately
aitti(^ed with fits of the Hone and
gravel, which at length affefted
his kidnies, and occafioned his
death, in the fixty-fecond year of
his age. Fur the lall four days of
his life he laboured under a fup-
preffion of urine, which brought
on a mortification, and thence put
a period to his exigence : as is
ufual in fuch cafes, he expired
without expreffing the leaft fenfa-
tion of pain, nor did he appear to
have felt any for more than thirty
hours preceding the moment of his
death.

The managers of Drury-Lane,
as a token of their regard for Mr.
Garrick's memory, Ihut up the
houfe as foon as they heard of his
death, and no play was performed
there that evening. Tlie compli-
ment was not handfomer than it
was juft.

Mr. Garrick's diforder was, (as
Mr. Pott predicted previous to the
opening of the body) the palfy in
the kidnies, which mouldered
away on being handled. The
ducb leading from the kidnies to
the bladder were fo floj'^ped, that
a probe would not pafs through
them. In the bladder was a Hone
the fize of a pullet's egg ; but
with that he might have lived
many years. Twelve months fince
Mr. Pott fearched the bladder,
and no Hone was there; fo that it
mull have accumulated within that
time ; the heart, liver, and lungs
were found, the inteflines adhered
to the fides ; and Mr. Pott declared
he never faw a fubjedt fo inter-
nally fat.

The

CHRONICLE.

b97

The exaft amount of the duty
on hops for 1778, is 169,345!.
9s. gd. which is 115,000!. more
than any former. I'he ftock in
hand is nearly equal to four years
confumption.

FEBRUARY.

„ The corpfe of David Gar-

rick, Efq; was interred in

W'eftmialler Abbey, .with great

funeral pomp and folemnity.

His pall was fupported by

Lord Camden, Earl of OlTory,
Right Hon. Mr. Rigby, Hon. Mr.
Stanley, J. Patterfon, Efq; Duke
of Devon iTiire, Earl Spencer, Vif-
count Palmerfton, ^ Sir Watkin
Williams Wynne, Albany Wal-
lis, Efq; And, from his late houfe
on the Adelphi Terrace, the hearfe
was followed by mere than 50
coaches of the principal nobility
and gentry in and about the me-
tropolis.

By his will, he left his buft of
Shakefpeare (after his wife's death,)
and his colledion of old plays, to
the Britifh Mufeum; and the houfes
in Drury-Lane, which he bought
of the fund for decayed aflors of
the theatre there, back again to
that fund. ' As the public is no
farther interefled in his will, it
were wafte of room to record it.
He was born in the city of Here-
ford, and baptifed Feb. 28, 1716.
His will is dated September 24,

1778, and he died Jan. 20, 1779.
He is faid to have died worth
1 00,000 1. He appointed Lord
Camden, Right Hon. Richard
Rigby, John Patterfon, Efq; and
Albany Wallis, Efq; executors of
his will.

Edinburgh, Feb. 3. On Friday
laft, copies of the following letrer
were dropt in the different Greets
and lanes in the city of Edin-
burgh.

" Men and Brethren,

** Whoever fhall find this letter
will take as a warning to meet at
Leith Wynd on Wednefday next
in the evening, to pull down that
pillar of Popery lately eretfted
there.

A Protestant.

Edinbiiygh^Jan, 29, 1 779.

" P. S. Fleafe to read this care-
fully, keep it clean, and drop it
fomewhere elfe. For King and
Country. Unity."

In confequence of this letter, a
mob laft night alTembled at a houfe
at the foot of Chalmer's Clofe,
part of which was intended for a
Popifh church, but had not hither-
to been occupied ; the reft of the
building was pofleffed by a clergy-
man of that profeffion. They be-
gan by breaking the windows, but
their number being greatly in-
creafed, they proceeded to deftroy
the furniture, and at laft fet it oa
lire. The magiftrates attended,
and ufed every means in their
power to prevent them from ac-
complifhing their defign, but in
vain ; for notvvithftanding their
efforts, and thofe of the city guard,
and a party of the fouth fenci-
bles, the whole infide of the houfe
was reduced to afhes. This fore-
noon a party of the fame rioters,
it is imagined, attacked the chapel
in Black-friars-wynd, the whole
furniture of which, together with a
valuable colleftion of books, Stq. they
either deftroyed or carried off. Af-

[A'j 3 ter

198] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ter which they broke the windows, brough: by the Rev. \jr. Selloil
&rc. of feveral individuals, whom Reftur of Clcikenwi :1, iigainft the.
they knew to be Catholics. The Rev. Mr. Ta\lor and Mr. Jones,
magillrat s this day ilTucd a pro- for preaclii 'g in Norihamptoa
clamation dcfiring mailers to keep Chapel without leave of the in-
in their I'ervants and apprentices; cumbent (Mr. Siilon), or a li-
notwithftanding which, great num-
bers aiTembled in the evtnit.^ in
the College-court, wiai an inten-
tion, as they faid, of knocking
down tlie houfe of Principal Ro-
bertfon, who, they imagined, fa-
voured the Popilh bill: tortunate-
ly a party of Dracoons arriving
before they could effed their pur-
pofe, they difperfed, and left the
city in peace, on being allured by

cence of the bilhop ; when the
judge condemned the defe idants
in cofts ':f fuit, and oruered a
writ of monition to fliut up the
chapel.

La!l nig.tit when the news ,,
arrived frons ror.lmouth cr
the honourable acquittal of Admi-
ral Keppel by the CoMrt-Martial,
the windows of the houfes in the
principal llreets of London anci
the magiftrates, that all thoughts Wertminller were illuminaed with

of bringing in the bill were laid

afide.

^ , This day, by virtue of a

^ ' comminion from his Majefty,

the following bills received the

royal affent, viz.

The bill for more fpeedy and
expeditious recruiting his Majelly's
land forces and marines.

lamps, candles, &c. and different
devices,;, and the portico of the
Manfion-houre was illuminated with
upwards of 300 glafs lamps.

The bells of feveral churches
were rung, guns fired, and other
demonftrations of joy prevailed.

A guard, both horfe and foot,
was placed before the hnuie lately

The bill for better regulating occupied by Sir Hugh Pallifer, iq

his Alajeily's marine forces when
on fhore.

The bill for allowing the im-
portation of fine Italian organzined
thrown fi!k for a limited time.

The bill for the better preferva-
tion of the oyfter filhery'^t Whit-
ftable ;. and alfo to feveral private
bills.

The Lieutenant and Midihip-
man who entered the houfe of Mr.
Axford, and imprefled his fhop-
man, received judgment on Wed-
nefday in the Court of King's
bench, to pay each a fine of 13s

Pali-Mall, which went ofF about
one, foon after which, the mob
having firfl broke all the windows
of that houfe, proceeded to break
open the door, deitroyed great part
of the furniture, and threw the reft
out of the windows. The guard
was again fent for, and feveral of
the rioters taken in the houfe, and
committed to prifon.

The windows and dorrs of Lord
George Germain's houfe in Pali-
Mall, were likewiie demolifhed.

Moft of the windows oi the Ad-
miralty were deltroyed by the mob.

4d. and to be imprifoned for one who took the gaies from the hinges,
month in the King's-bench. aud thereby got into the Court-

, Was tried in the Ecclefi- yard.

^^ ' aftical Court, Doflors Com- A party of th^ mob alio broke
mens, the long depending luit all the fedan chairs near the Ad-
miralty*

CHRONIC

E.

[199

tniralty, and made a bonfire with
them before the gates. Some of
the mob fcemed not to be of the
lower clafs.

About three o'clock an attack
was made upon Lord North's
houfe, in Downing-ftreet, where
the rioters, after breaking the
windows, burft open the fnutters,
and aitempted to get into the
houfe. In about half an hour a
fmall party of foot guards appear-
ed, which was foon followed by a
detachment of horfe. • JulHce Ad-
dington attended at Lord North's,
and read the Riot-Aift. Sixteen of
the ring-leaders were fecured, and
the reft fufFered to efcape.

Capt. Hood's houfe in Harley-
flreet, fuffered alfo in the fame
manner ; as likewife the houfe of
Lord Mulgrave in Berkeley- fquare.

Effigies of Sir Hugh Pallifer were
carried about, fufpended by the
neck, and afterwards burnt.

1 This evening there was

again a general illumina-
tion throughout tne cities .of Lon-
don and Weftroinfter. The Mo-
nument was finely illuminated.

A Court of Common Council
was held, and a motion made and
fccond.d, that the thanks of the
court be given to the Kcnojrable
Augultus Keppel, which was agreed
to.

Another motion was made, and
the queftion put, that the freedom of
this city be prefenied to Admiral
Keppel in a . bcx made of heart
of oak, richly ornamented. Agreed
to.

l-th Vefterday one James Do-

^ ■ nally was brought before
Sit John Fielding in Bjw Iheer,
by Lord Fielding, eldeft ;on of the
Earl of Denbij:h, charged with
atteropung, at two different tinies.

viz. en Saturday and Monday,
(the firit of which times he got
away from his lonifliip, who then
attempted to fecure him) to extort
money from his lordfhip, by threat-
ening to accufe him of unnatural
crimes. And this day he was
again examined, when the Hon,
Mr. Fielding, the younger fon of
Lord Denbigh, appeared alfo, and
fvvore, that on Saturday lad the
prifoner attacked him in the fame
manner, threatened to accufe him
of unnatural crimes if he did not
give him money, and intolently
bid Mr. Fielding take care what
he was about, as he, Donally,
would charge him with the fact
at fuch a time that Mr. Fielding
couid not prove an Alibi. 1 his
Old Bailey exprefiion obtainedhalf a
guinea from Mr. Fielding; but the
villain, not concent with it, al-
though the whole Mr Fielding
had in his pocket, infifted on more,
when Mr. Fielding went to a Gro-
cer, whom the E^ri of Denbigh
dealt with, and borrowed a guinea,
which he alfo gave to Donally,
when the latter went away, and
Mr. Fielding was obliged to re-
turn home for another half gi:inea
to go to the play. He was imme-
diately committed for a highway
robbery on Mr. Fielding.

The lelhons ended at the ,

Old Bailey, wnen the above "
m^-ntioned James Donally was ca-
pitally convided of the above of-
fence. 1 he pritor:er in h:s defence
urged a point ot law, a'.d lubmit-
ted it to the judges, Buller and
Perry n, whether it W3S a ftreec
robbery. He al.<b faid th.-u the
charge was never thought of till
Ml. Fielding came to the pubiic-
oflice in Bow - ftreet, where Sir
John Fielding put it into tne pro-

[N] 4 fecutor's

-oo] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fecuior's head. This was pofi-
tively denied bv Lord and Mr.
Fielding, on oath. Judge Buller
obiervcd to the jury, th-ic the lat-
ter part of the pril'oner's defence
was an high aggravation of his
offence ; for he accufed Sir John
Fielding of fubornation, and Lord
and Mr. Fielding with abfolute
perjury. With regard to the for-
mer part of it, his lordHiip ob-
served, that to conftitute a high-
way robbery there was no neceflity
for corporal fear ; for if a perfon
gives his money under terror of
mind, and compulfively, and
againll his will, or for fear of
lofs of character, it is in law efta-
blifhed to be a capital offence ;
nor was there any neceflity for a
perfon fo giving his money to be
in dread of his life by a charge
exhibited agr.inft him: it was fuf-
iicient that the money was obtained
under terror of mind, &c. Under
this direction the jury found him
guilty ; but Judge Buller refpited
lenience until the opinion of the
twelve judges can be had, he tak-
ing the verdidt of the jury, that
^* the money was obtained under
terror of mind."

On the fame day, the follovving
convicts received fentence of death :
Robert Dare, for robbing his
miflrefs of a geld Aide ; John Rich-
mond, for houfe breaking ; James
Wooley, for flealing flockings ;
John Huddey, for burglary ; Naph-
thali Jacobs, a Jew, for flealing
kitchen furniture, &c. ; William
Germain, for horfe-liealing ; Fred.
John Euftace, for flealing linen,
&c. ; Sarah Hill, for flealing wear-
ing apparel ; Thomas Norman,
for a flreet robbery ; Rowland
Kidgley, who in December feflion
was convided of having in his pof-

felTion a certain implement fo^
coining, and whofe judgment was
refpited for the opinion of the
judges.

A new writ was ordered to be
iffued for eleding a member lor
Scarborough in the room of Sir-
Hugh Pallifer, who has accepted
the place of fteward of the three
Chiltern hundreds.

The amount of the employments
refigned by Sir Hugh Pallifer, viz.
his feat at the Board of Admiralty
and his Lieutenancy of the Ma-
rines, amounts to no iefs a fum than
4,000 1. per annum.

About one o'clock this ,

day, the deputation of al- *

deimen and commons of London,
waited upon Admiral Keppel, at
his houfe in Audley-ftreet, where
they delivered him the freedom of
the city of London in a box made
of heart of oak, ornamented with
gold. Having refrefhed them-
felves, they fet out at 3 o'clock,
in the following procefFion,' to
dine at the London Tavern, in
the city : The two city marfhals
on horfeback, their horfes adorn-
ed with blue ribbons ; Alderman
Crofby, as fenior alderman, in his
own coach, with a failor behind
carrying a blue flag, with the
word KEPPEL in large red let-
ters : next, that of the admiral, in
which he rode with Lord R. Ca-
vendifh on his right hand ; after
them two or three naval officers,
the other aldermen, commoners,
and city-officers in their own car-
riages. At Charing Crofs the
mob, who were now become very
numerous, taking off the admi-
ral's horfes, drew him themfelves ;
and three failors, after difplacing
the coachman, got upon the boxi
vvh : they hoifted the flag from

the

CHRONICLE.

[lot

%he alderman's coach. Soon after
this, the proceffion was joined by
the Marine Society, with emble-
matical ftreamers, which followed
the city marlhals. At Temple-bar
a band of martial mufic received
him, and another at the Obelifk,
at the bottom of Fleet- ftreet. They
arrived at the London tavern about
five o'clock, amidft the acclama-
tions of a prodigious crowd; and
at night the Manfion-houfe was
illuminated, and there was the
moll general illumination through-
out London and Weftminfter ever
known.

, The entertainment which

^5 * was intended for Admiral
Keppel by the Weft- India planters
and merchants, and which was
fixed for to-day, was put off by
the particular defire of the Admi-
ral, from an apprehenfion that the
excefles which were committed on
Saturday laft, and which he or his
friends could not reprefs, might be
renewed on this occafion;

Died, Ifaac de Groot, great
grandfon to the learned Groiius.
He had long been fupported by
private donation's, and at length
was provided for in the Charter-
houfe, where he died.

MARCH.

^j This day came on to be
^ ' tried before Earl Mansiield,
at Guildhall, a caufe in which a
free black of Anamaboe, on the
coall of Africa, named Amiflfa,
was plaintiff, and a commander
of a Liverpool trader, defendant.
T'he circumllances of the plaintiff's
cale vvere thefe : In the latter end
of the year 1774, the defendant
was lying with his Ihip at Anama-

boe, and being in want of hands*
hired the plaintiff as a failor to af-
fift in navigating the ftiip, and ad-
vanced him part of his wages.
When the Ihip arrived at Montego
Bay, in Jamaica, the plaintiff was
fent with three other failors to row
fome flaves on fhore, which the
defendant had fold to a planter
there; but as the defendant had
previoufly fold the plaintiff alfo as
a flave, the planter would not fuf-
fer him to return, but fent him up
to the mountains, and there em-
ployed him as a Have. When the
defendant returned with his fliip
to Anamaboe, he gave out to the
plaintiff's friends that he had died
on his paffage ; but a black hap-
pened to return to Anamaboe a
year or two afterwards, ?nd giving
an account that he had left the
plaintiff" in flavery at Jamaica, the
king, and other great people of
the country, defired Cap:. E. who
was then on the coaft with his fliip,
on his arrival at Jamaica, to pur-
chafe the plaintift"'s redemption,
and to fend him back to his friends,
the expences of which they under-
took to pay ; and the better to
identify his perfon, they diredled
the fon of one Quaw, a gold-taker
at Anamaboe, to accompany Capt.
E. on his voyage. Scon after
their arrival at Jamaica, they found
out the plaintiff, redeemed him,
after a flavery of near three years,
and brought him to London, where
the matter was laid before the Af-
rican Committee, who ordered the
defendant to be profecuted, as a
means of deterring captains of
ihips from the like praftices in
future. The learned judge who
tried the caufe, fummed up the
evidence with fuitable remarks on
the good policy and humanity of

fuch

202] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fuch aflions, and recommended to
the jury to give exemplary da-
jijages. The jury, alter llaying
cue ot court about a quarter of an
hour, returned, and lound a ver-
oift for the plaintiff, with 500I. da-
mages.

Exlrad of a Letter from Madrid^
dated Feb. 22.
** An exprefs is arrived at court
with an account of the follow-
ing melancholy event :—— Count
O'Reilly having planned and
built a new bridge at Puerta de

A bill for the better regulation
of mad-houfes.

A bill for raifing a fund for th«
relief of the widows and children
of the clergy in Scotland.

A bill for the better relief and
employment of the poor in certain
hundreds in Suffolk.

And feveral road and private
bills.

Yellerday morning, be- ,

iween two and three o'clock, '
a fire broke out at a fhip-chand-
ler's between the Hermitage-bridge
and Union-ftairs, Wapping, which

S:. Marin ; as foon as it was finidi- burnt both fides of the way. Up-

«d, the i4.t;h of this month was
appointed to confer a benedidion
opon it, when a vaft number of
perfons affiled at the ceremony,
in tne middle of which the bridge
fell in. The number of perfons
vtho were drowned, killed, or
wounded, is not yet afcertained,
but it is computed to be about
600, and among the reft the etcle-
■fiallic who officiated, and feveral
peribns of the moft d ftinguidied
families in the kingdom. The
detail of this accident rcrms a moft
jnelanclioly ftory ; the Countcfs
0'Ke-,lly was favcd in a providen-
tial manner, while many noblemen
and ladies who were alfo there were
loft."

The following bills re-
ceived the royal affent by
Commiinon :

A bill for ralfing a certain fum
by annuities, and a lottery.

A bill for preventing muiiny and
defertion.

A bill for the better government
of his Majefty's Ihips, veffcls, and
forces at iea.

16th.

wards of 30 houfes in front were
coniumed, with moll of their fur-
niture. Many houfes were burnt
down between Hermitage - rtreet
and the river ; and feveral oil and
hemp warehoules, full of thofe ar-
ticles, were likewife confumed. It
is computed that about 100 houfes
were burnt down and damaged,
befides warehoufes with pitch, tar,
malts, &c. and other out-build-
ings ; fome fhips were likewife
confumed, and feveral of the Imali
craft, &c. damaged. Several per-
fons were buried in the ruins of a
houfe which fell down, but hap-
pily dut; out alive : the houfe was
thrown down by the cxplofion of
fome gunpowder lodged in the
cellar. Five men are faid to be
killed by the falling of one of the
houfes, being all buried in the
ruins.

This day the report was
made to his Majelty in
council by the Deputy-recorder, of
the convids under fentence of death
in Newgate : when the following
were ordered for execution on

19th.

A bill for the better fupply of Wednefday the 31ft inftant, viz.
mariners and feamen, to ierve in Naphthali Jacobs, for ftealing in
his Majefty's navy, the houfe oi Jofeph Smith, at Hox-

ton.

CHRONICLE.

[iQ3

ton, a quantity of kitchen furni-
ture; Row. and Ridgley, who in
December fellion was convided of
having in his poffefGon an imple-
ment for coining, and whofe judg-
ment was rel'pited for the opinion
of the Judg.-s; and Frederick John
Euftace, tor Itealing fomt line.i and
ftockmgs, thf property of Henry
Johnfon, in the rooms over the Earl
of Clarendon's ftables, in Giofve-
nor-ftreet.

The following were refpited du-
ring his Majelty's pleaiure, Robert
Dare, for Itealing a gold Aide, fet
with diamonds, the property of
Mrs. Egeiton, to whom he was
fervant j John Richmond, alias
Browes, for breaking open the
houfe of Agnes Herbins, arvd fteal-
ing gowns, linen, &c James
Wooley, for ftealing in the houfe
of Robert Sudlow, in Wigmore-
ftreet, 24 pair of thread Aockings ;
John Huddey, for a burglary in
the noufe of Henry White, in Ken-
iingcon, and ftealing linen and
apparel; Sarah Hiil, for ftealing
fome wearing api.arel, &c. the
property of Elizabeth Martin ;
William Germain, for fieali -g a
gelding ; and Thomao Norman,
for robbing Elizabeth Cornet, in
Hart ftreet, Crutched-friars, of a
quantity of linen.

V At Thetfqrd a(?izes, Nor-

folk, this week, a caufe was
tried by a fpecial jury, between
a youig lady, plaintiff, and a
clergyman, defendant. The ac
tion was brought tor non- perform-
ance of a marriage contract ;
when it appeared on the trial he
preferred his !t;rvant maid, whom
he a»airied, aitiiough the yoang
lady had a fortune of 70,0 ^ I.
whe 1 a verdicl was given for the
plaiutiiF with 800 1. damages.

It was refolved in the Houfe .
of Commons, that the ac^ ^^
prohibiting the gro-vth of tobacco
in Ireland be repealed ; and that
tobacco, the produce ot Ireland, be
import d into Great Britain, under
the lame privile 'Cs as were for*
merly enjoyed by the colonies.

This evening the ceremony of
the chriftei.ing of the young Prince
was performed in the Great Coun-
cil-chamber, St. James's, by his
Grace the Archbiftiop of Canter-
bury. ' His Royal Highaeis was
named O^laviiis.

The fine feat of Sir Thomas
Dyke Ackland, at Halincourt,
was burnt to ciie giound, and very
little of the furniture laved.

At Dodors Commons, ^ ,
the Merits of a libel, ^^'"•
brought by the Marqus of C :r-
narvon againu his lady, on a charge'
oTaJuTcery, was argued; and her
ladyihip's criminality being fully
proved, fentence of uivoice was
pro;\o:.M,i:ed by Dr. Bettef.vorth,
chancfilgr of the diocefe of Lon-
do>i

The Arethufa frigate. Captain
Hoimes, commander, was wrecked
up in the rocks near Ulhant, in
purfuit of an enemy. The crew
were faved, and treated by the
French with every mark of huma-
nity.

Paris, March 19. M. de Sar-
tine, mmiller of the marine de-
partment, has wrote the loilowing
circular letter to all captains of
armed veilels, privateer"^, &c.

*' Capt. Co 'ke, who iaiied from
Plymouth in. July, 177^. on board
the Refolu lon, in company with
the Diilovery, Capt. <. larke, in
O'der to make fomi- difcoveries oa
the coafts, iflands, and feas of
Japan and California, being on the

point

204] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

point of returning to Europe, and
as fuch dii'covcries are of general
utility to all nations, it is the
king's pleafure, that Capt. Cooke
/hall be treated as a commander of
a neutral and allied power, and
that all captains of armed veflcls,
ice. who may meet that famous
navigator, (liall make him ac-
c[uaiuted with the king's orders on
ihis behalf, but at the fame time
let him know, that on his part he
mud refrain from all hollilities."

Died, Mrs. Clarke, aged 102,
the mother of PJr. Clarke, of
Covent-garden theatre.

APRIL.

Lent Assizes.

At Oxford three condemned^
all refpited.

At Reading four — all refpited.

At Northampton three — left for
execution.

At Winchefter eleven — all re-
prieved for the land or fea fervice.

At Cambridge four — one left
for execution.

At Huntingdon two — both re-
prieved.

' At Worcefter four — all repriev-
ed.

At Maidflone eight.

At Aylelbury eight — five re-
prieved.

At Bedford one — reprieved.

ed.

At Salilbary one — reprieved.
At Glouceller ten — one repriev-

At York fix — one reprieved.
At Leicefter two.
At Kingfton, Surry, feven.
At Ealt Grinftead one.
At Exeter five.

At Lincoln one.

At Lancaller two.

At Bury Aflizes (holden for the
county of Suffolk) came on the
trial of two midfhipmen, and 14
others of a prefs-gang, committed
to Ipfwich gaol in December lall,
for the murder of one Thomas
Nichols, a publican there ; when
the Jury, by. the direction of the
Judge, brought in a Special Ver-
did, containing all the material
fads proved on the trial, and pray-
ing the judgment of the Court of
King's Bench upon the feveral points
of law arifing thereon, among which
is that moll important and long-
contelled quellion refpeding the
right of impreffing feamen for his
Majelly's fervice.

At Warwick feven— four (oae
for murder) executed.

At Shrewfbury feven — two (one
for murder) executed.

At Stafford four — one of whom
(George Eafthop, for murdering a
man who attempted to imprefs
him) was executed.

At Taunton four — three re-
prieved.

At the above aflizes came on the
trial of Count Rice for the death
of Vifcount Du Barre. When the
evidence on the fide of the crown
was clofed, the Count, in a fhort
defence, ftated the commencement
and progrefs of his connexions
with Vifcount Du Barre nearly as
follows :

** My acquaintance, faid he,
v.'ith Vifcount Du Barre originated
at Paris in the year 1774. His fa-
mily were then foliciting fome fa-
vour at Vienna, and my connec-
tions at that Court, which he
thought might be ferviceable to
him, engaged his attention to me.

We

C H R O N I C L E.

[205

\Ve lived from that period, till
the day before his death, in an in-
tercourfe of mutual good offices
and civility. An expenfive line ot
life, and confiderable loffes ac play,
frequently involved him in difficul-
ties, to extricate himlelf from
which he often borrowed large
fuhis of money from me. J have in
my poffeflion letters, which 1 Ihall
now produce, acknowledging the
receipt of various fums of money,
as well as bills and notes of hand,
to the amount of fome thoufands of
pounds Itill unpaid, and which,
from the embarrafi'ed ftate of his
affairs, 1 muft look on as totally
loft.

*' A gouty humour, which fell
upon his bowels and legs laft fum-
mer, induced fome Englifli phyfi-
cians he met at Spa to recommend
the ufe of the Bath waters. De-
termined, as it appears by thefe
letters, written a few days before
he fet off for England, to play no
more, and to regulate his affairs
with prudence, he refolved upon
this excurfion, in order to attend
to his health, and reftore his peace
of mind. He frequently folicited
me to accompany him, to which I
at laft confented ; and accordingly
we came to England together at a
mutual and proportional expence.
We took a houfe at Bath, and
lived there upon the fame terms.
For fome weeks we continued to
live at Bath on our former and
accuftomed intimacy, and, though
the Vifcount Du Barre was a man
of an impetuous temper, without
any material difagreement, till the
unfortunate difpute, which termi-
nated in the lofs of his life, and
the imminent hazard of mine, ic
i* needlefs here to enter into the
origin of that diiputc,, or impute

blame to the deceafed, who can no
longer vindicate his conduft."

The Count, after fome pathetic
obfervations on the fulferings he had
undergone from his wound, con-
cluded by referring to the evidence
already given, as fome reaibns, he
faid, prevented his calling the fe-
conds before the Court with pro-
priety, and committed himlelf with
confidence into the hands of his
Jury ; perfuaded, to ufe his own
words, that, in order to determine
julily upon his condud, in the crime
imputed to him, they would put
themfelves in his fituation, and
adopt thofe feelings by which he
was necelTarily adluated on the un-
fortunate occalion.

Mr. Juftice Nares addrefled the
Jury in an affecling fpcech ; re-
marked to them in particular the
unuiual backwardnefs the prifcner
had fhevvn in this tranfa<51ion, and
his humanity to the unfortunate
Vifcount after his fall, and direded
a verdift for Manflaughter. The
Jury, after a Ihort confultatiou,
defned to know if they might noc
totally acquit the prilbncr ; and
after a few minutes deliberation,
pronounced him Not Guilty.

This day, by virtue of a ,,
commiffion from his Majeily,
the royal aflent was given to the
following bills, viz.

The bill for laying additional
duties on certain goods under the
infpeclion of the Commiiiioners of
Exciie and Cuftoms.

The Bill for allowing the im-
portatioa of certain goods fold to
foreigners in Britiih-built fliips.

The bill for the better encourag-
ing the white herring-fifliery.

The bill for better encouraging
the Irifli linen manufadorv.

The

2o6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The bill to revive and conciiuie without Mifs Reay; and fince he

certain expiring laws.

The bill for better regulating
lottery offi.e keepers ; and alio to
Several other public and private
hills.

, This evening, as Mifs Reay
' * was coming out of Covent-
garden theatre, in order to take
her coach, accompanied by two
friends, a gentleman and a lady,
between whom fhe walked in the
Piazza, a man Hepped up to her
wiihout the fmallell previous me-
nace, or addrcls, put a pillol to
her head, and fhot her inltantly
dead. He then fired another at
himfelf, which, however, did not
prove equally efFedual. The ball
grazed upon the upper part of the
head, but did not penetrate fuffi-
ciently to produce any fatal efl^eft;
he lell, ho.vevcr ; and fo firmly
was he bent upon the entire com-
pletion of the dellruflion he had
meditated, that he was found beat-
ing his head with the utmofl: vio-
lence with the butt end of the pii-
tol, by Mr. Mahon, apothecary,
of Covent-garden, who wrenched
the piilol from his hand. He was
carried to the Shakefpeare, where
his wound was drefled. In his
pockets were found two letters ;
one a copy of a letter which he
had written to Mifs Reay, and the
other to his brother-in-law, in
Bow - flreet. The firft of thefe
epiilles is replete with warm ex-
prefTions of afFedion to the unfor-
tunate objed. of his love, and an
earnert recommendation of his paf-
fion. The other contains a pathe-
tic relation of th-e melancholy re-
folution he had taken, and a con-
feflioti of the caufe that produced
it. He {aid, he could not liv«

had found, by repeated applica-
tion, that he was fhut out from
every hope of poffeffing her, he had
conceived this defign as the only
refuge from a mifery which he
could not fupport. He heartily
wiflied his brother that felicity
which fate had denied him, and
requelted that the few debts he
owed might be difcharged from
the dlfpolal of his elFcfts. When
he had lb far recovered his facul-
ties as to be capable of fpeech, he
enquired with great anxiety con-
cerning Mifs R.eay,; being told fhe
was dead, he defired her poor re-
mains might not be expofed to
the obfervation of the curious mul-
titude. About five o'clock in the
morning Sir John Fielding came
to the Shakefpeare, and not find-
ing his wounds of a dangerous na-
ture, ordered him to be conveyed
to Tothill-fields bridewell. This
ill-fated criminal was a clergyman ;
about four years ago he was an of-
ficer in the army ; but not meet-
ing with fuccefs in the military
profcffion, by the advice of his
friends he foon after quitted it, and
afi'umed the gown.

The body of the unhappy lady
was carried into the Shakefpeare
tavern for the infpeftion of the
coroner.

When the news of this misfor-
tune was carried to a certain noble-
man, the Earl of S ch, it was

received by him with the lumoft
concern ; he wept exceedingly, and
lamented with every other token of
grief the Interruption of a connexion
which had lafted for 17 years with
happincfs to both.

She had had nine children by
the noble Lord, five of whom are

now

CHRONICLE.

[ao7

loth.

now living, and have been in-
ftrufted by her wUh motherly at-
tention.

The man who a few days
ago was lent to Liverpool
by Sir John Fielding to apprehend
a Mr. Lowe, fufpeded of being
concerned in fetting the new hof-
pital, for the reception of blind
patients at Kentifh Town, on fire,
returned to London, with an ac-
count, that Lowe being a- prehen-
ded, and examined before the
mayor of Liverpool, had, in the
night before he was. to be brought
to town, poiloned himlelf 'J his
Lowe was originally a livery fer-
vant. He afterwards kept a pub-
lic houfe, in which he fcraped up
fome money : when, by ufurious
means, he made a fmall fortune,
and then commenced gentleman.
He afterwards took a genteel houfe
the corner of Queen-fquare, Or-
mond-flreet, where he refided till
the late affair happened. He w.is
a matl of uncommon addrefs, for
one whofe mind was uncultivated
with any degree of learning. He
pafil'd for a very benevolent, cha-
ritable man, having done many
sfts of beneficence through often -
tation, and has fubfcribed to many
of the public charities, to give the
world a high opinion of his fine
and generous feelings. By thefe
means he obtained the late ilation
of treafurer and chief condudor of
the new - inftituted charity ; by
which, it is averred, he obtained
the poffeflion of near 5,000!. It
appears that combuftibles had been
conveyed into the houfe through a
pane of glafs, though the fame did
not take effeil till after he ha J fet
out for Liverpool, where he pie-
tended bufinefs ; yet, there having
been neither fire nor candle ufed in

the houfe, and fome other circuin-
ftances arifing to create fufpicion,
he was queltioned about it by let-
ter, and prevaricated fo much,
that there remained no iort of
doubt with Sir John Fielding but
that he was the principal incen-
diary; which his uniiniely death
has confirmed. He has fince been
buried in a crofs-road, and a iiake
is driven through his body, as 2
fuicide.

This morning, about nine >- ,
o'ciwck, the Reverend Mr.
Hack man was brought from New-
gate to the bar of the Scfli^ns-
houfe in the Old B-iiley, where he
was arraigned for firing a pillol at
Mifs R'ay, as fhe was coming out
of Covent-garden playhout'e, oa
Wednefday the 7th inft. which
killed her on the fpot; to which,
indidlrtient he pleaded Not Guilty ;
when the feveral witnefl'es were
examined, they gave the fame evi-
dence as they had given before Sir
John Fielding, which being gone
through with, JuJge Blackllone,
who tried him, called on Mr.
Hackman to make his defence, or,
if he chofe it, he might leave it to
his counfel. After Mr. Hackmaa
had wiped a flucd of tears from his
eyes, he pulled out a fheet of pa-
per from his pocket, and read, the
fubftance of which was nearly to
this purport: " My Lord, I now
Hand arraigned for a heinous crime,
and if found guilt)^, muft fufier
the death that the laws of my
country have allotted in fuch cafes ;
and as I ""have taken away the lite
of OR2 v/hofe life was dearer to
me than my own, I therefore ftiall
meet my unhappy fate with forti-
tude and refignation, and ac-
knowledge the juftn-fs of my fen-
tence." The Judge afterwards
fumraed

2o8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

liimmcd up tire evidence, and gave
kii charge to the Jury in an excel-
lent fpccch, in v\hich he faid, that
the letter found in the priloner's
pocket, direded to his brother-in-
laiv, was lufficieat to conclude he
was not infane. The Jury, with-
out going out of court, found him
guilty, when the Deputy -recorder
palled fentence on him, and he
was executed the Monday follow-
ing.

■ This days the feflions en-

'' ■ ded at the Old Bailey, when
the following convids received
lentence of death, viz. Thomas
Fox, for liealing a mare from Ri-
chard Clewin, at Hendon, and on
another indidment, for ftealing
a mare from William Hands in
Northamptonlliire ; John Harris,
lor a burglary in the dwelling-
houfe of William Prior, in Coventry-
Itreet, and ilealing a quantity of
' china ; Capt. James Major, for
fending a threatening letter to Sir
\\ illiam Mufgrave, threatening to
murder him ; Elizabeth Lambert
and Mary New, for robbing Mary
Beachman on the King's highway ;
James Hackman, Clerk, for the
rvilful murder of Martha Reay,
fpinfler J William Walker, ior
burglarioufly breaking open the
houle of James Ptntecrofs, in
Shoe-lane, and ftealing a quantity
of copper, brafs, &c. Chriftopher
Foley and Peter Weldon, for coin-
ing and counterfeiting the King's
*ilver coin, called Sixpences, at
the houle of Weldon, in Oat-lane,
Noble-llreet ; three v.'ere fenten-
tcd to hard labour on the river
'I'hames; eleven were burnt in the
hand, and ordered to be kept to
hard labour ' Jie houfe of correc-
tion for (^ vers terms ; nine were
ordered ic e whipped, and feven-

teen difcharged by proclamation ^
John \'incent, convidcd of ftloni-
oufly killing and Haying Mary
Doilard, a woman with whom he
had cohabited many years, by'
fhooting at and wounding her in'
the back and flioulder, with a gun
loaded with powder and Ihot, of
which wound flie languifned fome
time, and then died, in the parifti
of Fulham, was branded, and or-
dered to be iniprifoned one year irt
Newgate. William Stenfon was
convided of felonioufly counter-
feiting the copper money of this
kingdom, called Halfpence, and
ordered to 'be branded in tlie hand,
and imprifoned one year in New-
gate.

One Browne was tried for wil-
fully fetting hre to his houfe at
Wapping, which occafioned the
late dreadful conflagration. An
Alibi was proved, on which the
Jury, without going out of court,
brought in their verdidt. Not
Guilty.

Soon after came on the trial of*
Thomas Hilliard, for wilfully. fet-
ting fire to his houfe in Bird-in-
hand Court, Chcapfide ; he was
acquitted on a point of law, viz,
that the clofet he fet fire to, was
not any part of the dwelling-
houfe.

The Judges met in the ,

evening at Lord Chief ^^
Jullice De Grey's houfe in Lin-
coln'sinn-fields, to give their opi-
nion on the cafe of James Donal-
ly, ccnvidted the feffioa before lafE
for a robbery on the perfon of the
Hon. Charles Fielding, fon of the
Earl of Denbigh, when Counfel
were firft heard, viz. Mr. Howarth
in behalf of the crown, and Mr.
Graham in behalf of the prifoner,
who having withdra\vn> their Lord-

ihips

CHRONICLE.

[209

fhips fingly delivered their opinion,
each of whom were clearly of opi-
nion, that the threat of the prifo-
ner, when he demanded Mr. Fiel-
ding's money, viz. " You had
better comply, or I'll take you be-
fore a magiftrate, and charge you
with an unnatural crime," was
equivalent to an aftual violence,
and was fuch a method as in com-
mon experience was likely to oc-
cafiou fear, and induce any man
to part with hia property. Lord
Mansfield with great energy ob-
ferved, that it was a fpecious mode
of robbery of late grown verv
common, invented by fraud to
evade the law, but which would
not fufFer itfelf to be evaded. God
only knows what numberlefs rob-
beries of this kind would have
been perpetrated by thefe deteit-
able wrelche.s on timorous minds,
if their Lordlbips had been of a
different opinion.

Died, At Perfhore, in Worcef-
terfliire, in his 55th year, the Rev,
J. A(h, LL.D. an eminent Dif-
fenting miniller; author of a cele-
brated *' Englilh Grammar}^' of
** The Complete Englifti Dic-
tionary ;*' of " Sentiments on
Education;" and feveral otlier
publications.

MAY.

txtraSi of a Letter from Irelandy
dated May \.

" At an aflembly held at the
Tholfel of the city of Dublin,
the_ i6th of April, 1779, the fol-
lowing refolutions were atrreed
to: ^

Refolved, that the unjuft, illi-
Mral, and impolitic oppofition

Vol. XXII.

given by many felf-interefted peo-
ple of Great Britain to the propor.
ed encouragenlent of the trade
and commerce of this kingdom,
originated' in avarice and ingra-
titude.

Refolved, That we will not,
direflly or indiredly, import or
ufe any goods or wares, the pro-
duce or manufaflure of Great
Britain, which can be produced or
manufadlured in this kingdom,—
till an enlightened policy, founded
on principles of jutlice, fhall ap-
pear to aduate the inhabitants of
certain manufadturing towns of
Great Britain, who have taken fo
active a part in oppofmg the regu-
lations propofed in favour of the
trade of Ireland : and that they
appear to entertain fentiments of
refpefl and affeftion for their feU
low-fubjeifts of this kingdom."

Lii\ week an application ,
was made to the Court of ^ *
King's Bench, by Mr. Dunning,
for an Habeas Corpus to bring up
two lads from the Nore, who had
been impreffed. The affidavits on
which the application for the Ha-
beas were grounded, ftated therf
to be apprentices; when Lord
Mansfield faid, that inftead of a
Habeas Corpus he fhould go z
fhorter way to work, aad grant
his warrant for bringing them be-
fore him, being apprentices. That
he knew not of any fuch authority
till fome years ago, reading fome
old la^v books; that he went to
Lord Hardwicke,- and coniiilted
him on it, who agreed that it wa«
in their power to gran: cnsir war-
rant in fuch a cafe for an appren-
tice; that Lord Chief Juftice Holt
was of the fame opinion, and chat
there were feveral precedents for
it. His Lordfhio ordered the re-

m

gula;

aio] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

guUir fteps to be taken to obtain
the warrant.

, Came on before the Barons
' * of the Exchequer the hearing
of a caufe, wherein a gentleman
of the town of Kingfton upon Hull
was plaintiff, and the Rev. Wil-
liam Huntingdon, vicar of Kirk
Ella, defendant. The fuit was
for the tythe of a fmall quantity
cf potatoes, value 17.^. which the
plaintiff claimed as impropriator ;
when, after a fair hearing, it was
determined that potatoes are a
fmall tythe; and the vicar's claiai
to all the fmall tythes being allow-
ed, the Barons decided the caufe
ill favour of the vicar, and ordered
the plaintiff's bill to be difmiffed.

Sxtrocl of a Letter from Winchejler.
_ , " On Monday night a large
' body of French prifoners
confined iri the King's houfe here,
found means to let tbemfelves
down into a vault in the north
v/ingj from whence they cut a hole
through the foundation of the
building, and undermined the
ground for fome diHance; and
had it not been for an accident oc-
cafioned by their eagernefs in get-
ting out, in which a boy's arn^
Was broke, and whofe fpddcn cries
inftantly alarmed the centinels, it
is fuppofcd fome hundreds would
have got off undifcovered, but,
owing to the above, only eleven
made their efcape."

, The bill for vcfun? in

loth. ^, ^ , . r • ff

the two univer .aes, &:c.

the exclufive r\r^\ of printing al-
manacks, was : ; J a fecorl lime;
when a petition trom Mr. Carnan,
bookfclier, was alfo lead, praying
to be heard by counf,! againft t!ie
iaid bill, which was granted;
Vf .'ica Mr. Davcncort and Mr» Er~

fkine were both admitted to the
bar, and on pleading the law
againll: monopolies, and the legal
determination of the courts of
Chancery and Common Picas, the
bill was rcjeded on a divifion 60
to 40.

This day the following „ ,
bills were paffed by com-
niiffion :

An aft for the further relief of
Protellant Diffenting Miniflers and
Schoolmallers.

An aft to repeal fo much of fe-
veral afts of Parliament as prohi-
bit the growth and produce of to-
bacco in Ireland, and to permit the
importation of tobacco of the
■growth and produce of that king-
dom into Great Britain, &c.

An aft for granting a bounty
upon the importation into this
kingdom of hemp, of the growth of
Ireland, for a limited time.

Axv aft for granting a drawback
of the duties impofed by an aft of
the lad feffion of Parliament upon
all foreign wines exported from
Great Britain to any Britidi colony
in America, or to any Britifh fet-
tlement in the Eaft-lndies.

An aft to enable the Chancellor
and Council of the Duchy of Lan-
caflei- fo fell and difpofe of certain,
fee farm rents, and other rents*
&c.

An aft for altering the times of
holding the Martinmas and Candle-
mas u rni.s in the Court of Exche-
quer in Scotland.

An adl for better fecuring the
antics on llarch.

And to f^ vera! road J indofure.
and other bill?.

This morning the Kmghts 1

Eleft of the Bath afiembled '9 "•
in the Piiji<;e'^ Chamber, Wefl-
fliinHci. About half palt cl:vj?.a

o'vAjCK

CHRONICLE.

o'clock the proceflion began to the
Abbey, after walking round which
they entered Henry the Seventh's
chapel, where they were inflalled
with the ufual formality.

The Knights inftalled were Sir
Robert Gunning, JJart. Sir James
Adolphus Oughton, R. H. Sir
John Blaquiere, Sir George Ho-
ward, R. H. Sir John Irwine, Sir
William Gordon, Sir William
Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, Sir Ed-
ward Hughes, Sir Henry Clinton,
Sir liedor Munro, Sir James Har-
ris, and the Earl of Antrim,

Sir J. A. Oughton, Sir Edward
Hughes, Sir Henry Clinton, Sir
James Harris, and Sir Hedor
Munro, were inftalled b> Proxy.

His Royal Highnefs Prince Fre-
derick fat as Great iVIaller, and did
the bufinefs with eafeand wonderful

[iri

propriety.

A gallery was erefted over the
door of the chapel, in which the
Prince of Wales, with two of the
Princes his brothei-s, the Duke of
Montagu, Sec. fat to fee the cere-
mony.

The Queen, and others of the
royal children, were placed in a
gallery built for that purpofe, near
tiie great well^rn door of the Ab-
bey^ from whence they had a full
view of the procefTion through the
Abbey to and from the chapc;l.

The whole ceremony was finifh-
ed by half after two, and in the
evening a grand ball was given by
the knights who were inftalled, at
the King's Theatre in the Hay-
market, at wliich upwards of loco
of the nobility and gentry were
^refent.

»2oth "^^^^ ^^^ James M'athl-

fon was tried at the Old

-sailey, for a forgery upon the

JBank of Englahd.—There perhaps

never appeared in any court of juf-
tice fo capital, nor fo ingenious a
man in his ftile as this prifoner.
He has reigned longer in his vil-
lainy, and has executed it with
more dexterity than any that pro-
bably ever preceded him. His
practice . for feme time part had
been to go to the Bank, and take
out a note:--this he counterfeited,
paffed the copy, and after fome
time returned the original again.
The frequency of his applications
at lall: however excited fufpicion?,
which, added to fome other cir-
cumftances, arifmg from his ap-
pearance and figure in life, he
was taken up. On his apprehen-
fion, he denied the accufation^
called himfelf a watch-maker, and
faid he lived by the honell exercife
of his employment; but when he
was brought before Sir John Field-
ing, he was there known to be the
perfon who had been charged with
forgeries upon the Bank at Dar-
lington; and being told ther?,
that his name was Mathifon, and
not Mathews, as he had given out,
he immediately loft all confidence,
and taking it for granted that:
there were circumftances alreadr
difcovered entirely fufficient for hi's
conviction; he faid, it was need-
lefs to conceal any thing then,
and gave an ample information of
his various frauds, and his mods
of carrying them into execution.
The particular forgery on which
he was charged to-day, was, for
uttering a twenty-pound bank
note. Bank of England, at Co-
ventry. The note was produced
in Court, and ^witneiTes were
brought to prove its having been
iiegociated by him. This fafl be-
ing ellabli/hed, the next cireum-
llance in confideratioh was, to
[0] a ■ prove

aia] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

prove that the note was abfolutely
a counterfeit one. This his pro-
fecutors were totally unable to do,
by any tclHmony they could ad-
duce, fo minutely, and fo dexte-
roufly had he feigned all the diffe-
rent marks. The note itfelf was
not only fo made as to make it
altogether impoffible for any hu-
man optic' to perceive a difference,
but the very hands of the cafliler
and the entering clerk were alfo
fo counterfeited, as entirely to pre-
clude a pofitive difcriniinaiion,
even by thefe men themfelves.
The water mark too, namely.
Bank of England, which the
bankers have co'. udered as an in-
iallible critexiori of fair notes, a
mark which could not be refem-
bled by any poflible means, was
alfo fo hit off by this man, as to
make it not in the power of the
moll exadl cbferver to perceive a
difference. Several papers-makers
were of opinion that this mark
mufi have been put on in the
making of the paper, but Mathi-
fon declared that he put it on
afterwards by a method peculiar
10 himfelf, and known only to
himfelf. — The extreme fimilitude
of the fair and falfe rotes had fuch
an effedt upon the Judge and Jury,
that the prifoner would certainly
have been difcharged for want of
evidence to prove the counterfeit,
if his own informacron, taken at
bidding's, had not been produced
againft him, which immediately
turned the fcdc againfc him, and he
was found guilty,

„ This day the felTions end-

^^"' e4 at the Old Bailey, when
£ve convifts received judgment of
death ; twelve were fentenced to
hard labour on the river Tha.nes ;
thirteen were ordered to hara la-

bour in the houfes of correflion,
feveral of whom were branded;
four were ordered co be whipped;
and fixteen difcharged by procla-
mation.

A refpite, during his Majelly's
pleafure, was fent to Newgate for
William Walker, a prifoner under
fentence of death for burglary in
the houfe of James Penticrofs.

Alfo a reipite, until the 1 6th of
June, was fent to the fame jail for
Capt. James Major, a prifoner
under the like fentence, for writing
an incendiary letter to Sir Willianv
Mufgrave.

Sir Thomas Clavering, ^ ,
Gen. Johnftone, and Mifs '
Maria Clavering, niece to Sir
Thomas, attended the quarter-
fefTions at lilcks's-hall, to profe-
cute the articles of the peace ex-
hibited the day before againft John
Craggs, Efq; late a lieutenant
in the Eall-lndia Company's ler-
vice, on behalf of Mifs Clavering.
By the articles,, it appeared that
Mifs Clavering lived in Orchard-
flrect, Oxford-llreet, with her un-
cle; that for three months pall the
lieutenant had followed and pur-
fued her with fuch an unwarrant-
able attachment and afledion, as
juilly alarmed the fears of Mifs
Clavering; that on the i zth of
May he wrote her a letter, in
which, among other terrifying ex-
prellions, he made ufe of the fol-
lowing words:

" There is no diflradion of
mind equal to that I fufFer for you.
Go where you will, I will follow
you, which may be attended with
ccnfequences too faral to mention
here; and as for myfelf, I have
rcthir.jr but my life tolofe." Mi6
Clavcnr.g ' alio declared, that (he
did not cxlUbit the anicles from

malic*

CHRONICLE.

[213

malice or hatred, but folely to
protL'fl herfclf, as file was in fear
of lof« of life, or bodily harm.
For form's fake. Sir John Haw-
kins afked Mifs Clavering, if ever
Ihe had given any encouragement
to his addreffes ? To which Mifs
Clavering replied in the negative,
and faid fhe had wrote ro him, by
her uncle and friends orders, de-
fiting him never to fee her more.
It appeared on the examination
that Irtt followed her to Court, to
Salifbury, Briftol, Bath, &c.

The lieutenant was called, but
did not appear ; when the Bench,
confideiing his condudt and terri-
fying threats, ordered that he be
apprehended, and held to the
peace, as well to all his Majelly's
fubjefls, as to Mifs Clavering in
particular, to find fureties in 500 1.
each, and himfelf in loool. for
(even year?, at the fame time
granting a warrant againft him,
with an order of Court for an
hour's' BOtice of bail, with refe-
rences therein to Sir John Fielding
to take bail.

Melfrs. Kelly, Lindfay, Carter,
Hill, Durell, and another, fix
V/ellminller fchool-boys, were like-
wife tried for an aflault on a man
in Dean's-yard, Weftminfler, in
January lall, when they beat and
wounded him in a moft fhocking
manner,' and after that Kelly,
with a drawn knife in his hand,
faid, * If you don't kneel down
and aik pardon, I will rip you up,'
which the man was compelled to
do to fave his life.

Hill and Durell pleaded not guil-
ty, the reft pleaded guilty. Hill
was acquitted for want of evidence,
and Durell found guilty, but fined
gnly is. on a doubr of hi» being

a principal among thefe polite
young ruffians. Tiie fads being
fully proved, the other four were
fentenced to a month's imprifon-
ment in Bridewell, and 100 1, fine
to be paid among them ; but if
they would in court a(k the profe-
cutor's pardon on their knees, as
they had compelled him to aCc
theirs, the court would take off
the imprifonment : they ahfolute-
ly refufed aflcing pardon on their
knees. The fentence flood thus
for about an hour, when the fa-
ther of Carter, one of the four,
applied to the court, and told
them that his fon was elefted to
Chrift-college, Oxford, and mufl
go there in a few days, or lofe the
benefit of that eleftion. On this
the court took off his imprifon-
ment.

This being done, fome of the
magillrates moved, that the reft
might have their imprifonment
taken off aUb. This was ftrongly
oppofed by the chairman. Sir Joha
Hawkins, and feveral other juftU
ces, but on a divifton it was carried
to take off the imprifonment nine
againft 7.

They then were direfted to make
the profecutor fatisfadion, and he
faid, as he had before offered to
take 50I. befides his cofts, he
would take it then. The friends
of the boys paid the profecutor in
court 50 1, and Mr. Denton, his
attorney 20 1, for the cofts, who,
to his honour, carried on the pro-
fecution with a fpirit due to the
attrocious barbarity of tne petty
claffical bravoes.

Peterjbur?h, May 21. On Sun-
day the new-born Great Duko was
baptized at Zirico-Zelo, by the
name of Conltancine; the Em-

[0] 3 prefs

ai4l ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

prefs was the Iponfor. After the
ceremony the foifign minillers and
iiobiiiiy dined wiih her Imperial
Majelly at a table of two hundred
covers. On this occafion feveral
promotions were made in the civil
and military departments.

DitB. j\lr. Oakes, at Newing-
ton, aged 107.

In Derbylhire, J. Simpfon, aged
114.

JUNE.

- Yeflerday the following

' bills received the royal affent
by commilTion :

The bill to prevent frauds by
private diftillers.

The bill to prevent frauds and
^bufes in the payment of wages to
perfons employed in tiie bone and
thread-lace manufadory.

The bill for the prefervation of
the river Lee.

The bill for granting to his Ma-
jefty certain dunes on licences to
be taken out by perfons letting to
hire horfes for travtUing port.

The bill to continue the aft of
the i6'A\ of his prefent rij'ajcfty,
for the puniflimcnt by hard labour
of offenders, who {hall become lia-
ble to be tranfported, &c.

Tiie bill for taking ofF the duty
upon all fait ufed in curing pil-
chard;.

The bill to indemnify perfons
who have omitted :o take the
paths to qualify themfelves fbr of-
fices, &c.

The bill for difcontinuing the
(duties on cotton wool, the growth
snd proauci of the fjritifh polonies
ia America.

2d.

The bill for allowinfr the impor-
tntion of goods into this kingdom
fro)n Alia and Africa.

'l"he bill for diilblving the mar-
riage of the Marquis of Carmarthen
with his now wife.

And feveral road and inclofure
bills.

Came on before Sit' Francis
BuUer and a fpecial jury, an
aftion brought on behalf of the
owners of the London Eai- India^-
man,' who charged CaptaiiyDrake,
of the RulTcl man of war^ with
wilfully and negledfully running
down the London; and laid their
damages, arifing from his con-
duft, at qo,oool. The jury were
out for about a quarter of an hour,
and returned with a vcrdift in fa-
vour of the defendant.

By a liil of the number of empty
houfes in tlie city of London, as
returned by the deputies of the
feveral wards, the total appears to
be 1,104, the rents of which are
calculated to amount to 26,375 1.

An important queltion, in ,
the caufe between the Rev. ^ '
Mr. Sellon, of Clerkenwell, and
a clergyman of Northampton-cha-
pel, came before the Ecciefiallical
Court. Mr. Sehon inllituted a
fuit againil the clergyman, for
quitting the cure of Ibuls in his
own proper parifli, in Northamp-
tonQiirc, and for intruding into
his parifh of ClcrkenwfU, and
there reading prayers, preaching,
and doing other ecciefiallical offi-
ces. The clergyman protefled
againil the proceedings, and fet
up a plea, that he was a chaplain
to Lady Huntingdon, and that
the right and privilege ol peerage
exempted him from the jurildic-
jion ul the fpiritual court, and ihat

the

CHRONICLE.

[215

the matter ought to be tried only
by the pec-s of the realm. This
point was vory ably and fully ar-
gued; and after a hearing of three
hours, the judge declared that the
defendant was fubjeft to the jurif-
didion of the court, and that the
fuit muft proceed againft hini.

, Were called to the bar,

1 2 tn
•* * by the fociety of the Inner

Temple, Meff. Pepys, Franklin,
and Bond. The celebrated Mr.
Home was likewife a candidate,
but rejefted. The fociety, upon
his fignifying a jdelire of being
called this term, having, or pre-
tending to have a doubt upon the
propriety of calling him, applied
to the ether inns of court to be
informed by them, whether they
judged it proper, that a clergyman
in full orders fhould be admitted
to the bar ? — Anfwers importing
their determination that it would
be improper, being received from
all the inns, that gentleman was in
^confequence refufed.

, This morning Prince

■^ ' William Henry, his Ma-
jelly's third fon, fet off for Portf-
mouth, to go on board Admiral
Digby's fhip, the grand fleet go-
ing out on a cruize. His Highnefs
goes as midfhipman in the Prince
George.

This day the following bills re-
ceived the royal aflent by virtue
of a commiffioa from his Majeity,
\iz.

The bill to amend the aft for
laying a tax on auftions and fales.
- The bill for the augmentation of
the judges falaries.

The bill for granting to his Ma-
jelty additional duties on vellum,
parchment, and paper.

The bill for veiling in the Eall
India company, for a limited time.

certain territorial acqulfitions ob-
tained in India, &c.

The houfe and fervants tax bill.
The bill for raifing 1,500,000!.
by loans, and the bill for raifing
i,gOO,oool. by Exchequer bills.

And Bromfield's, Sealy's, and
Sewell's divorce bills.

Lately was depofited in ^ ,
the library of the Univer- ^°^"'
fity of Edinburgh a cabinet of me-
dals, prefented by Princefs Daf-
chaw, Countefs of Woronzow;
containing, i. A feries of the So-
vereigns of Ruflia, from the Grand
Duke Rurick, who reigned at No-
vogrod, A. D, 862, to the Em-
prefs Elizabeth, who was placed
on the throne, A. D. 1741. 2. The
medallic hiftory of Rulha, in a fe-
ries of medals ftruck in comme-
moration of the great events which
have happened in that empire from
the birth of Peter the Great, A. D.
1672, to the birth of Alexander,
fon of the prefent Grand Duke,
A. D. 1777. 3. Medals ftruck
under different Sovereigns, in ho-
nour of illullrious perfons, wtio
had diftinguilhed themfelves in the
fervice of their country. AIJ the
medals in this coUc'-tion are of
exquifite vvorkmanfh ,». Several
of them finiflied by Ruffian ardits ;
and, in elegance of defign, as
well as execution, not inferior to
the medals of any nation in Eu-
rope.

Sixteen failors, lately tried at
Ipf'.vich for the murder of a publi-
can, at whofe houfc they went; to
imprefs a man, and their c '..'e
found ip;cial, were brought be- re
the Court of King's-iienc!\, co
ceive the linal d cihon of -
coirt; . hert, on ion" • def .
the verditt .n not fix ;ig th, ai
der Oft any one in particular, ..
[O] 4 ~ wiic-

ai6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

whole were judged innocent, and
conftquer.tlv dilcharged.

, Mr. Beacroft, in behalf

7 ■ of a great nvimbcr of pii-
foners in the KJng's-bench, pre-
sented a petition to] the court,
with an affidavit] annexed, praying
their lordfhips interference and
fupport> againll feveral complaints
therein ftated, and ill treatment
they have received from a number
of aflbciated prifoners, who had,
jn oppofition to all law, in defiance
of the irarfhal's power, and con-
trary to all ideas of honelly and
humaiiity, ere<fled ti enifclves into
a kind of tribunal, difpofed of the
property, and infiifted corporal
punifhnicnt on all who refuftd to
comply with their violent and un-
juft commands.

Mr. Beacroft faid, that a Capt.
philips and a Mr. Chillingfvvorth
had fafliioned a Court of K-ing's-
tench within the walls of the pri-
fon, and that the former ililed
himfelf marfhal, the latter his
deputy. That, aflilted by about
80 more, they ifTucd precepts,
funimonfes, orders, decrees, exe-
cutions, &c. againft the perfons
and property of prifoners, and
committed many flagrant afts of
opprelfion iand injulHce, which
Mr. Bejcroft obferved did not call
for any particular motion, but
might be fubmitted in the grols to
the wiiuom and humanity of the
court. The petition and affidavit
were read, whicij formed nine dif-
/erent complaints to the court.
That there were only 140 rooms
in the pritbn, and near (joo pri-
foners ; that they were difpoficfTed
of their rooms, at the will and
idifcrction of the above court; tliat
^heiT property was alfo lei zed on
and difpofed oi as that co'^rt

thought fit: that the afluni mar-
lb al ot the King's- bench had not
Aifited the bench above three times
ill the laft year: that the above
court confjlled of prifoners, who
had long l^een intitled to their
difcharges : that they refufed to
go ouc, becaufc in that cafe they
would be obliged to give up their
property to their juit creditors:
that that court by their oppreflions
and extortions had even railed the
price of rooms from rol. to 70 1.
per annum : that they claimed
them by fenioiity, and let rooms
out, not chufing to live in them
on that account: that numbers of
them had been long fupjrfedable,
or intitled to their difchurges un-
der insolvent a6ls and lords afls :
and JalUy, that fuch was the vio-
lence and enormities committed by
them, that it was dangerous to op-
pofe or refufe to obey, and there-
fore prayed the court's interpofi-
tion. This complaint Lord Manf-
field faid called for immediate re-
drels, but in doing that he confef-
fed himfelf at a !ofs how to fteer,
2is in doing jufiice to the diflrefled
prifoner, he might injure the cre-
ditor, who equally called for his
attention. The court were form-
ing feveral refolutions thereon,
which Teemed to militate againft
its own intention, fuch as dif-
charging thofe intitled to their dif-
ciiargcs, etc. when Mr. Dunning
framed the following order of
court, ' that every prifoner who
had been fuperl'cdablc fix months,
and who had not been fuperfeded,
fhould be dii'charged immediately,
unleis fuch priloner fhould be
charged with a frefh aftion, and
that tiicn he fliould Icfe the benefit
of his leniority.' This fully met
the intention of the court, 'and

Lord

I

CHRONICLE.

l2lj

Lord Mansfield fald he faw the
wii'dom of it, as many priloners
intitled to their difcharges would
procure friendly adlions to keep
them in prifoii, merely for the
lake of holding the rooms, which
this order would effeftually llop.
The court alfo came to another re-
folution, which was, that every
prifoner Ihould inhabit the room
he held; and laltly, that Cape.
Philips be brought up on Monday
next, as the head of the aflbcia-
tion, to anfwer perfonally for the
violence and outrages committed
on dirtreffed and injured prifoners,
by him and his defperadoes; by
the firlt order near loo prifoners
will be difcharged, and new ones
obtain rooms on moderate terms.

, Yefterday, purfuant to

^" ■ ^n order of the Court of
King's-bench, on Friday laft,
Capt. Thomas Philips was brought
up a prifoner from the King s-
bcnch pril'on, touching the Court
of King's-bench within the prilon,
of which court Captain Philips
afted as Lord Chief Jullice, and
of whom complaint had been then
made, as guilty of many acls of
oppreffion to his fellow prifoners,
in his aiTumed character. Captain
Philips, in his affidavit. Hated,
that the court was formed before
he became a prifoner ; that foon
after his confinement, he was una-
riimoufly eledted Lord Cnief Jiif-
tice, and that the court was not
of his fubiVituting, but committed
to his prefidcncy. Tliat the court
was highly ferviceable to the com-
munity, preventing confufion and
diforder, and enforcing regula-
rity.

Mr. Beacroft, counfel for the
petitioning prifoners, the foremoft
of whom is a mailer fmith, made
i

no obfervation to^e conrt on the
alledged otFmec or open defence,
but moved, •' That as the Lord
Chief Jufli€e of the King's-bench
prifon, flood charged in execution
as a prifoner at the fuit of the
crown (for fmuggling) , and as there
were alfo feveral detainers lodged
againft him, as well for criminal
as civil matters, he be removed
from the feat of his jurifdiftion,
to the New Jail in the Borough.**
Lord Mansfield recapitulated his
former abhorrence of the illegal
and oppreflive meafures of that
felf-created court, declared, that
if it was continued, the members
thereof (hould be proceeded againfl:
with the highell feverity ; and as
an example, ordered his brother
juilice to be inftantly carried to
the confined purlieus of the New
Jail. His lordfhip mentioned alfo,
that one hundred prifoners were,
on examination, found to be dif-
chargeable, and who were volun-
tary prifoners, in the benefit of
letting out rooms, and for the con-
venience of fmuggling, of which
number was the Lord Chief Juilice
Philips, and that a very confider-
able feifure had been made on Sa-
turday lafl. Mr. Philips was im-
mediately put into a coach, and
carried to his new lodgings.

This day was held a ,

Common Hall at Guild- *'^^*
hall, for the choice of fuch officers
belonging to the corporation as
are annually elei^ed on this day.
As foon as the common cryer had
opened the court, Mr. Alderman
Townfend came forward with a
letter in his hand, which he faid
he had received from Mr. Oliver,
one of the reprefentatives in Par-
liament for this city, which with
their leave he would read.

-{iiS] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The purport of it was, tliat be-
ing obliged to I'ail for the Well
Indies iboner than he expeded,
he begged Mr. Tovvnfend would
acquaint the livery of his intention
to refign his feat in the lioufc of
Commons, but would not accept
of a place from the crown to va-
cate it. till fuch time as he had
their concurrence, and thereiorc
deilred him, at the lirll Common
Hall that was called, to acquaint
the livery thereof, and not make
the intention known till that time,
left any advantages might be taken
of it; — that their determination
might be fcnt him, and his aniwer
received time enough to choofe a
member in his room before the next
feflion.

The above was received with
great applaufe ; Mr. lownfend
alluring the livery that Mr. Oliver
knew he wuld not make any bad
v.{e of the prior knowledge of the
intended vacancy, as he did not
intend to offer himfelf as a candi-
date.

The eleflion for fherilFs then
came on, when the feveral alder-
men that had not ferved that office
were called over, viz. Mejl". Kirk-
man, Woolridge, Wright, Pugh,
and Sainfbury ; the firlt of thefe
liad a great number of hands, the
i'ecoKd was hifled immoderately.
MelT. Wright and Pugh had almoii
all the hands up, and Mr. Sainfbury
was very much clapped.

MefTrs. Mackreth and Taylor,
who had been drank to by the
mayors, and MefFrs. Watfon and
Bloxam, propofed by the livery,
were put up, and were received
with clapping of hands ; on which
the eleftion was declared in fa-
vour of MeiT. i'ugh and Wright;
but a poll was demanded for Mr.

Kirkman, which was withdrawn
by his own defirc, in a handfome
fpeech- The reft of the ollicers
were re-chofen; and- a new ale-
conner eleded.

Died. Sir John Delafont, Kt.
aged 96, Clerk Controller of the
kitchen to George 1 .

Ac Mile-end, Mrs, M. Grimes,
aged 1 06. ^

William Kenrick, LL.D. a gen-
tleman well known in the literary
world.

Lately, at Uttoxeter, Mifs Nan-
gle : about two mouths fipce,
while diverting herfelf with a fpy-
ing-glafs, the rays of the fun fet
lire to her clothes, and burnt her
fo as to occafion her death.

JULY.

An aiVion brought by Sir n
Alex. Leiih, Bart, againft Mr.
Pope for falle imprifonment, and
a malicious profecution for a pre-
tended felony (which was tried at
the Old Bailey, and the plaintifF
in this aflion honourably acquit-
ted), was tried before Sir William
De Grey at Guildhall, and a ver-
did of 1 0,000 1. damages given to
the plain tiff.

Fienna, Jitfie 26. This capital
was greatly alarmed this morning,
about nine o'clock, by the blow-
ing up of a large powder maga-
zine in the out-fkins of one of
the fuburbs, in which about forty
artillery-men were employed in
filling cartridges, whereby many
lives were loft. The roofs of
many houfes in the adjoining fu-
burb were confiderably damaged;
and it is feared that numbers of
people may have been maimed o?
deilroyed.

CHRONICLE.

[219

deftroyeti. Prince Charles Lich-
tenftein, the governor of the town,
went immediately to the fort, and
ail polTible afliliance was given.
The Emperor himt'cif arrived from
Laxenbourg with the utmoft expe-
dition ; and, by his Imperial Ma-
jcfty's orders, all means were ufed
10- give the fpeediell relief to the
furviving fufferer?.

J His Mnjefty went to the

^ ' Houfe of Peers, and gave the
royal affent to.

An ad for removing certain dif-
ficulties with rcfpe([l to the more
fpeedy and efFeftual manning of
his -Majelly's navy, for a limited
time.

An adl for augmenting the mi-
litia. And to one private bill.

Two hundred and twenty-two
bills received the royal aflent,
which is the greateil number
known in one feliions for many
years.

, A proclamation was ilTued,
" * charging all ollicsrs civil and
military, in cafe of an invafion, to
caufe all horles, oxen, and cattle
and provifions, to be driven from
the fea coaft to places of fecurity,
that the fame may not fall into the
hands of the enemy.

Cunningham, who diftinguifhed
himl'elf at the beginning of the
American troubles, and vii^ho tc*ck:
the Dutch mail, was brought pri-
foner to Falmouth in the Gran-
tham packet from New York, and
lodged in the caftle there.
j^^,^ The feffions at the Old

Bailey, which began on
Wcdiicfday, ended, when the fe-
ven Jcllowing received fentence of
death. James Barret, for a rape;
Tho. Rickets, for houfe breaking ;
Mich. Brannor, arid Martin GaU

lavan, for a highway robbery ;
Lucy Johnfon, (a black), for a
robbery in a houfe of ill fame;
Rt. Roberts, Wm. M'Kenzie, for
fiealing a horfe, and Pat. Doyle
for being an acccfTary before the
faa.

The fame day was tried at the
Old Bailey, an indiftment brought
by a butcher in Whitechapel againfi:
a young gentleman of the clever,
for pubtifhing a libellous ballad,
reflefling in the groffeft manner on
the challity of the proiecutor's
daughter, to whom the defendant
paid his addreflcs, which not meet-
ing with fuccefs, he in revenge
made a fong, that in direft terms
charged the objeft of his alFedlions
with being a Itrumpet. He em-
ployed a man to fivig this curious
ditty in the open market. The
father, being informed of the au-
thor, went to him, and was an-
fwered, * What, does the cap fit
you ? then you may wear it.' — The
daughter was now become the
fport of the market, and her lover
even pointed her out to a throng
of fpcdators. who joined in the
ridicule. Mr. Howarth opened
the profecution very gravely; he
allowed that the fong was io ridi-
culoufly laughable, that the jury
had a right to exercife their r.li-
ble features; but when that fpiric
of humour had fublided, ^hey muft
agree with him, that it v\as a
cafe that called for the moll fe-
rious confidcration; the peace of
a family, the reputation 'of a vir-
tuous woman, had been fcanda-
lonfly defamed by the malicious
and meditated contrivance of the
defendant. Mr. Morgan, on 'the
other fide, kept the court in a roar
of laughter, by a fpeech excellently-
con-

220] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

contrailcd to that of Mr, Howarth ; thirty, forty, or fifty years fince,
hut the attempt to turn tlie whole fold hay at Sinithficfd, without
cafe into a trifling, unguarded llcp paying the fix-pcnce pc-r load, of

of his client, failed, as the Re-
corder, in his charge, conudered
it in an alarming point of view,
as a preconcerted fchcme to ruin
the young woman, and deftroy the
happincfs of the family. He was
found guilty, paid zcl. colh of the
profecution, afked pardon in court,
and agreed to recant his rtiiedions
in the public prints.

late years demaiuied, and received,
by the collcdors of duties and
tolls in that market ; but as it did
not appear that Finchley was a
manor belonging to the Bifhop of
London, at the time the aforefaid
exemplion was granted to his te-
nants, an'd as the exceptions with
refped to the payment of the dif-
puted duty were dubious, a ver-

^^ Laft week was tried in did was given for the city of Lon

^ ' the Court of King's-bench, don.
Guildhall, London,

before Sir
prancis Buller, and a fpecial
jury, the right of a claim fet up
by the city of London, to a duty
of fixpence per load on hay fold
in Smithfield, not the property
of freemen of London. Ihis
claim was difputed by feveral of
the inhabftants of Finchley, who
fet up a contrary claim to an ex-
emption from paying the f;iid duty.
On the part of the city of London,
it was contended, that the corpo-
ration thereof were by immemorial
cuftom, and royal grants, intitled to
the receipt of hay-toil in Smith-
field-maiket, from all no^i-free-
Tnen; and that the inhabitants of
Finchley had, repeatedly, us was

A Repiller of the Weather ^ ,
for beven Days pait.

N. B. It was taken in London,
the inftrument on an Eaftern
afped, and in the fhade.

FARliNHt it's Th Eli MOMETER.

1779

Wind.

N

N.

N.
N.E.byN.
N.E.byN,
N.E.bvN.

E.
. E.

The extreme heat felt in the
cou?fe of lall week occafioned the
above obfervation, the truth of

9-

Mo. 8.

Aft. 3.

Ev. 9.

1 1

77

82

79

IZ

7 5

78

76

n

76

8i

79

14

76

78

76

15

76

8ci

78

16

75

83

74 ■

'7

70

73

7«

proved, paid the faid hay toll ; to which may be depended upon. In

which cafe was added the teili-
mony of divers old toil-gatherers,
who depofed that they took the
d\!ty of all non-freemen whatever.
The defendants fet up a claim to
an exemption granted in favour of
the Bifhop of London, and his
men or tenants, by King John,
whereby they were relieved from
the payment of fuch duties and
tolls; to which they added the tef-
timony of divers old witnefiVs,
t\ho depofed that they had foine

the middle column, or afternoon 3,
the heat has been Jb great as
fcarcely ever to have been remem-
bered in this climate; and as a
confirmation of its intenfenefs, Mr.
Foller, in his lalt publilhed obfer-
vations on the bouth - American
iJlands, which are in the torrid
zone, and of courfe under a verti-
cal fun, direftly over their heads,
with no Oiadow, fays, that the
heat is generally from 80 degrees
to (jo; now, upon inlpedion of

the

CHRONICLE.

[ill

the above column, there will be
found four days out of feven above
So; on the i6th even at 83, a great
height indeed for us.

J On Friday laft died, in

the 3111 year ofhisage, at
Oxford, that king of horfes. Old
Mafk, late the property of the Earl
of Abingdon, and fire of many of
the firll racers ever known in this
country ; among which are Ecllpfe,
Tranfit, Shark, Pretender, Mag-
rolio. Leviathan, Mafquerade, ^c.
Arc.

, Capt. Caton, formerly

° * majjer of a ifhip in the mer-
chants fervice, but having acquired
a fortune had quitted the iea, was
during the courfe of the month
forcibly feifed by a prefs gang on
the public exchange at Brillol, and
carried on board a tender. He
has fmce been releafcd, but not
before his friends had applied to
the navy. board, and had moved
I for a habeas corpus to procure his
CHlargement.

Died. One Jean Aragus, a na-
tive of the village of Lailua, in Tur-
key, near Ragufa, died on the 6th
of March laft, in the 123d year of
his age, leaving defcendants to the
fifth generation, confining of 160
perfons, all living in the fame vil-
lage: he had his health toihelait,
was bleiTed with an extraordinary
memory- and lound judgment, and
parted his lail moments without
pain, extending his bleffing to his
lurrounding family. He always
lived a life of labour, and walked
a great deal, a very little time be-
fore his death walked a very con-
fiderable dillance to mafs, accord-
ing to his ufualcuftom. The em-
ployment of his early days was to
conduft the caravans; he after-

wards took to farming, which he
purfucd with great induftry, intel-
ligence, and fuccefs; he always
lived very temperately, and his
known honefty and good qualities
made him elleemcd while living,
and regretted when dead, even by
the Turks themfelves, who are
not very apt to eiteem people of
a different pcrfuafion from them-
felvesi

AUGUST.

At Newcaftle was tried,
before Mr. Juilice Buller, and '^^^'
a Special Jury, an iffue direfted
by the Court of Exchequer, in the
long contefted caufe between the
Redor of Simonburn and the oc-
cupiers of ancient farms within
that parifh, relative to a claim
made by the former of agiftment
tithe in kind. The quellion for
the determination of the jury in
this iffue was, whether a modus
of I d. which Dr. Scot infilled was
for Hay-tithe, did or did not ex-
tend to grafs agifted or eaten by
unprofitable cattle ? After a long-
hearing, the jury gave a ve:a:il
againft the reftor upjn the clear-
eft evidence, to the entire fatisfac-
t;on of the learned judge who tried
the caufe.

At the afUzes for the coun- ^ ,
ty of Surry was tried, before *
Lord Mansfield, a caufe whereia
the inhabitants of Walworth were
plaintiiFs, and the Commiffioners
of Sewers defendants. The mat-
ter in queftion was, " Whether a
houfe no way benefited by the
Sewers, or any of the faid com-
miffioners works, had a right lo
be by them afTeffed.' After very
learned

222] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

13th.

zoth.

learned debates for upwards of
three hours, the jury gave a ver-
dict for the plaiiitifrs.

The deputy - recorder
made the report to his Ma-
jcfty in council of the feven capi-
tal co'nvifls now under fentence of
death in Newgnte, when the five
following were ordered for execu-
tion on Wednefday the 25th in-
ftant, viz. lyiichael Brannon and
Mariin Galhivan, alias Gallaway,
Lucy Johnfon, a black womnn,
Thomas Ricketts, and James Bar-
rett. Johnfon was aftt;rwards iC;
prieved, and the others executed.

The two following were refpited
during his Majelly's plea fu re,
viz, Kenneth William Williams
M'Kenzie, alias William Murray,
and Patrick Doyle.

This day the Duke of
Northumberland, preceded
by the Rev. Mr. Sellon, with many
of thecommillioners for pavements,
and inhabitants of CIcrkenwell ;
the artificers and workmen, with
the feveral cnfigns of their refpec-
tive Employments, and followed
by a train of juflices of the county
of Middlefex, clofed by Sir John
^awkins, chairman, went from
Hicks's-hall to Clerkenv.'ell-green,
where his Grace laid the founda-
tion flone of the new Court- houfc
to be there erecied in the room of
Hicks's-hall. The following is a
tranflation of the infcripiicn placed
under iheftone:

•' The firlll^cne of this SefTion-
houfe, eroded fur the ufe of the
county of Middlefex, and for other
good and necefTary purpofes, for
the better performance of the
King's fervice in the faid county,
in purfuance of an adl of parlia-
ment made and pafTed in the i8th
year of the reign of King George

the Third, was laid by the mofl
noble and puifFant Prince Much
Duke and Earl of Northumber-
land, Cuftos Rotulorum of the
faid county, at the requell, and in
the prefencc of the Commiflioners
appointed for building the faid
Seflion-houfe, 'on Friday the 20th
dayof Auguft, 1779."

The woman w.iio fet her ,
houfe on fire in Warwick- ^^
lane, was examined before Alder-
man Pugh, at Guildhall, when it
appeared that her goods were in-
fured for 700 1. though all fhc had
in ti)e houfc was not worth 60 1.
When fhe gave the alarm of fire,
fhe thought the houfe pafl recover-
ing, being in flames in feveral
places; and fhe particularly made
an outcry after a box, which flie
faid was full of lace and other
goods to the value of 300!. but
when found, was full of nothing
but combirliibles. She had fet i^t
on fire, and the back part of it
was burning, as were feveral other
pieces of furniture in the fame
room. She behaved with uncom-
mon audacity, and charged the
perfon who was chiefly inltru men-
tal in her deteftion with a crimi-
nal intercourfe with her maid, a
Dutch girl, who could hardly fpeak
Englifh, and who had been with
her but a few days. Circumftances
were llrong againll her, and fhe was
committed to jraol.

Extraii of a Letter from Duhlitiy
Auguji 17.

" At the fummer afTizes for the;
county, and county of the city of
Waterford, the High Sheriff,
Grand Juries, and principal inha-
bitants met, for the purpofc of
taking into confideracioil the prc-
ient ruinous flate of the trade and

manu-

CHRONICLE.

[22J

inanufa6lures, and the alarming
decline in the value of the ilaple
commodities of this kingdom ; and
looking upon it as an indifpenfible
duty that they owed their country
and themfelves, to reftrain, by
every means in their power, thefe
growing evils, they came to and
figned the following refolutions, to
the number of |66 :

*« Rcfolved, That we, our fa-
milies, and all whom we can in-
fluence, fhall, from this day, wear
and make ufe of the manufadlures
of this country, and this country
only, until fuch time as all par-
tial reitridlions on our trade, im-
pofed by the illiberal and contradl-
ed policy of

fnoe, though leather ftill remained '
pcrfed and intire. It is fuppofed by
the gentlemen of the Antiquarian
Society to have been the leg-bones
of the Rev. Mr. Rogers, whofe
leg, from being loaded with a
heavy chain during his imprifon-
meat at the time of the confine-
ment of the Bifnops Hooper, Rid-
ley, and Latimer, in the Arch-
bifhop of Canterbury's tower, near
about the time of the recantation ot
Archbilhop Cranmer, had mortified,
and was cut ofr". This happened in
the year 1555, in the reign of
Qjjcen Mary.

We have from King (ton, „ ,
in Jamaica, the following '

our filler kingdom, account of the burning of his Ma-
be removed : but if, in confequence jelly's fliip Glafgow : it was occa-

of this our refolution, tiie manufac-
turers (whofe interetl we have more
immediately under confideration)
Ihould acl fraudulently, or com-
bine to impofe upon the public.

fioned by the carelelTnefs of the
Steward, in going down to the
hold with a candle in his hand to
draw rum, and the ftip was in-
tirely confumed, notwithftandino-

we (hall hold ourfelves no longer every effort was ufcd by Captaia
bound to countenance and fupport Lloyd, his ofScers and crew. The

them.

" Refolved, That we will not
deal with any merchant or fhop-
keeper who fhall, at any time here-
after, be deteded in impofing any
foreign manufacture as the- manu-
facture of this country."
f- , Laft week a labourer, in

digging for the foundation
of tha intended portico for the
Archbilhop of Canterbury's grand
entrance to his Park near Lambeth
church, found a trunk, to appear-
ance like the cafe of a fowliog-

Captain feeing no profped of fav-
ing the fhip, ordered the powder
to be thrown overboard ; to whicK
condud the Ihipping in tb« har-
bour, and even the town, owe their
prefervation : no lives were loft ex-
cept the Mafter, who /Was fnatched
out of the flames miferably fcorch-
ed, and died next morning on board
his Majefty's brigantine B:rJger,
in which Capt. Lloyd, »hi$ officers,
and men, failed on Timrfday lafl
for Port Royal. The inhabitants
were thrown into confufion, as her

piece, wh>n packed up for expor- broad^e lay towards the town,

lation, which contained the leg- and the guns being all loaded, went

bones of a man, together with a cu- off as the fire approached them,

rious antique (hoe; and notwith- the fliot of which damaged feveral

Handing the bones, after being- ex- houfes, but happily did no other

pofed to the air, fell to dull, the execution.

SUMMER

224] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

SUMMER ASSIZES.

At Oxford, two were capitally
convitftcd.

At Salifbury, two— one of whom
was the noted highwaywoman— -
both were reprieved.

At Hereford, two.

At Cambridge, one — reprieved.

At Huntingdon, one — reprieved.

At Chelmsford, iix — four re-
prieved.

At WorceHcr, one — reprieved.

At StalFord, three— two repriev-
ed.

At Croydon (for Surry) fix.

At the affizes for the county of
Somerfct, Sir William Yea, Bart.
by the fentence of the Crown
Judge, under three profecutions,
two for forcible entries, and the
other for a very outrageous aiTault
on his tenant's wife, was lined lool.
and ordered to be imprifoned in the
county jail for two months.

At Rridgewater, two.

At York, four — three reprieved.

At Bury, one.

Dorchell;er, Durham, Newcaftle,
Korfolk, and Buckingham, proved
maiden.

NapLs, Aug. 10. On Sunday
tiight, the 8ch initant, we had
the mcfl tremendous eruption of
Mount V'efuvius that can be ima-
gined, and fuch as the oldeil per-
iod here never fxperienced. For
fome preceding days the viJcano
had been very noify a;;d unquiet,
throwing up red-hot ft^ ."s, and
emitting lava at times, b%t not
freely. Betw cn nine and ten
o'clock the di:^iiarge of ftones and
inflamed matter from the crater
increaf«d every inllant, and then
burft into one complete fheet of
fire, which mou.iitd llrait, and

continued in full force about 25
minutes, when it ccafed abruptly.
The elevation of that column of
fire was at leaft equal to three times
that of Mount Vefuvius itfclf,
which rifes upwards of three thou-
fand feven hundred feet perpendi-
cularly above the level of the fea.
The whole cone of Vefuvius, and
part of the neighbouring moun-
tain of Somma, were foon covered
with rcd-hot ftones and liquid burn-
ing matter, which fet fire to
woods, houfes, vineyards, &cc. The
great fall of this tremendous Co-
lumn of fire was chiefly on the
country of Ottaiano, where it has
deftroyed the habitations of twelve
thoufand people, and the land is
covered with a ftratum of fcoria;
and erupted matter of about the
thicknefs of two or three feet :
fome of the ftones that fell there
weighed above an hundred pounds;
and as that country, on the other
fide of Somma, maft be (in a di-
reft line) at leaft four miles from
the crater of Vefuvius, the ex^
treme height of the column of fire
above mentioned feems to be con^
firmed.— Caccia-Bella, a hunting-
feat of their Sicilian Majefties,
fituated between Ottaiana and
Nola, is likewife deftroyed, and
it is feared many people have pe -
riflied ; but as yet no exaft account
of this melancholy accident is
publiftied, all being in the utmoft
confternation. The inhabitants of
Portici, Torre del Greco, and of
Torre del Annonciata, have fled ;
and as their fuuation is ^luch nearer
to the volcano than the country
deftroyed, they muft have fufFered
more, had not the wind been much
in their favour, and carried all the
erupted matter in a contrary di-
rection;

Yefterday

CHRONICLE,

[225

Yefterday Vcfuvius was much
ao-itated, and threw violently, but
nothing in comparifon of what is
above related. Until the lava
(which by its confinement in the
bowels of the mountain occafions
thefe horrid fpafms) finds a vent,
we cannot be free from the appre-
henfions of an earthquake, which
might do great damage to this ca-
pital.

The appearance of the eruption
on Sunday night was far beyond
defcription : clouds of the blackeft
fmoke accompanied the liquid fire
that was thrown up ; and from
thefe clouds conftantly ifTued the
brighteit forked lightning. The
reft of the fky was free from
clouds; and before the eruption it
had been a clear flar-Hght night.
We are in the midft of proceflions ;
and the head of St. Januarius has
been expofed, which is confidered
as the lalt refource in times of
danger. We hope we fhall foon
fee the lava break out, when all
will be calm again.

Naples, Aug. 17. On Wednef-
day lall Mount Vefuvius alarmed
us again ; but a quantity of lava
being difcharged, it is hoped
this tremendous eruption is near-
ly at an end. The whole coun-
try, for three miles round Ot-
taiano, lies buried under afhe.s ;
and had' that fhower continued
one hour longer, every inhabi-
tant of that town muft have pe-
riihed under the ruins of the
houfes, as in the city of Pompeii,
in the reign of Titus. As yet
we have only heard of two lives
being loft ; though the deftruftion
and defolation of the country about
Ottaiano is beyond defcription ;
and the damage eftiraated at leaft
to 300,000 ducats.

Vol. XXfl.

DiKD, Mr. Samuel Buck, aged
83, the furvivor of the two inge-
nious brothers who fiift attempted
and executed a feries of views of
monaftic and other ruins in Eng-
land in 400 plates.

SEPTEMBER.

Manchejier, September, 3. At the
laft aflizes at Lancafter, caufes
were brought againft three of the
principal linen drapers of this
town for felling prohibited Eaft^
India filk handkerchiefs : verdifts
againft them all were found, with-
out any difficulty, and they were
each fined in the penalty of 200 1«
one-third to the King, and the
other two-thirds to the profecutors.

As a total fuppreffion of the fale
of thefe kind of handkerchiefs for
home confumption will be of great
advantage to thd filk weavers, fe-
veral thoufands affembled together
this morning with green aprons
on, cockades in their hats, the
colours belonging to the trade,
and a number of pieces of Eaft-
India filk handkerchiefs fixed on
the top of long poles ; they walk-
ed through the town, the bells
ringing, and at the New Crofs
burned the handkerchiefs.

The laft arch over the ,

new bridge at Newcaftle ' '
was clofed this day. The whole
ftrudlure, for ftrength, elegance,
and good workmanftiip, refle£l
much credit on the architects and
builders.

From Thetford we have an ac-
count of the following Angular in-
ftance of fertility : Mr. Bidvvell of
that town planted in his yard laft
Oftober a Geniting tiee, from

[/»] which

26] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

which he gathered in July nine
apples ; in Auguft it bloflbmed
jgain, and is at prefent full of
fruit, fome as large as Black-
birds eggs. This may afford
matter of curious inquiry to bota-
nills.
, , A moft daring and in-

■^ * human murder was com-
mitted on the afternoon of this
day near the eighteen mile Hone,
between Hoddefdon and Ware in
Hertfordfliire, about fonr o'clock,
the ufual hour that the flage-
coaches from Hertford pafs that
fpot. A perfon going to Ware
about three o'clock, obferved four
Irilh haymakers coming out of that
town, and upon his return heard
the groans of a perfon from the
bottom of a pit overgrown with
bnfhes, clofe to the road. On
examining the place, an unfortu-
nate creature was difcovered wel-
tering in his blood, and fo Ihock-
ingly bruifed and mangled about
the head and face, as to render any
knowledge of him impofTible, un-
lefs from his drefs. He expired in
a few minutes after he was taken
up. A fufpicion arofe that he
was one of the four men feen com-
ing out of Ware, and that he had
been murdered by his companions.
A purfuit was immediately fet on
foot ; and through the great adti-
vity of fome of the inhabitants of
Hoddefdon, three of the four men
were taken about eight o'clock, at
a private lodging-houfe out of the
public road ; and after a feparate
examination, in which was much
variation in th' .'r accounts cf them-
felves, and iipon the oaths of very
credible wirnefles, who faw all
four in company near the fpot,
thfy were on Thuric ly the i6ih
iJafely lodged in Hertford goal, to

take their trial at the.aflizes.— It is
generally fuppofed that the unfor-
tunate objeft of their cruelty had
prudently faved more money than
the left, as his pocket was cut off,
and above thirty ftiillings found
upon one of his comrades, the
other two having no apparent
means of fubfifting on the road.

The Duchefs of Devon- i

Ihire, with Lord and Lady '
Spencer, and feveral other perfons
of rank arrived in town from Spa
in Germany, but lafl: from Oftend,
on board the Fly Hoop. In their
paffage they were attacked by two
French cutters, which were beat
off after a long engagement, in
which feveral of the crew of the
floop were killed and wounded.

His Majeily in Council j, ,
was this day pleafed to or-
der, that the Parliament which
Hands prorogued to Thurfday the
16th of this inftant September,
ftiould be further prorogued to
Thurfday the 7 th of Oftober
next.

This day the feflions «

ended at the Old Bailey,
when the ten following prifoners
received fentence of death, viz.
Sarah Budge, for ftealing goods in
the houfe of John Whitfield; James
Lake, for robbing William Wheat-
ley on the highway, near Nine-
Elms, of a gold watch, half a
guinea, &c. ; Thomas King, a
foldier, for Healing a quantity of
plate in the dwelUng-houfe of Ro-
bert Anderfon, a publican of
Shadwcll, upon whom he was
quartered; Jeremiah Hetherley,
for ftealine- five hats in the fhop
of Richard Burton and William
Bufby ; Margaret Creamer, for
robbing John Scarlet of two gui-
r.sas, r.hr?e ihillings, and a pocket

book.

CHRONICLE.

[227

book, on Saltpetre-Bank; Wil-
liam Chamberlayne, for Healing
out of a letter in the General Poll-
Office, in Lombard-llreet, direft-
ed to William Cunningham, Efq ;
Chrift Church, Oxford, a certain
promiffory note of Thomas Ham-
meriley, for the partners of the
Exchange Banking Company and
Self, for the payment of lol. to
William Cunningham or order, on
demand ; on his arraignment he
pleaded guilty; John Pears, for
ftealing a mare, verdidl found
fpecial ; Mary Jones,' alias Wood,
for Healing divers linen-drapery
goods, the property of William
Jones, in his (hop in Oxford-llreet ;
Ifabella, the wite of Thomas Con-
don, and John Field, for coining
and counterfeiting fhillmgs ; nine
were ordered to be kept to hard
labour in raiftng fand, &c. on the
Thames; twelve to be imprifoned
in Newgate ; and nine to be kept
to hard labour in the houfe of
correftion.

Philip Kiernan was convifted of
felonioufly killing and flaying
Thomas Greaves, a porter in
Gray's-lnn, in a quarrel ; lined
one {billing, and difcharged.

William Atkins and George
V/ells, two watchmen, were con-
victed of killing and flaying Tho-
mas Hughes, who having made
Ibme difturbance in a public-houfe
in George-ftreet, was by the land-
lord put into their charge, in or-
der to be. font to the watch-houfe,
in the way to which being very
unruly, on his arrival there he was
put into confinement in a room,
where in a little time ^ter he was
found dead.

Mary Adey, alias Lloyd, alias
Farmillo, was tried on an indift-
ment, for the murder of William

Barnet, by ftabbing him in the
breaft with a knife, on his enter-
ing with others the apartment of
one Farmillo, with whom flie co-
habited, and, as flie thought, with
intent to imprefs him. The Jury
found the verdifl fpecial, and ihe
is referred for the opinion of the
Judges.

Mifs Elizabeth Watkins, tried
for the murder of her natural childj
was acquitted.

Among thofe convifted of felo-
nies was one Richard Mealing, for
receiving a quantity of brafs pat-
terns and fliruff, the property of
Job Cox, and James Penticrofs ;
and immediately on his receiving
fentence to be kept to hard labour
on the Thames for feven years, he
drew a penknife unperceived, and
in the face of the whole court
plunged the fame a little on one
fide the throat, fomewhat above
the collar bone, and worked the
fame about for ibme feconds before
it was known what he was doing,
when the knife was wrenched from
him ; though the wound was ter-
rible, the blade being above three
inches long, and he (tabbed as far
as the handle, it is faid not to be
dangerous.

Thomas Wright, Efq ; _ . '
Alderman and Stationer,
and Evan Pugh, Efq; Aldermaa
and Skinner, were fworn into the
office 0/ flierifFs of this city, and
flierifFs of the county of Middle-
fex, for the year enfuing, at Guild-
hall.

The fame day Brackley Ken-
nett, Efq ; was chofen Lord Mayor
of this city.

Rome, Sep. 29. Yefterday, at
feven in the morning, the light-
ning fet fire to the magazine of
powder in the citadel of Civita-

iP] z Vecchia,

^18] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Vecchia. — The roof of the palace
of the Governor was blown in the
air, the walls rent, the Mount of
Piety overturned and dellroyed,
and all the churches and houfes in
the neighbourhood damaged.

The celebrated colleftion of pic-
tures at Houghton, was lately fold
to the Emprefs of Ruffia, and was
fhipped at the port of Lynn in the
courfe of this month.

, The Sandle Ineas, Don

^ ' Redoflb, a Spanifh man of
war from the Manillas to Cadiz,
laden with gold, filver, filk, cof-
fee, china, cochineal, indigo, &c.
which was taken and carried into
the Shannon, by the Amazon pri-
vateer of Liverpool, and the Ranger
of Briflol, after an engagement of
two hours, is fuppofcd to be the
licheft prize taken fince the Ma-
nilla (hip by Admiral Anfon.

The number of prifoners of war
now confined in this kingdom and
Ireland, according to the lateft re-
turns, amount to 12,000, of whom
600 are Spaniards, 2200 Ameri-
cans, and the remainder French ;
that is to fay, taken in the French
prizes.

Died, John Glynn, Efq; fcr-
jeant at law. Recorder of London
and Exeter, member for Middle-
fcx, and one of the moft cele-
brated conftitutional lawyers of the
age. He fucceeded Baron Eyre as
Recorder of London in 1772. The
old falary is 180I. which the com-
mon council have ufually made up
400I. The fervices of Mr. (now
Baron) Eyre occafioned an addi-
tion of 200 1. and thofe of Mr.
Glynn v/ere rewarded by increafing
the falary to 1 000 1.

John Armflrong, M. D. a phy-
fician of great eminence, and not
lefs diftinguilhed as a poet.

At Enfield, aged 86, Benj. Bod-
dington, Efq ; formerly an emi-
nent Turkey-merchant, and one
of the furvivors in the annuities
granted by King William the
Third, who received 1000 1. clear
yearly income ; they are now re-
duced to three. For fonje years
pall the furplus of the intereft, by
the original conftitucion of the ton-
tine, has been applied to the ufes
of government.

At Ekham, Mr. and Mrs. Gam-
brey, brother and filler, at the
age of 96 and 93 ; a twin filler to
the lady is left a furvivor : the fa-
ther of the above died a few years
fince in the fouth of France, at the
age of 109.

OCTOBER.

A Court of Common Coun- ,
oil was held, when, according ^ *
to the notice inferted in the fum-
mons, the court proceeded to take
into confideration the motion.
That 600 1. be the falary of the
perfon who fhall be elefted recorder
in the room of John Glynn, Efq ;
deceafed, and on the queftion be-
ing put, it was carried unanimoufly
in the affirmative.

A motion was made, and quef-
tion put, that the falary of the
late recorder be paid to Michaelmas
laft, the fame was refolved in the
affirmative.

Manchejler, Oil. 9. During the
courfe of the week feveral mobs
have afljembled in different parts
of the neighbourhood, and have
done much mifchief by deitroying
the engines for carding and (pin-
ning cotton wool (without which
the trade of this country could ne-
ver be poffibly carried on to any

great

CHRONICLE.

[229

great extent). In the neighbour-
hood of Chorley, the mob deftroy-
ed and burned the engines and
buildings erefted by Mr. Ark-
wright at a very great expence.
Tv^o thoufand, or upwards, at-
tacked a large building near the
fame place, orw Sunday, from
which they were repulfed, two
rioters killed, and eight wounded,
taken prifoners; they returned
flrongly re-inforced on Monday,
and deltroyed a great number of
buildings, with a vaft quantity of
machines for fpinning cotton, &c.
Sir George Saville arrived (with
three companies of the York mili-
tia) v/hile the buildings were in
flames; the report of their inten-
tion to deftroy the works in this
town brought him here yelterday
noon. At one o'clock this morn-
ing two exprefles arrived, one from
Wigan, another from Blackburn,
intreating immediate affiflance,
both declaring the violence of the
infurgents, and the ihocking de-
predations yelterday at Bolton : it
is thought they v/ill be at Black-
burn this morning, and at Prefton
by four this afternoon. Sir George
ordered the drums to beat to arms
at half after one, when he con-
fulted with the military and magi-
firates in town, and fet off at the
head of three companies foon after
two o'clock this morning for Chor-
ley, that being centrical to this
place, Blackburn, and Wigan.
Captain Brown, of the 25th regi-
ment, with 70 invalids, and Capt.
Thoraafon, of Col. White's regi-
ment, with about 100 young re-
cruits, remained at Prefton, and
for its further fecurity. Sir George
Saville offered the juftices to arm
300 of the refpedable houfe-keep-
trs, if they would turn out to dc-

iith.

fend the town, which was imme-
diately accepted.

In confequence of thefe prepa-
rations, the mob did not think it
prudent to proceed to any further
violences.

An order was made laft
term in the Court of
King's -bench, that all thofe pri-
foners who were under confinement
in that prifon, and whofe aftions
were fuperfedable, fhould, if they
did not fue out the fame before a
certain day, be flruck off ihe books,
and turned out of the prifon : the
reafon of this order was, that a
number of prifoners who were iti
pofTeflion of rooms, remained in
the prifon for the purpofe of let-
ting them to advantage, by which
they gained a weekly income of
one pound three {hillings, receiv-
ing twenty-four fhillings, and pay-
ing only one fhilling to the mar-
fhal for his rent. As there were
not rooms for thofe debtors who
were obliged to be in prifon, the
court thought it a hardfhip, and
on Thurfday their order was put
in execution, when near 100 were
difcharged for the above reafon, to
the great joy and comfort of the
prifoners, who now will get habi-
tations for one fhilling per week
for which they had paid twenty-
four.

This day the conteft for ,
the office of recorder of this
city was determined in the court of
aldermen, by a majority of one in
favour of Mr. Serjeant Adair; for
that gentleman there were 13, for
Mr. Howarth 12. The only ab-
fentee in the court was Mr. Alder-
man Lee.

For Mr. Serjeant Adair.
Bridgen Lewes

Crolby Piomer

[P] 3 Bull

Bull

Hayley

Wilkes

Newnham

Savvbridge

Woolridge

Hallifax

Sainfbury

Kirkman

For Mr.

Howarth.

The Lord Mayor Thomas

Alfop

Peckham

Harlev

Clark

Townfend

Hart

Efdaile

Wright

Kennet

Pagh

14th.

Yefterday the report was

aso] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

James Lake, for felonioufly affault-
ing William Wheatley on the high-
way near the Nine-Elms-turr.pikc,
and robbing him ofa gold watch and
fomc money ; Jeremiah Hethcrley,
for privately llcaliiig in the fliop of
Mellrs. Burton and Bufby, three
hats, value 5s. and upwards; Mary
Jones, alias Wood, for privately
Itealiny; in thcfliopof William Jones,
in Oxford-ltrect, goods, value 4I.
and upwards.

Dun-vuiehjin Suffolk, 0£l. 1 9. The '
violent blowing weather we have
had for fe\eral days has done a
great deal of damage amongft the
fliipping on our coall ; every tide
prelents to our view a melancholy
iceiie of dead bodies, and pieces of
wrecks thrown on the fands. It like-
wife did great havock on fhore,
blowing down rows of large trees,
barns, outhoufes, &<:. and unroofed
dwclling-houfes; in fhort, the da-
mage done amounts to many thou-
fands of pounds. A man, his wife, and
feveral children, were buried under
the ruins of a houfe, and all killed.

Extraii of a Letter from Edinlurgh ,
Odober 8.

* This morning a mutiny among
the Wellern Fencibles, broke out
here. Part of thofe who were in the
Callle drew up the bridge and ex-
cluded their officers, while another
party at Leith threw away their fire-
arms, and drew their fwords, threat-
ening death to all who came near
thern, 'I'he mutiny it feems was
occafioned by Lord Frederick
Campbell's having purchafed at
London, purfes for his regiment,
which conllitute a part of the High-
land drels, and en receiving the ar-
rears 3 s. 6d. was flopped from each
man for his purfe, at which the men

were

made to his Majefty of the
convids under fentence of death
in Newgate, when the following
were ordered for execution on
Wednefday the 27th InlL viz. lia-
bella Condon, for felonioufly and
traiteroufly making, coining, and
counterfeiting the current filver
coin of this realm called fixpences ;
John Field, for felonioufly and
traiteroufly making, coining, and
counterfeiting the current filver
coin of this realm called {hillings
and fixpences ; William Chamber-
lain, for flealing cut of a letter
which came to his pofieflion as a
forter of letters in the General
Poft-olhce, Lombard-flreet, a pro-
miffory note for payment of 10 1.
to V/illiam Cunningham, Efq; or
order; Margaret Creamer, for fe-
lonicuily afTauliing John Scarlet on
the highv/ay at Saltpetre-Bank, and
robbing him of two guineas and
other money ; Sarah Budge, for
flealing in the dwelling-houl'e of
John Whitfield, goods, value 40 s.
and upwaids; Thomas King, for
flealing in the dweliinig-houfe of
Robert Anderfon, a quantity of fil-
ver plate and other things, value
40s. and upwards.
The following were refpited :

CHRONICLE.

[23 »

were greatly diflatisfied, faying they
could purchafe them for i s. 8 d. a
piece. Lord Frederick vtry pru-
dently told them, that he would
give them their purfes at i s. each,
and take the lofs upon himfelf:
but this did not pacify them; they
continued mutinous, and the whole
town was in an uproar. Six of the
ringleaders were taken into cuilo-
dy, and a body of dragoons fur-
rounded the reft. Being fatisfied
with refpeft to their purfes, ano-
ther mutiny was difcovered, feve-
ral of them abfolut.ely refufing to
carry cartouch-boxes, which niuft
have rendered them quite ufelefs
as foldiers. On this the officers
marched the whole body down to
Leith, as on an ordinary field day,
without cartouch-boxes, and on
their arrival in the Links, to their
furprife, they found a complete
regiment of dragoons drawn up
there, without the knowledge of
any one but the commanding offi-
cer. The cartouch-boxes being
fent after them in a cart, the
men were ordered immediately to
put them on, which they were
compelled to do. Five of the
leaders of this riot were imme-
diately furrounded, tried by a
Court-martial, and moft feverely
whipped ; after which the regi-
ment was divided into different bo-
dies, and fent to Dundee, Dun-
bar, and other places, in order to
keep them feparate. Three com-
panies which were left in the Caftle
as a guard, hearing how their com-
panions had lutFered, feized the
Caltle-gates, drew up the bridge,
and threatened the governor ; upon
which the dragoons immediately
marched to Edinburgh, and two
companies dilmounting, proceeded
to the Caftle, which they found had
been opened, and march^td in. One

of the Highlanders made a ftroke at
one of the officers, who inftantly
knocked him down, and forced his
way through, fo that all thefe men
\vere taken prifoners ; feveral of
them, it is imagined, will fufFer.
The dragoons ftill keep guard in the
Caftle.'

Laft week the Elaboratory ,
at Woolwich blew up by ^^
accident, but fortunately no lives
were loft.

At a court of aldermen at ^ ,
Guildhall, the recorder was ^^^'V
requefted to wait on the Rt. Hon.
Lord Weymouth, one of his Ma-
jefty's Principal Secretaries of
State; praying his lordlhip to re-
prefent to his Majefty, in the name
of that honourable court, that the
members of that body, underftand-
ing the royal clemency had been
extended to Grant, Jonquay, Ellis,
Jones, and Barrington, who were
convifted in September feffions, at
Guildhall, of an outrageous aflault
on the marHials and feveral other
officers cf this city, they humbly
conceive the mercy of the Sove-
reign would be converted into dan-
gerous confequences to this city,
and therefore begged the pardon
to be reftrained to a fervice in In-
dia or other foreign parts. The
court ordered the recorder to pre-
fent the laid addjrefs to his lordlhip,
who was pleafed to anfwer the
court's memorial by faying, that
the fentence (hould be altered fo far
as was entirely agreeable to the
city's requeft.

Coxbeath. On Friday night laft,
a corporal and fix men were plant-
ed at Mr. CoUins's houfe (infor-
mation having been given at the
general's, that for feveral nights
paft an attempt had been made to
break open hishoafe); about half
paft eleven three men attempted

in 4 to

132] ANNUAL REGISTER,

to force the cater front door ; the
jruard went out privately at the

back door, and came on them fud-
flcnly (jult as they had opened the
inner door and entered the houfti)
and in fecming them, the corpo-
ral received a ball from a pillol,
which fhot him dead ; they were
foon overpowered (but not till two
of them were defperately wounded)
and conduced to the camp. They
prove to be three privates belong-
ing to the Gloucefter, and were im-
ftiediately given over to the Captain
Provoft, till the coroner fits on the
body of the deceafed corporal, when
they will be delivered over to the
civil law.
o 1 The Court of Directors

of the Royal Exchange A{-
furance Company have generoully
voted a piece of plate, value one
hundred guineas, to be prefented lo
Captain Pearfon of the Serapis, as
a teftimony of their approbation of
his bravery and condudl in protect-
ing the valuable fleet from the Bal-
tic under his care.

They alfo voted a piece of plate,
value fifty guineas, to Capt. Piercy,
of the Countefs of Scarborough,
ivith the fame compliment.

Capt. Drew, from London to
Quebec, was run down by the
Ruflel man of war (who a few
months ago run down the London
Eaft-lndiaiTian) in the night, in a
gale of wind, and all the crew pe-
riOied.

L;JI>cK, Oa. i6. The Marquis
de Pombal, late Prime Miniller of
State, who, during the prefent
reign, has been a continual object
of perfecution and hatred, is at
lart condemned to perpetual im-
prifonment. Two members of the
council were for taking his life ;
but her Majefty, hearkening only
so her natural clemency, mitigated

1779.

his punifhment. This is probably
the lalt time that this Miniiler will
be heard of till his death.

Died, in the county of Gla-
morgan, Mr. Fluellyn Pryce, aged
101 , whofe organs had been fo little
affcded by the weight of years,
that within thefe three years he di-
reded a village-group of fingers in
fome variations, for the Sunday. He
had never ufed fpedacles till within
fifteen months of his diilolution,
and pofTefi'ed a great flow of fpi-
rits, attended with found health and
activity ; which bleffings were the
relult of his abllemious manner of
living.

At his houfe on Four-tree Hill,
Enfield, William Bridgen, Efq; up-.
wards of 70, Alderman of Farring-
don Within.

NOVEMBEE.

The corporation of Kingflon ^ ,
upon Hull, have voted the ^
freedom of that place to Captain
Richard Pierfon, and Capt, 1 ho-
mas Piercv, late of his Majelly's
fliips Serapis and Countefs ot Scar-
borough, for their gallant and brave
condudt in the engagement with the
fquadron under the command of
Paul Jones.

Extract of a letter from Dar month.

" The following is an exaft z- ^
account of the cargo of the
Spanilh (hip the N. S. de Piedat,
tiken by the Dart privateer of this
port, and now fafe in our harbour ;
Ihe is upwards of 600 tons bur-
then, has been built feven years,
mounts 16 carriage guns, had 70
men, was fitted up for clofe quar-
ters, and yet firuck to the Dart,
after firing only two guns, though
flie mounts but 14 guns four-
pcunders.

CHRONICLE.

[233

pounders, had but 60 men, and is
not zoo tons burthen :
142,117 filver dollars,
38,949 dollars in gold doubloons,

3 t ingots of gold,
5 ingots of Tilver,

42 bales of fine beaver,
21,061 hides in the hair,

[3 bales of fine wool,
I ditto fine fur.
Exclufive of the ingots of gold and
filver (the value of which is not
known) the rell of the cargo, as far
as it has been known by the bills of
lading (though it is fappofed there
is more on board) ' amounts to
80,0001."

, At the quarter feflions

' ' held at Prefton for the coun-
ty of Lancafter, it was unanimoufly
agreed, that the fole caufe of the
riots that have lately happened in
that county is owing to the erection
of certain engines for the manufac-
turing of cotton ; that the eredlion
of thofe engines have notwithftand-
ing been of the greatelt utility to
the county by the extenfion and
improvement of the cotton manu-
factory ; that the deftroying them
in one county would only be the
means of transferring them to ano-
ther county ; and that, if a total
Hop was put to the eredion of them
by the legiflatur^ in Great Bri-
tain, it would only tend to their
eftablilhment in foreign countries,
to the great detriment of trade in
this. For thefe reafons the court
came to the refolution of tranfmit-
ling to one of his Majefty's Secre-
taries of State a copy of their pro-
ceeding, intimating a defire at
the lame time that a fpecial com-
miffion may be iffued for the trial
of the ringleaders now in Lancafter
gaol.

A Spanifli Ihip^ of be- ,

tween 600 and 700 tons, 5 •
laden with fugar, coffee, logwood,
and hard dollars, bound from the
Havannah to Cadiz, valued at
200,000 1. is taken by the Antigal-
lican privateer, and carried into Lif-
bon.

A remarkable trial lately happen-
ed in the Court of King's- bench in

Ireland. A Counfellor R had

fought a duel with a gentleman and
killed him. He traverfed the in-
didlment, and imagined the jury, as
ufual, would bring in their verdift
man-flaughter. But the Barrifter
found himfelf miftaken — they deem-
ed the intentions of two men going
out premeditated to fight, to be
malice aforethought, and to the
aftonifhment of the court brought
the prifoner in guilty — death. The
judges defired them to recommend
him to the Bench as an objed of
mercy — they did it with reluc-
tance. This may probably put a
Hop to the pradlice of duelling in
Ireland.

Extrail of a Letler from Dublin,
dated, Nov. 15.

*' The prefent expeftation of a
free trade, or rather the dread of
a difappointment, agitates every
body here to a degree that you
can hardly imagine. In order to
compel England to grant it, the
popular meafure is, to grant a
money-bill for fix months only,
inflead of two years. Some of the
beft friends of this country, and the
moR fenfible, feem to think this
not the moil effedlual or eligible
mode, as being too early a de-
claration of war, till we are re-
fufed what we alk; but they are
obliged

fij4] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

obliged to concnr, as it is the only
fcheme which can procure unani-
mity among oppofuion, and is (o
much the popular cry, that every
county and town have inftruded
their reprcfentatives to vote for it.
This morning the mob, not choof-
jng to wait for a parliamentary de-
cifion, took the matter into their
own hands, and were of opinion,
that the fure'.l method of fucceeding
in their objedl of a free trade, was
to deftrqy the enemies of Ireland;
they therefore marked out the At-
torney General, Sir Henry Caven-
difli, and Mr. Monk Mafon, as
the proper objedls of their fury.
About twelve o'clock they marched
in a prodigious croud to Mr. Scot's,
the Attorney General's l>jufe, with
an intention of deftroying it, but
fome of the patriotic leaders of this
country contrived to get there,
mixed among the mob, and at laft
perfuaded them to leave it, after
deftroying the windows on the
ground floor, and doing fome fmall
damage to the next Itory. They
then marched to the Parliameiit-
houfe, and detached a body to the
four courts, who rufhed in, in
fearch of Mr. Scott, who kept out
of their way, and of Sir Henry
Cavendifh, whom they feemed
particularly anxious to find. On
being difappointed, they returned
to the i'arliament-houfe, and fwore
a!l the members whom they could
find going in, to be true to Ire-
land, and vote for a fhort money-
bill. The lawyers corps were ap-
plied to by the lord mayor, and
told, that they ftocd high with the
people, and would probably be able
to difperfe them ; they met, and
agreed to go unarmed among them.
Mr. Yelverion, who is one of the

corps, made a moft excellent fpeech,
which had great effect on them»
and was wonderfully well timed;
they then decoyed them away,
marched them through feveral of
the (Ireecs, and prevailed oa them
todifperie."

The application for a new ,
trial lately made by Mr. Pope ^^ "
to the Court of Common Pleas (in
the caufe of Sir Alexander Leith
againlt Pope) on the plea of ex-
ceflive damages, has proved fruit-
lefs, the court on Saturday laft hav-
ing difchargei the rule.

A Common Hall was held at
Guildhall for the eledion of a cham-
berlain of this city, in the room of
Benjamin Hopkins, Efq. deceafed.
About one o'clock, the lord mayor,
aldermen, recorder. Sec. went uporj
the Huilings, when the recorder
came forward, and add re/fed the li-
very in a well-adapted fpeech,
wherein he flated the peculiar pri-
vileges which were veiled in the
people at large by the conflitutior^
of the city, of electing their own
officers, Sec.

There were only two candidates,
John Wilkes, Efq; and William
James, Efq; each of whom addrefs-
ed the livery in a ihort fpeech ; after
which they were put up, and the
fhow of hands appeared five to one
in favour fif Mr. Wilkes, upon
which he was declared duly elec-
ted; but a poll was demanded in
favour of Mr. James.

The eleflion for bridge-mafter in
the room of the late Mr. Berwick,
then came on, when there was a
very great fhow of hands in favour
of Mr. Buitar, againft five other
candidates ; the fccond on the liii
was Mr. Betts ; on which Mr.
Eufiar was declared duly elefted ;

but

CHRONICLE.

but a poll was demanded for two of
the other candidates.

, At the clofe of the poll

^+^"- at Guildhall for chamber-
lain, the numbers were as fol-
lows : _,

for'Mr. Alderman Wilkes, 2332
Mr. James . - 370

when Mr. James declined the poll,
and Mr. Alderman Wilkes will be
declared duly elefted next Tuef-
day, chamberlain of this city for
the remainder of the year.

On the .dole of the poll for
bridge-mafter, the numbers were,
for Mr. Buffar' - 1304
Mr. Taylor - 260
Mr. Betts - 214 *
The majority of the poll being fo
very great in favour of Mr. Buffar,
Melfrs. Taylor and Betts declined
giving the livery any further trou-
ble.

The printer of the General Ad-
vertifer was ordered up by the Court
of Ring's-bench to receive judg-
ment, for publiihing feditious
hand-bills exprellive of joy at the
accquittal of Admiral Keppel ;
when he was fentenced to pay a
fine of 6 s. 8d. and to be confined
in Newgate for t-jt:elve months.

50th. ^'^' ^^^ having, in de-
^ * bate one day laft veek, ani-
madverted with fome degree of afpe-
rity on a particular fpecies of ar-
gument frequently made ufe of by
the friends of the Minifter, viz.
" that bad as the miniftry were,
" it was not certain that the na-
" tion would be at all bettered by
*' taking their opponents ;" a
Mr. Adam, who had made ufe
of that argument in the fame de-
bate, called on Mr. Fox fome days
after for an explanation. The fol-
lowing letters paffed on the above
eccafion.

[235

St, Alb an' s 1" avert! i Sat. four
o'clock afternoon.

" Mr. Adam prefents his com-
pliments to Mr. Fox, and begs
leave to reprefent to him, that upon
confidering, again and again, what
had palled between them laft night,
it is impoifible for him to have his
character cleared to the public,
without inferting the following pa-
ragraph in the newfpapers.

" We have authority to aflure the
public, ithat in a con verfation that
paffed between Mr. Fox and Mr.
Adam, in confequence of the de-
bate in the Houfe of Commons on
Thurfday laft, Mr. Fox declared,
that however much his fpeech may
have been mifreprefented, he did
net mean to throw any perfonal
reflection upon Mr. Adam.

" Major Humberlton does me
the honour of delivering this to
you, and will bring your anfwer.

To Hen. Charles James Fox.'*

"SIR,

" I am very forry that it is ut-
terly inconfiftent with my ideas of
propriety, to authorife the putting
any thing into the newfpapers re-
lative to a fpeech wnich in my
opinion required no explanation.
You, who heard the fpeech, muft
know that it did convey no perfo-
nal refleftion upon you, unleis you
felt yourfelf in the predicament
upon which I animadverted. - The
account of my fpeech in the newf-
papers is certainly incorred, and
certainly unauthorifed by me ; and
therefore with refped to that, I
have nothing to lay.

" Neither the converfation that
paifed at Brookes's nor this letter,
are of a fecret nature, and if you
have any wifli to relate the one, or

to

226] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

to fliew the other, you are perfedl-
ly at liberty (o to do. 1 am, &c,

Chejlerfdd-ftreett half paji 3,
Sunday, No-v. 28.
" SIR,

** As you muft be fenfible that
the fpeech printed in the News-
papers refledls upon me perfonally,
and as it is from that only that
the public can have their informa-
tion, it is evident, that unlefs that
is contradifted by your authority,
in as public a manner as it was
given, my character muft be inju-
red. Your refufal to do this, en-
titles me to prefume that you ap-
prove of the manner in which that
fpeech has been given to the pub-
lic, and juftifies me in demanding
the only fatisfadion that fuch an
injury will admit of.

" Major Humberfton is em-
powered to fettle all particulars;
arid the fconer this afF;iir is brought
to a conclufion, the more agree-
able to me. I have the honour to
be, &c.

To Hen. Charles James Fox."

In confequence of the above,
the parties met, according to a-
greement, at eight o'clock in the
morning. After the ground was
meafured out at the diftance of
fourteen paces, Mr. Adam defired
Mr. Fox to fire, to which Mr. Fox
replied, " Sir, I have no quarrel
with you; do you iire." Mr.
Adam then fired, and wounded
Mr. Fox, which we believe was
not at all perceived by Mr. Adam,
as it was not diflindly feen by
either of ourfelves. Mr. Fox fired
without effeft ; we then interfered,
Tiiking Mr. Adam if he v/as fatis-
fied r Mr. Adam replied, " Will
Mr. Fox declare he meant no per-

fonal attack upon my charafler ?"
Upon which Mr. Fox laid, this
was no place for apologies, and
defired him to go on. Mr. Adam
fired his fecond piftol without ef-
fed ; Mr. Fox fired his remaining
piftol in the air, and then faying,
as the aftair was ended, he had no
difficulty in declaring he meant
no more perfonal affront to Mr.
Adam than he did to either of
the other gentlemen prefent.
Mr. Adam replied, •• Sir, ycu
have behaved like a man of ho-
nour." Mr. Fox then mentioned,
that he believed himfelf wounded,
and, upon his opening his waift-
coat, it was found it was fo, but,
to all appearance, flightly. The
parties then fcparated, and Mr.
F'ox's wound was, on examination,
fcund not likely to produce any
dangerous confequence.

Richard Fitzpatrick, Second

to Mr. Fox.
7". lilacketiTcie Hmnherjion, Se-
cond to Mr. Adam.

A Court of Aldermen was held,
principally for the purpofe of de-
claring Mr. Wilkes duly eleded
Chamberlain, and to receive his
propofal of fecurities ; when Mr.
Wilkes propofed Geo. Hayley and
John Sawbridge, Efqrs. Alder-
men, Thomas Scott, and Rene
Payne, Efqrs. to be fureties in
the penalty of 40,000 1. for the
due performance of the office of
Ciiamberlain, which the Court
unanimouily approved of.

Peterfourgh, Nc-v. 5. The Se-
nate has received, from the inha-
bitants of Kamtfchatka, advice,
that, laft year, about the time
that the leaves, though ftill green,
begin to fall from the trees,
two large vefl'els arrived on their

coaft^

CHRONICLE.

[237

coaft, one of three, and the other
of two raafts; that they landed
fome men, and behaved with great
courtefy to the inhabitants, giving
them prefents ; that the inhabi.
tants in return offered them iome
whales flefh, which they refuted,
after fmelHng to it; that they
could not underrtand any thing they
faid; that thefe vefiels afterwards
failed towards the North, and
touched at diiierent parts of
Kamtfchatka, where the fame oc-
currences happened as before men-
tioned ; that they failed out of
light towards the North, but in
Ibme days returned, and failed to
the South, fince which they have
not been feen.

We do not know what veffels
tkefe can have been, unlefs they
are Capt. Cook's, who lailed from
England three years ago to make
difcoveries, and who has not been
heard of fmce he was at the Cape
of Good Hope.

Siockh'olm, 2s'o-v. 15. The grand
bafon which has been formed at
Carlfcroon is reckoned one cf the
fineil performances of the age. It
contains 24 places, in which ihips
may not only be kept dry, but
may be taken out by letting in
water at any- time, which may be
done into any one of thofe places
fcparaiely. The engineer who
• had the dire£tion of this work is
Mr. Tunberg, and he has acquired
great reputation by it. He has
alfo invented a fort of fpying-
glafs, with which one may difcp-
ver the nature of the foils under
water.

Died, at Rumfey, in Hants,
James Cordelon, a native of France,
aged 108 years.

At Barbadoes, Mrs. Mary Pol-
lard, aged 115 years. She was in

perfeft health till within a few
days of her death; could read the
fmalleft print without fpe(Slacles,
and retained her fenfes to the laft
minute.

At Hammerfmith, Mrs. Bonnel,

wife of Eonnel, Efq. It is

remarkable of this lady, that Ihe
was a mother at 16, a grandmo-
ther at 35, and had 17 children
in the courfe of 1 1 years and ,a
half.

DECEMBER.

Mary Howard, a hawker ,

of ballads, went voluntarily ^ '
before the mayor of Kingfton, and
made oath, that flie and one Ifaac
Jones, a pedlar, were the perfons
who murdered Mr. and Mrs. Che-
ney on the iiih of December 1762,
for the difcovery of which murder
lool. reward was offered by the
inhabitants of Hungerford, and
the fame by his Majefty. She faid
fhe was driven by the remorfe of
her own confcience to make the
difcovery, not from malice to the
man.

John Staples, for extort- x- .
ing money from Tho. Har- '*

ris Crofby, by threatening to charge
him with an abominable crime ;
Timothy Fitzpatrick, for ftealing
money ; and John Taylor, for
ftealing a letter, in which was a
bill of exchange for 30 1. were exe-
cuted at Tyburn, purfuant to their
fentence.

The fefTions ended at the ,

Old Bailey, when the fol-
lowing prifoners received fentence
of death viz. John HowcH, for
ftealing 352 filk handkerchiefs,
and other goods to a confiderable
amount, in the dwelling- houfe of

Mr.

•238] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

Mr. Davidlbn, pawn-broker, in
Biftioplgate-ltreet; William Kent,
for robbing Henry Otto, one of
his Majclly's raeflengers, of his
watcli and money, on the high-
way, near Gunnerfbury-lane ;
Huo-h Mulvey, B.njamin Fetter,
John Wiley, and John Woolmore,
for a burglary in the dwelllng-
houfe of Mr. Farley in Coldbath-
iields, and ftealing (bme wearing
apparel, kc; nine were ordered
to be kept to hard labour for the
benefit of the navigation of the
river Thames, four to be kept to
hard labour in the Houfe of Cor-
redtion, and 1 3 difcharged by pro-
clamation.

Laft week a court of
'^ Common Council was held
at Guildhall, to re-confider the
order of the committee appointed
to confider v/hat mark of refped
is raolt fit to perpetuate the me-
mory of the late Earl of Chatham ;
when after fome debate it was
agreed to eredl a flatue in Guild-
hall over the Huftings, facing
Alderman Beckford's ; and it is to
be executed by Mr. Bacon, at an
expence not exceeding 3000 1. —
The thanks of the Court were alfo
voted *to I'everal peers for their
fteauy behaviour and fpirited con-
du6t in the Houfe upon all oc-
cafions for the good of their coun-
try.

One evening laft month, a car-
penter going accidentally through
the tranfep: of Ely cathedral, faw
the chamber adjoining to the lan-
tern on hre ; he got alTiftance, and
they tore up the fiammg boards,
and threw them down into the oc-
tagon; and thus faved that beau-
tiful part of the building the lan-
tern, and poffibly the whole
church. The lire is fuppofed to

have been occafioned by the ufual
carelefTnefs of plumbers who had
been repairing the lead.

On Wednefday morning, the
15th, a barbarous murder was
committed, in a copfe at Good-
wood, in Sufiex, the feat of his
Grace the Duke of Richmond, on
the body of Thomas Hewitt, one
of his Grace's grooms, by one
Burnett, a poacher, in company
with three others, who on the
fame morning had been deftroying
game in the above copfe, and who,
on meeting with the deceafed and
two of his Grace's park-keepers,
immediately fell upon them, and
befides killing the above unfortu-
nate man, they fo unmercifully
beat one of the keepers, that his
life was in danger for feveral days.
Hewitt, we are informed, had
thrown Burnett feveral fucceffive
times, and it is believed would
have fecured him, (as Burnett
hath fince acknowledged) had
he not unfortunately in the fcufHe
fallen backward over a wheel-
track, in which fituation his in-
human antagonift feiaed him faft
by the throat, and never quitted
his hold till he had killed him,
when the murderers immediately
fled, leaving behind them fome of
their hats, and a bag containing
three brace of pheafants. The
Coroner's Inqueft fat on the
body of the unfortunate Hewitt,
and brought in their verdift ,
Wilful Murder; in confequence
of which, two of the criminals,
James Burnett and George Dil-
loway, who v/ere foon afterwards
apprehended and taken, were
committed to Horlham gaol, to
take their trial at the next affixes
for the faid murder. The other
two offenders, Charles Dillcway

5

and

CHRONICLE.

[239

and Daniel Shepherd, are ftill at
large.

, This day came on before

^°^' Lord Mansfield, in the
Court of King's Bench, Weftmin-
fter, a trial on an information or-
dered by the Houfe of Commons,
in the courfe of laft feflions, againft
Meflrs. Stratton, Brook, Floyer,
and Mackey, for the arrell and
imprifonment of Lord Pigot, when
governor of Madras. The cafe
was ab!y and pathetically opened
by Mr. Wedderburne, in fupport
of the charge, and as ably anfwer-
ed by Mr. Dunning, in favour of
the defendants. After the Judge
had delivered his charge, the Jury
found the defendants guilty. See
AppeitJix.

y His Majefly gave the royal

^ * affent to the following bilh,
viz. for granting a free trade to
Ireland; for preventing the clan-
dedine conveyance of fugar, &c.
from America into Great Britain ;
for indemnifying officers of the
militia who have not qualified
themfelves. Sec ; and two private
bills.

The Houfe of Peers adjourned
to the 27th of January, and the
Houfe of Commons to the z^Sa of
the fame month.

Brijtol, Dec. 25. The want of
a fupply of Amencan tar has given
us a difcovery of the utmoll utili-
ty, and which will be a great fav-
iiig to this country; fome gentle-
men of Briftol having fet up works
for extrafting the oil out of pit-
coal, ufed for making lampblack;
this oil is alfo boiled down to the
confluence of tar, which it exadlly

• Thjfe numbers differ a little ft-om thofe in the Regifter of 1778, which may
arife frdm the different terminations of the year; — tiieic are Uom 5 Jan. to
5 Jan.— and thofe may have been taken from 15 Dec. ta 25 Dec.

DllD,

refembles in colour and quality,
and is with difficulty diflinguifhed
from real tar ; feveral fhips in this
port have had their bottoms payed
with it, and though it is found to
be a more excellent prefervative
againft the worms, it has the hap-
py advantage of being rendered
at nearly half the price of real tar ;
it may be alfo ufed with fuccefs in
every cafe in which tar is employ-
ed. The oil is alfo boiled down
to the confiftence of pitch, which
it is alfo ufed {or, and is found an
excellent fuccedaneum for that ar-
ticle. After the oil is extraded
from the coal, the refiduum is a
very good coke.

In the account given laft year
of the n timber of Ihips cleared at
the Cuftom Houfe in the year 1777,
it is to be underftood of ftiips cleared
at the Cuftom Houfe, Newcaftle.
— We have been favoured with the
following Lift from an obliging
correfpondent at that place, to
wnom we are alfo indebted for the
above-mentioned correftion.

Ships cleared ciitivards at the Cuftom
Houfe, Newcaftle, including their
repeated 'voyages,

Coaflwife. Foreign. Total.

Year 1777— *44io— 403—4813

1778— 414c— 285—4425

^119— 3670— 230—3900

From the above it appears, that
1779 ^'^^ fallen ftiort of 1778,
525 (hips! — and of 1777, 913
fhips I

24o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Died, in a very advanced age,
and in greac obfcurity, at Rother-
hithe, i)r. Gibbs, an excellent
mathematician and mufician. He
died with his pen in his hand,
corretSting a work he was jufl: about
to publifh.

Martha Cove, aged 105, one
of the poor belonging to the pa-
rifh of St. James'i), Weltminller.

A General Bill of all the Chrijien-
ings and Burials from December
15, 1778, to December 14,

1779-

Chrillened, Buned,

Males 8640 Males IC208

Females 8129 Females 10212

In all 16769 In all 20420

Increafed in the burials this year
21.

Died under two years of age 7261

Between 2 and 5 2100

5 and 10 703

10 and 20 692

20 and 50 1392

30 and 40 1635

40 and 50 2002

50 and 60 1680

60 and 70 J 427

70 and 80 1038

80 and 90 413

90 and J 00 69

100 4

101 1

102 2

103 I

Births y^r the Tear 1779.

January. The Lady of Sir John
Stanley, Bart, of a fon.

The Lady of Sir Martin Browa
Folkes, Bart, of a daughter.

The Queen of Naples, of a prln-
cefs.

The Princefs of Afturias, of an
Infanta, at the Pardo, Madrid.

The Princefs Louifa Henrietta
Carolina, fpoufe of his Serene
Highnefs the Hereditary Prince
of Heffe Darmftadt, of a Prin-
cefs.

February.- The Lady of Sir
James Langham, Bart, of a fon.

The Countefs of Rofeberry, of a
daughter.

23 d. This morning, between
three and four o'clock, the Queen
was happily delivered of a Prince.

March. The Right Hon. Lady
Melbourne, of a fon.

^Jpril. The Lady of Sir Wat-
kin Williams Wynne, Bart, of a
daughter.

I'he Right Hon. the Countefs of
Warwick, of a fon. '

The Right Hon. Lady Boflon, of
a fon.

May. The Marchionefs of
Granby, of a fon.

The confort of the Great
Duke of RufTia, of a prince, who
was baptized by the name of Con-
ftantine.

Lady Downe, of a fon.

June. Right Hon. Lady Craven,
of a fon.

The Lady of Sir J. Smith, Bart,
of a daughter.

July. The Right Hon. Lady
Ameha Byron, of a daughter.

Right Hon. Countefs of Covv-
per, of a fon, at Florence.

Augiifl. Right Hon. Countefs
of Sulfolk, of a fon and heir.

Lady cf Sir Ch. Douglafs, of a
fon.

Right Hon. Lady Algernon
Percy, of a daughter.

Right Hon. Lady Brownlow, of
a fon.

Right

C H R O N

Right Hon. Lady Anne Foley,
ef a Ion.

The Duchefs of Leinfter, of a
daughter, in Ireland.

The Lady of Sir J. Eden, Bart,
of a daughter.

September. The Great Duchefs
of Tufcany, of a prince.

The Princefs of Prince Ferdi-
nand of Pruffia, of a Prince.

Princefs of Mecklienburgh Stre-
litz, of a princeis.

The Duchefs of Chandos, of a
daughter.

October. Lady of Sir John Tay-
lor, Bart, of a fon.

The Lady of the Hon. Francis
Talbot, of a daughter.

Lady of Sir Jol'eph Mawbey,
Bart, of a daughter.

No--vemher. The Lady of the
Hon. Col. Ficzroy, of a (on.

Right Hon. Countefs of Jerfey,
of a daughter.

The Duchefs of Chartres, of a
prince.

The Archduchefs, confort to the
Archduke Ferdinand, of a prince,
at Milan.

The Lady of Sir Thomas Beau-
champ Pro^or, Bart, of a daugh-
ter, in Saville-row.

Hon. Mrs. Vanfittart, of a fon.

December. Lady of Sir Thomas
Fowke, Bart, of a daughter.

Lady of Sir Wai. Afnurft, of a
fon.

MARRIAGES, 1779.

January. The Hon. Mi(s Wrot-
tefley, one of the maids of honour
to her Majefty, and fifter to the
Duchefs of Grafton, to Colonel
Gardner.

Sir John William Pole, of Shute,
Bart, to Mifs Templer.

Vol. XXII.

I C L E. [241

At Dublin, George Powel, Efq;
to the Right Hon. Lady Anne
Stratford, daughter to the late
Earl of Aldborough.

February. Mifs Baynton, daugh-
ter to Sir Ed. Baynton, Bart, to
Andrew Stone, Efq;

Hon. Henry Vernon, 2d fon to
Lord Vernon, to Mifs Sediey.

The Right Hon. Lady Prifcilla
Barbara Elizabeth Bertie, eldell
fifter of the Duke of Ancafter, to
Peter Burrell, Efq;

Mar:h. Sir Roger Twifden,
Bart, of Bradburne, to Mils Wel-
dafli, of Chatham.

The Hon. Felton Hervey, to
Mifs Elville, only daughter and
fole heirefs of Sir John Elville,
Bart.

The Right Hon. Lord Vifcount
Gallway, to Mifs Elizabeth Ma-
thew.

The Hon, Barth. Bouverie, 3d
brother to the Earl of Radnor, to
Mifs Arundell.

Sir William Smyth, of Hill
Hall, in EfTex, Bart, to Mifs
Windham.

Richard Wilfon, Efq; of Ay-
tone, in Ireland, to the Hon. Mifs
Tovvnfhend, daughter of Lady
Greenwich and the late Mr.
Charles Townfhend, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, and half-filter
to bis Grace the Duke of Buc-
cleugh.

April. The Right Hon. Lord
Binning, to Lady Sophia Hope.

Jchn Hawkins, Efq; eldefl fon
of Sir Csfar Hawkins, Bart, to
Mifs Colbourne.

May. The Right Hon. Hugh
Earl and Baron Percy, fon and
heir apparent of the Duke of
Northumberland, to Mifs Frances
Julia Burrell, 3d daughter of the
late Peter Burrell, Efq;

m The

24^] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The Earl of Harrington, to Mifs
Fleming, daughter of the late Sir
Michael Fleming.

June'. Right Hon. Lord Forbes,
to the Right Hon. Lady Selina
Rawdon.

Right Hon. Lord Cathcart, to
Mifs Elliot.

— — Byron, Efq; Captain in
the Guards, and eideft fon of Ad-
miral Byron, to Lady Amelia Con-
yers D'Arcy.

Anthony Chapman, Efq; to
the Hon. Mifs Charlotte Carey,
daughter to Lord Vifcount Falk-
land.

John James Hamilton, Efq;
nephew to the Earl of Abercorn,
to Mifs Catherine Copley, fecond
daughter of Sir Jofeph Copley,
Bart.

Capt. Duffield, to the Right
Hon. Lady Eliz. Birmingham,
eideft daughter of the Earl of
Lowth.

Baron Nqlken, Envoy from
Sweden, to Mrs. Le Maitre, re-
lift of the Hon. Mr. Juftice Le
Maitre.

July. The Hon. Henry Stawell
Bilfon Legge, fon and heir to the
Right Hon. Mary Baronefs Sta-
well in her own right, to Mifs Mary
Curzon.

The Earl of Shelburne, to Lady
Louifa Fitzpatrick, fitter to the
Earl of Upper O/Tory.

Sir F. Vincent, Bart, to Mifs
Muilman.

Sir E. Lloyd, Bart, to Mifs A.
Yonge.

Francis Head, Efq; to Mifs Ma-
ria Juftina Stepney, daughter of
Sir Th. Stepney, Bart.

Thomas Wiggons, Efq; to the
Hon. Mifs Kinnaird, daughter to
the Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird.

Augnfi. William Bowles, Efq;
to Mifs Dinah Frankland, daugh-
ter of Sir Thomas Frankland,
Bart.

Thomas Horton, Efq; to the
Hon. Mils Stanley, fifter to the
Earl of Derby.

Rev. Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart.
to Mifs Bennet.

The Hon. and Rev. John Hewitt,
Deane of Cloyne, and fon to the
Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor
of Ireland, to Mifs Jane More.

September. The Rev. Jofeph
Smith, of Wendover, to Mifs Julia
Bernard, youngeil daughter of the
late Sir Francis Bernard, Bart.

Sir John Berney, Bart, to the
Hon. Mifs Neville, only daughter
of Lord Abergavenny.

Butler, Efq; to the Hon.

Mifs Langdale, daughter of Lord
Langdale.

Auguftus Perkins, Efq; to Mifs
Warren, only fifter to Sir John
Borlace Warren.

Sir Robert Barker, Bart, to Mifs
Holloway.

Tho. Gage, Efq; fon and heir
of Sir Tho. Gage, Bart, to Mifs
Charlotte Fitzherbert.

OBober. John Inglilh Dolben,
only fon of Sir William Dolben,
Bart, to Mifs Hallet.

November. Tho. Hanmer, Efq;
eideft fon of Sir Walden Hanmer,
Bart, to Mifs Kennyon.

Hon. Mifs Sally Pratt, third
daughter to Lord Camden, to Nich,
Price, Efq;

Dec. Sir Richard Clayton, Bart,
to Mifs White.

John Honeywood, Efq; to Hon.
Mifs Courtnay, eideft daughter of
Lord Vifcount Courtnay.

Charles Smyth, Efq; brother to

Sir William Smyth, Bart, to Mifs

Vandeput,

CHRONICLE.

Vandeput, daughter of Sir Geo.
Vandeput, Bart.

Principal Promotions for the
Tear 1779, from the London Ga-
zette, i^c,

Jan. Andrew Snape Hammond,
E(q; to the hoaour of Knight-
hood.

V/hitflied Keene, Efq; to be
Surveyor of his Majefly's Works.

Feb. Earl of Farnham, Go-
vernor of the County of Cavan, in
Ireland, 'vice late E. of Lanelbo-
rough.

His Grace D. of Ancafter and
Kefteven, — made Ld. Lieut, of the
County of Lincoln, and fworn of
his Majefly's moft hon. Privy
Council.

Gen. Sir Geo. Howard, K. B.
to the command of the ill regi-
ment of dragoon guards, ^ice Gen.
Modyn.

The mofl honourable order of
the Bath to James Harrii, Efq;
his Majefly's Envoy Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary at the Court
of Peterlburgh.

In purfuance of the King's plea-
fure, the following Flag-officers of
his Majefly's fleet were promot-
ed, viz. George Mackenzie, Efq;
Matthew Barton, Efq; Sir Peter
Parker, Krit. Hon. Samuel Bar-
rington. Rear Admirals of the
Red ; Mariot Arbuthnot, Efq;
Robert Roddam, Efq; George
Darby, Efq; John Campbell, Efq;
Rear Admirals of the White, to be
Vice Admirals of the Blue.

James Garabier, Efq; William
Lloyd, Efq: Francis William Drake,
El'q; Sir Edward Hughes, Knight
of the Bath, Hyde Parker, Efq;

[24:?

Rear Admirals of the Blue, to be
Rear Admirals of the Red. ,

And the following captains were
alfo appointed Flag-ofiicers of his
Majefly's fleet, viz. John Evans,
Efq; Mark Milbanke, Efq; Nicho-
las Vincent, Efq; John Storr, Efq;
Sir Edward Vernon, Knight, to be
Rear Admirals of the White.

Jofliua Rowley, Efq; Richard

Edwards, Efq; Thomas Graves,

Efq; Robert Digby, Efq; Sir Joha

Lockhart Rofs, Bart, to be Rear

' Admirals of the Blue.

His Majefty has been pleafed to
appoint Major-generals William
Amherft, of 32d fdot, P.obert Wat-
fon, Lieut. Governor of Portfmouth,
Daniel Jones, of 2d foot, Joha
Mackenzie, of the marines, Joha
Bill, of the marines, Jorden Wren,
of4ift foot, Lancelot Baughjof 5 8tli
foot. Sir David Lindfay, Bart, of
59th foot, Henry Smith, of the
marines, to be Lieutenant-generals
in the army.

As likewife Colonels Spencer
Cowper, Lieutenant - governor of
Tinmouth, William Winyard, of
3d foot guards, Edward Mathew,
of 2d foot guards, Richard Burton
Phillipfon, of I ft dragoons, Francis
Smith, of loth foot, Augufline
Prevofl, of 6olh foot, James Pat-
tifon, of the artillery, John Doug-
las, of 2d dragoons, Hon. Alex-
ander Leflie, of 64th foot, Sa-
muel Cleaveland, of the artillery,
Hon. Henry St. John, of 36th
foot, William Thornton, of jli:
foot guards, George Ogilvie, of
jd foot guards. Sir William Er-
ftine, Knt. of 80th foot, John
Campbell, of 57th foot. Sir George
Ofljorn, Bart, of 3d foot guards,
to be ivlajor - generals in the
army.

[ii>] 3 March.

244] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

March. Martin Eden, £fq; ap-
pointed Envoy Extraordinary to the
Court of Copenhagen.

Thomas Rumbold, Efq; Gover-
nor of Madrafs, created a Bart.

Hedtor Munro, Eiq; Major-ge-
neral of his Majcfty's forces in the
Eall-Indies, created a Knight of
the Bath.

The King has been pleafed to
appoint John Elliot, Efq; the Hon.
Robert Boyle Walfingham, and
Wm. Hotham, Efq; to be Colonels
of his Majelly's marine forces, in
the roonj of Thomas Graves, Ro-
bert Digby, and Jofhua Rowley,
Efqrs; appointed Flag-officers of
his Majefty's fleet.

The, Rev. Cyril Jackfon, ap-
pointed preacher to the Society of
Lincoln's-inn.

JpriL Admiral Mann, to be
one of the Lords of the Admiralty,
njice Sir Hugh Pallifer.

The Earl of Winchelfea, to be
Lord Lieutenant of the County of
Rutland.

Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. to be
Colonel of the 7th regiment, •vice
Sir George Howard.

May. The following perfons were
knighted by the King, Geo. Mun-
ro, Efq; of Poyntzfield, Cromar-
ty ; James Duff, Efq; of Kenrtair,
Aberdeenftiire ; Tho. Fowke, Efq;
of Lowefby Hall, Leicellerlhire ;
Cha. Gould, Efq; of Ealing, Mid-
dlefex ; and Hugh Dalrymple, Efq;
of the Athol regiment of High-
landers.

The Earl of Palhoufie, ap-
pointed the King's High Commif-
fioner to the Church ot Scotland.

General Robinfon, Governor of
Isfew York.

The Rev. Dr. Thomas Thur-
3ow, Dean of Rochefcer, to be
Bilhop of Lincoln, in the room of

Dr. Green, deceafed. — The Right
Hon. the Earl of Antrim, to be a
Knight of the Bath.

June. Rev. Dr. Jefferys, to be
Canon Relidentiary of St. Paul's.
— Rev. Dr. Cuft, to be Dean of
the Cathedral of Rocheller. — Rev.
Mr. Jackfon, to be a Canon of
the Cathedral of Chrill, in the
Univerfity of Oxford. — Rev. Mr*
Onflow, to be a Canon of the Ca-
thedral of Chrill, in the Univerfity
of Oxford.

Sir Henry Cavendilh, Bart, and
John Foiler, Efq; to be of his
Majefly's moll honourable Privy
Council.

July. His Grace the Duke of
Rutland, to be his Majefty's Lieut,
of and for the County of Lei-
ceiler ; and alfo to be the Cuftos
Rotulorum for the faid county, in
the room of the late Duke of Rat-
land. — Bamber Gafcoyne, Efq; to
be one of his Majefty's Commif-
fioners for executing the office of
Lord High Admiral of Great Bri-
tain and Ireland, in the room of
Lord Charles Spencer. — Edward
Gibbon, Efq; to be one of his
Majefty's Commiffioners for trade
and plantations. — The Right Rev.
Father in God James late Biftiop
of St. David's, to be Bifhop of
Gloucefter, void by the death of
Doctor Warburton.-— John War-
ren, D. D. to be Bilhop of St.
David's. — The Right Hon. Henry
Dundas, Lord Advocate of Scot-
land, to be keeper of his Majefty's
Signet in Scotland. — Charles
French, of Clogha, in the county
of Galway, Efq; and Hugh Hill,
of Londonderry, Efq; to be Ba-
ronets of the kingdom of Ireland.
— Sir W. A. Cunynghame, Bart.
Clerk Comptroller of the Board of
Green Cloth.

Auguji,

CHRONICLE.

[243"

Auguft. Brown low, Duke of An-
cafter, to be Ld. Lieutenant of the
county of Lincoln.— The Rt. Rev.
Charles, Bilhop of Cloyne, to the
Archbilh jpric of Cafhell in Ire-
land. — Right Hon. John Lord
Vifcount Mountftuart, fworn of his
Majefty's moft honourable Privy
council ; and at the fame time ap-
pointed Envoy Extraordinary to the
Court of Turin. — James Douglas,
Efq; appointed his Majefty's Con-
ful General at Naples.

Sept. Win. Arnald, B. D. Canon
ofWindfor.

W. Ballard, Efq; of Kitley, De-
von, a Baronet of Great Britain.

Robert Maxwell, Efq; appoint-
ed (by patent under the great feal)
Governor of the Bahama Iflands.

Prince Wm. Henry appointed
Port Captain in the navy.

Cha. Cowper, D. D. a preben-
dary of Durham.

Od. Francis BafTet, Efq; to the
honour of a Baronet of this king-
dom.—Clement Cottrell Dormer,
Efq; to the honour of Knighthood,
and Mafter of the Ceremonies. —
Dr. Wynne, Chancellor of Lon-
don, qjice Dr. Bettefworth, dec—
Capt. John Laforey, Commiiiioner
of the Navy at Ea'rbadoes, and the
Leeward Iflands. — Hon. Qcn.
Vaughan, Governor of Fort Wil-
liam in Scotland, 'vice Gen. Bur-
goyne, refigned.— Hon. Wm. Har-
court. Col. of the i6th light dra-
goons, -vice Gen. Burgoyne, re-
figned.— James Hare, Efq; Mini-
ller Plenipotentiary at Warfaw.

mander of his majefty's (hip the
Quebec) the dignity of a Baronet
of this kingdom.

Right Hon. David Vifcount Stor-
niont, one of his Majefty's principal
Secretaries of State, 'vice Earl of
Suffolk, deceafed.

Nov. The Earl of Carlifle, firft
Lord Commiffioner of Trade and
Plantations.

Earl Bathurft, Prefident of the
Council, "jice Earl Gower, re-
figned.

Earl of Hilfborough, one of his
Majefty's Principal Secretaries of
State, n}ice Lord Vifcount Wey-
mouth, refigned.

Right Hon. Lord Charles Spen-
cer, to be Treafurer of his Ma-
jefty's Chamber.

Dec. Fred. North, one of the
Chamberlains of his Majefty's Ex-
chequer.

Right Hon. Lord Onflow, to be
Treafurer of his Majefty's Houfe-
hold.

Sir Richard Worfley, Be. Comp-
troller of his Majefty's Houfehold.

DEATHS, 1779.

Jan, The Right Hon. the Coun-
tefs Dowager oFBuctian.

The Right Hon the Countefs of
Litchfield, aged 60.

Geo. Macartney, Rfq; at Dub-
lin, the father of Ld. MHcar;ney.

The Right Hon. Brii-Iley But-
ler, Earl of Lanelborous.h, V'fc.
and Baron Newtown, Governor of

Dr. Wm. Newcome, Biflaop of the county of Cavan, and one ui

Waterford, and Lifmore in Ire-
land.

Dr. John Hotham, Bifliop of
Oflliry.

George Farmer, Efq; (eldeft fon
of the late George Farmer, Com-

!vy

his Majefty's moft Hon. P
Council of the kingdom of
land.

Feb. Sir Everaid Buckworth.
Bart.

The Right Hon. Edm. Butler.

[^] 3 Vifcount

446] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Vifcount Mountgarret, of the
kingdom of Ireland.

The Right Hon. the Countefs
Cornwallis.

At the Hague, the Hon. Char.
Bentinck, 3d Ion of the firll Earl
of Portland.

Sir Charles Holt, Bart.

The reiia of Sir G. Oxendon,
Bart.

March. Sir John Mordaunt Cope,
Bart.

At Valleyfield in Scotland, Sir
George Prefton, Bart.

At Bath, the Right Hon. Henry
Howard, Earl of Suffolk and Berk-
Hiire, Vifcount Andover, Secre-
tary of State for the Northern de-
partment, a Governor of tlie Char-
terhoufe, and Knight of the Gar-
ter. His Lordfhip fucceeded his
grandfather, Henry, the late Earl,
on the 2ift of March, 1757. and
married Maria Conftantia, eldeft
daughter of Robert Vifc. Hamp-
den, on the 25th of May, 1764,
by whom he had a daughter, who
died the 2i(1: of July, 1775 ; the
Countefs died the 7th of Feb. 1767.
His LordtTiip married to his ie-
cond v/ife, the filler of the Earl .of
Aylesford, whom he left enciente,
and who was afterwards delivered
of a fon, who only lived three days.
His Lordlhiip fell a martyr to the
gout (which he feems to have had
hereditary) at the very early age
of 39.

Mils Mary Boyd, daughter of
Sir John Boyd, Bart.

April The Right Hon. Wil-
liam Stanhope, Earl of Harring-
ton, Vifcount Peterfham, a Ge-
uer^l of his Majefty's forces, Co-
Jonel of the fecond troop of horfe
grenadier guards, and Comptroller
of the Cuftoms in the port of Dub-
lin.

Richard Oake?, Efq; Under-
Secretary of State for the Northern
department.

The Lady of the Lord Vifcount
Hiiichinbroke, Vice - chamberlain
of his Majefiy's Houfehold.

The Right Hon. Lord King.

Lady Dowager Vifcountefs Mon-
tague, aged 80, reliifl of Anthony,
late f ord Viicount Montague, and
mother of the prefent Lord Vif-
count Montague.

Right Hon. Lady Augufla Anne
Kearney, half filter to the Duke of
Chandos.

The Right Rev. Dr. Green,
Lord Bifliop of L-.ncoln.

Right Hon, the Countefs of Dun-
donald.

At Hill Court, Gloucefter(hire»,
aged 54, Sir John Full, Bart, the
lail of che male line of that ancient
Saxon family. He was lineally
defcended from John Fufl, the cele-
brated artill from whom the city of
Mentz contends with Harlem, for
the honour of having invented the
art of printing.

In Scotland, the Right Hon.
Amelia Murray, Lady Sinclair,
filler to the late Duke of Athol.

The only daughter of Lord Al-
gernon Percy.

William Parry, Efq; Admiral
of the Blue.

AtPari^, John Earlof Traquaire,
aged 81.

The relifl of Sir Robert Maude.

Sir Robert Lawrie, Bart. ofMax-
welton.

May, The relicl of Sir Wm.
Yo.k.

Hon. Henry Finch, Efq; brother
to the Earl of Aylesford.

Mifs Alicia Knatchbull, youngeft
daughter of Sir Ed. Knatchbull,
Barr.

Sir John Chetwode, Bart.

Hon.

CHRONICLE.

[247

Hon. Mrs. Cowper, daughter of
Ld. Vifcount Towniliend, relift of
the late Dean of Durham.

The Right Hon. Dowager Lady
Sandys.

The Right Rev. Dr. Michael
Cox, Archbi(hop of Cafhel, in his
8Sth year. He was confecrated
Bilhop of Oflbry in 1743 i tran-
flated to Cafhel 1754.

At his houfe at Knightfbridge,
in the 83d year of his age, his
Grace John Duke of Rutland,
Marquis of Granby, Earl of Rut-
land, Baron Roos of Hamlake,
Tnifout, and Belvoir, Baron Man-
ners of Haddon, Knight of the
Garter, and one of his Majefty's
Privy Council. His grace mar-
ried Bridget, only daughter and
heirefs to Robert Sutton, Lord
Lexington ; by whom he had the
following iffue, viz. 1. John Mar-
quis of Granby, who died In his
father's life-time. 2. Lord Robert
Sutton, who died fome years before
his faid elder brother. And 3. Lord
Geo. Sutton, now living. His grace
was defcended in a diredl line from
the family De Albini, Lords of
Belvoir ; which ancient flock hath
(in its progreffive courfe) by its
feveral intermarriages, united it-
felf with the families of Seymour,
Ruflell, Noel, Mountague, Roos,
and Plantagenet. His grace's
honours and eftates defcend to his
grandfon Charles Marquis of Gran-
by, now Duke of Rutland, who is
the eldell fon of the late illuftrious
Marquis, by the Lady Frances
Seymour, daughter of Charles Duke
of Somerfet.

June. Right Rev. Dr. William
Warburton, Lord Bifhop of Glou-
celler.

Sir Francis Bernard, Bart, late
Governor of Maffachufet's Bay.

Sir John Shaw, Bart.

Relict of Sir Thomas Mannock,
Bart.

Sir William Wolfeley, Bart.

The youngeft fon of Ld. North.

July. Rt. Hon. Couniefs Dow-
ager of Macclesfield.

Hon. Thomas King, brother to
Lord King.

The Lady o^ Col. Ackland.

In Dublin, the Rt. Hon. Lady
Dowager Dillon.

Sir Alexander Parry, Bart.

In the 23d year of his age, Rob.
Bertie, Duke of Ancalier and
Kefteven, Marquis of Lindfey, Lord
Great Chamberlain of England by
inheritance. Lord Lieutenant and
Cuflos Rotulorum of the county of
Lincoln, and one of his Majefty's
mofl honourable Privy Council.
The mofl amiable and engaging
manners diflinguifhed his private
life, and the expedlation and hopes
of his country were raifed high from
the experiment which the *very
fhort period of his public conduft
had given. His grace fucceeded
Peregrine his father in Augult laft,
and dying unmarried, the title
goes to Lord Brownlow Bertie his
uncle. The ancient Barony of
Willoughby of Erefby, a Barony
in fee, defcends to the heirs fe-
male, and as fuch is in abeyance
between his two fillers, coheirefTes.
And the office of Lord Great
Chamberlain of England, which
devolved to the iirfl Earl of Lind-
fey, as fon and heir to his mother,
the iole heir female of the great
family of the Veres, Earls of
Oxford, defcends to his grace's
eldefl fifler. Lady Elizabeth Bur-
rell.

Auguji. Hon. Mrs. Cavendifh.

Right Hon. George Rice, mem-
ber for Caermarthen, Lieut, and

[^ 4 Cuftos

2^8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Cuftos Rotulorum and Col. of mi-
litia of the faid county, Trealurer
of his Majelly's Chamber, and fon-
iii-Iaw to Earl Talbot.

Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Pe-
terborough and Mortmouth, Vifc.
Mordaunt of Avalon, Baron Mor-
daunt of Purvey, and Baron Mor-

Sir Whiftlcr Wcbfier, Bart.

The Rev. Sir John i\4orcley, Bt.

Sir Cecil BiHiop, Bart.

The Right Rev. Richard Chene-
vlx. Lord Bifliop of Waterford.

Capt. David Roach, lineally de-
fcended from the ancient Vifcounts
Frrmoy. of Ireland, which title

daunt of Ryegate. He luccecded he lately claimed in confequence
Charles his grandfiather (the cele- of difcovcring- feveral errors in the
braced heroin Queen Anne's reign) outlawry laid to his anceftor in the
in 1735. ^'^ Lordihip was twice reign of Charles the Firft, and hav-
jnarried ; by his firft Lady he had ing proved his defcent, had it re-
two daughters ; by his (econd, vcrled, and was to take his feat

Charles flenry the prefenr Earl,
born May i6, 1758.

The new born fon and heir of
the late Earl of Suffolk, on ths

the eni'uing Iritli Seffion of Parlia-
ment.

The Right Hon. Pichard Gren-
ville '"J'emple, Vifcount Cobham,

third day after his birth, Duke- Earl Temple. His Lordlhip was
flreet, Weftminlter ; he is <uc- thrown from his phaeton, and un-
ceeded by his uncle the Hon. Tho. happily fractured his Ikull by the
Howard. fall. His Lordfhip was Earl Tern-
Right Hon. Ann, Countefs of pie by creation, Vifcount Cobham
Arran. by defcent. Lord Lieut, and Cuilos
William Henry Dawfon, Lord Rotulorum of the county of Buck-
Vifcount Carlow, and Baron Daw- ingham, a Knight of the Garter,
fon of the kingdom of Ireland, and Privy Counfellor. He is fuc-
aged 61. He was created Baron ceeded in title and eftate by his
April 30, 1770, and advanced to nephew George Nugent Grenviile,
the dignity of Vifcount June 28, one of the Tellers of the Exche-
1776. He married Mary, filter quer.

to the prefent Lord Milton; and The Lady of Sir Gervas CHftcn,

is fucceeded by John his eldelt fon Bart, of a putrid fever, caught by

(born Auguft 23, 1744), member conftantly attending two of her fens

for Queen's County. in that dilorder ; the iecond of

Sept. Margaret Countefs Dow. whom (Gervas Clifton, Efq;) died

of Moray, daughter of David Earl Auguft 9.

of Weymis, and mother to Francis The Right Hon. the Earl of
the prefent Earl of Moray. I/uicoln, aged one year and ten
Maria Catharina Marchionefs of months, grandfon of the Duke of
Blandford, aged 96. This Lady Newcaftle, and of the Earl of
(the daughter of Peter dfe Yong, Hertford. The title devolves to
a Burgo-mafter of the Province of the Right Hon. Lord Thomas Pel-
Utrecht, and fitter to Ifabella ham Clinton, member of Parlia-
Countefs of Denbigh) was married ment for the city of Weltminfter.
April 25, 17291 to William Mar- Qd. Sir Roger Twifden, Bart,
quis of Blandford, and became a Hon. Lieut. Napier, youngeft
Dowager Aug. 24, 1731. fon cf the late Lord Napier.

5 Riglit

CHRONICLE.

[H9

Right Hon. Robert Maxwell Earl
of rarnham.

Right Hon. Lord Wllloughby
Acf Parham, aged about 30. The
title is now extinfl.

Sir William Gardiner, Bart.

The eldeft fon of Sir Thomas
Fovvke.

Mifs Mary Ridley, fiftcr to Sir
M. W. Ridley, Bart.

Sir Thomas Head, Bart.

Sir Robert Lavvley, Bart.

Nov. Right Hon. Anne, Coun-
tefs of Northefk.

Sir James Dafhwood, Bart.

Sir Simeon itewart, Bart.

Right Hon. Tho. Lord Lyttel-
ton, Baron of Frankley ; a Privy
Coancellor ; Chief Juliice in Eyre
of his Majefty's forelts North of
Trenc ; High Steward of Bewdley,
in Worcelierlhire, &c. His Lord-
ftiip was born January 30, 1744.
and fucceeded his father, George
Lord Lyttelton, Aug. 22, 1773.
He toolc his feat in Parliament the
fucceeding feffion, and has been
diftinguifhed as a very eloquent
fpeaker. He married June 26,
1772, Apphia, daughter of Broome
Witts, Lfq; of Chipping-Norton,
in Oxfordlhire, and widow of Jo-
feph Peach, Efq; late Governor
of Calcutta, in the Eaft Indies ;
but dying without i(fue, the title
is extinct. The prefent reprefenta-
live of the family of Lyttelton, is

the Right Hon. William Henry
Lyttelton fixth fon of Sir Thomas
Lyttelton, Bart, deceafed, and
uncle to the late Thomas Lord
Lyttelton, created a peer of Ire-
land, July 21, by the title of Lord
Weikote, of Balamore, in the
county of Longford.

The Hon. Mrs. Hamilton, daugh-
ter Ci Sir John Home, Bart, and
mother or the Counteffes Mortoa
and Selkirk, Z'.c.

Right Hon. William Sinclair,
Earl of C?-ithnefs, and Lord Ee-
riendale. He is fucceeded in Ba-
rony and eftate by his eldeft fon
John Lord Beriendale, Major in
the 76th regiment, now in Ame-
rica.

Dec. Sir Thomas Samwell, Bt.

The Right Hon. Lady Cathe-
rine Noel, daughter of the late Earl
of Gainfborough.

The Right Hon. Lady Seaforth.

Hon. Byfle Molefworth young-
eft fon of Robert Lord Vifcount
Molefworth.

The Duchefs Dowager of Gor-
don.

Sir Robert Pringle, Bart.

Right Hon. Auguftus John Har-
vey, Earl of Brillol, Lord Bar.
vey, and a Vice Admiral of the
Blue. Dying v\ithout i/Tue, the
title devolves to his brother the Lord
Bilhop of Derry in Ireland.

PRICES

250] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

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E 25t 1

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE.

Jhjlra£l of the late ASl for altering
the Duty on Houfes and Servants,

THE preamble recites, that
the duties granted laft feffion
of Parliament on inhabited houfes,
not bearing a proper proportion to
each other, and the payment be-
ing greatly evaded, the duties paid
by that ad are therefore repealed.

The duties now impofed, in lieu
of the former, took place on the
5th of July, and are as under:

On all dwelling -houfes, with
the offices, courts, yards, and gar-
dens, worth of yearly rent from
5 1. to 20I. fix-pence in the pound.

From 20 1. to 40 1, nine-pence in
the pound.

From 40 1. a year upwards, one
Ihilling in the pound.

Gardens, not exceeding one acre
of land, are within the limits of
taxation with the houfe.

Ail fliops and warehoufes attach-
ed to, or communicating with
dwelling-houfes, are to be charged
with the refpedive houfes ; ex-
cepting warehoufes and buildings
adjoining to wharfs, occupied by
perfons carrying on the bufmefs of
wharfingers, whofe dwelling -houfes
only are to be charged.

No warehoufes, being diftinft
buildings, and not parcels of dwel-
ling-houfes, though they may have
internal communications with them,
are chargeable.

Houfes, in which there is only a
fervant, or other perfon refiding
to take care of them, are not con-
fidered as inhabited.

Where houfes lett in different
apartments, the landlord is charge-
able as the occupier.

Halls and ofhces belonging to
perfons or bodies corporate, and
chargeable with other taxes or pa-
rifli rates, are fubjed to thefe du-
ties.

With regard to fervants, no af-
feffment is to be impeached for any
miflake in the names of fervants,
provided the perfons intended are
fervants to the perfons afTefTed.

Perfons, who have different
places of refidence, are to declare
under their bands, when called
upon, the number of fervants they
mean to pay for at their refpeftive
habitations; which lifts are to be
tranfmitted.

Perfons making falfe returns of
their fervants are fubjedl to a pe-
nalty of 40I.

AhfiraSl of an Act for extending the
Pro-vi/ions of the Tiuelfth of
George the FirJI, intitled An A3
to prevent friniolous and •vexatious
Arrejis.

IT recites an aft of the 12th of
George the Firft, for prevent-
ing frivolous and vexatious arrefls,

and

-52] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

and fets forth, that by the faid aft
no perlbn (hall be held to fpecial
bail upon any procefs iflued out of
any fuperior court, where the caufe
of aftion Hiall not amount to the
fum of ten pounds, or upwards ;
nor out of any inferior court, where
the caufe of aftion (hall not amount
to the fum of forty (hillings, or
upwards.

It further recites, that the power
of arreft and iniprifonment on
mefne procefs, iffuing out of fuch
infejior court, where the caufe
of aftion does not amount to ten
pounds, is found by experience to
be attended with much oppreflion
to great numbers of his Iviijelty's
fubjefts ; for remedy whereof, it
enafts, that from the pafling of
this aft, no perfon fliall be arrcfted
or held to fpecial bail, upon any
procefs iffuing out of any inferior
court, where the caufe of aftion
fhall not amount to ten pounds, cr
upwards ; but the like copies of
procefs fhall be ferved, and the
like proceedings had thereupon in
fuch inferior court, as are direfted
to be had, by the faid recited aft,
in fuch inferior court, in all caies
where the caufe of aftion fhall not
amount to the fum of forty fhil-
lings.

It further enafts, that in all in-
ferior courts (having jurifdiftlon
to the amount of ten pounds or up-
wards) the like afiidavit fhall be
made and filed of fuch caufe of
aftion, and the like proceedings
fhall be had thereupon, as are di-
refted by the faid recited aft,
Tvhere the caufe of aftion amounts
to the fum of forty (hillings, or up-
wards.

It then recites, that fo much of
the feveral afts pafTed for the re-
covery of debt* within certain dif-

trifts and jurifdiftions as authorife
the arrcll and imprifonment of de-
fendants, where the caule of aftioa
amounts to lefs than ten pounds, be
repealed.

That, in cafe of final judgment
obtained in any inferior court, the
certificate of the Judge of fuch in-
ferior court to the fuperior court
at Welhiiinller fhall enable fuch
fuperior courts to ilTue writs of exe-
tion to take the perfon and efFefts
of the defendant out of the jurif-
diftion of fuch inferior court.

It alfo enafts, that on a judge-
ment in an inferior court, where
the damages are under ten pounds,
before any execution fhall be ftay-
ed by writ of error, the defendant
(hall give fecuri.y to profecute his
writ of error with effeft.

And then enafts, that no caufe
fhall be removed by Habeas Cor-
pus, unleis the defendant fhall en-
ter into recognizance for payment
of the debt and cofts.

Abp-a£i of the late Aa pajfed to fre-
vent Sjnuggltng.

FTER the firft of Augufi,
a penalty of 300 1, is laid on
any maimer of a fnip coming from
abroad, having more than 100 lb.
of tea on board, (not being an
Ea(t - India fnip) or more than
100 gallons of foreign fpirits in
calks under 60 gallons (befides
two gallons for each feaman on
board.)

Foreign fpirits Imported from
any part of Europe, in a vefTel
containing lefs than 60 gallons,
are forfeited, with the ihip, furni-
ture, &c.

When any tea, coffee, or goods
liable to forfeiture, is found on

board

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [253

board any Ihip coming from fo-
reign parts, at anchor, or hovering
within two leagues of" the coafl, the
fhip, if not above 200 tons, is for-
feited, with her furniture, &c.

Every perfon who fh:ili fell cof-
fee, tea, cocoa-nuts, or make or
fell chocolate, mull paint over his
door, * dealer in coffee, &c.' on
penalty of 200 1.

Every importer or dealer in fo-
reign fpirits, mufl paint over his
door, * importer of or dealer In
foreign fpirits,' on penalty of 50 1.

Every dealer in tea, .foreign fpi-
rits, &c. who fhall buy any of the
faid goods of any perfon that has
not the words i^forefaid over his
door, is liable to an additional pe-
nalty of 100 1.

Every perfon, not a dealer, who
fhall buy any tea, fpirits, &c. of
any perlbn that has not the words
aforefaid over his door, will forfeit
lol.

All foreign thread-lace import-
ed after the firlt of Auguft to be
marked at each end at the Cuflom
Houfe ; and perfons pofTeffed of
foreign lace may have it marked
at the neareft Cuflom Houfe, mak-
ing oath that the duties were paid.

All foreign thread-lace found in
this kingdom after the firft of Fe-
bruary next, not marked, will be
forfeited. And any perfon coun-
terfeiting the mark, or that fhall
fell or have in his cuflody lace with
a counterfeit mark, will forfeit
100 1. and be adjudged to Hand in
the pillory two hours ; and their
aiders, abetters, and afBflants, will
be liable to the fame fine and pu-
nifhment.

AbjiraQ of an Aa for laying a
Dutj on FoJi-HorfeSi i^c. ijubkh

commenced on TuefHav the 6th of
July.

ON and after the 6th day of
July, every perfon going poft
is to pay the duty of a penny per
mile for each horle fo hired to the
inn-keeper, pofl-mafler, or other
perfon letting fuch horfes, who at
the fame time is to deliver to hica
a Stamp-office ticket, exprelFing the
number of horfes and miles he has
paid for, and the day of the month:
this ticket is to be left at the firft
turnpike the traveller comes to,
oiherwife the turnpike-man mull
not let him pafs till he has paid
him eighteen-pence for each horfe
for fuch his negleft, which money
the turnpike- man may keep for his
own ufe.

Every perfon who hires horfes by
the day, or for lefs than a day,
is to pay the duty of one penny
per mile for each horfe to the inn-
keepers, poft-maflers, or other per-
fon who lets the fame, before they
are ufed, provided the ditlance he
is going is declared at the time of
hiring ; but if the diflance is not
declared, then he is to pay one
(hilling for each horfe he hires,
and is to receive likewife a Stamp-
office ticket, expreffing the num-
ber of horles, and having the
words * for a day' printed there-
on, and is likewife to declare
whether he intends to return the
fame day; in which cafe the inn-
keeper, &c. is to write upon the
ticket ' to return ;' and if he ac-
tually does return before twelve
o'clock at night, then fuch mo-
ney is to be returned to him by
the inn-keeper, pofl-mafler, or
other perfon, who received the
fame>

Mem,

254] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Mem.— This ticket for a day is
to be ihevvn at the feveral turn-
pikes, but is not to be left at
any.

AhJlraS of an A3 for recruiting his
Majefly^s Land and Sea Forces.

JUSTICES of peace, Commif-
fioners of the land-tax, and
Magiftrates of corporations, in the
coramiflion of the peace, are im-
povvered, within their feveral ju-
rifdiftions, to imprefs all able-
bodied, idle, and diforderly per-
fons, who cannot, upon examina-
tion, prove themfelves to exercife
fome lawful trade or employment,
for their fupport: and are to order
a general fearch for all perfons
under this defcription. Perfons
convicted of running goods or
fmuggling, in a penalty not ex-
ceeding 40]. may be raifed and
levied in like manner, in lieu of
the punilhment to which they are
otherwife liable : as are perfons
convifled of running away and
leaving families chargeable on
their parilhes. Bailiffs-followers
are left open to the powers confer-
red by this aft, being exprefsly
declared not to exercife an em-
ployment within the meaning of
it. The men, thus enlifted, are
to be free from bodily infirmities ;
between the ages of fixteen and
£fty ; if under the age of eighteen,
they muft be five fee: three inches
high ; and, if above that age,
five feet four inches high, without
ihoes.

No perfon, intitled to vote at
an eleftion for a Member of Par-
liament, is liable to be imprefled
eithex as a foldier or a feaman.

The inhabitants of every parlfh
and townfhip are to aflilt in the
execution of this aft ; and a re-
ward of ten fnillings is to be paid
for the difcovery of any proper
perfon, fo that he be enlillcd.
Perfons obftrufting the powers of
the aft are fubjeft to a penalty of
lol.

Perfons irtjpreffed under this aft
are intitled to their difcharge on
demand after five years fervice,
provided th© nation be not then
engaged in war ; in which cafe
they muil ferve during the conti-
nuance of the war.

Perfons who enter voluntarily
into his Majefly's fervice are to
receive three guineas bounty mo-
ney, to enter into immediate pay,
are to be difcharged at the end of
three years, or of the war then in
being, on demand ; are exempted
afterwards from flatute duty, pa-
rifh offices, and the militia fer-
vice, and may fee up and exercife
any trade, agreeable to the ilatute
3 Geo. III. c. 8.

To prevent the inconvenience
of impreffing men during the time
of harveft, labourers working at
hay or corn harveft, who procure
certificates from the parifh where
they live, which are to be furnifh-
ed giatis, are thereby protefted
from May 25 to Oftober 25.

This aft is to remain in force
until May^i, 1780 ; and repeals
the aft 18 Geo. III. cap. 53, paf-
fed lafl year.

Proceedings at the frial of Admiral
Keppel.

o

N the 7th of January the fig-
nal was made for all the ad-
mirals

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [^S:

tliirals and captains of his Majefty's
fleet to come on board the Britan-
nia in Portfmouth harbour. When
they were alTenibled, the names
of the admirals and captains on
board, according to their rank
and feniority, were called over by
George Jackfon, Efq; the Judge
Advocate, till a fufficient number
anfwered to their names to com-
pofe the Court, thofe being paffed
over who had been fummoned to
give evidence en the trial. This
being objeded to by the Hon.
Captain Walfingham, the Judge
Advocate read the following caie,
and the opinion of his Majeily's
Attorney and Sollicitor General
and Mr. Cull thereon, to the
Court :

Tie 22nd of Geo. II. chap. 33.
feSi. II. enafts, "That from and
*' after the 25th day of Decem-
" ber 1749, it Ihall be lawful for
*' the faid Lord High Admiral of
«' Great Britain, or the Commif-
*' fioners for executing the office
*• of Lord High Admiral of
*' Great Britain ; or the Commif-
*' lionets for executing the ofiice
** of Lord High Admiral for the
*' time being, and they are here-
«' by refpedively authorifed from
" time to time, as there Ihall be
<' occafion, to direft any flag of-
*' iicer or captain of any of his
*' MajeUy's Ihips of war, who
" fhall be in any port of Great
** Britain, or Ireland, to hold
*' Courts Martial in any fuch
•* port, provided fuch flag oflicer
*' or captain be the firft,' fecond,
*' or third in command, in fuch
*' port as fliall be found mod ex-
*' pedient and for the good of his
•* Majefty's fervice ; and fuch flag
*« officer or captain, fo direfled to
" hold Courts Martial, Ihall pre-
** fide ac fuch Court Martial :

" any thing herein contained to
" the contrary notwithftanding.'*

Se^. \2th. '* That from and
" after the 25th of December,
" 1749, no Court Martial to be
" held or appointed by virtue of
" this prefent aft fnall confift of
" more than Thirteen, or of iefs
*' than Five perfons, to be com-
" fojed of fuch flag office;- s, captains^
*^ or co?nmanciers then and there pre-
** fent, as are next in feniority to the
" officer -who freftdes at the Court
" Martial."

Notwithftanding the words iti
Italic in the izthfe^iotif the ufage
at Courts Martial has been, for
officers who have given evidence
at the trials, not to fit as members
of the Courts : although they were
fenior to others who fat, and con-
fequently would have fat as mem-
bers if they had not been examin-
ed as witnefTcs.

The Lords Commiirioners of the
Admiralty having lately received
a complaint in writing, charging
an officer of rank in ihe royal navy
with one of the ofi^ences fpecified
in the Articles of War, which are
created and fet forth by the above-
mentioned aft of parliament; their
Lordfliips have therefore thought
fit to iffue their order, or warrant
in writing, to Admiral Sir Tho-
mas Pye at Portfmouth, requiring
him forthwith to afl'emble a Court
Martial for the trial of the faid
officer. And it having been i'\:g~
gelled to their Lordfliips that feve-
ral officers and commanders of the
King's fliips at Portfmouth (who,
on account of their feniority, muft
fit as members of the faid Court
Martial, if the letter of the 12th
feciion in the faid aft is conformed
to) will be fummoned as witnelTes,
either in fupport of the charge or
in behalf of the accufed.

You

2s6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

You are therefore requefted
to advife their lordfliips,
whether in cafe luch fenior
officers fhould be called
upon to give evidence at the
trial, they may likewife fit
as members of the court
martial ? — And alfo.

Whether the court can be le-
gally held without the fe-
nior oScers (who (hall hap-
pen to be called upon to
give evidence) in cale it is
neceffary for their juniors
to fit as members, in order
to make up the number re-
quired by the ftatute to con-
ftitute a court ?
** The ufage of the fervice is

eluded in the number of thofe of
whom the court is to be compofed ;
confequently if any officer entitled
by his rank to fit, is either profe-
cutor, party, or witnefs, the per-
fon next in feniority mull fupply
his place, and the court fo com-
pofed, will be legally held accord-
ing to the intent of the att.

. Al. We ODER burn.
Ja. Wallace.

F. C. CUST.

Then the Judge Advocate read
the order fent by the Lords of the
Admiralty to Sir Thomas Pye,
admiral of the white, to hold the
court martial, dated the 3 lit De-
cember, 1778, figned Sandwich,
T. Buller, Lifburne ; and for ad-

very material upon this cafe, for journing to the Governor of Portf-
naval courts martial are evident- mouth's houfe.

The following members were
then fworn, agreeable to aft of Par-
liament,

Prefident, Sir Thomas Pye, ad-

]y confidered in the ftatutes con-
cerning them, as known and eita-
blilhed courts, confequently in mat-
ters not efpecially provided for,

the fettled coarfe of proceedings mjral of the white,
muft have great weight — That the ,^|^Matthew Buckle, Efq; vice-

charaders of witnefs and judge are admiral of the red.
not confillent, is very obvious ; John Montagu, Efq; vice-admi-

and though in the common law of ral of the red.
England there is no challenge to Marriot Arbuthnot, Efq; rear-

a judge, yet in the only inltance admiral of the white,
we know where judges were called Robert Roddam, Efq; rear-ad

upon to give evidence in a crimi-
nal cafe, [Keiyng's Rep. 12.] it is
obferved, that they fat no more
during that Trial. — By a iintl
and literal conitruftion of the fta-
tute of the 22d of Geo. II. chap.
33, feft. 12 neither the profe-
cutor, nor the prifoner, would
ceafe to be judges, — But this con-
ilruflion wculd be abfurd, and
the aft muft from common fenfe
adroit as the ufage is, that officers

miral of the white.
Captains. M. Milbank

Francis Samuel Drake
Taylor Penny
John Mourtray
William Bennet
Adam Duncan
Philip Botclcr
James Cranfion
Then the Judge Advocate was
fworn not to difclofe or difcover
the opinion of any particular mem-

to whom there is a juft ground of ber of the court martial, unleU
exception, or who have a juft thereunto jequired by aft of Par-
ground of excufe, Ihall not be in- liament.

The

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [^57

'The court was then adjourned
to the houfe of the governor of
PortfiTiburh, when the Prefident
defired the Judge Advocate to read
the charge.

The Judge Advocate then read
Sir Hugh Palliler's lecer to Philip
Stephens, Efq ; Secretary to the
Admiralty, dat^-d London the 9th
of December, 1778, defining the
Lords Gommi/fioners of the Ad-
miralty to order a court martial
to be held for the trial of the
Honourable Auguftus Keppel, ad-
miral of the blue, for' mifconduft
and negleft of duty on the 27th
and 28th of July, 1778, as mem-
tioned in the inclofed paper con-
taining the charges againft him.

The charge was then read as
follows :

A Charge of MifconduB and Neglecl
of Duty aga'njl the Hoiiourahle
Admiral Keppel, on the 2Jth
and zSth o/"]uly, 1 77 8, /« di-vers
Infancesundei-mentioned.

I. That on the morning of the
27th of July, 1778, having a fleet
of thirty fhips of the line under his
command, and being then in the
piefence of a French fleet of the
like number of ftiips of the line,
the laid admiral did not make the
neceflfary preparations for fight, did
not put his fleet into a line of bat-
tle, or into any order proper ei-
ther for receiving or attacking an
enemy of fuch force : but on the
contrary, although his fleet was
already difperfed and in diforder,
he, by making the fignal for fe-
veral fhips of the vice-admiral of
the blue's divifion, to chace to
windward, increafed the diforder
of that part of his fleet, and the
^ips were in confequence more
fcattered than they had been be-
fore : and whilft in this diforder.
Vol. XXil,

he advanced to the enemy and
made the fignal for battle.

That the above condu£l was the
more unaccountable, as the ene-
my's fleet was not then in difor-
der, nor beaten, nor flying, but
formed in a regular line of battle
on that tack, wliich approached the
Britifh fleet (all their motions
piainly indicating a defign to give
battle), and they edged down and
attacked it whilft in diforder : by
this un-officer-like conduft, a ge-
neral engagement was not brought
on, but the other flag-ufficers and
captains were left to engage with-
out order or regularity, from
whence great confnfion enlued,
fomeof hisfliips were prevented get-
ting into aftion at all, o:hers were
not near enough to the enemy,
and fome from the confulion fired
into others of the King's ftiips,
and did them confiJerable damage,
and the vice-admiral of he blue
was Iff alone to engage fingly
and unfupported. In thefe in-
ftances the laid Admiral Keppel
negligently performed the duty im-
pofed on him.

II. That after the van and cen-
ter divifiors of the Britifh fleet
pafl>d the rear of the enemy, the
admiral did not immediately tack
and double upon the enemy with
thofe two divifions, and continue
the battle, nor did he colled them
together at that time, and keep fo
near the enemy as to be in readi-
nefs to renew the battle as loon
as it might be proper; but on the
contrary, he itood away beyond .he
enemy to a great dlrtance before
he wore to ftand towarrs them
again, leaving the vice-admiral of
the blue engaged with the enemy,
and expofed to be cut off.

III. That after the vice-admiral

of the blue had pafled the Jaft of

{R} the

25^] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the enemy's Ihips, and imme-
diately wore and laid his own
fhip's head towards tlie enemy
again, being then in their wake
and at a little diftance only, and
expedling the admiral to advance
with all the (hips to renew the
fight, the admiral did not advance
for that purpofe, but (hortentd
fail, hauled down the fignal for
battle ; nor did he at that time,
or at any other time whilft ftand-
ing towards the enemy, call tlis
Ihips together in order to renew
the attack as he might have done,-
particularly the vice-admiral of the
red, and his divifion, which had
received the leaft damage, h.-.d
been the longeft out of adion,
were ready and fit to renew it, were
then to windward and could have
bore down and fetched any part of
the French fleet, if the fignal for
battle had not been hauled down,
or if the faid Admiral Keppel had
availed himfelf of the fignal ap-
pointed by the thirty- firft article of
the Fighting Inftrudlions, by which
he might have ordered thofe to
lead who are to lead with the
ftarboards tacks on board by a
wind, which fignal was applicable
to the occafion for renewing the
engagement with advantage after
the French fleet had been beaten,
their line broken, and in difordcr.
In thefe inftances he did not do
the utmofl in his power to cake,
fmk, bum, or deftroy the French
fleet, that had attacked the Britilh
fleet.

IV. That inftead of advancing
to renew the engagement, as in
the preceding articles is alledged,
and as he might and ought to have
dotxe, the admiral wore and made.,
fail dircflly from the enemy, and
thus he led the whole Britilh fleet
away from them, which gave uhem

the opportunity to rally unmolel^-
ed, and to form again into a line
of battle, and to Hand after the
Britilh fleet; this was difgraceful
to the Britifh flag, for it had the
appearance of a flight, and gave
the French admiral a pretence to
claim the vidory, and to publifli
to the world that the Britilh fleet
ran away, and' that he purfued it
with the fleet of France, and of-
fered it battle.

V. That on the morning of the
28th of July, 1778, when it was
perceived that only three of the
French fleet remained near the
Britifh, in the fituation the whole
had been in the night before, and
that the reft were to leeward at a
greater dillance, not in a line of
battle but in a heap, the admiral
did not caufe the fleet to purfue
the flying enemy, nor even to
chace the three fliips that fled af-
ter the reft; but on the contrary,
he led the Britifh fleet another way,
diredlly from the enemy.

By the(e inftarxes of mifconduft
and neglecl, a glorious opportunity
was loft of doing a moll eflential
fervice to the ftate, and the honour
of the Britifn navy v/as tarnilhed.

When the evidence on the part
of the profccutor (which lafted to
the 30th of Jan.) was gone through,
the admiral opened his defence; with
the following ipeech :

The Speech of the Honourable A\l-
guftus Keppel, hefort the Court
Martial, in opening his Defence,
Jan. the ^oth 1779.

Mr, Prefident and Gentlemen of tht
Court,

I AM brought before you, af-
ter forty years fervice, on the
charge of an cfiicer under my com-

mandf

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [259

mand, for a variety of offences,
which, if true or probable, would
be greatly aggravated by the means
I have had, from a long experience,
of knowing my outy, and by the
ftrong motives of honour, which
ought to have incited me to per-
form it to the very utmolt extent of
my ability.

the mofl: gracious expreflions of fa-
vour and eileem ; and 1 a:Ti re-
ceived in the molt flattering man-
ner by the firfl Lord of the Admi-
ralty.

Several weeks part, when at
length, without giving me any pre-
vious notice, the Board of Admi-
ralty fend me five articles of

Sir Hugh Pallifer, an officer un- charge, on which tl ey declare their

der my orders, conceives that 1 have intention of bringing me to my

aded very irregularly and very trial ; thefe charges are brought by

culpably in the engagement with Sir Hugh Pallifer; who nearly at

the French fleet on- the 27th of the fame time publicly declared,

julylail;; fo very irregularly, and that he had taken this ftep from

ib very faultily, that 1 have tar-
niilied the luftre of the navy of
England.

Polfefled with this opinion, on bur
return to port after the a<!:lion, he
has a letter from the Lords of the
Admiralty put into his hands, giv-
ing me, in the moil: explicit terms,
his Majelly's approbation for a con-
duct, which he now afl-'etls to
thinl';, deferves the utmoll difap-
probation, and the feverell: cen-
fure ; and he, with the other ad-
mirals and captains of the fleet, to
whom it was iikewife communicated,
perfectly aCquief'ces in it.

With the fame ill opinion of
my condud in his bofom, he
goes to fea again under my
command ; he goes to fea under
me, without having given the
leail vent to his thoughts, either
by way of advice to myfelf, or of
complaint to our common fupe-
riors.

He afterwards correfponds with
me on terms of friendflilp; and in
this correfpondence he ufes ex-
prefTions, which convey a very
high opinion of my difinterefted-
iiels, and of my zeal for the fervice.

After all this I came home; I
am received by his Majefty with

an opinion, that he himfclf lay
under an imputation of difobe-
dience to my orders, and that this
imputation was countenanced by
me. I may f?y, without the leaft
hefitation, that if I fhouid be cen-
fured on fuch a charge (which in
this court, and with my caufe, I
think impolfibie) there is an end
of all command in the navy. If
every fubordinate ofHcer can fet
up-'his judgment againlt that of his
commander in chief; and after fe-
veral months of infidious filence,
can call him to trial, whenever he
thinks it ufeful for the purpofe of
clearing away imputations on him-
felf, or in order to get the Rart of
a regular charge, which he ap-
prehends may pollibly be brought
on his own condufl; there can be
no fervice.

If the charges of my accufer
could be jultified by his apprehen-
iions for himfeif, he has taken
care to prove to the court, that he
had very good reafon for his fears ;
but if thefe charges are to be con-
fidered as fupported upon any ra-
tional ground with regard to the
nature of tiic offence, or any fa-
tisfcidtory evidence with regard ""O
the fads, as againil me, he makes

[R] 9. that

a6o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

that figure, which, I truft in God,
-all thofe who attack innocence will
ever make.

In your examination into that
judgment, which my officer, in
order to depreciate my Ikill and to
criminate mv condudl, has thought
proper to fet up againll mine, you
have very wifely, and according to
the evident neccflity of the cafe,
called for the obfervations and fen-
timents of all the officers who have
ferved in the late engagement ; fo
far as they have been brought be-
fore you by the profecutor, I take
it for granted, you will follow the
fame courfe with thofe that I fhall
produce. If this fliould not be
done, an accufer, (according to
the praftice of mine) by the ufe of
leading queftions, by putting things
out of their natural order, by con-
founding limes, and by a perplex-
ed interrogatory concerning an in-
£nite number of manosuvres and
fituations, might appear to produce
a ftate of things direflly contrary
to the ideas of thofe who faw them
with their own eyes. I am alio-
niflied, that, when an officer is
accufed by another of crimes.
Which, if true, mufl; be apparent
to a very ordinary obfervation and
underftanding, that any witnefs
(hould, on being aflced, refufe to
declare his free fentiments of the
manner in which the matters to
which he dcpofes have appeared
to him : I never wifhed that any
gentleman fhould withhold that
part of his evidence from tender-
nefs to me; what motives the ac-
cufer had for objedting to it, he
knows.

The plaineft and fulleft fpeaking
is beft for a good caufe. The ma-
nifeft view and intention that

things are done with, conftltute
their crime or merit. The inten-
tions are infeparably conneded.
with the adls ; and a detail of mi-
litary or naval operations, wholly
fcparated from their defi'gn, will
be nonfenfe. The charge is read
to a witnefs, as I apprehend, that
he may defcern how the fadls he
has fecn, agree with the crimes
he hears charged. Otherwife I
cannot conceive why a witnefs is
troubled with that reading. The
court can hardly enter fully into
the matter without fuch informa-
tion; and the world out of our
profeffion cannot enter into it at
all. Thefe quellions I am informed
are properly quellions of fact ; and
I believe it ; they are perfeftly con-
formable to the pradicc of court
martials ; but if they were quef-
tions to mere opinion, yet the
court, not the witnefs, is anfwer-
able for the propriety of them.
Mailers have been called here by
the profecutor (and the propriety
not difputed) for mere opinions,
concerning the effed of chacing on
a lee-fhore. In higher matters,
higher opinions ought to have
weight ; if they ought, there are
non6 more capable of giving the
court information than thofe who
are fummoned here ; for I believe
no country ever was ferved by offi-
cers of more gallantry, honour,
ability, and flcill in their profef-
fion.

You are a court of honour as
well as of ftrid martial law. I
ftand here for my fame, as well
as for my life, and for my ftation
in the navy. I hope, therefore,
that in a trial, which is not with-
out importance to the whole fer-
vice, you will be fo indulgent as

ts

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [261

to hear me with patience, whilft I
explain to you every thing that
tends to clear my reputation as a
man, as a Teaman, and as com-
mander. 1 will open it to yon
without any arts ; and with the
plain freedom of a man bred and
formed as we all are.

As I am to be tried for my con-
duft in command, it is proper I
fhould lay before you, my fitua-
tion in that command, and what
were my motives for the feveral
afts' and orders, on account of
which I Hand charged. I mull
beg leave to make feme explana-
tion of thefe before I enter upon
the accufations article by article.

To the five fpecial articles of
the charge, you may depend upon
it, I Ihall give full, minute, and
fatisfaftory anfwers, even on the
narrow and miftaken principles on
which fome of them are made.
But I beg leave to point out to
you, that there is a general falfe
luppofition, that runs through the
whole; in cenfuring me for mif-
conduft and negledt of duty, my
accufer has conceived very miilaken
notions of what my duty was ; and
on that bad foundation he has laid
the whole matter of his charge.

I think myfelf particularly for-
tunate, in being able to make out
by evidence, at this diilance of
time, with fo much exaftnefs as
I (hall do, the various movements
which were made or ordered in the
aiTtion of the 27th of July: it is a
piece ot good fortune which cannot
often happen to a commander in
ehief in the fame circumilances.
In an extenfive navai engagement,
and in the movements preparatory
to it, fubordinate officers, if they
are attentive to their duty, are
fully employed in the care of their

own particular charge; and they
have but little leifure for exa(ft ob-
fervation on the condudt of their
commander in chief; it is their
bufinefs to watch his fignals.vand
to put themfclves in a condition to
obey them with alacrity and efFeft.
As they are looking towards on«.'
thing, and he is locking towards
another, it is always a great chance
whether they agree, when they
come to form an opinion of the
whole.

You are fenfible, gentlemen, that
one of the things wiiich dillinguiih
a commander in chief, is to know
how to catch the proper moment
for each order he gives. He is to
have his eye on the enemy, the
reft ought to have their eyes on
him. If thofe fubordinate officers,
who are inchned to find fault with
him, do no mark the inftant of
time with the fame precifion which
he does, their judgment will often
be erroneous ; and they will blame
where perhaps there is the grcateil
reafon for commendation.

Befides it mull: be obvious, when
we confider the nature of general
engagements, that in the multi-
tude of movements that are made,
and the variety of pofitions in
which Ihips are fucceffively found,
with regard to one another, when
in motion over a large fpace, (to
fay nothing of the Imoke) things
fcarcely ever appear exactly in the
fame manner to any two fhips.
This occafions the greateft per-
plexity and confiifion in the ac-
counts that go abroad, and fome-
times producer abfolute contradic-
tions between different relators ; and
that too without any intentional fault
in thofe who tell the ftory. But
wherever the commander in chief
is placed ; ihat is the center of all

\R'\ 3 the

a62] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the operations ; that is the true
point of view from which they
jnult be leen by thofe who examine
his conduft ; becaufe hi- opinion
jnuU be fortned, and his conduit
regulated by the judgment of his
eye upon the pofture in which he
fees his objeds, and not from the
view which another in a different,
and perhaps diftant pofiuon has of
them ; and in proportic'n as he has
judged well or ul upon that particu-
cuiar viewj taken from that parti-
cular pofnion (which is the only
poin' of G;redion he can have) he
deferves either praife or cenfure.

On thefe principles I wllh my
manoeuvres to be tried, when tlie
proper confideration is, whether
they have been unfkiifuUy con-
ceived, or as the charge expreffes
it, in an un-officer-like manner.
But my reafons for preferring any
One ilep to another, ftand upon dif-
ferent grounds ; all that he charges
as negligence was the eifeft of de-
liberation and choice; and this
makes it neceflary for mg to ex-
plain, as fully as I think it right
to do, the ideas I aded upon.
■ I am not to be confidered in the
}ight in which Sir Hugh rallifer
feeras to conlider me, mcr.ly as an
ofSccr' with a limited comniiffion,
confined to a fpecial military ope-
raticn, to be conduced upon cer-
tain military rules, with an eye
towards a court martial, for my
acquittal or condemnation as I ad-
hered to thofe rules, or departed
from them. My commiflion was
of a very different fort. 1 wasen-
trufted with ample difcretionary
powers for the immediate defence
of the kingdom. I was placed, in
Ibme fort, in a political as well as
a military fituation ; and though,
at vay own delire, for the purpofcs

of uniformity and fecrecy, my in-
Itrudions came to me throu£:;h the
Admiralty alone, yet part of them
originated from the Secretary of
oate, as well as from the board,
livery thiig which I did as an offi-
c-r was folely fubfcrvicnt and fu-
bordinate to the great end of the
naiional defence. I manoeuvred ;
I fought; I returned to port; X
put to fea ; juil as it fcemed beft
to me for the purpofe of my dtfti-
nation. I aded on thffe princi-
ples of large diicretion ; and on
thofe principles I muff be tried.
If I am not, it is another fort of
ofiicer ; and not one with my trull
aiid m\ powers that is on trial.

It is undoubtedly the duty of
every fea officer, to do his utmoll
%o take, fink, burn and deltroy
the enemy's fliips wherever he
meets them. Sir Hugh Pallifer
makes fome charge on this head^
with as little truth, reafon, or
juftice, as on any of the others,
He fhall have a proper aiifwcr in
its proper pia^e ; that is, wiien I
come to the articles. But in
juftice to the principles, which di-
reded me in my command, I muft
beg leave to tell you, that I fhould
think myfe'if perfectly in the right,
if I pofij.oiied or totally omiued
that dcllrudlion of fliips in one, in
two, or in twenty inftances, if the
pu-rfuit of that objciff ftemcd to me
detrimental to matters of more im-
portance, ocherwife it would be 2,
crime for a commnnder entruil:e4
with the defence of the kingdom,
to have any plan, choice, or fore-
fight in his operations ; I ought to
condud mylelf, and 1 hope 1 did,
in each particular, by my judg-
ment of its probable effect on the
ifTue of the whole naval campaign,
to which all my actions ought to

have

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [263

have a reUiion, Without attend-
ing to that relation, feme pariicu-
I.trs of my conduft on the 27th and
28th of July, canaot appear in the
light whichi imagine they are fairly
intitled to ; and i'ome circumfcances
of my lenity towards Sir Hugh Fai-
iifer, will incur a cenfure they do
not deferve.

I have reflci^ed again and again
on that bufinefs; and if 1 were to be
once more in that fituation, I ana
perfuaded that I ihould ad in all
rcfpefts very much in the fame
manner. I have done my bell and
utmofl ; not merely to comply with
an article of war (I ihould be
afhamed that fuch a thing, at fuch
a time, could have engaged my
thoughts) but to defend the king-
dom ; and I have reafon to thank
God, that whatever obllrudions I
met with in fervice, or whatever
flanders and accufations have fol-
lowed me afterwards, the kingdom
has been defended.

My capacity may be unequal to
the tru:l which was placed in me.
It is certainly very unequal to the
warm wifties I have ever felt for
the fervice of my country. There-
fore if I had intrioued or folicited
tne command, or il 1 had bargained
for any advantage on acceptmg it, I
might be blamed for my prefump-
tion. But it came to me entirely
unfought, and on accepting it, I
neither complained of any former
negledt, nor Itipulateti ror any iuture
gratification.

It is upwards of two years ago,
that is in November, 1776, that I
received a meffage from Lord Sand-
wich, brought to me by Sir Hugh
Pallifer, that the appearance of
foreign powers in our difpiites,
might require a fleet at home;
Snd that he had his Majelty's or-

ders to know whether 1 would un-
dertake the command. I faid
that I was ready to attend and
give my anfwcr in perfon to the
Kmg.

Being admitted into the clofet, I
gave fuch an one as feemed fatis-
fadory. to his Majeftyj and hav-
ing delivered my opinions with
opennefs, I ended with a declara-
tion of my willingnefs to ferve
him, in the defence of this coun-
try and its commerce, whenever I
ihould be honoured with his com-
mands, and as long as my health
permitted.

The appearance on the part of
foreign powers not continuing (1
fuppofe,) to give fo much alarm, I
heard no more of the command
from November 1776, to February
or iVlarch 1778. At that time I
had hints conveyed to me that I
might foon be wanted. I was as
ready to obey the King as I had
been fixteen months before ; and
when required to ferve, 1 had two
or three audiences of his Majelty
before I left London finally to hoill
my flag. I mult remark, that I
took the freedom to exprefs to his
iVIajelly, that I ferved in obe-
dience to his commands ; that I
was unacquainted with his Mini-
fliers, as Miniflers ; and that I took
the command as ii v^'as, without
making ar.y difHculty, and with-
out .liking a Angle favour; truiling
to his Majelly's good intentions,
and his gracious fupport and pro-
tedion.

Circumftanced as I was, I could
have no finiller and no ambitious
views in my obedience. I rifqued a
great deal, and I expeded nothing.
Many things difpofed me rather to
feek my eafe than any new em-
ployment, and gave me a very
[R] 4 natural

ft64] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

natural reludiance to put a fitua-
tion lo difficult to mend, to any new
hazard.

That hazard, gentlemen, is very
great to a chief commander who

quaintance; and that lattly, this
was no matter of furprize and hur-
ry ; fince they had fixteen months
time to confider and canvals my
fiinefs for a great difcretionary

is not well fupportcd at home; the trult, before they placed ic in my
greater the command, and the hand;^.

larger the difcretion, the more lia- Iflgavenojuft caufe of doubt
ble the commander is, in the about my real charader before my
courfe of iervice, to hafty, igno- appointment, I gave as little caufe
rant, ervious, or mutinous bbjec- of uneafinefs afterwards. From the
tions to his conduft ; and if he has moment of my taking the com-
not a candid, an equitable accep- mand, I laid down to mylelf one
tance of his endeavours at home, rule, which in my opinion, where
his reputation may be ruined, his there are honeft intentions on all
fuccefles will be depreciated, and fides, does more to enfure fuccefs
his mi; fortunes, if luch ftiould be- to fervice, than almoll: any other
fal him, will be turned into crimes, that can be conceived; which was.
But the nation was rcprefented to " to make the befi of e-very thing.''*
me, by tiiofe who ought beil to The whole fleet will bear me wit-
know its condition, as not in a nefs, that it was not my cuilom to
very fecuje ftate. i^lthough my complain, though it is' generally
forty years endeavours were not thought good policy to be very ex-
markcQ by the pcfll-ffion of any ad by way of precaution. If any
one favour irom the ciown (except thing was defedtive, I ftated it in
that of its confidence in tim.e of coDfidence, and with good humour,
danger) 1 could not thini; it right to the firll Lord of the Admiralty,
to decline the fervice of my coun- I received my fupplies with ac-
try. knowledgment : what could not be

1 thought it expedient to lay be- helped, I concealed; 1 made no
fore you a true itate of the circum- noile ; nor encouraged, much lefs
ftances under wiiich 1 took the excited any murmurings in or out
command, that you might fee, of the fleet.

that ii I am that incapable and ne- 1 coriefponded with the noble
^ligent oificer which this charge earl at the head of the Admiralty ;
reprefentB ire, I did not intrude and I did every thing with re-
myfelf into command ; tljat I was ference to him exadly in the fame
palled to it by the exprei's orders way as if my bell and deareft
of my Sovereign; that iheie orders friends wej-e in that department,
were conveyed to me by his chief Having none but the plaiudt in-
Minifter of the marine, with great tentions, I was much more willing
feeming concurrence and approba- to take any blame upon mylelf,
tion ; that the meffenger (who alfo than lay it upon thole who fent me
appeared ^o be perfectly pleafed out, or on thofe who ierved under
with his errand) u as no other than me; I was open and unguarded;
Sir Hugh Piiiiler my accufer; in general 1 Itudied my language
who ought to have been a judge of very little, becaufe I little fuipedt-
jny ability froii; a very long ac- ed, that i;-aps would b? laid tor m«

in

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [265

in my expreflions, when my aflions
were above reproach.

1 very foon found how neceflary
it was for one in my fuuarion to
be well fupported by office. On
my firll g^>ing to ?ortfmouth,
which was \n March laiL I was
made to believe, that I fliould fee
a Itronj^ and well-appointed fleet
ready tor lea. An opinion of that
kind was circulated very genprally.
There were not more than fix Ihips
of the line aflembled and in any
condition to go upon fervice; of
them, all I (hall fay h, that on re-
viewing them witn a fcanian's eye,
they gave me no plealure. Wnilft
I continued at Portfmouth, I be-
lieve four or five more arrived. I
returned to town without making
any noife. i reprefented amicably
this ftate of things. I was lold that
the ftiips were collcfling from other
parts, and from fea ; and I mull
fay, that from that time forward,
great diligence was ufed ; as much,
1 believe, as was poflible. If there
had not, we never could have fail-
ed, even with the force we went out
with.

On the thirteenth of June, I fet
fail from St. Helens with twenty
ftiips of the line; well enough
equipped ; that is, neither of the
belt nor the worft 1 had feen. I
was hardly on my ftation, when a
new occaiion occurred, to (hew
me, how much a commander, en-
trulted as I was, muft take upon
himfelf; how much he muft ven-
ture on his own diicretion, and
how neceflary it is for him to have
a proper fupport. The circum-
ftance of my falling in with the
French frigates, Pallas and Li-
corne, and of the chace and the
engagement with the Belle Foule,
(fo honourable to Captain Mar-

fhal) are frelh in your memories. I
undertook the affair at my own
rifque. War had not been declared,
nor even reprifals ordered. My fi-
tuation was fitigular ; I might be
difavowed, and a war with France
laid to the account of my ralh-
nefs. There was not wanting
fome difcourfc of that tendency,
among people whofe opinions are of
moment.

I reprefented what I had done;
and to this hour I have not received
one fyllable of direft or ofiicial ap-
probation of my conduct.

I found however that the taking
of the Ihips was Important to the
flate ; the papers I found in them,
and the intelligence I received by
that means, filled me with the moil
ferious apprehenfions. 1 was on
the enemy's coaft with twenty fail
of the line; there were thirty two
in Breft road and Breft water, and
frigates more than treble my num-
ber.

My orders to fail with twenty
ftiips could not have been upon z
fuppofition of my having to deal
with a fuperior force,

I know what can be done by
Englifli ohhcers and Englilh fea-
men, and I trull to it as much as
any man. I ftiould not be difcou-
raged by fome fuperiority againft
me in fhips, men, and metal, but
I have never- had the folly to de-
fpife my enemy. I faw that an
engagement, under fuch circum-
ftances of decided fuperiority on
the part of France, would hazard
the very being < f this kingdom.
If our fleet ftiould be deftroyed, it
was evident that the French muft
become mailers of the fea, for
that campaign at leaft; whether
we could ever repair the lofs is not
very dear to me, when I confider

the

a66] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the ftate of our naval ftores at that
tiinc, and the extreme difficulty of
a fapply, as long as the French
jhoald continue fuperior in the
channel.

It is impoflible to fay to what
fuch a calamity might not lead ;
I was filled with the deeped me-
lancholy 1 ever felt in my life. I
found myfelf obliged to turn my
back on France, but I took my
xefolation. I again rifqued myfelf
on my own opinion. 1 quitted
my ftation ; my courage was never
put to fuch a trial as in that re-
treat ; but my firm per/uajion is, that
the country -jjas/a-ved by it, Thofe
in power, who muft have under-
itood the flate of the fleet, and
of the kingdom, were the bell
able to difcern the propriety of
my condu£l. But I was permit-
ted to go out again in the fame
important command, very unwor-
thy of the trull if I had done
atnifs: very deferring of commen-
dation and thanks, if at my own
rifque I had preferred the country
from no (light danger; one or
other of thefe was certainly the
cafe ; but the fa£t is, that I was
continued in the command, but did
not then receive, nor have I yet re-
ceived, any more than i had on the
former o'ccafion of taking the
French (hips, one word of offcial
approbation.

All thefe difcoiiraging clrcum>
fiances did not abate the zeal 1 ielt
for the fafcty of my country, or
dirgull: me with its fervice, or dif-
turb my temper. On my return
to Portfmoucii I made no com-
plaint; I did every thing to lUlle
dilcontent, and to get forward for
fea again, without divulging tlie
true liiuation rf affairs, skhough 1
tound uiyfeif in publications, which

are confidered as countenanced by
authority, mod grofaly ahuled, and
threatened with tlic fate of Admiral
Byng.

I had returned to Portfmouth
on the 27th of June, and on the
ninth of July, finding my fleet
made up to iweniy-four (hips ok'
the line of battle, with four fri-
gates, and two ftre-fhips, I (ailed
again in obedience to my inftruc-
tions, tnilting to fuch reinforce-
ment as I was given to expect
would join me at Plymouth, ofi'
the Lizard, and at fea : by feveral
reinforcements of fl.ips, manned
as the exigency would permit, the
fleet was made up to thirty fail of
the line. After this, although I
was much fhort of a proportion-
able number of frigates, and mull
naturally be fubjeth to many incon-
veniencies from that want, I had,
on the whole, no juii caufe for
uneafinefs. I'he grc-atell pnrt of
tUe fhips were in good condition,
and well appointed ; and where
any thing was wanting, the zeal of
the commanders abundantiy fup-
lied it.

The appearance of the French
fleet confirmed the ideas upon
which I had returned to Portf-
mouth; for on the 8th of July,
the day before i left St. Helen's,
they failed out of Breil thirty-two
fail of the line. On the 23d the
fleets of the' two nations firft cam*
in fight of each other. I believe
the French admiral found me much
flronger than he ex^eded ; and
from thence he ail along (hew-
ed, as 1 conceived, a manifelt dil-
inclination to come to an engage-
ment. 1 do not fay this as mean-
ling to call his courage in queliion,
very far from jt ; I am certain
that he is a man of great bi averv ;

but

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [267

but he might have many very rea-
fonabie motives for avoiding a de-
cilive aillion.

Many cbjefts of the French,
and thofe very importanc, might
be obtained without a battle. On
my part, 1 had every mouve which
could make me earnell to bring ic
on, and I was refolved to do fo
whenever and by whatever means I
could.

I fiiould be criminal indeed if I
had not, for I had every motive for
defiring to prels on an adion ; the
greatell body of the Bricilh trade
was then on its return home. Two
Eafl-Indiaand two Well- India fleets
of immenfe value were hourly ex-
peded ; from the courit ic was pro-
bable they would hold, and from
the fituation of the French fleet,
they might be taken in my fight
without a poflibiiity of my prevent-
ing it. Befides this, I know that
two fleets, where one of them
choofes to decline battle, may be
for a long time near one another,
without any means of bringing on
an engagement.

I cannot be certain whether the
account I have read be quite ex-
aft: but it fhould appear by that
account, that in King William's
reign Admiral Ruflel continued for
two months almoft in the daily view
of the French fleet without hav-
ing it in his power to light them :
I do not think the thing at ail im-
poflible.

I had alfo other reafons for the
greateil anxiety to bring on an en-
gagement upon any terms that I
could obtain it.

Thefe reafons are weighty ; and
they are founded in my inllruc-
tibns. I gave notice to the Ad-
miralty, that I might find it ufeful
to my dei'ence to produce thofe

inflruftions on my trial. They
communicated to me his Majefly's
pleafuie thereupon, and informed
me, that they could not confent
that my inftrudions Ihould be laid
before my council, or be produced
at the court martial. I was much
furprifed at this anfwer, as I con-
ceived that thofe who were much
better judges than I could be of
what was matter of itate, could
never have thought of putting me
in a fituation which might compel
me, in my deience, to produce
the inibuiitions under which i aft-
ed, when at the fame time they
meant to refufe me the fair and
natural means of my jultiiication.
It is my undoubted right, if I
think proper, to avail myfelf of
them. On former trials they have
been generally fent down with the
accufaiion, that the condudl of the
Admiral might be compared with
his initrudions. But leaving the
Admiralty to refledl on the pro-
priety of their conduft, it is my
part ID take care of my own. I
have always been wilhng to run
any hazard for the benefit of the
ftate. I fliail not produce thofe in-
liruclions ; I have not even fliew-
cd them to my council, nor com-
municated their contents. But my
declining to make ufe of my own
rights can^iot, in a like cafe here-
after, afl^"ecc the right of any other
man.

The world will judge of the wif-
dom and equity of ordering trials
under fuch circur.. lances.

On the 27th of July,. I came to
an adion with the French: they
were beaten, and obliged to retire
into their own port. No one can
doubt but a commander in chief,
who is to reap the principal fhare
of the glory, will be earneft to

have

268] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

have his viftory as compleat as
poflible. Mine did not anfwer to
my wifhes, nor to my juft expec-
tations. I was fally refolved to
renew the engagement : why it
was not renewed, will appear when
I come to the particulars of the
charge.

As to my condufl after the en-
gagement, I might have purfued
a fruitlefs and a moit hazardous
chace of fome few fliips (T know
not to this hour with certainty
what they were, nor does my ac-
cufer) : if I had had my mind filled
with notions unworthy of my lla-
tion I might eafily have paraded
with my Shattered fleet off the har-
bour of Breft. I choie rather to
return to Plymouth with all cxpe-
dition> to put myfelf once more in
a condition to mtet the enemy, and
defend the kingdom. But on my
return I took care to leave two
men of war of the line on a cruize
to protet5l the trade. By the vi-
gilance of the commanders, and
the happy effeft of the late advan-
tage, the expefted fleets all came in
fafe.

At Plymouth I loft no time, and
omitted no means of putting my-
felf in a ftate fit for adion. I did
every thing to promote an unani-
mous exertion; and I found my
endeavours well feconded by all
the admirals and captains of the
fleet. This benefit I acquired, by
avoiding a retrofpecl into the con-
<luft oi- the Vice-admiral of the
blue; for if I had inftituted an
inquiry or trial, it would have
fufpended the operations of the
whole fleet, and would have fuf-
pended them in the midft of the
campaign, when every moment
was precious, and the exertion of
every officer nece/fary. The delay

which the prefent court-martial
has occafioned to the fervice, evea
at this time, is evident to all the
world. How much more mifchie-
vous would it have been at that pe-
riod ? I was fenfible of it, or ra-
ther, to fpeak more correftly, my
mind was fo fully taken up with
carrying on the great fervice which
was (P.trulted to my care, that
I could not admit the thought of
mif ipending my own time, and
waiting the flower of the Britifli
navy, in attending on a court-mar-
tial.

My letter to the Admiralty was
written in the fpirit which direfted
my condudl at Plymouth. All my
letters were written with the fame
fpirit. My letter publifhed in the
Gazette has been brought before
this Court, for the purpofe of con-
vicling me of crimes, by the perfon
whofe faults ic was intended to co-
ver. He has attempted, very ir-
regularly in my opinion, to call
upon witncfies for their conftruc-
lion of my writing. No one has a ^'
right to explain my meaning, where
it may be doLibtful, but myfelf; and
it is you, Gentlemen, who are to
judge whether my explanation is
fair.

That letter (as far as it goes) is
an account of the aflion flridtly true.
It is indeed very fliort, and very
general, bqt it goes as far as 1 in-
tended it fliould. It commends Sir
Hugh Fallilcr; it dpes what I meant
to do.

1 meant to commend his bravery
(or what appeared to me as fuch)
ia the engagement. As he flood,
high in command, to pafs over
one in his flation, would be to mark
him. It would have conveyed
the cenfur^ I vvifhed for fuch good
reafons to avoid, and J Ibould

haye

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [16^

have defeated the one great object
{ had in view, the defence of the
nation. In that letter I expreffed
alfo my hopes of bringing the
French fleet to aflion in the morn-
ing.

1 had fuch hopes; and my ac-
cufer, even in the fecond edition
of his log-book, {hews that I was
not wholly ungrounded in my ex-
peftations, fince he has recorded
himfelf as of the fame opinion. I
faid, that I did not interrupt the
French fleet that evening in the
formation of their line. 1 fliall
fhew you by evidence (if it fhould
not have already fully appeared)
that I was not able to do it, and
that any random firing from me un-
der my circumftances would have
been vain againft the enemy, and a
difgraceful trifling with regard to
myfelf.

Yoa have feen my er'.preffions,
and fuch is their meaning with re-
gard to both the French and Sir
Hugh Paliifer, fo far as they ap-
plied to the particular times to
which they feverally belonged.
But there was an intermediate time
with regard to both, of which,
when I v/rote my letter, I gave no
account. I intended to conceal it.
I do not conceive that a con^man-
der in chief is bound to difclofe
to all Europe, in the miufl: of a
critical fervice, the real Hate of his
fleet, or his opinion of any of his
officers.

He is not, under fuch circum-
flances, bound to accufe a Britifh
admiral. To me, fuch an accu-
fation, under almoH any circum-
flances, is a very ferious matter.'
whilft a pofTibility of an excufe for
an officer remains in my mind, I
am in my difpcfition ready to lay
hold of it; and I confels to vou,

that until Sir Hugh Paliifer himfelf
had brought out to this Court all the
particulars, I attributed much more
to his misfortune, or miilake, than
I now find myfelf authorized to do;
nor did I think his conduft half
fo exceptionable as he hirftfelf has
proved it.

After the engagement, he never
thought fit to explain to me the rea-
fons of his not bearing down into
my wake, to enable me to renew
the adtion, and / did not think fit to
enquire into them.

I apprehend that a power of paf-
fing over faults or miftakes in fer-
vice, (into which the very beft of-
ficers may be furprized) to befome-
times as necefiary, if not to dif-
cipline, yet to the end of all dlf-
cip'ine, the good of the fervice, as
any punifliment of them can pofli-
bly be ; and one of the ill efi^eds
of this profecucion will be, I fear,
to terrify a commander in chief out
of one of t!ie moll valuable parts
of his difcreticn.

By ufing the difcretion which I
thought was in me, I preferved
concord in the fleet, promptitude
in the fervice, and dignity to the
country. In my opinion, any
complaint of fuch a magnitude
would have produced infinite mif-
chiefs.

Nobody can imagine, that ia
that moment, an accufation of a
Vice-admiral, who was befides a
Lord of the Admiralty, could be
undertaken wichout a capital de-*
triment to our^ iic*val operations,
and even to the qiuet of the pub-
lic.

My letter was written folely
upon the principles which I have
now honeftly and faithfully laid
before you, and which I fubmit to
your judgment. If I have been

more

iyo] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

more indulgent than was wife, the
public has had the benefit, and all
the trouble and inconvenience of
jny indilcretion has fallen upon
mylclf. I never had a more
troublefome tafk of the fort than
in penning that letter, and it has ill
anfwered my pains.

If I have not fhewn myfe'f able
at concealment, it is a fault for
which I hope J fhall not lofe much
credit with this court martial. I
fliall not be very uneafy, if 1 have
been thought to have wrote a bad
letter, if I Ihall be found, as 1 trull:
I fhall be found, to have done my
duty in fighting the enemy.

The intrufion of my letter into
the trial, has made it necefTary
for me to explain it. I n.AV pro-
ceed with the account of my con-
dud.

I got ready for Tea again, with
my ufual temper and dilpofuion
to accommodate ; afcer this I kept
the fea as long as I could. The
French fleet carefully avoided my
flation. I could obtain no diftincl
intelligence of them though I
omitted no means to procure it.

In confequence of this, their de-
fertion of the feas, thtiir trade fell
into the hands of our privateers,
to a number and value that i be-
lieve was never equalled in the
fame fpace of time. His Majelty
was plcafed to fpeak of it in his
fpeech from the throne, ard to at-
tribute it to the gocd conduft of
fome of his officers.

When I confidered this ; when
I confidered the direft approbation
of my conduft, and the circum-
ilances which attended my ap-
pointment, it was with difficulty
I perfuaded myfeif that I was
awake, when I found that I was

treated as a criminal, and ordered,
without the leaft ceremony, or
previous enquiry, to be tried by
a court martial, on the accufation
of my officer, my old friend, one
over whole faults I had fo lately
call a veil ; the very perfon who
was a meliengef and congratulator
of my original appointment. I
acknowledge it was for feme time
before 1 could fufficiently mailer
my ind gnacio\i, and compofe my-
feif to that equality of temper with
which J came huher, and with
which I have heard fuch fhocking
and reproachful matter and words
read to my face, in the place of
fupport I was made to look for,
I feel very much inward peace at
preient ; and the event I confider
with much lefs concern for myielf,
than for the fervicc. Your judg-
ment, I am fully perfuaded, will
be wife and well weighed, and
fuch as will be of credit to your-
felves, and of advantage and en-
couragement to that part of the
military which is molt incerefting
to this kingdom. On my part, I
truft I fhall entitle myfeif not only
to an acqaital, but to an honour-
able reparation at your hands, for
the malicious calumnies contained
in the charge againft me.

Thus much i have laid as to the
general matter which has ariien on
the trial, and the circumilances
by which that trial has been
brought on, as well as to the mo-
tives and principles which regu-
lated the difcretion that 1 conceive
was in me. If thefe motives were
probable, and likely to be real, f
cannot be guilty of the criminal
negligence and want of knowledge
in my profeffion, with which- I
Hand charged. As to the charges
themfelves.

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE, [feyi

theiTifelves, let the firft article be
read again, aad I will anfvver to
it.

Judge JJ-jocate. Firji Article of
the Charge.

THAT on the morning of the
27l:h of July, 1778. having a fleet
of thirty (hips of the line under
his com rri and, and being then in
the prefence of a French fleet of
the like number of "(hips of the
line ; the faid admiral did not
make the necefTary preparations
for fight ; did not put his fleet in-
to a line of battle, or into any or-
d:;r proper either for receiving or
attacking an enemy of fjch force;
but on the contrary, although his
fleet was already difperfed and in
diforder, he, by making the fignal
for feveral fli'ps of the vice-admi-
. ral of the blue's diviflon to chace
to windward, increafed the diior-
der of that part of liis fleet, and
the fhips were in confequence more
fcattered than they had been be-
fore ; and whillt in this diforder,
he advanced to the enemy, and
made the fignal for battle.

That the above ccndudl was the
more unaccountable, as the ene-
my's fleet was not then in difor-
der, nor beaten, nor flying, but
formed in a regular line of battle,
on that tack which approached the
Britifli fleet, (all their motions
plainly indicating a defign to give
battle) and they edged down and
attacked it vvhilll in diforder. By
this un-officer-like conduct, a ge-
neral engagement was not brought
on, but the other flag-officers and
captains were left to engage with-
out order or regularity, from
whence great confuflon enfued ;
forae of his (hips were prevented

getting into aflion at all, others
were not near enough to the ene-
my ; and fome, from the confufion,
fired into others of the King's ihips,
and did them confiderabie damage;
and the vice-admiral of the blue
was left alone to engage fingly
and unfupported. In thefe in-
llances the laid Admiral Keppel ne^
gligently performed the duty ira-
pofed on him.

The Achniral. Mr, Prefident, to
this charge, 1 anfvver, that I have
never underftood preparations for.
fight, to have any other meaning
in the language and underfland-
ing of feamen, than that each par-
ticular fhip under the direftion
and difcipline of her own officers,
n.vh€n in purfuit of an enemy y be in
every refpeft cleared and in readi-
nefs for aiftion ; the contrary of
which, no admiral of a fleet, with-
out reafonable caufe, will prefume;
and as from the inorning of the z^thy
ivhen the French feet had got to
<^>^indnxiardt to the time of the oMicn,
the Britijh feet 'n.vas in unremitting
purfuit of them, it is Itill more diffi-
cult to conceive, that any thing
more is meant by this charge, than
what is immediately after convey-
ed by the charge that follows it,
namely,

*• 'That on the fame morning
" of the 27:h, I did not
" put my fleet into a line
*' of battle, or into any or-
*' der, proper either for re-
*' ceiving or attacking an
" enemy of fuch force."

By this fecond part of the
charge, I feel myfelf attacked in
the exercife of that great and broad
line of difcretion, which every of-
ficer commanding either fleets or
armies.

§72] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

annies, is often oblig.d. both in
duty and confcience, to exercife
to the beft of his judgment, and
which depending on circumrtances
and fituations infinitely vaiious,
cannot be reduced to any pofuive
rule of difcipline or pradice ; a
difcretion which I will fubmit to
the Court, I was particularly called
upon by the flrongefl: and beft
moiives to exercife, and which,
in iny public letter to the Board
of Admiralty, 1 openly avowed to
have exercifed. I admit, that on '
the morning of the 27th of July,
I did not put my fleet into a line
of battle, becaule I had it not in
my choice to do fo, coufiftent with
the certainty, or even the proba-
bility of either giving, or being
given battle ; and becaufe, if 1
had fcrupulcudy adhered to that
order, in which, if the eleclion
had been mine, I fliould have
cbofen to have received, or attack-
ed a willing enemy, I Ihould have
bad no enemy either to receive or
to attack.

I (hall therefore, in anfwer to
this charge, fubmit to the Court
my reafons for determining to
bring the French fleet to battle at
all events ; and (hall fhew, that
zxij other order than that in which
my fl^et was conduced, from my
fird feeing them, to the moment of
the adtion, was incompatible with
fuch determination.

And in order to this, I mull
call the attention of the Court to
a retrofpcftive view of the motions
of the two fleets, from tiieir firil
coming in fight of each other.

On my fiiH difcovering the
French fleet at one o'clock in the
afternoon of the 23d of July, I
made the necefl'ary fignals for
forming my fleet in the order

of battle, which I efi^'etfted towards
the evening, when I brought to,
by fignal, and lay till the morn-
ing, when perceiving that the
French fleot had gained the wind
during the night, and carried a
prefled fail to preferve it, I dif-
continued the fignal for the line,
and made the general fignal to
chace to windward, in hopes that
they would join battle with me,
rather than fufFer two of their ca-
pital fhips to be entirely feparated
from them, and give me the
chance of cutting off a third,
which had carried away a top-
maft in the night, and which but
for a fliift of wind I muil have
taken. In this, however, I was
difappointcd, for they fuffered two
of ihem to go off altogether, and
continued to make every ufe of the
advantage of the wind.

This afliduous endeavour of the
French admiral to avcid coming to
adiion, which, from his thus hav-
ing the wind, was always in his
option, led me to believe he ex-
peded a reinforcement ; a reflec-
tion which would alone have been
fufficient to determine me to urge
my purfuit in as coUeded a body
as the nature of fuch a purfuit
would admit of, without the delay
of the line, and to feize the firft op-
portunity of bringing on an engage-
ment,

But I had other reafons no lefs
urgent.

If by obflinately adhering to the
line of battle, I had fuftered, as I
inevitably mull, the French fleet
to have feparated from me; and
if by fuch feparation the Englifli
convoys from the Eaft and Weft
Indies, which I have already ftated
in the introdudion to my defence to
have been then expeded home, had

been

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [173

been cut ofF, or the coaft of Eng- which obliged the fhips of his di-

]and been infalted, what would vifion to continue under an eafy

have been my fituation ? Sheltered fail.

under the forms of difcipli: e, I The French fleet was a^ much

perhaps might have efcaped panifh- to windward, and at as great a

ment, but 1 could not have efcap- diftance, as it had been the pre

ed ccnfure; I fhould neither have
efcaped the contempt of my fellow
citizens, nor the reproaches of my
own confcience.

Moved by thefe important con-
fideracions, fupported by the ex-
amples of Admiral RaiTel, and
other great naval" commander?.

ceding morning, flanding with a
frefli wind cloie hauled on the lar-
board tack, to all appearance a-
voiding me with the fame induilry
as ever.

At this time, therefore, I had
no greater inducement to form the
line than I had on the morning of

who In fimilar fituations had ever the former day; and I could not

made ftrifl order give way to rea
fonable enterprize, and particu-
larly encouraged by the remem-
brance of having myfelf ferved
under that truly great officer Lord
Hawke, when, rejecting all rules
and forms, he grafped at victory

by an irregular attack; I deter- next charges.

have formed it without greatly in-
creafing my diltance from the
French fleet, contrary to that plan
of operations vvhich I have already
fubmitted to the judgment of the
Court.

The Vice-admiral of the blue

mined not to lofe fight of the
French fleet by being outfailed
from p'referving the line of battle,
but to keep my fleet a? well col-
leded as I could, and near enough
to aflitt and afl with each other,
in cafe a change of wind or other
favourable circumftance iliould en-
able me to force the enemy to ac-
tion.

Such were my feelings and re-
folutions when the day broke on
the morning of the 27th of July;
at which time the fleet under my
command was in the following
pofition: Vice-admiral Sir Robert
Harland was about four miles dif-

tant on the Victory's weather - - ^ 4,_

quarter with moft of the fliips of is a ftudious defign to mlflead the
his own divifion, and fome of underfl:anding, and, by leaving out
thofe belonging to the centre ; times and intermediate events, to
and Vice-admiral Sir Hugh Palli- make the tranfadlions of half a day
fer at about three miles diftance, appear but as one moment.
a point before the lee beam of the It is indeed impoflible to read it
Viclory, with his mainfail up, without being pofleffcd with the

Vol. XXII. [5] idea.

" That although my fleet was
*• already difperfed, and in
" diforder, I, by making
" the fignal for feveral
" fhips of his divifion to
" chafe to windward, in-
*' creafed the diforder of
" that part of my fleet,
" and that the fliips were
*' in confequence more
" fcattered than they had
*' been before; and that,
" whilfl: in this diforder, I
*' advanced to the enemy,
" and made the fignal for
" battle."

In this part of the charge there

274] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

idea, that at half pafl five in the
morning, when 1 made the fignal
for fix of the fliips of the vicc-
^dmiral of the blue's divifion to
chace to windward, I was in the
immediate prolpcd ofclofingwith
an enemy approaching me in a
regular line, and all tlieir motions
plainly indicating a dciign to give
battle; inliead of which, both the
fiects were then on the larboard
tack, the enemy'? fleet near three
leagues to windward, going oft"
clofe by the wind with a prefTed
fail ; my reafon therefore for
making that fignal at half palt
five, was to coUecl as many of the
fhips to windward as 1 could, in
order to ftrengthen the main body
of the fleet, m cafe I fliould be
able to get to aaion, and to fill up
the interval between the Viftory

occiT- e Vice-admiral, which was
vi-diifioned by his being far to lee-
riard; and it is plain that the
Vice-adm.iral mud have himfelf
underftood the objed of the fignal,
iince it has appeared in the courfe
of the evidence, that on its being
made the Formidable fet her main-
fail, and let the reefs out of her
topfails: and indeed the only rea-
fon why it was not originally made
for the whole divifion was, that
they muft have then chafed as a
divifion, which would have re-
tarded the beft going fliips, by an
attendance on the Vice-admiral.

Things were in this fituation,
when, about nine o'clock, the
French fleet otor^ and flood to the
fouthward on the flarboard tack ;
but the wind, immediately after
they were about, coming more
foutherly, I continued to ftartd on
till a quarter pafl ten, at which
time I tacked the Britifli fleet to-
gether by figtialj and foon after

\ve were about, the wind came
fome points in our favour to the
wefl:ward, which enabled us to lie
up for a part of them ; but in a
dark fquall that almolUmmediata-
ly came on, I loll; fight of them
for above half an hour; and when
it cleared away, at eleven o'clock,
J difcovercd tha-c the French fleet
had changed their pofltion, and
were endeavouring to form tjie line
on the larboard tack, which find-
ing tjiey could not eifeft without
.coming within gun-fliot of the van
of the Britifli fleet, they edged
down and fired on my headmoft.
fliips, as they approached them on
the contrary tack, at a quarter
after eleven, which was inflantly
returned; ant/ then, and not till
then, I made the fignal for battle— -

tUnJ.tli^^^^Ki^i'^ "' ^''■^'** ba^f an
hpur', and mufl iV,Y^ been owing
to the enemy's falling to leeward
in performing iheir evolution du-
ring tht fqiiall, which we could
not fee, and by that means pro-
duced this fudden and unexpe*5ted
opportunity of engaging them, as
they were near three leagues a-
head of me when the fquall came
on.

If, therefore, by making the
fignal for the line of battle when
the van of my fleet was thus fud-
denly getting within reach of the
enemy, and- well conned^ed with
the center, as my accufer himlelf
has admitted, 1 had called back
ths Vice-admiral of the red, the
French fleet might eiliier have
formed their line complete, and
have come down upon my fleet
while in the confi.fion of getting
into order of battle, or (what I
had ftill greater reafon to appre-
hend) might have gone off to
windward out of my reach alto-
gether ;

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [275

gether; for, even as it was, the
enemy's van, inftead o^ cominp
clol'j to adlion, kept t.ieir wi -d,
and paffed hardly within ran'' ;ai
ihot.

My accufer next afTt^rts, as an ag-
gravation of his former char^f,

" Thst the French fleet was
" ill a regular line, Ou the
" tack which a.-proached
« the Briiilh Hcct; hi1
" their nioti'ns pkinly
" ii) jicating*a dciign to give
" baule."

Both which fadi have already
been contradiftcd, by the tefti-
mony of even his own witnelTes.
Thdt the enemy's fleet was not in
a regular line of battle, appeared
by the French admiral being out
of his ftation, far fron t'le center
of his line, and ntxc, or very
near, to a ihip carrying' a vice-
admiraJ's flag; and from fome of
their {hips being a-breaft of each
other, . nd in cie as they pafild
the Engiifh fleet, with other appa
rent m.;'ks of irregularity: in-
deed e' ery motion of the French
fleet, from about nine, when it
went on the ftarboard tack, till
the moment of the adion, ai,d
even during the adion itfelf, 1 ap-
p;eJiend to be dccifive againft the
ailedged indication of dcfigning
battle: for, if the French admiral
had really defigned to come to
aftion, I apprehend he never
would have got his fleet on the
contrary tack to that on which the
Britifn Heet was coming up to
him, but w. ulj have Ihortened
fail, and waited for it, formed in
the line on the fame tack; and
even when he did tack towards
the Britilh fleet, the ailedged m-
dication is again diredly refuced.

by the van of the French fleet
haul'Tg th.ir wind again, inftead of
b.ariiig do n into attion, and by
their hoiltiiig no colours when they
beg:into-i.g.ge.

Nc'withftanding thefe iicontro-
vercibl; truths, my accufer im-
putes it to me that a gieral en-
gagement vas not brought on ;
t.jt it 1- evident, from the telli-
m 'ny of every witnefs he has cal-
1 d, tnat a general eng?gement
Was never in my choic. ; and
that, fo far from its being prevent-
ed by my not having formed the
l''ie of batt'e, no < ngageme- t,
e'lher general or partial, couid
have been brought on, if [ had
formed it: indeed, it is a tontra-
dicfion ia rermc, to fpeak of a
general enj;agemenr, wher? the
fl et that has rhe wind, tai t^s to
p !s the fleet 'o leeward ur\ :he
contrary tack.

Such was the manner in whch*
after four days purfjii, I whs at
lall enabled, by a fa ourable fiiift
01 wind, to clofe witn the fleet of
France.

And if I am jult'fiable on prin-
ciple, in the exerciie of that dif-
cretion which I have been fub-
mitting to your judgment, of
bringing on, at all events, an un-
w.iling enemy to batcie, I am
certain y not called upon to de-
fend to all the minu:is of con-
fequences r:;fulting from fuch en-
terprize; even if fuch had enfued,
as my accufer has aflerted, but
which his own wi..ieues have not
only failed to eftajlifli, but abfo-
lutely refuted. It would be an
infult on the underftanding of tue
Court> were I to oh'er any argu-
ments to Ihew, that (hips which
engage >' itiiout a line of battle can-
not fo clol'ely, uniformly, and mu-

[5] 2 . ' tually

2/6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

tually Aipport each other, as when
circumftaiices admit of a line being
formed; becaufe it is ff If- evident,
and is the bafis of all the dii'ci-
pline and practice of lines of battle:
but, in the prcfent cafe, notwith-
ftanding I had no choice in mak-
ing any difpofitinn for an attack,
nor any poflibillty of getting to
battle otherwife than I did, which
would be alone fufficient to repel
any charge of confequent irregu-
larity, or even confufion, yet it is
rot necefTary for me to claim the
protection of the circiimftances un-
der which 1 aded ; bccaufe no ir-
regularity or cor.fufion, either ex-
ifted or has been proved; all the
chacing fhips, and the whole fleet,
except a fliip or two, got into hat-
tie, and into as dole battle as the
JFrench fleet, which had the option
by being to windward, chofe to give
them.

The vice-admiral of the blue
himfelf, though in the rear, was
out of aftion in a (hort time after
the Vi6lory ; and fo far from be-
ing left to engage fingly and un-
fupported, was pafTed, during the
adion, by three fhips of his own
divifion, and was obliged to back
his mizcn topfnil to keep out of
the fire of one of the largefl fhips
in the fleet, which muft have con-
tinued near him all the rell of the
time he was paffing the French
line, as I fhal! prove fhe was with-
in three cables length of the For-
inid.'^ble, when the firing ceafed.
Pleafe to read the next article.

Judge Advocate. The fecond ar-
ticle of the charge is, " That after
•* the van and center divifions of
*' the Britilh fleet pafTed the rear
*' of the enemy, the admiral did
*♦ not immediately tack and dou-

" ble upon the enemy with thofe
" two divifions, and continue the
" battle; nor did he colledt them
" together at that time, and keep
" {0 near the enemy as to be in
" readinefs to renew the battle,
" as foon as it might be proper ;
" but, on the .contrary, he flood
•' away beyond the enemy to a
" great dillance before he wore to
" Itand towards them again, leav-
" ing the vice-admiral of the blue
" engaged with the enemy, and
" expoled to be cut off."

'The Admiral. Sir, In anfwer to
this article, the moment the Vic-
tory h.id pafled the enemy's rear,
my firft objcd was to look round
to the pofr.ion of the fleet, which
the fmoak had till then obfcured
from obfervation, in order to de-
termine how a general engage-
ment might bell: be brought on
after the fleets fliould have pafled
each other. I found that the vice-
admiral of the red with part of his
divifion had tacked, and was land-
ing towards the enemy with top-
gallant fails fet, the very thing I am
charged with not having diredted
him to do; but all the reft of the
fhips that had got out of adion
were flill on the llarboard tack,
fome of them dropping to leeward,
and fcemingly employed in repair-
ing their damages: — The Vidory
herfelf was in no condition to
tack, and I could not immediately
wear and ftand back on the fhips
coming up a-ftern of me out of the
adlion (had it been otherwifc expe-
dient) without throwing them into
the utmoft confufion.— Sir John
Rofs, who very gallantly tried the
experiment, having informed the
court of the momentary neceflity
he was under of wearing back

a^ain

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [277

tion of it as a confequence of the
fecond charge tooabiurd to demand
a refutation. Now pleafe to read
the third. Sir.

again to prevent the confequenccs
I have mentioned, makes it un-
necelfary to enlarge on the proba-
ble efFedl of fuch a general ma-
noeuvre with all the (hips a-head.
Indeed, 1 only remark it as a
llrongly relative circumftance, ap-
pearing by the evidence of a very
able and experienced officer, and
by no means as a juflification for
having rtood away to a great dif-
tance beyond the enemy before I
wore, becaufe the .charge itfelfis
grofly falfe in fad.

The Vidlory had very little way
while her head was to the fouth-
vvard, and although her damages
were confiderable, was the firft
fhip of the center divifion that got
round towards the enemy again,
and fome time before the reft were
able to follow her; fince even as
it was, not above three or four
were able to clofe up with her on
the larboard tack; fo that had it
even been pra6icable to have were
fooner than I did, no good purpofe
could have been answered by it,
fince I muft only have wore the
fboner back again, to have col-
ledled the difabled fhips, which
would have been thereby left ftill
farther a-ftern.

The P'ormidable was no other-
wife engaged v^ith the enemy du-
fng this (hort interval, than a?
being in the rear, which muft al-
ways necelTarily happen to ihips
in that fituation, when fleets en-
gage each other on contrary tacks,
and no one witnefs has attempted
to fpeak to the danger my accuier
complains of, except his own cap-
tain, who, on being called upon
to fix the time when fuch danger
was apprehended, ftated it to be
before the Formidable opened her
fire,-— which renders the applica-

yucige Advocale. The third ar-
ticle of the charge is, " That after
" the vice-admiral of the blue
" had paftcd the laft of the ene-
" my's lliips, and immediately
" wore and laid his o»vn ftiip's
" head towards the enemy again,
" being then in their wake, and
" at a little diftance only, and
" expeding the admiral to ad-
" vance with all the Ihips to re-
" new t'iC fight; the admiral did
" not advance for that purpofe,
" but fhortened fail, hauled down
•« the ngna! for battle j nor did he
" at that time, or at any other
" whilft ftanding towards the ene-
" my, call the fhips together in
" order to renew the attack, as
'* he might have done, particu-
" larly the vice-admiral of the red
•' p.nd his divifion, which had re-
♦* ceived the leaft damage, had
*' been the longeft out of aclion,
" were ready and fit to renew it,
*' were then to windward, and
"' could have bore down and
" fetched any part of the French
" Heet, if the lignal for battle had
** not been hauled down; or if
" the faid Admiral Keppel had
'' availed himielf of the lignal ap-
" pointed by the thirty- hrft arti-
«• cle of the Fighting Inftruilions,
" by which he might have ordered
" tiiofe to lead, who are to lead
" with the ftarboard tacks on.
" board by a wind, which fignal
«' was applicable to the occailon
" for renewing the engagement
" with advantage after the French
" fleet had been beaten, their
" line broken, and in diforder. —
[5j 3 «• In

278] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

" In ihefe inilances he did not do
" the utmoft in his power to
*' take, link, burn or deftroy the
" French fltct, that had attacked
" the Britifh fleet."

Ths JjtniraJ. Sir, As foon as
I had wore to ftand towards the
euemv, 1 hauh d down tiie lignal
for batth , which 1 juc^g^^d im pro-
pi r to be Ki pt atrc ad ;il hi- fhips
could rtcover their llaticns, or at
leail gtt I ear enough to lupport
eacn ot!ier in a>."ion; and in orccr
to call them together for that pur-
pole, I ir mediately made ihf^ fig-
nal to form the line of batiie a-
head, a cable's length alunder, and
the Vift<'ry being at this lime a-
head of all the center and reu di-
vifion, I embraced that opportuni-
ty of unbending her niaintcp lail,
which was total ;y unierviceabJe,
and in doi' g which the utmoft ex-
pedition was uled, the fhips a-ilern
of me doing all they could in the
-mean time to get into tlieir llaiionb,
fo that no time was loll by ihis ne-
cefTary operation.

The Formidable was a-head of
the Vidory during this period; it
•was her ftation m the line, on
that tack; yet at the very moment
my accufer dares to charge me
with not calling the fhips together
to renew the attack, — he himfelf,
though his fhip was in a manage-
able condition, as has appeared by
the evidence of his own captain,
—and though he had wore, ex-
pefting (as he fays) the battle to
be renewed, quitted hii flation in
the front of that line of battle,
the fignal for which was flying,
pafTed to leeward of me on the ftar-
board tack, while I was advanc-
ing to the enemy, and never came

into the line uuiing the ;til of the
day.

In thib fruatiiH Ij deed it ne»
c fl'i'y ihat the V ce admiialofthe
rt d, uho was to wisiv waro, and
putbing forward on my wtatner-
bow with fix or fever. (hipN ofhis
di' 'fi 'n, fho lid !e-d on the lar-
board tack, in (Jidcr td give time
to the fhif .- which had come laft
tiut oi diftun, to rt'pair their da-
mages; and get coll. dted together,
and the hgnal appointed by the
• thirty-fi, ft article of the Fighting
Inftru(ffions not being applicable,
as the French fleet was fb nearly
a-head of us, that by keeping
clofe to the wind we could only
have fetched them, I made the
Pioferpin.'s fignal, in order to
have dilpatched Captain Sutton
wi h a inefl'age to Vice- Admiral
bir Robert Harland, to lead the
fleet on the larboard tack; but
before he had left the Viftory with
the orders he had received, the
French fleet v^/ore and flood to the
fouthward, forming their line on
the ftarboard tack, their fhips ad-
vancing regularly out of a collec-
ted body, which tliey had got into
from the operation of wearing,
and not from any diforder or con-
fuflon ; though had fuch diforder
or confufion really exifted, I could
have derived no immediate advan-
tage from it, not having a fuffi-
cient force colledted to prevent
their forming, by an attempt to re-
new the. attack. The Victory was
at this time the neareft fhip to the
enemy, with no more than three
or four of the center divifion in
any fituation to have fupported
her, or each other in aftion;. the
vice-admiral of the blue was on
the ftarboard tack, ftanding away

from

APPENDIX'to the CHRONICLE. [279

from l^s ftation, totally regardlefs
of the fignal that was flying to
form the line; and moll of the
othe ftiip^, except the red divi-
fior, whole poli.ion 1 have already
ftated, were far a-ftern, and five
diiabled (lips at agreatdiftanceon
the lee quiner.

Mo.t of thefe facts are already
eftab!ed by my accufer's own
evidence; and I (hall prove and
confirm them all by the teitimony
ot that part of the fleet, vv'hofe
fuuations will enable them to (peak
to them with certainty.

1 trull they will convince the
court, that 1 had it not in my
power to collei^t t le fleet together
to renew the fight at that time,
and that from their not being- able
to follow me, 1 conf-quendy could
not advance with them; that I
did no (hoitt-n fail, but only fhif:-
ed an unferviceable one when I
was far a head, and the (hips un-
able to folow; that I did not haul
down the fignal for battle till it
ceafed to bo capable of producing
any go. d effect; that during the
whole lime i ilocd towards the
enemy, I endeavoured by the moil
forcible of all fignals, the fignal
for the line of battle, to call the
fhips toge;her, in order to renew
the attack; that 1 did avail my-
felf of the fhips that were with the
vice-admiral of the red, as far as
circumftances admitted ; ard that
I therefore did do the utmoit in
my power to take, fink, burn, and
deftroy the French fleer, which
had attacked the Britifh fleet.
Rc!id the fourth article if you
pleafe.

Ju^ge Jdvocate. The fourth ar-
ticle of the charge is, " That,
" inltead of advancing to renew

> " the engagement, as in the pre-
*' ceding articles is alledged,
" and as he might and ought to
" have done, 'h? admiral wore
" and made fail diredly from the
" enemy; and thus he led the
" whole Bririfh fleet away from
'* them, which gave them the op-
*' portunicy to rally unmolefted,
" ar.d to form again into a line of
" battle, and to icand after the
" Britilh fleet.

" This was difgraceful to the
" B itifh flag; for it had the ap-
" pearance of a flight, and gave
" the French admiral a pretence
" to claim the vidlory, and to
" publifh to the world that the
'' Britifh fleet ran away, and that
" he purfued it with the fleet of
" France, and ofFc-red it battle.'*

The Admiral. Sir, The French
fleet having wore, and began to
form their line on the ilarboard
tack by the wind, which if they
had kept would have brought them
clofe up with the center divifion,
foon afterwards edged away, point-
ing towards four or five of the dif-
abled fhips, which were at a dif-
tancc to leeward, and with evi-
dent intention to have feparated
them from the refl of the fleet ;
to prevent which, 1 made the fig-
nal to wear, and flood athwart
their van in a diagonal courfe, to
give proteflion to thefe crippled
fhips, keeping the fignal for the
line flying, to form and colleft the
fleet on ttie flarboard tack : and as
I had thus been obliged to alter
my difpcfiticn before Captain Sut-
ton left the Vidory v/lth my for-
mer meffage, I difpatched him with
orders to the vice-admiral of the red,
to form with his divifion ata diftance
a-flern of the \'i<Sory, to cover the

[5] 4 . ' rear.

28o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

rear, and to keep the enemy in
check 'till the vice-admiral of the
blue ftiould come into his fiation
with his divifion, in obedience to
the fignal. Thefe orders the vice-
admiral of the red inftantly obey-
ed, and was formed in my wake
before four o'clock ; when finding
that while by the c urfe I (leered
to protedl the crippled fhips, I
was nearing the enemy, the vice-
admiral of the blue fttll continued
to lie to windward, and by fo do-
ing kept his divifion from joining
me, I made the fignal for Ihips to
windward to bear down into my
wake; and that it m'ght be the
better diftlnguiOied (both being
fignals at the mizcn peak) I haul-
ed down the fignal for the line for
about ten minutes, and then hoift-
ed it again. Thib fignal for (liips
to windward to btar down he re-
peated, though he had not repeat-
ed that for the line of batt'e; but
by not bearing down himfelf, he
led the Ihips of his divifion to in-
terpret his repeating it, as requiring
them to come into his wake inllead
of mine.

Having now accomplifhed the
protedion of the difabled fiiips,
and the French fl.et continuing
to form their line, ranging up to
leeward parallel to the center di-
vifion, my oily oojefl was to form
iriine, in order to bear down upon
them to renew the battle : and
therefore, at a quarter before five,
after having repeated the fignal for
ftiips to windward to bear down
into my wake with no better efreft
than before, I fent the Milford,
with orders to the vice-admiral c[
the red to flretch a-head and take
his fiation in the line, which he
jnfiantly obeyed ; and the vice-
admiral of the blue being Hill to

windward, with his foretopfail
unbent, and making no vifible ef-
fort to obey the fignal, which had
been flying the whole afternoon,
I fent the Fox at five o'clock with
orders to him to bear down into
my wake, and to tell him that I
only waited for. him and his divi-
fion to renew the battle; and
while I was difpatching thefe fri-
gates, having before hauled down
the fignal to come into my wake,
I put abroad the fignal for all
fhips to come into tlicir fiations,
always keeping the fignal for the
line flying. All this producing no
efFedt on the vice-admiral of the
blue, and v\earicd out with fruitr
lefs expe^iation, at feven o'clock
I made the fignal for each par--
tic'ilar fhip of, the vice-admiral of
the blue's divifion to come into her
fiation ; but before they had ac-
complifhed it, night put an end
to all further operations.

It may be obfervcd, that amongft
thefe fignals I did not- make the
'Formidable's. — If the vice-admi-
ral chufes to cofider this as a cul-
pable negledi, I can only fay that
it occurred to me, to treat him
with a delicacy due to his rank,
which had fome time before in-
duced me to fend him the meffage
by Captain Windfor ; the particu-
lars of which he has already faith-
fully related to the court.

I trufl I have little reafi)n to ap-
prehend that you will be inclined
to confider my conduct, as I have
fiiated it, in anfwer to this fourth
article of the charge, as difgrace-
ful to the Britifh flag ! After I had
wore upon the fame tack, with the
enemy, to protect the difabled
part of my fleet, and to colleft the
refl together, there would have
been little to do to renew the

biittle.

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. faSi

battle, bur bearing right down
opon the enemy, if my accufer
had led down his divifion in obe-
dience to the repeated fignals and
orders wliich I" have Hated. The
Victory never went more than two
knots, was under her double reefed
topfails and forefail, much fhat-
tered, which kept the fhips that
were near her under tlicir topfails,
and fuffered the French fl:et,
which might always have brought
nie to adtion, if they had inclined
to do it, to range up parallel with
the center under very little fail :
and it was to proteft the five dif-
abled (hips above mentioned, and
to give the rert time to form into
fome order, that I judged it mire
.expedient to ftand as 1 did, under
that eafy fail, than to bring to,
with my head to the fouthward.
The court will judge whether it
was pofiible for any officer in the
fervice', really to believe that thefe
operations could give the appear-
ance of a flight, or furnifh a ra-
tional pretence to the French ad-
miral to claim the vidory, or pub-
lifh to the world that the Britifh fleet
had run away. Pleafe to read the
next article.

yticfge Jd-vocate. The fifth ar-
ticle of the charge is, " That in
" the morning ot the 28th of July,
" 1778, when it was perceived
** that only three of the French
" fleet remained near the Britifh
" in the fituation the whole had

" the contrary, he led the B itifli

" fleet another way, direct !y from

" the enemy^

*' By ihtfe inftances of mifcon-

" duct and negled a glorious op-

" portunity was loft of doing a

" moft efl*ential fervice to the

" ftate, and the honour of the Bri-

" tilh navy was tarnifhed."

The Admiral. Sir, On the morn-
ing of the 28th of July, the French
fleet (except three fail, which were
ieen on the lee-quarter) was orJ3r
vifible from the maft heads of fome
of the fhips of the Britifh fleetp
and at a diftance from me, which,
afforded not the fmallefl profpeft
of coming up with them, more
efpecially as their fhips, though
certainly much damaf;ed in their
hulls, had not apparently fuffered
much in their mafls and fails;
whereas the fleet under my com-
mand was generally and greatly
fhattered in their mafls, yards,
and rigging, and many of them
unable to carry fail; as to the
three French fhips, I made the
fignal at five o'clock in the morn-
ing for the Duke, Bienfaifant,
Prince George, and Elizabeth, to
give them chace, judging them to
be the propcrell fhips for that pur-
pofe ; but' the two laft were not
able to carry fufHcient fail to give
even countenance to the purfuic;
and looking round to the general
condition of my fleet, 1 faw it
was in vain to attempt either a ge-

been in the night before, and neral or a partial chace. Indeed,

that the reft were to leeward at
" a greater diftance, not in a line
" of battle, but in a heap; the
*' admiral did not caufe the fleet
** to purfue the flying enemy, nor
** even to chace the three fhips
'< that fled after the reft; but, on

my accufer does not venture to
alledge that there was any probabi-
lity, or even poflibility, of doing
it with effect, which deftroys the
whole imputation of his charge.

Under thefe circumftances I truft
I could not miftake ray duty ; and

I was

282] ANN UAL RE

I was refolveJ, as I have already
beibre obl'erved in the introdutftion
to mv def<:"nce, not to facrifice it
TO an empry fhow and appe.irnnce,
which is beneath the dig. .Icy <^f an
cdficer, unconfcious of ar.y failure
CT negleft. To have urgtd a
fifuitlefs purfuit with a fl;et fo
p;ready crippled in its malb and
fails, after a diftant and flying
enemy, within reach of their own
ports, and with a fre(h wind blow-
ing lair for their ports, with a large
fwfll, would have been not only •
wantonly expofing the Britilh fleet
larder my command without end
or objeft, but mifleading and de-
feating its operations, by delaying
the refitment necefiary for carry-
ing on the future fcrvice with vi--
gour andeffe^.

My accufer afTerts, by a general,
conclufion, to the five articles ex-
hibited againft me, that from what
he ftates as inftances of mifcondudl
and inegieft in me, a glorious op-
portunity was loft of doing a moll:
cflential fervice to the Itatc, and
that the honour of the JBrit.fl^ navy
was t.jrnifhtd.

The truth of the aflertion, that
an o'rpottunity was loft, I am not
called upon either to combat or
<Jt.rv ; it i fufiicient for me, if I
fh IL be fuccefsful in proving that,
that opportunity was feizcd by
ine, and folk wed up to the full
extent of my power; if the court
ihall be of that opinion, 1 am fa-
tisfied; and it will then reft with
the vice-admiral of the blue to ex-
plain to wliat caufe it is to be re-
ferred, that the glorious opportu-
nity he fpeaks of was loft, and to
whom it is to be imputed (if the
fact be true) that the liorour of
the Britifli navy has been tar-
uiftied.

GISTER, 1779.

Having now offered to the court
prccife anfwers to all the charges-
exhibited againft me ; I fliall pro-
ce;Td to call my witnefies to fup-
pcrt thole anfwers, and ofcourfe
to refute the charges in the order
in which ihey have been made.
I Ihall call them not as a prifoner
commonly calls' his witneifes, to
oppofe them to thofe which appear
for the profccution — quite the con-
trary,— I bring thera to fiipport,
confirm, enlarge, and lUuftrate al-
moft the body of. the evidence
which has been given by my ac-
cufer.

But, before I lit down, I mult
difcharge a duty which I feel my-
fel-f to owe .to the reputation of a
fervice highly and ji^Itly favoured
in this country, and which can ne-
ver fuffer in its honour, but the
nation itfelf will fufter in propor-
tion.

I have heard it aflerted, and
contended for daring this trial,
as an eflential and indifpenfible
right of a captain of a man c f war,
to make additions and alterations
in the fliip's log-bcok, even after
the original entries had been feen,
examined, and approved by him-
felf. I have feen this attempted
to be excufed, nay, even juftified
and boalled of in a cafe where the
alterations and additions introduc-
ed matter of c iminal and capital
offence, acknowledged by the party
to have been introduced months
after the original entries were in-
fcrted ; and with knowledge that
a criminal charge had then been
exhibited againft the perfon in
whofe trial they were firft heard of.
I have heard this attempted to be
defended where the moft material
of the alterations and additions
were certainly not fupported hv facl.

Upon

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [283

Upon this occafion, furely, I
am called upon to enter my protei
againll a claim which fubjeds the
log books of the King's (hips, that
ought to contain, if not always a
perfeft, yet always a genuine nar-
rative of their tranfadions, when
the events are fre(h and recent,
when they cannot be miftak.cn,
and can hardly be mifreprefented,
and which ought never to be al-
tered after the entries have been
made and authorized.

This is the cafe oif the firft alte-
ration of the log- book. —Another
alteration has fmce appeared in
another log-book ! that of the pro-
fecutor himfelf! little differing
from the former, except that the
perfon that hai aftually made it
does not appear tojuftifyit; that
the witnefs to it ftates it to have
J)een made foon after the engage-
ment, and that the deftrudion of
fome leaves, and fubilitution of
others, feems to be rather made
for the purpofe of exculpating
another perfon than of criminating
me. But whatever the intention
was, the thing is equally unjultifi-
able in all rei'petts. It tends
equally to deftf^y all fort of ufe in
thefe kind of records, and to ren-
der them highly fallacious, and
, poffibly highly dangerous. I do
not dwell on all the particulars of
that unhappy bufinefs ! — It is
painful to me, and the nature of
the tranfadlon is but too vifible.
There has always been, and pro-
bably will always be, fomeching
flovenly in thefe books, and the
mailers have thought they have
more power over them than is pro-
per. There is, however, a great
difference between inaccuracy and
malicious defign. I'here is a dif-
ference between the correftion or
fupply of indifferent matters, and

the cancelling of pages, and put-
ting in others ; — omitting, add., g
to, and varying tiie moftimoorta.c
things for the moft important pur-
pofe s.

It is alfo proper for me to ftate
two or three facts to the court, in
order to place the condud ot my
accufer in its proper point of view.

I admit that the charges he has
exhibited againft me are very hei-
nous.— They exprefs mifconduft
and negligence; they imply (and
fo the court has underltood them
to imply) cowardice alfo. If I
ever committed them at all, it was
in his piefence, and in the pre-
fence of a numerous corps of Oi:i-
cers, who being called upon by
the court, have all unanunoufly
refufed, or I truft will refufe to fix
any one charge upon me. I have
mentioned before the circumflance
of my accufer's filence for months,
during which he was called upon
by the duty he owed to his country
to have itated my mifcondud, if
any luch had exilted; and his re-
fuial to do lb is ftrong evidence of
itfelf, th it even in his opinion my
conduct was liable to no reproach.

But this is not all; even fo late
as the 5th of Odober laft, I re-
ceived a letter from him, dated
at {ea, conceived in terms of great
gv^od will and refped for me; in
which, having occafion to men-
tion fome prizes, which had been
taken by the fleet, he conliders that
as a fubjed of little moment to
me, afiigning this as a rtalon,
" for I kiiow you had rather meet
" the French fleet."— That fleet
which he fays 1 fled from !

Is this confilient with the tenor
of thofe charges? — Could the man
who wrote the one, believe the
other.'' — It is abfolutely impoffible.
—I cannot produce this letter in
evidence:

284] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

evidence; but when I go out of
the court, I will fhew it to any
o-enilemaii who is defiroiis to lee
it*.

Another thing more, and I have
done.

Sir Hugh Pallifer thought pro-
per to addrefs the public by a
printed newfpaper, dated the 4th
of November, principally, as it
feems, for the fake of averting
that he was not, and infinuating
that / tvas, the caufe of the French
fleet not being re-attacked in the
afternoon of the 27th of July.

In that paper he pofitively denies
that he received any meflage by
Captain Windfor faying a word
about renewing the attack, and he
calls the contrary aflertion a falfe
one.— Captain Windfor has been
called, and he has proved, that at
five o'clock he received from me,
and at about half paft five he de-
livered to Sir Hugh Pallifer him-
felf, the mcffage to come with the
Ihips of his divifion into my wake,
and that I only waited for him to
renew the attack.

This account of Captain Wind-
for has been attempted to be dif-
credited by the prfiftcutor, who
has afked Captain Bazely, and I
believe one or two more, whether
it was not at a later hour than
Captain Windfor named. — I fhall
for that reafon call witnefTes to
confirm Captain Windfor in all
the circumftancesof his teflimony.

I owe it to him, as an honour-
able man, to fliew that his evidence
is corrcdlly true.

I will prove that the mefTage
fent by me, was preci cly the m-f-
fage delivered by him at the time
he fpeaks to, and thac it was ex-
actly repeated by him to the vice-

admiral,— yet, after his own ears
had heard, at half part five in the
afternocn of a fumnier's day, that
I waited only for him and his di-
vifion to renew the attack; this gen-
tleman a;"plies to me, ignorant, ne-
gligent, cow:irdly, as he now repre-
fents me, to cerify his good beha-
viour, and to fupport his charadter
againll: the malice of his enemies.

He applies to me to fign a pa-
per, containing many particulars
direftly contrary to the evidence
you have heard upon oath, and
which I will alfo fhew to any
one +.

At prefent I have only to do
with one of thofe particulars. That
paper (concurring with his at-
tempts in this trial) contains this
afiTertion, " that the cdling his,
" and vice-admiral Sir Robert
" Harland's divifions, into my
" wake, in the evening, was not
" for the purpofe of renewing the
" battle at that time, but to be
" in readinefs for it in the morn-
*' ing." This my accufer had the
confidence to tender to me to fign.

To fign an afiTertion of a fad ab-
folutely unfounded; the contrary
of which I know to be true, and
the contrary of which Captain
Windfor has proved, and my accufer
knew to be true.

How that gentleman felt when
this came out 1 know not; but if
1 could conceive myfelf in the
fame fituation, I know that it
would be difficult to exprefs what
I ihouid feel. / cannct vjijh/o hea-
vy a punijhment to my Huorji emniy.

The examination of evidence in
the admiral's defence eontinued to
the 8th ol Feb. when it was finally
clofed ; and Sir Hugh Pallifer the

* S«e this letter in page 19 ;.

t See this paper in page 293.

profe-

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [2^5

profecutor having claimed a right
of replying to the defence, the
fame was objected to ; and the
court having withdrawn, upon the
queftion, came to a refolution, that
the fame was unprecedented, and
could not be complied with.

On the llth of February the
Court met; when the Judge Ad-
vocate read the opinion of the court
martial, as follows :
At a Court Martial aflembled on
board his Majelty's (hip Britan-
nia, in Portfmouth Harbour,
the 7th of January, 1779, ^^^
held by Adjournment at the
Houfe of the Governor of his
Majefty's Garrifon at Portf-
mouth, every day afterwards
(Sundays excepted) till the i ith
of February, 1779, inclufive ;

PRESENT,

Sir Thomas Pye, admiral of the

white, Prefident.
Matthew Buckle, Efq; vice-admi-
ral of the red; till the clofe of
the fixth day, when he became
unable any longer to continue
his attendance on account of
ficknefs.
John Montagu, Efq; vice-admiral

of the red.
Mariot Arbuthnot, Efq; Robert
Roddam, Efq; rear-admirals of
the white.
Captains Mark Milbank,

Francis Samuel Drake,
Taylor Penny,
John Moutray,
William Bennet,
Adam Dur^.can,
Phiiip Boteler.
James Cranfton,
The Court, purfuant to an or-
der of the Lords Commiffioners
of the Admiralty, dated the jilt

of December, 1778, and dircdlsd
to Sir Thomas Pye, proceeded to
enquire into a charge exhibited by
Vice-admiral Sir Hjgh Pallifer
againfl the Honourable Admiral
Auguilus Keppel, for mifconduft
and negleft of duty on the 271^
and 28th of July, 1778,10 fundry
inltances, as mentioned in a paper
which accompanied the faid order;
and to try him for the fame: And
the Court having heard the evi-
dence, and the prifoner's defence,
and maturely and ferioufly conft-
dered the whole, are of opinion,
that the charge is malicious and
ill founded; it having appeared
that the faid admiral, Co far from
having, by mifcondufl and negleft
of duty on the days therein allud-
ed to, loft opportunity of render-
ing elTential fervice to the ftate,
and thereby tarniflied the honour
of the Britilh navy, behaved as
became a judicious, brave, and
experienced officer: The Court do
therefore unanimoudy and honour-
ably acquit the faid Admiral Au-
guftus Keppel of the feveral ar-
ticles contained in the charge
againft him; and he is hereby
fully and honourably acquitted
accordingly.

George Jackson,
Judge Advocate.

Thomas Pye.
John Montagu.
Mariot Arbuthnot.
Robert Roddam.
Mark Milbank.
Francis Samuel Drake.
Taylor Penny.
John Moutray.
William Bennet.
Adam Duncan.
Philip Boteler.
James Cranfton.

The

sSn ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The Address of Sir Thomas Pyc,
PrefideiU, or. delivering the Ad-
miral his iword.

Adminal Keppel, It is no fmall
pleaiure to me to receive the
commands of the Court J have
the ho .our to prciide at, that, in
dehvering you your fword, I am
to congratulate yoa on its bcirg
rellorcd to you with fo much ho-
nour; hoping ere long )OU will
be called forth by your bovereign
to draw it once more in tiic defence,
of your country.

Copies of Letters hetvoeen the Hon,
Admiral Keppel, the Secntary to
the Admiralty, the Judge Ma-uc-
caie, and Sir Hugh Fallifer.

Admiralty-oficet 9 Dec. 1 77 8.
SIR,
Sir Hugh Pallifer, vice-admiral
of the blue fquadron of his IVTa-
jeily's fleet, having in his leuer of
this day's date tranfmitted to m.'j
Lords Commiffioners of the Ad-
miralty, a charge of mifcondudl
and negleft of duty ciga'nft you,
on the 27th and 28th of July,
1778, in divers inftances therein
mentioned, and defired that a
court martial may be held tor try-
ing you for the fame; and their
Lordftiips intending that a court
martial (hall be h-ld for that pur-
pofe, I have it in command from
ihi m to fend } ou herewith a copy
of the faid charge, that you may be
preparing t'^r vour defence.
1 httVe the honour to be.
Sir,
Your moft obedient,
humble frrvant.

Ph. tiTEPH ENS.
Honhle. Augujr-iS Kef pel,
Ai^tuirai of the JJiue^ Of.

Audley-fquare, Thurfday night »

Dec. ic, 1778.
S I R,

Thp very extraordinary contents
of your letter of laR i ighc made
it impoflible for me on a fudden to
make any other aniwor, than a
bare acknowledgment of having
received it; but it has not requir-
ed much time to determine me, in
juuice to my own reputation, to
ir.kirm you, that I am willing to
meet a court martial whenever the
Board of Admiralty fhall think
proper to order me.

At the fame time. Sir, I defire
you will reprefent to the Lords
Commiffioners my utter aftonilh-
ment at the countenance their
Lordfliips have fo far given to this
proceeding, as to rrfolve, on the
lame day on which fuch a charge
i' exhibited, to order a court mar-
tial a;<ainft the commander in
chief of the fleet, on an attack
from an inferior officer, under all
the very peculiar cir> umftances in
which Sir Hugh PaUifer now
flands.

I am. Sir, your humble fervant,
A.K.

Ph. Stephens, Efq.

Letter from Ph. Stephens, Efq;

Admiralty-office, wth Dec. 1778.

S i R,
I received yeflerday afternoon
your letter of ihe 10th inllant, ac-
knovvleoging the receipt of mine
of the 9th, tranfmitiing a copy
of ihe c. arge exhibitCL againll you
by Vice-i'.dmiral Si; Hugh Palli-
fer ; and this mornirjr J received
your iettes dat.d lalt n-^nt, inti-
ma.itig tl.at yea dtt u.illing to
n ett a court .. -tial wh- i.t-ver the
Board ot Admuuity iii^ii think

proper

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [287

proper to ordpr or.c ; and having
without lofs of time liid the fame
before^ my L 'rds Commiffioners of
the Aimiralty, I aji commanded
by their Lordfhips to a.qaaint you,
that they propoie to order a court
martial to be atlemblcd on Thurf-
day the 7th of January next, if
you think you (hailbe rexiy with
your evidence by that, time ; b'-it
if not, their Lordfliips will order it
to be held on a later day.

As to the aftoniiliinent you ex-
prefs at the countenance you con-
ceive their Lordlliips have given
to this proceeding, by refolving,
on the fame day on which the
charge was exhibited, to order a
court martial, their Lordlaips
command me to acquaint you,
that they know of no inrtance in
which the Board of Admiralty,
upon receiving a ipecific charge of
fuch a nature, figned by an olticer
of rank ferving under the party
accufcd, and accompanied with
a requeft for the affembling a court
martial thereupon, have delayed
coming to a refolution to order
one ; nor would they have thought
themselves joilifiod, if they had
helitated to take the neceffary fteps
for bringing the matter to an early
and legal decilion,

1 have th^ honour to be.
Sir,
Your moll obedient,
humble fervant.

Ph. Stfphuns.
Honbh. Admiral Ke}>pel, tovjn.

Judlejfjuare, \bth Dec. 1 778.

SI k.

My counfel having informed

me, that before they can give the

bell advice in their power upon

the charge of Sir Hugh Pallii'er, it

3

will be neceffary for them to fee
the whole of my inftrudions ai.ij
correfpondence with you ; ani
that it may be neceffary to pro-
duce the whole or part of them
before the court martial, I deiire
you will acquaint the Ltrd-s Com-
miffioners ol the AJiiuraUy ta^re-
wich.

I am. Sir,

Your humble fervant,

A. K.
Ph. Stephens, Efa.

Mr. Stephen's letter in anfvver to
mine of the 16th.

Admiralty offiCe, l^th Dec. 1778.
S IR,

I received, and loft no t'me i^
laying before my Lords Com-
miffioners of the Admiralty, your
letter of the i6th initant, refpeft-
ing the communication of your
inftruftions, and correfpondence
with me, to your counfel, and
perhaps to the court martial that
is to be afiembled for your trial.
I was in hopes I fhoaid have been
enabled by this time to have ient
you their Lordlhips anfwer thereto ;
but as the inllruclions to which
you allude are of a very fecret na-^
ture, and were given in purfuance
of his Majefty's commaiids, figni-
fied by one of his Principal Se-
cretaries of State, it is neceffary
that their Lordihips fhould receive
his Majefty's farther commands,
before they can with propriety
give you a full anfwer to you?
letter. Their Lordfhips are per-
fudded in the mean time you will
not communicate thole inftructiona
to any prrfon whatlbever; and
they command me to affure you,
that you Ihall have their far^he^

acfwcr

288] ANNUAL REG I S T ER, 1779.

anfwer with as little delay as pol-
fible.

I am. Sir,

Your moft obedient,
humble fervant,

Ph. Stephens.
Hon. Admiral Kcppel, London.

Letter from Ph. Scepriens, Ef^;
in further aniwer to mine of the
j6th.

Admiralty -office, z\Ji Dec. I778.
SIR,

My Lords Commiflioners of the
Admiralty having acquainted Lord
Vifcount Weymouth, his Majefly's
Principal Secretary of State, with
your having been informed by
your counfel, that before they
could give you the belf advice in
their power upon the charge of
Sir Hugh Pallifer, it would be
necefl'ary for them to fee the whole
of your inflruiStions, and corre-
fpondence with^ this office; and
that it might be neceflary to pro-
duce the whole or part of them at
the court martial; and my Lords
having at the fame time defired his
Lordfhip to fi^nify his Majelty's
commands with refpedi: thereto;
his Lordlhip has in return inform-
ed them, that it is his Majefty's
pleafura they fhould fignify to
you, that you muft be fenfible that
there are parts of your inllruAions
which cannot be divulged ..ithout
great detriment to the ftate. I am
commanded by their Lordfhips
to fignify the lame to you accord-
ingly, and to inform you, in fur-
ther anfwer to your letter of the
16th inft. that they cannot con-
fent that the whole of your faid
inftrudions, and the correfpon-
dence above mentioned, (hould
be laid before your counfel, or be

produced at the court martial ;
but if you will point out any
parts of the faid initrudions or
conefpondence which in your opi-
nion have any relation to the ope-
rations of the fleet on the 27th
and 28ch of July lail, you wil! be
permitted t;o make ufc of them in
the mmner you dafire, if there
(hall appear to be no objedions of
the nature above mentioned.
1 have the honour to be,
with great regard.
Sir,
Your molT: obedient,
humble fervant.

Ph. Stephens*
Hon. Augufius Keppel.

Audley fquarey Dec. 23, 1 77 8.

SiR,
I have rtceived your letter of
the 2 ill inllaiit, in which y u in-
form me, that the Lords Com-
m^lfioners of the Admiralty had
acquainted Lord Weymouth, one
of his Majeily's Principal Secre-
taries of State, with the contents
of my letter to you of the i6t.h.
That his Lordfnip has in return
informed them, " That it is his
" IVlajelly's pieafure they ihould
" fignify to me, that 1 muft be
" fenfible there are parts of my
" inltrudions which cannot be
" divulged without great d':tri-
" ment to the (late, and that the
** Lords Commiflioners of the
" Admiralty had ordered you to
" inform me, that they cannat
" conlent that the whole of my
" iiiftrudions and correfpondence
*' with you fhould be laid before
" my counfel^ or be produced at
" the court martial; but that if
" 1 will point out any parts of
" the faid inftrudlions or corre-
« fpondence which in my opinion

*' has"

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [289

" has any relation to the operation
*' of the fleet on the 27th and 28th
*' of July laft, I fliall be permitted
** to make ufe of them in the rnan-
" ner I define, if there be no ob-
" jeftion of the nature above mcn-
« tioned."

I am alfo to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your letter of the i8th, in
which you informed me, " That
** it was neceflary their Lordlhips
*' fhould receive his Majelly's
" farther commands, before they
** could with propriety give me
" a full anfwer to my letter ; and
*' that their Lordfhips were per-
" fuaded that in the mean time
" I would not communicate thofe
" inftrudions to any perfon what-
" foever." In anfwer to which,
I muil defire you will acquaint
their Lordfliips, that I neither
haye made, nor will make, any
unneceflary communications of my
inftruftions ; nor are even my
counfel yet apprized of any part
of them. But in anfwer to your
letter of the 21ft, I muft beg of
you to inform their Lordlhips,
that they have totally mifunder-
llood my letter of the i6th, if
they imagined that, when put up-
on my trial for the defence of my
life and honour, I could think of
alking any permiffion to produce
before the court which is to try
me, any circumftance which, in
my own opinion or that of my
counfel, may in any degree be
ufeful for my defence. No, Sir;
my letter of the i6th was not to
alk leave to do what by every rule
of jurtice is my right. In refpedl
to the lall paragraph of your letter
of the 24th, " That if I will
** point out any parts of fuch in-
" ftrudlions or correfpondence
" which in my opinion has any
Vol. XXir.

" relation to the operations of the
" fleet on the zjih. and aSch of
*' July laft, I fhall be permitted to
♦' make ufe of them in the man-
" ner I defire, if there fliail ap-
" pear no obieiUohs of the nature
" above rhentioned ;" I cm only
fay, that I conceive that my in-
llruclions, and every part of them,
mull neceflarily have relation to
the operation of the fleet on the
27th and 28th of July laft, and
on every day it was adling un-
der my command, and that I
was ading under thofe inftruc-
tions. As to my pointing out the
particular parts which I conceive
may be moft ufeful to me, and
opening my defence to that Board
of whofe conduft towards me in
this bufmefs 1 have reafon to com-
plain, where the accufations a-
gainlt me originated, and where
my accufer has a feat, it cannot on
refleftion be expected ; nor can I
believe their Lordlhips intend, thac
when they put me on my trial they
are to limit me by their difcretion
in the ufe of fuch means as I may
think expedient for my defence, and.
that they propofe to diftrefs me by
fuch an alternative, as that I muft
neceflarily (according to their ftate-
ment) either bring detriment on the
ftace, or prejudice to my own j uni-
fication.

I am. Sir,

Your very humble fervant,
A. K.
Ph. Stephens, E/q,

Aitdley-fiuareyDec. 26, 177S.

SIR,

I received yeflerday your letter

of the 24th, in anfwer to mine to

you of the fame day, informing

me, that in addition to what is

mentioned in your letter of the

\T\ 1 2th

290] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

i2ch inftant conccnnng the attend-
ance of Captain Windforj »nd
the firll lieutenant of his Majelty's
late fhip Fox, at the court-martial
to be held for n>y trial on the-yth
of next month, that their Lcrd-
(hips, on the fume day, defired
Lord Weymouth, one of his Ma-
jefty's Principal Secretaries of
State, to take fuch meafures as
fliould appear to him to be proper
for prccurinc!; ^their appearance at
the time afore-mentioned ; and
further to inform me it is not their
Lordfliips intention that the court
ihould fit until the efFefts of the
afore-mentioned application is
known.

This information leads me to
apprehend a polfibility of the en-
quiry being put off"; ai.d any de-
lay, 1 much fear, will be produc-
tive- of feriouB detriment to my
country, in the detaining fo many
other officers from the public fer-
vice. — From this confideration I
remain of opinion, that the evi-
dence of Captain Windfor and of
his lieutenant may be material at
the trial: I muft repeat what I
vvrote to you in my- letter of the
nth inftant, that from the uncer-
tainty of the return of thofe gentle-
men'to England, hh my wilh not
10 have the court-martial put oft" en
tnat account.
I am. Sir,

Ycur humble fervaut,

A. K.
Ph. Si tokens, Efq.

P II. Stephens, F.fq; in anfwer to
mine of the 23d.

Admir ally -office tZ-jtb Dec. 1778.

. s I r;

I-Iaving laid before my Lords
Coiiimifiioners of the Admiralty

your letter of the 23d inftant; their
Lordfliips, in anfwer to that part ot
it which relates to the accufation
a'.^ainrt you, command me to in-
form you, that the accufation did
not originate from their Board, but
from Sir Hugh Pallifer, whofe at-
tendance there has been difpenfed
with ever fince.

Their Lorddilps having already
communicated to you his Majefty's
pLeafure with regard to your fecret
inftruftions, cannot think it necef-
fary to fay any thing further to you
upon that fubjed.

I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your moft obedient,
hu.mble fervant.

Ph. Stephens.

Honhle. Augi'.Jliis Kef pel.
Admiral of the Blue, i5c,

A chniralty- office, zph Dec. 1 7/8.

SIR,
Vice-admiral Sir Hugh ^Pallifer
having, in his letter of yeftcrday's
date, acquainted my Lords Com-
riiffioners of the Admiralty, thatj
as the witneffes will be aflembied
at your trial, he ihall be ready,
as foon as that trial is over, to
vindicate his own conduft and
behaviour, on the z/th of July,
1778; and he having therefore
defired tha.t their Lordihips will
be pleafed to require you to give
in your charge as foon as may be,
if you have any to make againft
him; I am commanded by their
Lordft"iips to fend you herewith a.
copy of the faid letier, and 10
fignify their diredion, that if you
have any thing to charge againft
the conduct of Vice-admiral Sir
Hugh Pallifer, ycu do trar.fmic
" the

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [291

charge as foon as may be, if I have
a?,y to make againit him ; in con-
fequence oi which, their* J,ord-
fliips are pfrafed to direft, t.hat if
I have any thi^g to charge ag.iinft
the conduft of Sir Hugh Pallifer,
I do tranfmit the lahie to cheir
Lordfhips.

1 defire yea '.vill exprefs' to the
Lords Conimiffioners of the Ad-
miralty my great furprize at the
contents of thefe letters. I leain,
by another letter yon have favour-
ed me with of the iiinie date, that
Sir Hugh Paliiii'r's attendance at
the Board has becii dil'penfed with
ever fince he exhibited his charge
againit me. He appears to me,
>iowcver, to think that he has loft
no part of his weignt and influence
at the Board, when he prefumes to
defire their Lorc^fhips to require
me, in my preienv jiiuation, td em-
ploy a thought aboui him, in any
other character than as the author
of that charge ; and, for the pre-
fent at leall, I mnfl: be excufed in
declining to give any other anfwer
to your letter.
I am. Sir,

Your humble fervant,

A. K.
P/j. Stephens, E/q.

he fam.e to their lordfiiips as foon
as may be.

I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your mod obedient,
humble fervant,

Ph. Stephens.
Honlle. Admiral Keppel.

Adtntrahy, 26 Dec. 1 778.
SIR,
As the witnefTes will be afieni-
bled at tlie trial of -the Ht^nour-
able Admiral Keppel, \ beg i.ave
to acquaint the Lurds Commif-
fioners of the Admiralty, that I
ihall be ready, fo' f'^on as that
trial is over, to vindicate my o^\n
conduft and behaviour on the
zyth of Ju^y, 1778: I therefore
defire their Lordihips will be pleaf-
ed to require Admiral Keppel to
give in his chjl-ge as foon as may
be, if he has any to make againit
me.

I am. Sir,

Your moit obedient,
humble fervant,

Hugh Palliser.
Ph. Stephens, Efq,

Audlcy-fquare, Sunday afternoon,
z-,' Dec. lyyS.
S I R,

I have to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your letter of this day's
dr.te, inclofmg a copy of a letter
from Sir Hugh Pallifer, acquaint-
ing the Lords Commiffioners of
the Admiralty, that as the wit-
ncffes will be^ aflembled at my
trial, he fliall be ready, as foon
as that trial is over, to vindic:<te
his own conduft and behaviour on
the 27th of July, and defiring that
their Lordfnips would be pleafed
to require me to give in my

Audley-fiuare, zdjan. 17-g.
SIR,

The Provoft Marlhal, who was
direded by the Lords CommifTion-
cts of the Admiralty to take me in-
to his cultody, informed me, that,
as their Lordihips do not mean to
give m.e unneceffary trouble, he
was permitted to take my word of
honour for my appearance at Porrf.
mouth on the 7th of this mnnh ; I
have ^ven him my word of honour
accordingly, and am this day fet-

[T] 2 tin^

292] ANNUAL REGISTER,

ting out upon my journey thither,
of w^'ch I defire you will inform
their Lordfhips.—

And likewife chat you will ac-
quaint them, I beg to be inform-
ed whether the flag-officers of the
fleet who were commanding at the
Nore, in the Downs, and at Ply-
mouth, at the time their Lord-
fhips received the charge againft
me, have all of them been chofen
by their Lordihips to be at Portf-
mouth, in a fituation to fit at my
trial.

I am, Sir,

Your very humble A^rvant,

A. Keppel.
Pl\ S.'ef/jefis, Efq.

Pert/mouth, A^thjan. \'J'j^-

SIR,

I made an early application to
the Lords CommjiTioners of the
Admiralty, after being acquainted
by Mr. Secretary Stephens, that
their Lordfhips intended that a
court-martial fhould be held for
trying me on a charge of mifcon-
ducl and neglect of duty on the
27th and 28th cf'Jijly laft, exhi-
bited againft me by Vice-admiral
Sir Hugh Pallifer, that the cap-
tains of the King's fhips ferving in
the fleet under my command on
the 27th of July, might be fum-
mcned, and likewife other officers :
and fince having notice given me,
that the court-martial is ordered
to be afTembled for my trial on
Thurfday the feventh inftant, and
that you are to aft in your office
as Judge Advcc-rp at the faid
trial ; J therefore think it proper
to acquaint you, that I defire the
witnefTes whofe names are inferted
in the lift that accompanies this,

1779.

may be fummoned to attend to
give their evidence before the
court. Others that occur to me,
that I may have occafion to call
for, I will tranfmit to you their
names in time, as I may judge
their evidence material or necef-
fary. — You will obferve in the lift
of witnefTes the names of the Ho-
nourable Captain Windfor and
Lieutenant Bertie, late of his Ma-
jefty's fhip the Fox. — Mr. Secre-
tary Stephens has acquainted me,
in confequence of my- application
to the Lords Commiffioners of the
Admiralty, that they have defired
Lord Weymouth, one of his Ma-
jelly's Principal Secretaries of State,
to take fuch meafures as fhould
appear to him to be proper for
procuring their appearance at my
trial. — Though the evidence of
thofe gentlemen may be material,
I have informed their Lordfhips,
through Mr. Stephens, that fhould
they not arrive by the day fixed
for the aflembling the court-mar-
tial, I do not defire it may be put
oft on that account ; however, I
fhall be glad to know from you.
Sir, the refult of the meafures
taken for their return to England,
and if they are likely to be here by
the 7th inftant. — I beg likewife to
be informed if there is any objec-
tion to the captains fating as mem-
bers of the court-martial to be held
for my trial, who have been fum-
moned as witnefTes either by me or
Sir Hugh Pallifer.
1 am. Sir,

Your very humble fervant,

A. Keppf.l,

George "Jack/on, E/q.
Judge Ad'Vicate.

Ph.

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [293

Extrad of a letter from Sir Hugh
I'allifer to Admiral Keppel, dated
Pallmall, 3d Nov. 1778.

Ph. Stephens, Efq; in anfwer to
mine oi the 2d.

Admiralty-off.ce, ^h Jan. 1 779.
SIR,

I have communicated to my
Lords Commiflioners of the Admi-
ralty your letrer of the 2d inllant,
acquainting them, that you have
given your word of honour to the
Provofl Marfhal to be at Portf-
mouth on the 7th inftant, at the
court martial to be held for your
trial ; you was about to fet oat for
that place, and defiring to be in-
formed, whether the flag-officers
who were commandir.g at the
rs'ore, in the Downs, and at Ply-
mouth, at the lame time their lord-
Ihips received the charge againft
you, have all of them been chofen
by their lordfhips to be at Pcrtl-
mputh in a fituation to fit at your
trial; and 1 am in return to ac-
quaint you, that their Icrdftiips
have ordered the flag officers who
were commanding at the above
mentioned places, at the time they
received the charge againlt you,
to repair immediately to Portf-
mouth, and hoill their flags. I have
the honour to be. Sir,

Your moft obedient,
humble fervant.
Ph. Stephens.
Hon. Admiral Keppel, Port/mouth.
Extrad of a letter from Sir Hugh

Pallifer to Admiral Keppel,

dated Formidable, at fea, 9th of

Odlober, 1778.

" Thefe prizes coming in our
" way are not unacceptable, but
« I know you would rather meet
" the French fleet.

" I am, with the greateft re-
" gard and relpeft, dear
" Sir, your moll obedient
«< humble fervant,

«* Hugh Palliser."

" I think myfelf much intitled
" to have my condudt Dn the day
" we engaged the French fleet
•' juftificd by you. Sir, as com-
" manuer in chief, from thofe
" foul afperfions, that 1 confefs I
" have been expefting your offer
" to do it ; I have waited for
« your coming to town to alk
" it ; being now informed of
" your arrival, 1 lofe no time
" in defiring you will contradift
" thofe fcandalous reports that
" have been p cpagated as afove-
" mentioned, by publilhing in your
" own name the inclofed paper,
" which 1 have the honour to in-
" clofe herewith, or fomething to
*« that effeft that may be more
" agreeable to you, and as may
" be agreed on, if you will per-
" mit me the honour to wait on
*' you to-morrow morning.

" 1 mull beg the favour of your
" fpeedy aniWer, that my honour
" and reputation may not be iar-
" ther wounded by delays.

" 1 am very refpe<^fully,
" Sir,
*< Your very obedient,

" humble fervant,
Hugh Palliser,"

STo the Honourable

Admiral Keppd, \JC.

" Having feen a paragraph in
*' the Morning Intelligencer of
« the 5 th of lall month, highly
«' refieding on the conduft of
« vice-admiral Sir Hugh Pallifer,
" on the 27th of July laft, when
" the fleet under my command
" engaged the French fleet; and
«f the vice-admiral having inform-
*« ed me, that reports to the fam^

[r],3 " purpofc

294] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

*' purpofe have been propagated
*• by ibnie of the ofiicers of the
" Viftory ; I think it neceffary,
" in jurtice to Sir Hugh Pallifer,
" to publilh to the world, that
" his condudl on that day was in
" every refpeft proper, and be-
" coming a good offictr ; and I
" further declare, that when I
" made the fignal in the evening
*' for the fhips to windward to
" bear down into my uake, and
" afterwards for particular flii^s
" of Sir Hugh's tiivlhcn to do ib;
** he repeated thofe fignals pro-
*' perly, and that the callpg his
*' end vice-admiral Sir Robert
" Harland's divifion into my wake
'* in ihe evening, was not for the
•* purpcfe of renewing the battle
•' at that time, but to be in readi-
*' nef? for it in the morning ; that,
** in obedience to the faid fignals,
*« fuch oi the fhips of Sir Iliigh
*' Pallifcr's divifion as- were in
'•' condition for it, did iinmcdiat'C-
*' ly bear down, as did the reft io
*' foon as they were able; fo that
*' Sir Hugh Pallifer and hi^ whole
*' divifion were all 'in my wake
•' accordingly the' next morning
" before day-light, ready for en-
" gaging."

ycies of Thanks of the tn.vo Hpufes cf
P criiaTT.cyit y aiid cf the City cf
London, to the Hon. Admiral
Auguftus Keppel,

(COPY)

SIR,
Have the fatisfadlion to have
received the commands cf the
Houfe of Lords, neijiine Diffentientc,
to t'ranimit to you the thanks of
their Icrdlhips for your conduct in
defending this kingdom, proteding

its trade, and maintaining the ho-
nour of the Briufli flag, cxprt'fl'ed
in the fullell and highe.'l ienjc of
applaufe.

No private voice can add to fo
fplendid an encomium: — permit
mc, however, to congratulate you
on 'this diflinguifhing mark of ap-
probation, which a grateful coun-
try confers on your zeal and merit
in the fervice of the public.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your mofi obedient,
humble fervant,
Thurlow.
Ormoiid-JIrcrt, 1 6 Feb.

1779.
To the HuK. Jam. KeppeL

Die Mart is, 16 Febiiiarii, 1 779.

Ordered, ncmine Dijfentiente, by
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal
in Parliament affembled. That the
tharks of this Houfe be given to
the Hon. Admiral Auguftus Keppel,
for his diftinguift-icd courage, con-
duft and ability in defending this
kingdom, in the courfe of the lalt
fummer, efteflually protedling its
trade, as far as his command ex-
tended, and more particularly for
his having glorioufty upheld the
honour of"^ the Briiifii flag on the
Z7th and 28th of July laft ; ' and
that tlie Lord Chancellor do caufe
the fame to be tranfmitted to the
faid admiral.

Ash LEV CowpER,
Cler. Parliamentor.

My Lord,
The very diftinguiflied noti>:e
which the Houfe of Lords has been
pleafcd to take of my fervices in
the courfe of the laft fumm-jr,
confers on me the higheft honour ;

' the

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [295

the advantages which their lord- their thanks to be given to you ;
fhips h'ave thought worthy of their an honour never conferred but
thanks, are due to God's bleffing, upon extraordinary merit; which
to the gallant behaviour of many thanks it is my duty to communi-
great and able officers who have cate to you in your place,
ferved in the fleet, and to the bra- After having fat fo long in this
very of the fcamen. 1 can only chair, I hope it is unneceilary to
fay, that the warmell gratitude for declare that I have been always
this great honour and favour will happy to obey the orders of the
make me ever defirous of meriting Houfe; and I have now a parti-
it by the moll ftrer.uous endeavours cular fatisfaflion in that obedience,
to ferve my country. — indeed, every generous mind
I beg leave to return your lord- muil feel fatisfafcion, when the
fhip my beft thanks for the flatter- day of honourable acquittal fac-
ing and polite manner in which yoa ceeds to the day of fevere trial :
have been pleafed to communicate and this pleafurc was, I believe.

to me the rcfolution of the Houfe
I have the honour to be,

, with much refpeft.
Your lordlhip's moll obedient,
and very humble fervant.

AuMey- Square,
Feb, 17, 1779.
To the Rt. Hon. Lord Thurlc-Mf
Lord Chancellor.

(COPY)
Jo'vis l8* Die Fehruarii, 1 779.

Admiral Reppcl being come to
the Houfe; Mr. Speaker acquaint-
ed him, that the Houfe had, on
the izth inilant, ordered that the
thanks of this houfe be given to
him, for his diilinguiflied courage,
condud, and ability, in defending
this kingdom in the courfe of the
laft fummer, effectually protecting
its trade, and more particulaily
for his having glorioully upheld the
honour of the Britifli flag on the
27th and 28ch of July laft; and
Mr. Speaker gave him the thanks
of the Houfe accordingly, as fol-
loweth, njiz.

Admiral Keppel,

never more general, nor more fin-
cere, than upon the prefent occa-
fion.

You, Sir, was called by your
Sovereign, with the approbation
A. Keppel. of all defcriptions of men, parti-
cularly thofe of your own profefiion,
to a ilatiou of the utmofl: difficulty,
and of the highcft importance.
The fafety of lisis country, and
the honour of the Britilh fla^, were
trullcd in your hands when the
enemy was expected upon our
coati; and, Tiotwi"hftanding the
moll able difcharec of this great
and momentous troll, vou was ac-
cufed of mifcondudt and negleft of
duty. liut, a'ter a very long and
full invelligation, by men in every
refpedl the bell qualified to judge,
that charge appeared to be ill-
grounded and malicious ; and your
judges have unanimoully and ho-
nourably acquitted you, and Kave
further added, that your condui^t
on the 27th and 28th days of July
lall, was that of a judicious, brave,
and experienced officer. Surely
then it cannot be matter of furprize
that extraordinary marks of refpedl
and elleem are Ihewn to fuch a

This Houfe have done you the character. We now know with
diflinguilhei honour of ordering cenamcy that our confidence in

[^J 4 YOIJ

O96] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779:

you was net mifplaced; and we
entertain a well grounded hope
that there ilill remain amongll the
naval officers talents and abilities
fully equal to this dangerous crifis.

Amidlt this general joy, I can-
not help repealing the fingular
plcafure w'lich I feel in giving you
the thanks of this Houfe, which 1
now do, for your di!linpui{hed
CDuragc, conduct, and ability, in
defending this kingdom in the
courfe of the laft (ummer, efTec-
tually protetling its trade, and more'
particaiarly for your having glo-
rioufly upheld the hcJnour of the
Briciih flag on the 27th and zSth^
of July laft.

Upon which Admiral Keppel
faid,

Mr. Speaker,

It is impoflible, by any exprefiions
I cau nle, to do jaftice to my feel-
ings of gratitude to the Hcjie, for
tlie honour they ivave done me by
their approbation of my conduct.

The good opinion of my fcilow
citizens, exprefTed by the repre-
fentatives of the nation, cannot
but be received by me as a moil
acceptable addition to the fatis-
fadlion I felt in the re'ccDt fenterce,
to which you have been pleafcd to
allude, of a court martial ; the re-
fuk of a full and deliberate inqui-
ry, exprefTivc cf their fci.timencs
of the fubjed referred to their ex-
amination, in terms equally honour-
able to thtmfelves and to me.

The pleafure I feel at this mo-
ment is net a little heightened by
thw unavoidable recolle>5tion of the
very different emotions I ielt ul.ca I
was laft in this Hoafe, and in this
place.

I fhould be guilty of great in-
jullicc, if, en aa occafion like the

prcfent, I neglc£ted to inform this
Houfe, that my efforts for the pub-
lic fervice, in tlie inftances in
which the Houfe has been picafed
to diiVinguifh them, were moft
zcaloully Teconded by many as gal-
lant and able ofiicers as the navy
of England ^ver produced ; to
whofe attention and fpirit, next to
the divine providence, the fuccefs
of thcfe efforts ought to be in a great
nieafure afcribed.

I cannot fie down without return-
ing to you, Sir, perfonally, my
particular thanks, for the very
obliging terms in which you have
executed the commands of the
Houfe.

On Saturday the 20th of Feb.
the committee appointed to prefent
Admiral Keppel with the freedom
of the city, having waited on hira
at his Houfe; Mr. Crolby, the fe-
nior alderman, addreffed him in the
ibliovving manner :

" Admiral Keppel,

" Tne citizens of London, a-
midll the acclamations of a grate-
ful people, beg leave to exprefs
their joy on your honourable ac-
quittal from a very heavy and fe-
vers charge of negleft and mifcon-
dud on the 27th and 28th of July
lalt ; a charge which appeared on
your trial to be ill-founded and
malicious.

" The committee. Sir, who now
have the honour to wait on you by
order of the lord mayor, aldermen,
and commons of the city of Lon-
don, in common council alTem-
b!ed, are happy in this oppor-
tunity to teltify their approba-
tion of your condu(S in the many
fignal fervices done to your coun-
try.

" I

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [297

" I think. Sir, I cannot ex-
prefs tlieir fentiments belter, than
by readiig to you the unanimous
refolutions of the court of common
council." '

Plumbe, Mayor.

Rifol'ved unanimoufty. That the
thanks of this courc be given to
the Hononrable Auguflus Keppel,
admiral of tlie blue, for his long
and faithful fcrvices to this coun-
try ; for his ready acceptance, at
the call of his Sovereign, ^i the
important charge of commander » f
the Britifh fleet in time of immi-
nent danger ; for the anxious at-
tention that appears in every in-
ftance of his conduit, to the fafety
of thi coun:ry ; for his judicious,
able, and fpirited behaviour on
the 27t;h of July laft, in his attack
on the French fleet ; for his glo-
rious and gallant efforts to renew
the engagement in the afternoon
of that day j efforts rendered un-
fuccefsfui through the want ot obe-
dience to his orders by the vice-
admiral of the blue ; for the great
protection given by him to oar
trade, to which entirely we are in-
debted for the fafe arrival of the
Eafl and Well India fleets ; for his
animating conduft and example,
happily tollowed by fuch fignal ex-
ertion of fpirit and intrepidity in
the officers and feamen of the
Bricifh fleet, as conveyed terror to
our enemies, and obliged them to
feek fhelter in their own ports by an
ignominious flight.

Refolved unanimoujlyt That the
freedom of this city be prefented
in a box, made cf heart of oak,
with a proper device, ornamented
and embelhlhed with gold, to the
Hon. Auguflus Keppel, admiral of
the blue, as a lellimony of the

very high refped and gratitude
which the members of this courc
entertain of his long and faithful
fervices to his country.

RIX.

Admiral Keppel's anfwer.
" I receive, with the greated
fcnfe of gr.titude, the approbation
which the city of London has been
pleafed to fhew of my endeavours
to ferve my King and country.
The conftitutional zeal which this
great city has ever teitiiied for the
liberties of this kingdom, and for
the fucceflionin his Majefty's Royal
Koufe, renders every mark of their
regard a very high honour. I am
happy, that the care of many excel-
lenc officers dnd brave feamen, un-
der my command laft fummer, has
contributed to the prefervation of
their trade, which makes fo large a
part of tne national intereft."

Extrail of a Letter from L'uutenant-
General Burgoyne to bis Conjli"
tiients, upon bis late Rejignation ;
Kvith the Correfpondencs bet-ujeen
him and the Secretaries of War re-
lati-ve 10 bis Return to America.

ON the 9th of Odober, 1779,
Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne re-
figned the command of the Queen's
regiment of light dragoon^, the
government of tort William, and
his appointment on the American
llaff. As this reiignation appears
to have been occauoned by cir-
cumflances of a very extraordinary
and Angular nature, we have
tnought It proper, in a work of
this kind, to lay before the public
the correfpondence at large which
paffed betweeen him and the Se-
cretaries of War, together with

fuch

c^S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fuch parts of his letter to liis ccn-
ftituents, as tend to. explain more
fully the motives of his conduft
on that occarion. — After briefly
Hating liis political fituation pre-
vious^ to his being iirft fent to
^America, and the Heps by which
the command of the troops defii-
r.ed to m.Cike a jundion with Sir
William Hcvve naturally devolved
to him, the General proceeds in the
foU'cwing manner:

" With thofe claims, Gentle-
men, to the countenance and good-
wiU at Icaft of government, 1 pro-
ceed to relate the treatment I re-
ceived.

I had exprefied, in my pri-
vate letter from Albany to the
Secretary of State, niy " confi-
*' dence in the juillce of the King
*' and his councils to fupport the
*• general they had thought pro-
" per to appoint to as arduous an
«' undertaking and under as pof-
«' fitive a direction as a cabinet
«« ever fram.ed." 1 had in the
fame letter given an opinion of
the enemy's troops, upon near in-
fpc£licn of their numbers, appoint-
menc and difcipline.

Furnitlied vvich thefe materials,
?.nd fupported by the fidelity with
which I had aded, it was not
thought expedient 1 (hould have
accels to the King. What other
fafts might have been cleared up
by my interview, and were wilhed
not to be cleared up, the Secretary
of State* only can inform the
world. Direft means of effeding
iny excluficn from the King's pre-
Jeace were not pradicable ; for

the cafe was unprecedented. The
pretext adopted was as follows :

It was fuggerted that an en-
quiry fhould be made by a board
of general ofiicers into the caufeS
of the mlfcarriage of the northern
expedition ; - and a court etiquette
was invented, the foundation of
which in reafon or precedent I am.
not acquainted with, ^jix. that the
perfons whofe conduct was fo put
in queftion, fhould not appear at
Court p-„nding the enquiry. No
difficulty of the competency of
fuch a court was then fpoke of,
or perhaps thought of, by any but
the dark defignci's of my ruin ;
the meafure therefore could nei-
ther affcd his Majefty nor lus
Court with any idea of farther
hardfhip than the delay of a few
days to my appearing in his pre-
fence.

This arrangement had been
prepared by the Secretary of State,
in the interval between the notice
of my arrival at Portfmouth,
which he received in the evening,
and my vifit to him in Pall-mall,
which was before noon the next
day.

It will naturally be fuppofed,
that the llate in which I flood was
the firil fubjedl: of converfation ;
on the contrary, 1 was received
with much apparent kindneis ;
explanations pafled, but they were
friendly ; I was heard attentively,
through a report of all the tranf-
aftions fubfcqucnt to the Conven-
tion of Saratoga ; and I was led
by degrees, and without fufpicion
of inndioufnefs, to the moft confi-

•'■ ♦ Whenever the Secretary of Sto.te is mentioned in thefc paper?, tlie perfon to,
he imderltcod is the becictary for the Amevican department, Lord George
'iicrmain.

dential

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [299

dential communication, on mv
pare, of rafts, obfervations, and
opinions, refpecting very important
obje(fts.

It the meafure of denying me
accefs to the king had been unde-
cided before, this converfation was
of a nature to proJuce a decifion ;
for it opened truths refpecting the
difpofuions of the people of Ame-
rica, and the itate of things there,
very different from the ideas which
(it Is now known, from tlie line
taken by the Secretary of State
in the late enquiry) were prevalent
in the governing councils of this
kingdom.

It was not till after the matter
of my communication was exhauft-
ed, that the Secretary of State
drew from his pocket an -order,
ti'.at r fhould prepare myfelf for
an inquiry : at wrich I expreffed
my fuileil: fatisfaclion, till he fol-
lowed the. order with th*" informa-
tion'of the etiquette I before men-
tioned, that I was not to appear at
courc.

Hiving pitched upon this ex-
pedient for no other end than to ex-
clude me from the prefence of my
Sovereign, he could hardly be in
pain about the event. If the gene-
ral officers appoin.-ed for a Board
of Enquiry, fhould coincide with
the notion that my parole was of
fach a nature as to bar their pro-
ceedings, this would pat cff my
accels to the King to a very long
day : but if the general officers
fhould not enter into thefe ideas,
lie had a refource left. He could
rot be unapprized, that fych a
court was held by high authorities
in the law to be illegal; and if I
wlis not to fee the King until an
illegal or queftionable court (hould

mnke a valid report, I was never
likely to enjoy that honour. Either
way- 1 was not to have the benefit
of an enquirv ; but he was to have
the advantage of the pretence ofone,
in order to (hut the door of St.
Jam.es's again!! me. This has been
made apparent beyond all poirioility
of doubt, by every part of his fub-
fequent condudl: but at that time,
though I favv a difgrace was i itend-
ed me, I was not able to eftiinate
the full extent of it.

Thus prevented in my intended
appeal to the King, and as I h^ve fa-
tal reafon to briicve, the King's car
fecured againil: me, attempts were
not unthought of to deprive me of
a voice in parliament. A great
law officer of the crovvn made, in
the form c/"legal doubts, a long and
methodical argument agajnft my
competence to any civil duty or
funftion : but it was not found fo
eafy to exclude me from your fer-
vice, as it had been to deprive me of
countenance at court; and miniftcrs
only ihewed by that abortive at-
tempt, what th-air motives were, in
thoie attempts in which they had
been more fuccefsful.

Though the late time of the (s.{-
fion, and the abfence of Sir Wiiliam
Howe ?.nd Sir Guy Carleton, vv-rio
were fuppofed to be parties, fiir-
nilhed piaufible arguments for pa;!-
poning a parliamentary enquirv in
the fummer of 1778, it was evident
the temper of the doule of Cjm-
mons was niclined to adopt it at ths
enfuing meetmg.

In the beginning of June, I
received trie conditional order an-
nexed. [No. 1.] Though it bea-s
the King's name, it was avowedly
a letter of the cabinet ; and there
remained ho longer a doubt in my

mind.

300] ANNUAL REGISTER,

mind, that my ruin was made a
meafure of llate. Few adepts in
the fcience of cppreffion could
have formed a deiign better fitted
to its end; and it was likely to be
fuccefsful, whatever part 1 Ihould
take. If I went — ^my charader
was loll irretrievably •— the falfe-
hoods ar.d afpernons that have fmce
been refuted in the face of thofe
who propagated them, were al-

1779-

doubly due to fuch as in their zeal
have been unfortunate.

It muft be obfcrved, that the
miniftry kept a profound liicnce,
both to myfelf and the public, rc-
fpecling the ratification of the con-
vention. 'I he iame filence they
maintained even in parliament long
after its meeting. They were per-
fedly apprifed, that the enemy
had iome time before made the

ready gone forth : the numbers of want of that ratification the ground

my army, and of that oppofcd to
nie, were already grofsly miftated ;
contradidory ciiarges of floth aiid
precipitancy, as the temper of men
at the moment feemed inclined to
either, were luppcrted with uni-
form perfeverance : — my fritnds
were Hated to be my accufers;
and even my integrity, with re-
gard to pecuniary trufts, was glanced
at.

If I flayed, the King's order
(as it was fallacicafly called) was
a fpecious topic ; and it was not
difficult to forefee, that it would
be put into the hands of gentle-
men that vvell knew how to make
the utmoft of it by arc and oppor-
tunity. My anfvver [No. 2.] drew
from the cabinet their fecond let-
ter [No. 3.] ; and I give them
the faiisfaftion of knowing, that I
felt all they could v\ilh 1 fticuld
feel frbm the repetition of their
feverity. I faw in it at once a
doubt of my veracity refpedling
my health, and the mofl: contemp-
tuous difregard of all other prin-
ciples upon which I had claimed
a ri'^ht of flaying in this coufitry.

Fundamental principles, I

thought them, of jullice and ge-
nerofity due from all governments
to thofe who ferve thera zealoufly,
and in Ibme governments held

of their refufing to give effedt
to the part of the treaty which was
favourable to the troops. They
knew aifo, that one of the prin-
cipal objeds of my return to Eng-
land was to, negotiate in behalf of
that deferving body of foldiers and
fubjedts. T heir defire of my de-
livering myfelf into <:aptivi!:y, at
fuch a time, and ur;der fuch cir-
cumftances, jullified fcmtthing more
than a fufpicion, that in my ab-
fence it was intended either to lay
to my charge fonie breach of faith
with the enemy ; or to renounce
the treaty from the beginning, and
by my furrcnder, to transfer the
ail from the nation to my per-
fon. 1 hefe are the only two caies
which I believe can be produced
from the hiflory of haticns, where-
in an officer, who had made a con-
vention with an enemy, had been
delivered up to them. The rarifi^ .
cation of the treaty afterwards is no
proof that fuch intt.niions did not
then exill.

I will make no farther obferva-
tions. Gentlemen, upon this firll
correfpondence between the War-
office and me ; nor fhould I have
troubled you v.-ith thefe, but that
great pains are taken to divert the
attention of the public from the
pretended order, to my behaviour

fince

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE, [qoi

fince the receipt of it. I in no The moft important purpofe of

wife feek to evade the public judg- my return to England having been

ment upon any thing I have done : anfvvered by this vindication, I

but I dim from the impartial and thought the facrifice of my com-

the candid, a confideratioa of the mlfTions, the fruits of the greateft

pretended order itfelf, in its prin-
cipal parts,' 'viz. the ground up-
on which it is founded ; the no-
vel fpecies of cruelty which it
fuppofcs within the power of the
crown ; and laftly, the exer-
cife of fuch doftrine by men who
were parties, and againft the man
whom they were called upon by
their ftation and their honour to
confront.

Nothing farther pafTed during
the recefs of parliament. I avail-
ed myfelf of a difcretionary power,
as I had a right to do, and I made
it no fecr€t, that had a direft or-
der been fent me, I fhould have
laid all my commiffions at his Ma-
jefty's feet.

During the lall feflion of parlia-
ment, an inquiry was inftituted.
The detail of the attempts made
by the miniftry to defeat it, is too
netorious to be necefTary upon this
occafion. They at lafi contrived
that it (hould be left imperfedl :
but ' in fpight of every manage-
ment, it had anfwered my pur-
pofe fo far, as to fix upon record
a body of evidence, that I would
not exchange for all that power
could bellow. It is a j unification
of misfortune by the voice of ho-
nour. It is there apparent, what
the army under my command,
who felt moft and faw belt, thought
of my aiSlions.— Theaffeftions of my
gallant comrades, unfhaken in every

part of my life, not to be necef-
fary. I know by experience what
I had to apprehend in point of
health from an American winter ;
but I fcorned to plead it. Con-
fcious of my integrity, I abandon-
ed my public accounts to the ri-
gorous fcruciny of office; and I
took occafion publicly to declare,
that fhould it ftill be thought ex-
pedient to deliver me back to the
enemy, and a pofitive order fhould
be fent me for that purpofe, I
fhould, as far as in me lay, obey
it.

I do not believe any man who
knows me doubted of the fincerity
of that intention. I am perfuaded,
the framers of the letter of the
24th September were particularly
convinced of it. The man who
embarked in the fituation I did,
in the year 1776, could hardly be
fuppofed to want fortitude to un-
dertake an American voyage, in
the fituation in which I made the
declaration. An order, therefore,
which I could have obeyed without
committing my honour, would not
have eiFeded my ruin. Time and
circumflances furnifhed more fe-
cure expedients ; which I fhall now
open.

Occaflons were taken to viflt
my offences upon my friends.
Examples refpedting my nearefl
connexions need not be pointed
out, when I am addrefTmg myfelf

trial, labour, famine, captivity, or to any part of the county of Lan-
death, enable me to defpife the ran- cafler. But the principle extend-
cour of a cabal, and all its confe- ed far more wide ; and did not
qucnces. the apprehenfion of farther hurt-

ing

:502] ANNUAIL REGIS TFR, 1779.

in<» the men I love reuraiii mc,
I could prcHuce inftr.nces of hard-
fiiip in the difuibution of mili-
tiry preferments, that- no impar-
tial perfcn will imputtr to any
other cade than the kindnefs and
frier.dlhip ot the parties to me.

Thei'e in (lances of perfecullon,
ir was well known, afFcdcd me
deeply. There were others yet
inoreirritaiing.

In the courfe of the fummer, the
appreher.fjons before entertained
of an invalion, by the declaration
of goveirment bu'came a cer-
tainty. Hardly a Eiitifli fubjeft
cculd be four.d fo low, fo feeble,
or even fo proiiigate, as to be cx-
eirptcd from fervice ; while un-
comtT'On premiums were railed by
beggine, and diftributed to volun-
teers, the gacls, and even the feet
of the gallows, were reforted to
for other recruits.

In this declared dilemma, I
know government were not ftran-
gers to my intention of fighting
my own regiment as colonel ; or,
fhould its de'ilinaticn not admit
the honour of meetng the enemy
in tiiat capacity, cf ctTering my-
felf as a volunteer in the ranks cf
any corps thai might be more for-
tunately utuatcd.

Thefe federal feelings, and
many others incident to an oppref-
fed mar., were dcubtlcfs duly ccn-
fidered ; for at the crifis when
they could' operate melt forcibly,
it" was thought proper moll to in-
fult me;' at the criHs when the
King's fcrvants openly announced.

that not a fhip or a foldicr could
be fparcd from our internal de-
fence, a fcntcnce of banifhment
was fent me, and even tl.at not
in an order, but a reprimand ;
—a fubmifiion to ignominy was
required of me; for to put me
wholly out of a, capacity to draw
my fvvord at fuch a moment, was
virtually, in point of difgrace, to
brcTik it over my head. My ene-
mies might have fpared fuperflu-
ous provocations. This alone
would have fufHccd to prove their
fagacity, and to effed': their pur-
pofe. Let it not be fuppofed they
want knowledge of ihe hunr.aa
heart. There are among them,
who can difcern its recefTes, and
have the fliill and the triumph to
make a foldier's honour and fen-
fibility the inilrumcnts of his own
dellrudlion.

I could no longer brook the
treatmeiii; I received. My letter
of the gth October to the Secre-
tary at V;"ar, [No. 5.] contains my
general fentiments."

Corre/jicndence -xvith Lord Earririgton.

[No. J.]
JFar-0£:ce, June 5, 177S.
S I R,
The K'>g*, judging your pre-
fence material to the troops de-
tained priioners in Ivew England,
under the convention of Saratoga ;
and finding in a letter of yours to
Sir WilliaiH Howe, dated Apn! 9,
1778, "'that you truft a fhort time
" at Bath will enable you to re-
" turn to America*," his Ma-
jetty

• Paragraph of the letter from Lieutenant General Burgcyre to Sir William
Hove, which was made the fciindaticn ct the above conditional order.

" I need not expatiate upw. the fatists<Slion I fliould feel at being put
** asiain in a fituation to lerve under you, as ff^on as my health will enable
" me. — Itritjiihata <very Jhort time at Bath nvHl ejffen thc.tpurpofe.

<« I have

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [303

jelly is pleafed to order that you
Jhall repair to Bolton, as foon as
you have tried the Bath Waters,
in the manner you propofe.
Ihave the honour to be.
Your moll obedient,
humble lervant,
.Earrington.
Lieut. Gen. Burgoynet
Hcrtford-Jireet.

[No. 2.]

June, 22, 1778.
My Lord,

I have confidered the letter I
had the honour to receive from your
lordfliip on the 5th inllant, with
the attention and refpedl due to an
intimation of the King's pleafure.
I "have now to reqceftyour lordihip
to lay before his Majeliy a few
particulars of my fituation ; and to
oiTer to his royal confideration, with
all humility ©n my part, fuch of my
complaints as admit of reprefenta-
tion.

My letter to Sir William Howe,
referred to in yoyr lordfhip's le'c-
ter, was writ in the fulnefs of zeal
to renew my fervice in arms the
enfiiing cj<mpaign. The fatisfac-
tion ot fucceediug In that applica-
tion would have tended to my re-
covery, or for a time might have
prevented my feeling an ill. De-
prived of fo animating a fupport,
and vifited by new and unexpefted
anxieties, I have now recourie only,
as far as the mind is concerned, to
a clear confcience, perhaps a more
tardy, but, I truft, as etiicacious an
affillance.

The prefent fcifon of the year,
always favourable to m ■, gives me
the appearance, and indeed, ia
fome degree the fenfation of health.
But much care is fi;ill vvanting to
rellore me to my former flate. The
remedies prefcribed me are repofe,
regimen of diet, and repeated vifits
to Bath : my intention, in confe-
quence, was to remain fome time
in the country, to repair to Bath
for a ihort time next month, and
to return thither for a much lonsTgr
fpace in the more proper feafun,
the autumn. But whatever njay
be the benefit of all or any part of
this plan, I am perfuadcd, that to
expofe my conllitution to the next
American winter, is in probability
to doom me to the grave.

That I {hould not hefitate at
fuch an alternative, in circum-
ftances of exin;ency, I amxonfident
the King will admit, when in his
grace he fhall recolleft how often,
at his Majefty's call in this war, I
have relinquifhed private duties
and afreiflion, more inpulfive upon
the heart than any we owe to ex-
iilence. The purpofes intimated
for my prcT-nt attendance jn
America, would, I fear, be very
different from fervices.

The army 1 Commanded, credu-
lous in my favour, and attached 10
me by the feries of confllfls and
misfortunes we have in common
fultained, would not find material
confolation from my return in dif-
grace; and their difappointmt-nt
could not but be enhanced by fuch
an indication, that governmenc ei-

" I have only to add, my truft that you will continue to me the friend/liip
*' and conliieQce with which you have always honourei me, and that you
" will w.ite to me at full by the iiril opportunity, how I can be employed to
" ferve your views. I have the honour to be, &c."

tner

304] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ther thought ic inexpedient to ratify
the convention of Saratof;a, cr
defpaired of a ratification cfFcdluat-
ing the redemption of t!\at army;
for they would not conceive it pof
fible, had the return of the troops
been in view, that any perfoa
would have advifed the King to
what then might have appeared fo
harOi an ad as fending an infirm,
calumniated, unheard complainant,
acrofs the Atlantic, merely to in-
fpeft their embarkation.

Your lordlliip will perceive the
parts of this letter which apply to
the council of the throne, from
whence I am to fuppofe the order
I have received originated, and in
your jullice and generofity you will
guard me, my lord, from any fup-
pofable prefumption of expoflulat-
ing with the King in perfon. But
I apply to the fame qualities in
your lordfliip's mind, for pointing
out to his Majefty, independently
of his council, other letters, among
thofe tranlmitted to the Secretary
of State, alledging other reafons,
'and thofe more prevalent than the
attention to health, for my return
to England; and permit me, my
lord, to add, that every one of
them receives tenfold weight from
what has happened lately, for my
continuance in England. The fpe-
cial reafon upon which T chiefly
reft at prefent, my lord, is a vindi-
,cation of my honour.

Until that by full and proper
trial is cleared to my Sovereign and
to my country, I confefs I fliould
feel a removal from hence, though
enforced by the term duty, the fe-
vereft fentence of exile ever im-
pofed ; and when the time and cir-
cumftances of fuch removal arc far-
ther confidered, that Britain is
threatened with invafion, and that

after an enemy has let tny arm at
liberty, I am forbid a fhare in her
defence by the council of my owa
Sovereigri. — After thefe confidera-
tions, 9an I, my lord, be deemed
of."' ifive if I venture to declare
thic fo marked a combination of
di'pleafure and hard treatment,
would be more than } fhould be able,
or perhaps ought to bear.

My caufe, my lord, thus com-
mitted to your office and charafler,
I have only to add my reliance that
you will do it jullice, and the refpeft
with which I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.

Lord Barrlngton.

[No. 3.1
War -Office, June 27, 1 778.
S I R,
I took the firft opportunity of
laying before the King your letter
to me, dated the zzA inllant. His
Majefty continues to think your
prefence with the troops taken at
Saratoga, and ftill detained pri-
foners in Nev/ England, of fo much
importance to them, that he has
commanded me to acquaint you it
is his. pleafure, that you return to
them as foon as you can, without
any rifk of material injury to your
health.

I have the honour to be,
, Sir,

Your moft obedient,

humble fervant,
Barrington.
Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne.

Ccrrefpondetice n.vith Mr, "J enkinfoii.

[No- 4.]
War.Office, Scpi. 24, 1 779.
SIR,
I am commanded by the King
to acquaint you, that your not re-
turning

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [30;

turning to America, and joining the
troops, prifoners under the conven-
tion o*^^ Saratoga, is conlidered as a
neglect of duty, and difobedience
of orders tranfmitted to you uy the
Secretary at War, in his letter of
5111 June, 177!:!.

I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c,
(Signed) CJenkinson.
Lieut. Go'n. Burgoyne.

[No; 5.]

Hertford-Strett, 03 9, 1779.
S I R,

I received your letter acquaint-
ing me, " that my not returaing
*' to America, and joining the
" troops, prifoners uoder rhe con-
" vencion of Saratoga, is confi-
" dered as a neglect ot duly, and
*' difobedience of orders tranf-
" mitted to me, by the Secretary
•' at War, in his letter of 5th June-,
" 1778."

During a fervice of more than
thirty years, 1 have been taui?hc,
by the rewards of two iucctUi e
Sovereigns, to belitve, that my
military condud was held d^ierving
of more favourable terms cnan thole
which are .pplied to it in the above
recital. I have received fiom his
prefent Majelly in p rticuKir. re
peated and con(picuous teiiiini'n'cs
of diftinclion and go d ooiuion :
and 1 ihould have been the nicft
ungratef 1 of men, it 1 h'.d uoi le.t,
and uniformly endtavou'ed to m^-rk
the warmeft and moft Ju ifal at-
tachment to his pe f n, tigether
with a punflilious perfeverance in
th' execu ion of all his law.'ul com-
mands.

Under tf's fenfe of my paft fitua-
tiort, your letter. Hated to be writ-
ten by the King's command, can-
not bat afFedf me moll painfuUv.
Vol. XXH.

The time in which I am charged
with neglect of duty, has been em-
ployed to vindicate my own ho-
nour, the honour of the liritilh
troops, and of thofe of his Ma-
jeiiy's alliei, under my late com-
mand, from the molt bafe and bar-
barous afperfions, that ever were
forged againft innocent men, by
malignity lupported by power.

I.i regard to the lecond charge,
I mult tirll obferve that there were
two ittters from the late Secretary
at War, upon the fubjcdt of my
return to America ; and though
you oidy itate that of the 5tn of
June, t conclude it is not aicant,
that rhe oiher of the 27th (hould
be fap^seffsd, as it is e.xplanaiory
of the ionner.

Tne fignification of the King's
pleafare therein contained being
cirariy conditional, and the condi-
tion de|>ending uiO'i my owa
judgment ; i am unable to con-
ceive by wnat po^fible conltrudion
it can be co ilidtreo as difooe-
dience, that I have not luifilled an
optional condition ; and 1 ^im rea-
dy and deUrous to m^et the judg-
ment of a proper tribunal upon that,
as upon every other part ot my con-
doa.

In the mean time, Sir, I am
not told who it is that confiders
my takincT advantage ol my parole
^or tne purpofes 1 have done, as a
neglett of duty, and breach of or-
ders, an I has fo repreie ited it to
hi-. Majelly. But in this Itate of
ignorance concerning my enemies,
1 mull lay, as well from duty to
my Sovereign, as from jLltice to
myfelf, that they who have abufed
the confidence ot th.ir gracious
mailer, by fuch a grofs niifrepre-
fentation, merit, and I trull will
meet with more of his difpieaiure,
[U] than

3o6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

than they wickedly have drawn upon fame breath that I am dated not to

be accountable to him : by this

The puniihment implied in the
order referred to, you will obferve.
Sir, is unulual as vyell as cruel.
Whether the Minifters of the
crown, can legally order a Britilh
fubjecl into captivity either at home
or abroad without trial ; or whe-
ther they can compel an officer by
virtue of his general military obe-
dience, to deliver hia)felf to the
prifon of the enemy, without any
requifuion on their part, is (to
fay nothing llronger of it) matter
of fericus doubt. On pretence of
military obedience, I am ordered
to the only part of the world in
which I can do no military fervice.
An enemy's prifon is not the
King's garrifon, nor is any thing
to be done or fuffered there, any
part of an officer's duty; fo far
from it, that it implies a direct, in-
capacity for any military fundion.
What are the military orders I am
to give to men who have no arms
to fight, and no liberty to march r
Or by what rule is my not being
in the hands of rebels, underllood
to be a neglect of duty to my So-
vereign ? Si;:, the thing is too evi-
dent ; thofe who calumniate my
conduCl on this account are de-
firous not of ferving the King, but
of infulting me, and of ellablifli-
ing new, dangerous, unmilitary and
nnconlUtutional powers in them-
fclves.

While a precedent is eftablifhing
in my particular cafe, I requelt it
may moreover be remembered that
I am deprived of a cofirc-martial
upon my cot^duft in Arperica, be-
caufe I am not fuppofed to be ame-
nable to the juuicc of the king-
dom : and the King is told [ have
^ifobeyed his orders, in the very

doarine it feems fuppoied, that I
am not capable of receiving orders
for the purpofes of public jultice
or public fervice, but am perfeftly
lubjed to all fuch as have a ten-
dency to my own delfruftion.

But it has been fuggeiled, when
no military duty could be devifed
as a ground for this order, that I
might be returned to captivity in
a fort of civil capacity ; to com-
fort my fellow prifoners by a par-
ticipation of their fulTerings, and
to aft as a commiflary to nego-
tiate for them. Could any fuf-
feiings of mine alleviate the fmal-
lell of theirs, I fnould willingly
fubmit to any thing the malice of
the prefent Minilters could inflict
upon me. Jjut it is equally in-
jurious to truth, and to their ho-
nour and humanity, to fuppofe that
my perfecution could make any
part of their confolation. What
confolation could they derive from
my junction to the common capti-
vity, only to tell them that not a
name among them is to be found in
the numerous lilt of late promotions?
and that the negociations to be un-
dertaken in their favour, are to be
condaded by the man who is noto-
rioufly profcribed by the power in
the name of which he is to negotiate?
who alone, of all the officers who
have come from America, has
been denied all accefs to the King.
Cruelly as I and my fellow-fufFerers
are treated ; I can icarce bring
myfelf lo wifh, that they who pro-
vide fuch comfort lor others, lliould
receive it in a funilar fituatioia
tbemfelves,

I am forry finally to obferve,
that the treatment 1 have expe-
rienced, however contradiftory in

2 the

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE, [joy

the reafons afilgned for the feveral
parts of it, is perfedly uniform in
the principle. They who would
not fufFer me to approach the
King's prefence to vindicate my-
felf oefore him ; who have held that
I cannot have a court-martial to
vindicate myfelf to my profeflion ;
ani who have done all they could
do, to prevent me from vindicating
myfelf to my country by a parlia-
mentary enquiry ; are now very
iyftematically defiroiis of burving
my innocence and their own guilt,
in the prifons of the enemy, and
of removing, in my perfor., to the
other fide of the Atlantic Ocean,
the means of renewing parliamen-
tary proceedings which they have
reafon to dread.

Thofe extraordinary attempts to
opprefs in my perfon the righ;s of
all fubjecls, and to pervert every idea
of military obedience, by directing
it, not to the fervice of the public,
bat the ruin of officers, jullified me
to my own confcience, in the part
I took under the co. d'tional . rder,
referred to in your letter. I f .und
the fame inward juilification in re-
quiring, in the mnl\ public manner,
at the dole of the late feliion of
parliimenc, a clear, peremptory or-
der, in cafe the JVliniiu-rs pcrfevered
in their inte<:»tion ot re furrendering;
me to the enemy.

I have received no orc'er ; had
an order been fent to me, framed in
any manner that I could have acled
upon it cunfKtently with the exiit-
ence of charader ; I might have
made a proteft againft the prece-
dent ; 1 might have enquired of
you. Sir, by what probable means,
in the prefent pofture of aiFairs, it
was to be executed. But in de-
ference to the King's name, as a

military' fervant, I meant fubmif-
fion. Your letter. Sir, inftead of
an order for my future conduft, is
an unjuft reproach of my pall ; for
which I humbly implore of his
Msjefty, and firmly demand of his
councils, trial br a court-martial.
Should that be refufed or procra-
ftinated upon the principle for-
merly adopted, " that in mv pre-
" fent fitoation no judicature can
" have cogrzance oYmy alliens ;"
I can then cjniider the purport of
your letter. Sir, in no other light
than that of a difmidicn, a uif-
miilion as conclufive as any you
could have worded in form, and
perhaps more poignant. To eat
the breati of the crown, however
taith^ully earned, unuer a fentence,
without appeal, m the name of the
King, of negleft of duty and dif-
oticdience of orders, is incompati-
ble vAth my Ci ncertion of honour;
an interdidlion from my c''untry ;
a banifhment to the only part of
the .world in wnich I am cifabled
from lerving that country at the
moment of- her fate; and when
evfry othe-^ arm, even to iiie weak-
ell, -^ ,:.re(red to her defence; thee
circumft.ince.' g've a critical bar-
barity to the intentions o' the King's
adviiers, that an Englifli foldier
cannot fupport. Th rerore, Sir, I
find myfelf compelled, if not al-
lowed an early tri.d, or by the
King's grace, upon this reprelenta-
tjon, rei^ored to a capacity of fer-
vice, through vour official channel
to requeft his iVlajefty, to accept of
my refignation ot my .ippointintnt
upon the Americi;; ;1 .:, of the
Queen's regimert of -ighr dra-
goons, and of the government of
Fort William, humbly defiring on-
ly to refirve my rank as lieutenant-
[U] 2 general

jo8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

general in the army, to render me
ihe more clearly amenable to a
court martial hereafter, and to ena-
ble me to fulfil my perfonal faith,
Ihould I be required by the enemy lo
to do.

I have the honour to be,
&c.
The Right H:n. Charles Jenkin/on,
Secretary at If'ar.

[No. 6.]
War-ofice, Oil. 15, lyjg-'
SIR,

I have received your letter of the
gth inftant, wherein, after Hating
your reafons for objefting to the
feveral Heps that have been taken
with relation to the orders given
for your return to North America,
you add, that " if you are not al-
" lowed an early trial, or if by his
<' Majefty's grace, upon the rcpre-
** fentations contained in the fuid
" letter, you are not rellored to
" a capacity of fervice, it is your
" requeft to his Majelly, that he
" will be pleafed to accept your
" refignation of your appointment
*' to the American ilaff, of the
" Queen's regiment of light dra-
" goons, and of the government
" of Fort William ; humbly de-
'• firing only to referve your rank
*• of lieutenant-general in the ar-
** my, to render you more clearly
*' amenable to courts-martial here-
" after, and to enable you to ful-
'• fil your perfonal faith, fiiould
" you be required by ilie enemy
" fo 10 do."

Having laid your letter before
the King, I am commandtd to ac-
quaint ycu, that for the reafons fub-
niitted to his Majelly by the Board
of General Ouicers, in their report, .
dated 23d A'lay, 1778, (which rea-
fons fubfift in the fame force now as

they did at that time) his Majefty
does not think proper that any part
of your conduct fliould be brought
before a military tribunal, lo long
as you (liall continue engaged to re-
deliver yourfelf into the power of
Congrels upon their demand, and
due notice being given by them.
Nor does his Majelly think proper,
in confequence of the reprcfenta-
tions contained in your faid letter,
to reftore you, circumftanced as vou
are, to a capacity of fervice Nei-
ther of thefe requells can therefore
be granted.

1 have it farther in command
from the King to acquaint you,
that his Majelty confiders your let-
ter to mc ai a proof of your deter-
nii nation to perfevere in not obey-
ing his orders, ilgnified to you in
the Secretary at \Var's letter of the
5:h of June, 1778 : and for this
reafon, his Majelly is pleafed to
accept your refignation of the com-
mand vof the Queen's regiment of
light dragoons, of the government
of Fort William, and of your ap-
pointment on the American ftatf,
allowing you only to rclcrve the
rank of lieutenant general in the
army, for the purpofes you have
ftated.

Lord Barrington's letter of the
27th of June is confiaered as ex-
planatory of the orders given in his
letter of the jth of that month.
i have the honour to be,
&c.
(Signed) C. Jenkinson,
Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne,

[No. 7.1

Hertford-Street, Od. 17, 1779.

S 1 R,

1 received your letter of the 15th

iniiant, informing me, that his

Majefty had been pleafed to accept

ID)'

APPENDIX to the CPIROXICLE. [309

my refignation of my military em-
ployments, and that I am refufed
a court-martial upon that difobe-
dience, for my perfeverance in
which, you tell me my relignation
is accepted.

I mult perfift in denying, that
I have received any other order,
than an order fubjed to my own
difcretion.

I mull perfift in my claim to a
court-martial.

I apprehend, that if I am not
fubjefi: to a trial for breach of or-
ders, it implies that I am not fub-
jedl to the orders themfelves.

I do not admu that 1 cannot, le-
gally have a court-martial, circum-
ilanced as I am: but thofe who ad-
vife his Majelly, aflert it, and they
are anfwerable for this contradidion
between their reaioning and their
conduft

The report of the general offi-
cers, 1 humbly conceive, is erro-
neous. And the fubfequent ap-
pointment of other gentlemen, ex-
actly in my circumftances (with
great merit on their part to entitle
them to any dillindion) to military
employments, fabjed to orders, and
accountable for the breach of them,
is one of the reafons for my con-
ceiving, that the King's advii'ers
do rict differ from me in opinion,
that the general officers were mif-
taken.

Thinking it probable. Sir, that
this letter may dole the correfpon-
dence between us, I conclude with
the fentinients I have never de-
viated from in any part of it ; and
I requeft you to affure his Majeity,
with all humility on my pnrt, that
thou;:h I have reafon to complain
heavily of his Majefly's Miniiters,
my mind is deeply imprelTed, as it
ever has been, v/ith a lenf'? of duty.

refpeft, and afFeflion to his royal
perfon.

1 have the honour to be,
&c.
The Right Hon. Charles 'Jcnkinfon,
Secretary at War.

[No. 8.]
War-Off.ce, 0£l. 2 2, 1 7 79.
S I R,
I have the honour to acknow-
ledge the receipt > of your letter,
dated the 17th inftant, and to ac-
quaint you, that I took the lirft
opportunity of laying it before the
King.

I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your mod obedient,
humble fervant,
C. Jen KIN SON,
Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne,
Sec, Sec. Sec. ■

Admiralty-Office, Oa. 12, 1 7 79.
A Letter from Captain Pearfon, of
his Majeiiy's Ihip Scrapis, to
Mr. Stephens, of which the fol-
lowing is a Copy, was yefterday
received at this Office :

Pallas, French Frigate, inCongrefs
Ser-vice. Texel, 0£i. 6, 1 779.

SIR, «

y^OU will be pleafed to inform
the Lords Commiffioneri of
the Admiralty, that on the 2;d u!t.
being dole in with Scarborough,
about eleven o'clock, a boat came
on board with a letter from the
bailiffs of that corporation, giving
information of a flying fqjadron of
the enemy's fnips being on the
coaf^, and of a part of the fr.id
fquadron having been feen from
thence the day before, ftanding to
the fouthward. As foon as I re-

[t^] 3 ceived

3io] ANNUAL R E G I S T E I^, 1779.

ccived tills intelligence, I made the
liirnal fjr the convoy to be.ir down
under uiy lee, and repeated it with
tuo guns; notwithiianding which,
the van of" the convoy kept their
wind, with all fail llretchiig out
to the l-iuthwarJ from under Flam-
borough Head, till between t^/elve
and cm-, when the headmoll of
them got fight of the enemy '^ (hips,
whicn were then in chace of ihem ;
they then tacked, and' m^de the
bell of their way under the Ihce
for Scarborough, &c. jetting fly
their top-gallait Iheets, and hdng
guns ; upon which 1 made all the
iail I could to windward, to gee
between the enemy's fnips and the
convoy, which I foon efteded. At
one o'clock we gut fight of the
enemy's fhips from the niafthead,
and about four we made them
plain from the deck to be three
large Hiips and a brig ; upon which
I made the Counttfs of Scarbo-
rough's fjgnal to join me, Ihc be-
ing in (hore with the convoy : at
the fame time i made the fignai
for the convoy to rhake the belt of
their way, and repeated the fignal
with two guns: 1 then brought to,
to let the Countefs of Scarborough
come up, and cleared Itiip hr
2dion. At half part five the
Coilntefs of Scarborcogh joined
ir.e, the enemy's Hiips then bear-
ing down upon us,, with a light
breeze at S. S. W. at fix tacked,
and luid cur head in fliore, in or-
der to keep our ground the better
between the enemy's Ibips and the
convoy ; foon after Vi/hich wj per-
ceived the fhips bcaiing down upon
us to be a t*o- decked Ihip and two
frigates, but from their keeping
end on upon us, on bearing down,
we could not difcern what colours
fhey were under : at about twenty

minutes pad fcven, the largeft
Ihip of the three brought to, on
our larboard bow, within mufquet
Ihot : 1 hailed him, and alked
what ftiip it was ; they anfwered
in Engiilh, the Princef, Royai j I
then alked where they belonged
to ; they anhvered evafively ; on
which 1 told them, if they did not
anlwcr aireitly, 1 would fire into
them ; tht y then anfwered with a
(hot, which was inrtantly returned
with a broadfide ; and after ex-
changing two or three broadfides,
he backed his lopfails, and drop-
ped upon cur quarter within piftol-
ihc't, then filled again, put his
helm a-wcather, and run us on
board upon our weather quarter,
and attempted to board us, but
being repul'.ed, he fheered off;
upon which 1 backed our top-fails,
in order to get fquare with him
again, wliich, ss foon as he ob-
lerved, he then filled, put his helm
a - weather, and laid us athwart
hawfe ; his mizen ftirouds took
our jib boom, which hung him
for fofiie time, till it at lalT gave
way, and we dropc alongfide of
each other, bead and Item, when
the flLike of our fpare anchor
hooking his quarter, we became
fo clofe fore and aft, that the
muzzles of our guns touched each
others (ides, in this pofition we
engaged from half pall eight till
half paft ten ; during which time,
from the great quantity and variety
of combuitible niiitters which they
threw in upon our decks, chains,
and in fhort into every part of the
(hip, we were on fire no leis than
ten or twelve limes in different
parts of the fiiip, and it was with
the greateft difficulty and exertion
imaginable^ at times that we were
able to get it eJitinguiftied. At

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [311

the fame time the largeft of the at the fame time went by the

two frigates kept iailing round us
the whole adion, and raking us
fore and afr, by which means fhe
killed or wounded alraoft every
man on the quarter and main
decks.

About half pad nine, either
from a hand grenade being thrown
in at one of our lower deck ports,
or from fome other accident, a

board.) The firlt lieutenant and
myielf were immediately efcorted
into the fhip alongfide, when we
found her to be an American Ihip
of war, called the Bon Homms
Richard, of 40 guns and 375 men,
comm:inded by Captain Paul Jones ;
the other frigate which engaged
us, to be the Alliance, of 40
guns, and 300 men ; and the third

cartridge of powd;;r was fet on fire, irigate which engaged and took the
the flames of which running from Countefs of Scarborough, after two
cartridge to cartridge all the way hours action, to be the Pallas, a
aft, blew up the whole of the peo- French frigate of 32 guns, and
pie and officers that were quartered 275 men ; the Vengeance, an
abaft the main-mafl; from which armed brig of 12 guns, and 70
unfortunate circumltance all tho.'e men ; all in Congrefs fervice, and
guns were rendered ufelefs for the under the command ot Paul Jones,
remainder of the adion, and I They fi;ted out and failed from
fear the greateft part of the people Port I'Orient the latter end of
will lofe their lives. At ten o'clock July, and came north about; they
they called for quarters from the have on board 300 Englilh pri-
fiiip alongl?.1e, and iaid they had foners, which they have taken in
ftruck : hearing this, i called upon different ve.Tels in their way round,
the capiain to know if they had fiiice they letc France, and have
itruck, or if he a'.ked for quarters ; ranfomed fome others. On my
but no anfwer being made, after going on board the Bon Homme
repeating my words two or three Richard, I found her in the great-
times, I called for the boarders, elt diftrefs ; her quarters and coun-
3nd ordered them to bo?,rd, which ter on the lower deck entirely
they did ; but the moment they drove in, and the whole of her
were on board her, they difcovered losver deck guns difmounted ; llie
a fupenor' number laying under vvas alfo on fire in two places, and

cover with pikes in their hands
ready to receive them ; on which
our people retreated inilantly into
our own fnip, and returntd to

fix or feven feet water in her hold,
which kept increafing upon tliem
all night and the next day, till
they v\ere obliged to quit her, and

their guns again till pall ten, vvhsn fhe funk, with a great number of

the frigate coming acrofs our Itcrn, her wounded people on board her.

and pouring her broadhde into us She had 306 men killed and

qgain, without our being able to wounded in the adtion ; our lofs in

bring a gun to bear on her, 1 the Serapis was alio very great,

found it in vain, and in (liort im- My ofjicers and people in general

pradticable, from the fituation we behavi.d well, and I fliould be

were in, to Itand out any longer very remifs in my attention to their

with the leaft prolpecl of fuctels ; merit were I to omit reconimend-

i therefore ftruck, (our main ir.aft ing the- remains of them to their

[U] 4 lordlhips

jii] ANNUAL RE

lordlhips favour. I mull at the
lame time beg leave to inform their
lorJIb'ps, that Capt in Pier'-\ , in
the ^^ountel's of Scub rou^h, w s
not in the leall remils in hi> du'y,
he having ^iven n,e fcy itrtUdu^e
in his p vver. and as much as cc u d
be pxpeded from iuch a (hip, in
engdoing the attention uf the Pal-
las a *T gace of 32 gunb, dunng the
whole dCtion

I am cxt rmply forry for the
rnisiortune tn^t has happened, that •
oJ lofing his IVlajelly's (hip Load the
honour to comm nd ; but, a: the
lame time, I flatter myielf with
the hopes, that thtir lordlhips will
be convinced that fhe ha; no: been
given away ; but, on the contrary,
that every exertion has been u-ed
to defend her ; and that two (flVn-
tial j.ieces of fervicc to our country
have arifen from it ; the one, in
wholly overfetting the cru.ze, and
intentions of this flying fquadron ;
the oiher, in rcfcuing the A-hole of
a valuable convoy from falii.ig into
the hands of the enemv, which
muft have been the cafe had I afted
any ctherwife than I did. Wc
have been driving about in the
North Sea ever fince the aiVion,
endeavourir^g to make to any port
we poflibly cculd, but have not
been able to get into any place
till to - day we arrived in the
Texel.

Herewith I inclofe you tlie moft
exaft lifl of the killed and wound-
ed I have as yet been able to pro-
cure, from my people being dif-
perfed amongft the diiTcreUt ihips,
and having been refufed permifiirn
to mu:ler them : there are, I fmd,
many more, both killed and wound-
ed, than appears on the inclofed lift,
but their names as yet I find im-
poflible to afcertain ; as foon as I

GTSTER, 1779.

pofliblycm. fli li give their lord*
iL'ps a iiiil acct'ii t < t ;lif \shole.
I a » , nir,
Yrur in-'O > beJient,
aim mcil huir.ble fervant,

R. Pearson.

P S I am rr'tufed permiflion to
wait (n Sir ]oieph Yorke, and
even t go en (hnre.

Aijlf..d of the lift of killed and
nxounded.
Killed 49. — Wounded 68.

Ccpv of a Letter from Lieut. George,
rf tl:e Rambler Cutter, to Sir
Charles Hardy, gi'ving an A'tccunt
rf an Engagement hefwecn his
M 'jeffs Ship the ^ichec, and a
p"renth Frigate of ip Guns.

S I R,
BEG leave to acquaint you,
that on Wcdnefday the 6th in-
Itant, being then in company with
his Majefty's fhip Quebec, Ufhant
bearing louth 15 leagues, at day-
break we difcovered three fail to
leeward in the S. W. quarter.
Captain Farmer made the fignal
for the Rambler to come under his
(tern, whicn I obeyed ; he thea
aCced me what [ thought of them ;
] told him a fliip, a cutter, and a
Dutch hoy: he replied, he would
^o down and fee what they were,
and ordered me to kefp clofe to
him. At half paft eight we plain-
ly perceived two of them to be a
large French frigate and a cutter ;
at nine the enemy's frigate began
to fire at the Quebec, but at too
great a diflance to do any execu-
tion; At ten the Quebec, being
within point blank fhot of the ene-
my, hoilled her colours, and re-
turned their fire, ftill edging down

to

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [315

to come to a clofe engagement till
fhevvas alongfide the -rench frigate.
J immediately hoilted my colours,
and Ih od in between ihe French
frigate and the cutter, with an in-
tent to cut her cfF from her con-
fort, and bring her to a dole en-
gagement, which I effected 5 and
began to engage her at eleven
o'clock clofe alongfide ; (I then
found her force to be fixteen fix-
pounders, and full of men ;) we
continued to engagfe her in the
fame pofuion till v\ithin a few mi-
nutes of two o'clock, when ihe fet
all th.* fail (he could croud, and
bore trom us, we not having had
the luck to carry away any thing
material ; and the Rambler, hav-
ing her gaff fhot away, her top-
maft lliot through, the top - fail
halyards, and moll of her Handing
and running "gging gone, and
the mainfail rendered unfervice-
able, was incapable of following
her with any- hopes or coming up
witn her ; at the fame time feeing
both the frigates flil'malled, and
tile Quebec take fire, I endeavour-
ed to get as near the Quebec as
pofTible, in hopes of faving fome
qj_^ her men; but there being but
little wiod, and a large fwell,
found 1 could afSlt her no other
way but by hoifling out our boat.

which I efFedled, and fent the
mafter and five men armed in her,
who picked up one malLr's ma e,
two young midlhipmen, and four-
teen more of the Qjebec's people,
the enemy's friga:e at the fame
time firing at the boat*. As the
Rambler was a coufiderable dif-
tance to leeward of the Quebec, I.
thought it would be in vain to fend
a fecond time.

I want words fufHciert to de-
fcribe the ncble gallant n.anner of
Captain Farmer's engaging the
enemy for upwards of three hours
and an half, that he lay alongfide
the frigate,, which carried twenty-
eight eighteen - pounders on her
main deck, and twelve guns on her
quarter deck and forecaftle. The
Quebec continued burning very
fiercely, with her colours flying,
till fix o'clock, when (he blew up.
lam much afraid, from the report
of Mr. William Moore, one of the
mafter's mates of the Quebec, that
Captain Farmer, and his crficers
that were alive when he left the
Quebec, fhared the fate of the
fnip.

1 beg le.ive, at the fame time,
to recommend to you. Sir, the
officers and crew of the Rambler,
who did every thing that might be
expefted from Englifhmen. I am

* We are happy in taking this opportunity of doing that juftice to the cha-
rafter of a brave and humane enemy, v.-hjch their conduft on this cccafion de-
mands at our hands. The circumftar.ce mentioned in I.ieut. George's letter of
the French frigate's ruing upon our boat, is fuppofed to have arilen from the guns
of the Quebec, fome of which it is probable miglit have gone off during tiie time
Ihe was burning. However that may be, the millake in Mr. George's acci unt
has imce been fufficiently proved by the concurrent telliiiiony of a niniiber of the
men, and foir.e officers, belonging to the Qutbec, who ail owed their lives to the
active humanity of tiie French, and v>irc afterwards treated by thrm with the ut-
mo!t tendernefs and kindnefs ; notwit'ntVanding their own extreme forenefs and
diftrefi at the time, with a (hip nearly reduced to a wreck, a majority of their j^eople
killed or wounded, and their brave captain in the agonies of death, who fpent hi$
laft breath in declaring the pleafure he received from having luch an opportunity
pf exercifing bis benevolence,

happy

314] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

happy to fay our lofs confiRs of
only one man who has loft his leg,
the pilot flio through the arm with
a mulkct ball, and levcral flightly
wounded, as the enemy ai med at our
malls and rigging, in which they
fucceedcd too well. From the cut-
ter's not returning the fire for two
or three broadfides before (he bore
away, and feeing but^few men on
her decks, I conclude fhe fuftered
confiderably.

I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your moll obedient,
humble fervant,

James George.

Jccount of the Trial of Mr. Stratton,
end the other Me?,ibers of the
Council of Madrafs, luho depofd
and imprifoned their Govertior,
the late Lord Pigot, and ivere
profecuted for the faid O fence, in
the Court of King's Bench, by
the Attorney General, in confe-
quence of an Addrefs of the Houfe
of Commons to his Majejlj fr that
Purpofc.

Til E trial began before the
Right Honourable the Earl
of Mansfield in the Court of King's
Bfnch. Weftminller Hail, on Mon-
day, December 20th, early in the
morning, and laltcd till two the
next morning.

The Atiorney General ftatcd
the faiHs, on which the profecution
v/as founded, in a moft pathetic
and eloquent fpeech. The prin-
cipal points he infilled upon in
fopport of the profecution wore —
firj}, that Lord Pigot was fenc
from England by the Eafl India
Company, with exprefs inftruflions
to reilore the R^^ja of Tanjore.

Secondly, That the whole Council,
on his arrival at Madrafs, and for
fome time after, (in the year
1775) were unanimous in their
reiolutioos to carry thefe inllruc-
tions into execution ; but that af-
terwards a difijention arofe, owing
to fome of the members of the
council efpouhng the intereft of
the Nabob of Arcot and his fon,
who Itrenuouily oppofed the reilo-
ration of the Raja. Thirdly, That
Lord Pigot. was under a necellity
to fufpend Mr. Stratton and Mr.
Brooke, (two of the defendants)
in virtue of his authority as Prefw
dent, that he might not be ob-
ftrudled by them in the execution
of the Company's coram '.nd.
Fourthly, That the claim of Mr.
Benfield, on the part of the Nabob
of Arcot, to a crop on the lands of
Tanjore, fown by the Nabob and
mortgaged to Benfield, was a frau-
dulent claim, calculated to foment
divifions in the council, and to op^
pole Lord Pigot in his govern-
ment, "^i'his he endeavoured to
prove, from the improbability that
Benfield, a private perfon of little
or no property, (hould have been
able to advance fo large a fum as
the claim amounted to, even al-
lowing him very confiderable pro-
fits : tor his dem;;nd was 250,000!.
Fifthly, Pie proved that the defen-
dants figned an order for taking
his Lordlhip into cullody, and or-
dered Colonel Stuart, who arrelt-
ed him, to inform his Lt>rdO)ip,
that his life fhould anfwer any re-
fifiance to their orders ; from
which he drew an inference, that
alfafiination was intended in cafe
of refinance. Finally, He enquir-
ed by what authority this violent
revolution had been accomplilhed.
He admitted J that the majority of

the

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [315

the council affentiitg to, or putting
a negative upon, a qucUion, exer-
ciied a legal power ; Init it did not
follow, if the Governor afted wrong
in not putting a queftion, which
in the fenfe of the majority he
ought to have put, that they had
a legal power to imprifon him ;
gentler meafures might have been
adopted ; he was amenable to the
laws of his country, but not to any
aflumed authority of his council.
Upon the whole, however, he juf-
tified the condudl of Lord Pigot,
though arbitrary, upon this ground,
that it was his dury to execute the
commiffion he had received from
the Company, by refloring the Raja
of Tanjore at all events.

The polUllicn who drove Lord
Pigot's chaife when he was arreft-
ed, and Colonel Monckton, his
Lordfhip's fon-in-law, were pro-
duced asevidence of the arrell and
confinement; but as the crown law-
yers on the one hand admitted the
fadls ailedged by the defendants
concerning Lord Pigot's proceed-
ings in council ; and the defendants
on the other avowed the arrell and
confinement of his I.ordfhip, no ver-
bal evidence was neceflary. But a
great load of written evidence was
■ eflential to fupport the profecution,
becaufe it turned upon the pofuive
inftradtions given by the Company
to Lora Pigot. The reading of
thefe papers, containing the coire-
jpondence between the Coiftpany
and Lord Pigot, with other docu-
ments, was exceflively tedious, and
took up feveral hours.

Mr. Dunning began the defence
of his clients at about eight in the
evening ; and in the molt mallerly
pleading that was ever exhibited
\ii a weak caufe, difplayed abili-

ties and attachment to the intereft
of his clients that would have done
honour to the belL After noticing
the paflion and prejudice which had
influenced the minds of men in
general with relpec^ to the death
of Lord Pigot ; he cleared the de-
fendants to the fatisfaAion of every
one prefent, from the imputation
of aiming at his life, and hem all
felfilh motives. He then gave a
detail of the arbitrary proceedings
of Lord Pigot in the council ; and
in other ads of his government ;
fuch as his fufpenlion of Sir Robert
Fletcher, the commander in chief
of the troops, &c. From thefe in-
llances of extravagant behaviour, he
adduced the political necelhty of
removing him from the govern-
ment, all public bufinefs being at a
ftand.

He alfo endeavoured to fnow,
that he had exercifed powers not
vefled in him by the Company ;
and he finally refled the defence
of his clients, on the approbation
which the fuprerae council of Ben-
gal had exprefied, in writing,, of
their proceeding;;. Mr. Dunning
did not fit down till near twelve
o'clock.

The Attorney General made
only two obfervations on the de-
fence, -viz. that the Company's
appointment of Lord Pigot, for the
fpeciai purpofe of i-eiloring the
Raja, had not been attempted to
be denied, therefore he flood jufti-
fied in refilling every delay, every
oppofition of that meaiure ; an4
that the defendants, though Mr.
Benfield was in court, had not
thought proper to call upon him,
fo well convinced were they that
the fole caufe of all the dillurb-
ances was -that geaileman's prc-

tende4

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

316]

tended claim : it (bowed plainly,
the apprehenfions they were under
that the triiih would come cue if
he was examined.

Lord Manstield, about half after
one in the morning, fummed up
the whole matter very concifely,
obferving, that the indidlinent was
3aid on five counts or charges ;
two for illegal afTumption of go-
vernment, and three for imprifon-
ing the governor ; but they differ-
ed very little, for if the defendants
could be jullified in the one, it
went a great way to juftify them in
the other. Three queftions were
for the jury to confider ; ift. What
is the conlVuution of the oovern-
ment of MadraG ? 2d, AVhether
Lord Pigot had fubverted that con-
Ititution ? 3dly, Whether fuch con-
du<5t of Lord Pigot amounted to a
jutlification of the fubfi qucnt con-
du6l of the defendants r \

As to the iirft, his Lordfhip faid,
it appeared, that the government
of the province was veiled in the
Prefident and Council, or a majo-
rity of them legally fummoned and
afilmbled, whether the Prefident
was of the majority or minority, he
having only the benefit of his call-
ing vote in cafe of equality ; but
the governor being an integral
patt of the government, the Coun-
cil v,;thout him was impcrfcdl and
incompetent. He had it in his
povver to adjourn at any time, or
t.vithdraw himfelf front the meet-
ing, and then would end the bufi-
nefs for that time, until they were
again regularly convened.

Therefore, as to the fecond
qucdion, Lord Pigot's condudl on
negativing a queltion regularly be-
fore the board, and fupported by
a majority, and fufpending two

members by his own authority, for
figning what they had voted for,
and what the other four were ready
to fign alfo, having all previoufly
declared their intentions, was cer-
tainly violent, illegal, and unjufti-
fiable.

And this ■ leads to the third
quellion as to the juRification. Here
his Lurdlhip exprelled fome anxiety
about giving his opinion upon fuch
a new and unprecedented cafe.
He adverted to cafes of force and
neceflity here in England, which
are cognizable and determinable
by a jury only. In the cafe of
external force compelling a man
to an unlawful aft, the man's will
does not go along with the a61ion ;
he is therefore not culpable. In
the cafe of natural neceffity, a
man driven in felf-defence to com-
mit homicide, or other unavoid-
able aft, is not culpable : but of
both thefe cafes a jury alone can
decide.

His Lordlhip could put the affair
at Madrafs on no other footing
than that of a civil neceflity, or
Hate neceffity. If the jury could
confider this civil neceflity the ma-
jority were under tantamount to
a natural neceffity, it would be a
jullification. To decide this, they
might t;ike into ccnfideration the
critical fiiuation they were in,
from the violent proceedings of
the governor : he had fufpended
two of the fenior couiicil ; he
might pofiibly proceed to fufpend
the other /our ; he had alfo order-
ed one of their number to be ar-
reftcd on a charge of mutiny, that
pointed at his life. In fuch a fitu-
ation it was difficult to zii : but at
the fame time they began their
own adminiftration with an illegal

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [317

a£t, that of fufpending three of
the members who voted againft
them.

His Lord{hip faid, it was for the
jury to exerciCe their judgment on
thefe three queftions, and if they
found fufficient matter to julHfy
the allumpcion of government out
of the hands of the governor, the
fame would go to jullify his im-
prifonnient ; and as no aggiavat-
ing circumllances were iaiifted on
by the profecutors, ' they would
then acquit the defendants : if
otherwifc, they would find them

guilty.

His Lordfhip quitted the court
exaflly at two; and the jury, after
withdrawing a quarter of an hour,
brought in their verdidt, finding
the defendants Guilty.

Copy of ihe Challenge fent hy the
Marquis de le Fayette, to the
Earl of Carlifle, and the Earl's
Anf-wer.

To the Earl of Carlifle.

Did not imagine, my Lord,
that 1 ever fhould have had
any tranfadtions but with your ge-
nerals, and expedled not the ho-
nour of feeing them but at the
head of the armies which they re-
ipedively command. Your letter
of the 26th of Auguft to the Con-
^refs of the United States, and
the terms of infult refpeding my
country, to which you have figned
your name, is the fole caufe ot my
having any thing now to fettle
with your Lordlhip. I deign not
to refute the afperfion, but I de-
fire to punifti it. It is from you,

demand a reparation as public as
hath been the ciFence, and whicti
mult give the he to the expreffion
you have ufed. I (hould not have
delayed this demand fo long, if
your letter had reached me iooner;
obliged to be abieni a tew oays, I
hope to find your anlwer at my le-
turn. M. Gimoi, a French officer,
will fettle on ray part the time and
place of our meetitig, to luit your
Lordiliip's coiivenincy. I doubt
iiot but, for the honour of his coun-
tryman, General Clinton will at-
tend you to the field.

As to me, ray Lord, it is in-
difFcre t who attends you, provid-
ed th:t, to the glory of being a
Frenchman, 1 join that of proving
to a gentleman of your country,
that no one dares to infuk mine
with impunity.
(Signed)

La Fayette.

To the Marquis De la Fayette.

S I R,
I H AV E received your letter
tranfmitted to me from M. Gimot,
and 1 confefs I find it difficult to
return a ferious aniwer to its con-
tents. The only one that can be
expeded from me as the King's
Commiffioner, and which you
ought to have known, is, that I
do, and ever (bail, confider niyfelf
folely refponhble to my Country
and King, and not to any indi-
vidual, for my public conduft and
language. As for any opinion or
exprefiions contained in any publi-
cations ifiued under the coromif-
fion in which I have the honour
to be nan.ed, unlefs they are re-
traced in public, you may be af-

as chief of the commiffion, that I fured 1 Ihall never, in any change

of

3iS] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

of fituation, be difpofed to give an
accouic of them, much lels recal
them in private.

The injury alluded to in the cor-
refpondence of the King's Com-
niilfioners to the Congrcls, I muft
xemind you, is not of a private na-
lure; and 1 conceive all national
difputes will be bell decided by the
meeting of Admiral Byron and
Count d'Eftaign.
(Signed)

Carlisle.
iVVxu Tork, OSiober 1 1, 1778.

Some Account of Matthiefon, lately
executed for forging the Notes of
the Bank.

JOHN Matthiefon was born at
Gretna-Green, (a noted place
in Scotland fince palling the \^ug-
lifh marriage adt). His father was
a mill-wright, and accounted an
ingenious mechanic;; nor was the
fon's 'mechanical genius lefs con-
fpicuous than that of his father.
From the knowledge he had in
tnillvCork, he attained the art of
making clocks, and by that, and
cleaning and repairing watches,
lie was enabled, after the death of
his father, to fuppurt his mother,
his filler, and himfelf. But his
mind was reilefs, and ever thirft-
ing after improvement. Not con-
tent with what he had learned,
which produced him only a bare
competency, he became acquaint-
ed with an engraver, a loolc, dif-
iipated young man, whofe extra-
vagance often reduced him to
great ttraits. With this youth he
cultivated a feeming friendfliip ;
and, from a conHant attendance,
and clofe attention to him when
at work, Ue ftolc from him that

art, which, though it might have
enriched him by an honelt appli-
cation, proved his ruin, by con-
verting it to a moll iniquitous pur-
pofe.

It has been infinuated by fome,
that this youth was an accomplice
at his flrlt fetting out, and that
both v^ere connedled in forging the
notes of the Darlington Bank; but
nothing of that kind has fince ap-
peared, and therefore unworthy to
be believed.

To the art of engraving, Mat-,
thiefon had added a particular fa-
cility in tracing lines, iniomuch
that he could take ofF the hand-
writing of any man with fuch cx-
adlnefs as even to deceive the wri-
ter himfelf.

Tempted by thefe acquirements,
fo flattering to his notions of fud-
denly becoming rich, his firft ex-
periment, as before obfqrvcd, was
made on the 5 1. notes of the Dar-
lington Bank; but of thefe, be-
ing of fmall value and quick cir-
culation, though currently nego-
tiated, he could make no very
confiderable advantage; and being
but a young beginner, and not
over-cautious in paffing his notes,
a difcovcfy was foon made by the
banks th.at their notes were forg-
ed, and Matthiefon was fufpefled
of being the forger. He was even
dcfcribed, and a reward ofFered
for his apprchenfion ; which, how-
ever, he found means 10 elude by
travelling into Scotland, where,
there is reafon to fuipeiSt, he forg-
ed the notes of the Royal Bank of
Edinburgh, traverfcd that coun-
try, an J negotiated them ; iill>
direding his route by the wei-
tern road of Glafgow, where he
was unknown, he found means to
arrive at London undiUovered.

Here

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [319

Here he procured very creditable progrefs, that, though he entered

apartments, where he lived lor upon his lodgings on the lait day of

fome time retired and unfufpefted. February, he had pmchafed the

In all his prercgrinations he copper, ground it, engraved ir, td.-

feeras to have paid great attention bricated the notes, printed ihcm,

to his filler; to whom, however, forged the water-mark, a r,d cego-

it does not appear that he ever im- tiated feveral ol thoi, one in f,ar-

parted the lecret of his. fraud. ticular at Coventry, for which he

His lodgings were over-againft fufreri^dj before the i ^th ot M^jci ;

Arundel llreet, in the Strand, in and lo nicely was all this per.crui-

a creditable family, to whom he ed, that the Banker, to whom thia

paffed for a watchmaker come to lall-mentloned note was off-red tor

London for improvement. In change, ~ made not the leait icru-

thefe lodgings he behaved with pie to receive it, though he knew

great regularity and fooriety, of- it was prefented by a peritft

ten retired by himfelf in the day» Itranger *.

and often talked with the people It svas, therefore, of the utmcft

in the fhop as he palTed and re- confeqBence ' to national credit,

paffed, and appeared in every re- that lo dangerous a villain, how-

fpedl as an unexceptionable cha- ever ingenious, fhotiid be detedt-

rader. His filler, indeed, appear- ed. It was not enough for him to

ed but mean, the landlord faid, for be mailer of counterieiting ail the

a perfon that took an apartment at external lines on the face of the

ics. aweek. notes, with a nicety which might

It Ihould feem, that, though his deceive even the very clerks who

mind, as he confefi'ed, was much iifued the notes, but he had ac-

diftre.Ted by the confcioufnefs of quired the very art of counterfeit-

his guilt, yet that did not wholly ing t'^e internal mark of the paper

deilroy the activity of it for inven- on which the notes of the Bank of

tion. It is aftonilhing to contem- England are drawn, and of which

plate the powers of an inventive paper the Diredlors are fo choice

mind, when direiSed either to good as not to fufrer a Oieet to be made

or evil purpofes. Harrifon, who if we are rigiirly informed, nor a

by a long feries of deliberate ftudy, note to be printed upon it, with-

eHedled at lalt a time-piece of out the attendance of a trufty per-

infinite ufe to navigation, and for fon or perfons to infpedl, upon

which he received the applaufe anJ oath, the whole procefs. In this

reward of his country, was forty was thought their fecurity, and ic

years in effe(5ling that which this hade>po.-d every former fraud of

man would probably have brought the like kind to immediate detec-

to perfedion in lefs than as many tion ; but Matihielon's art was

months, had his inventive powers beyond their reach : he held the

been directed to fo laudable a pur- whole circulation of the Bank in

pofe : for fo rapid was he in his his hands ; for, had he been fuf-

* He prefented the note to a {ilver-fnith at Coventry, of whom he bought

a pair of buckles, who carried it to a Banker's at next door, and got cafh

tor it. ' '

fered

52o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fert'd to reign long, no man couM
have been tafe in taking a Bank
note, who had not the books of
the Hank to rclbrt to. Even Mr.
Geatliing, one ot the cafl^iers, be-
ing aficed, if he had leen the name
I'ubfcribed to the note on which the
prifoner was convidled, on a fepa-
rate piece of paper, without any
fufpicion of forgery, whether he
could have fworn it was not his
hand-writing, his anfwer was, I do
not knoi.u that 1 could.

His firft care, after he was fet-
tled in his lodgings, was to pro-
cure a tair 20 1. note, which he
went to the Bank for himfclf , for
he was cautious of trulHng even
his fiftcr with any of his affairs.
Having got this for a pattern, he
next applied to a brazitr, and had
two pieces cf copper cut exactly to
the dimenfions of the plates ufed
by the Bank. Thofe rough plates
were prepared, as we befcie ob-
fejved, by himfclf; and, as fcon
as he had completed the notes, he
pretended buunefs in the country,
and travelled from one end of the
kingdom to the other, to nego;iate
them ; for the buckles, which he
bought at Coventry, were traced
and found in Scotland. All this
paffed without fufpicion at his lodg-
ings : when he went out, it was in
the middle of the day ; and when
he came home, he had ail the ap-
pearance of a man who had been a
long journey.

He no foorier came home thnn
he again applied to the Bai k for
Irelh notes; and a circumilance,
which very rtmotely led to his
dete6lion,,gave occafion to one of
the tellers of the Bank to mark
him. He had been, on the 17th
of March, to change a ten pound
note ; and, on the 24thj he came

again to have two Bdnk-notes, one
tor 20 1. and the other for 10 1.
made out to him for ca(h. On
that day the Excife-office was pav-
ing 7000 guineas, one of which
was fcrupled. Matthiefon looked
at it as it lay ut a dillance, and
faid it was a good one. " Then,"
faid the clerk on his trial, '* I
recolledted him. I turned to the
bonk, and faw I had paid him
thofe three notes," [meanitig, nve
fuppoje, three notes 'which ivere pro-
duced to idenlify the perion of Mat-
thiefon.'] But, probably, the turn-
ing to the book was a fubfequent
aft, though reprefentcd in the .
SelTions-paper as an immediate in-
fpeftion, for which there was then
no caufe.

How he came to be firft fuf-
pefted at the Bank, which did not
happen till the loih ot April, does
rot appear ; but, it is evident, the
fufpicion was but Highly ground- v
ed, as the fame clerk apprehended
and releafed him on the fame day,
and did not carry him before a
magiftrate till next morning, when,
hearing he was going along Corn-
hill wi.h a bundle, he tollowed
him, and periuaded him to go
back with him to the Bank of Eng-
land.

There is reafon, indeed, to be-
lieve that his frequent appe;irapce
at the Bank, exchanging notes of
10 and 'zol. for cafli, and fome-
times taking out notes ot the fame
va'ue, and paying money for them,
might create a fufpicion that he
was iome way or other connected
with the perfon who counterfeited
notes whiih, finofe his full appear-
ance there, had been prcfenied at
the Bank, and at firit paid wi-.hout
fcruple, and probably would have
continued lo 10 have been, had

not

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE.

hot duplicates of the fame notes
come in, and given the alarm. By
comparing thefe one with another,
there was found fo material a dif-
ference, that the clerks could in-
ftantly tell the counterfeit from
the real, though their orders were
to pay both without heiitation,
provided they came through any
houfe of credit, or other unfufpeded
channel.

To ftrengthen this ccnj fture,
the writer of this account rccol-
lefts to have heard, that, while
Matthiefon was at the Bank to
exchange a real note, one of his
own forged notes came in for
payment at the fame time; and
that this fumilhed the teller, to
whom thofe notes were prefented,
with an occafion to challenge
Maxwell (for that was the name
he went by) pretty roundly with

[J2I

nically) was feen with a bundle
palling along Cornhill.

WiiCiher the teller had difcover-
€d more of thofe notes in the mean
time, or hp.d received particular
inftruflio: s from his fuperiors to
detain Maxwell if he (liould come
again, is not material; but certain
it is, that he inftantly poibd ..fter
him, and, having ccnic up with
him, under pretence of having
committed a miflake in tha- talc
of the money he had paid him the
da.' before, perfuaded him to re-
turn with him to the Bank to have
that miftakc reflified. Being aik-
ed what the mid.ike was, the other
replied, that he believed he had
paid half a guinea too much : on
which Maxwell made light of the
matter, and, putting his hand in-
his pocket, pulled out a guinea,
and offered him that. The clerk

having fome knowledge of thefe fciid, that would not do; the mif-
forgeries, feveral of which had ap- take muft be redlined by the books.

peared, though no notice had been
taken of them, left it fhould give
a check to the circulation of the
real notes. This he fteadily de-
nied ; yet there appeared lome al-
teration in his countenance which
denoted guilt, but nothing that
could juftify a detainer, and he
was fuffered to efcape. Alarmed,
however, by this, he knew he
could no longer carry on his fraud
with fafety in England ; and he
was preparing to leave the king-
dom, when next day [April ii],
pretty early in the morning, the
teller was told that his/n'ena Max-
well (for fo he was now llyled iro-

or he muft lofe his place. This
had the deCred eit'ed: he con-
fented to return, and in his way
back left his bundle at a particu-
lar Ihop. As foon as he entered
the Bank, he was told that he
muft ftay till the Directors met;
and he was Ihewn into a room,
where the porters palfing to and
fro might fee and obferve his mo-
tions.

What pafTed between him and
the Direftors, the writer does not
pretend to know; all that appear-
ed was, his bundle was fent for
and examined, but there was no-
thing exceptionable found in that *.

• The contents of the bundle were, fome linen and clothes, a pair of piftols,
40O guineas in gold, fume real Bank notes, Ibme gravers, and watch-m.-;king
tools, but nothing that had the appearance of any inilrument to fabricate a
Bank note.

Vox.. XXII.

i^]

Yet,

322] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

notwithftanding this harm-
rance, it was thought

Yet,

lefs app

nccertary, in a cafe of fo much
confcquence, to take him before
Sir John Fielding, where, though
lie r?.d eluded tiie queilions that
had been put to him by the Di-
redlors, he perhaps might not be
able to evade thofe put lo him by
the experience and fagacity of that
migiilrate; by whom he was par-
ticularly aflced as to his family,
his friends, his connections, his
place of abode, his purfuits, and
his profeflions ; to all which quef-
tions, he faid, he had reafons for
declining to anfwer. He was a
citizen of the world, he faid, and
knew not how he came into it, nor
how he fhould go out of it. No-
thing, therefore, appearing agaiail
him, the Solicitor of the Bank
fent him to a public houfe, at-
tended by proper officers, while he
Ihould confult the magillrates about
reftoring to hira his bundle, and
fetting him at large. Being pla-
ced in the infi.de of the box next
the window, he had not I'at long
before he, lifting up the fafh as if
to let in air, gave a fucden fpring,
and jumped out; but, being im-
mediaie'.y purfued, was taken and
brought back. This confirmed
the Solicitor in his fufpicions that
he was the man ; otherwife why
(hculd he fly, and leave his money
and efFedls behind him ? Being
afked his motive, his anfwer was.
It was his humour, it was, how-
ever, determined not to let him
go till he had undergone a fecond
examination by Sir John fielding,
who, before he was brought up,
extended his enquiries to all his

intelligence offices, and had col-
lerted all the information pufliblc
concerning him; when, to his ut-
ter confufion, the advertifement of
the Darlington bank was produ-
ced, and he was found to anfwer
the defcription of Matthiefon, who
was fufpeded to have forged the
notes that had been counterfeited
of that bank. ' This being read to
him, and being afked if his name
was not Matthiefon, inllead of
Maxwell, he ail at once lolt his
refolution, turned pale, burft into
tears, and, after faying he found
he was a dead man, he added,
" And now I will confefs all."
He accordingly owned that he
fabricated the notes in the man-
ner already related ; that the mo-
ment he had completed tlie num-
ber of notes he thought proper,
he dcftroyed the plates and every
implement which he had made ufe
of in the fabrication; that his next
bufmefs was to negociate thofe
notes, and then return and make
out more; that he had an afto-
nilhing facility in doing all this,
fo that he could accomplifli the
whole in lefs than a fmgle day.
By what appeared upon the trial,
it fhould feem that he difcovcred
to the Solicitor of the Bank his
method of counterfeiting the wa-
,ter-maik; but, upon enquiry,
there is reafon to doubt whether
he made .any particular difcovery,
only, in general, that he himfelf was
the fole fabricator.

Thus much we have been able
to colleft of a man, whofe powers
of imitation never were equalled,
and, we hope, for the good of this
country, never will in future.

The

APPENDIXtotheCHRONICLE. [323

The following authentic Extracts from the Corn-Regiller, are derived
from Accounts colleded from the Lullom-Houic Books, and delivered
to Mr. John James Catherwood, by Aat/iority of Parliament.

jin Account of the ^antities of all Corn aid Grain exported from, and
imported into England and Scotland, lAjith the Bounties and Draiubacks
paid, and the Duties received thereon, for one Tear,^ ended the ^th of
January 1780.

EXPORTED.

1779-
ENGLAND.

Wheat and Wheat Meal

Wheat Flour

Rye - - -

Barley

Malt

Oats - - -

Oatmeal - - _

Beans - - _

Peafe

SCOTLAND.
Wheat
Wheat Flour
Barley and Bear
Malt

Oats - -
Oatmeal - . -

Peafe and Beans -

Britifh.
Quarters.

i55>oo3 -

48,186

3.162

4,948

74,287

11,291

2.475
19.075
13,130

256-]
9'239 I

937 I
3,022 >

219
2,638

807J

897-

Foreign.
Quarters

7.78n
^'795
37

2,583

Nil \

5'63S I
29 I

6,384 I

5,io6j

Bounties and
Drawbacks paid.

C

s. d.

51.349 2 6 Bo'.

97

2Dr,

3,157 Bount.

IMPORTED.

1779-
, ENGLAND.

Wheat

Wheat Flour -

Rye

Barley

Oats -

Oatmeal

Beans

Peafe

SCOTLAND.
Wheat Flour
Oats

Quarters.

3.508I
1,10^
1,693
7.o8t; .

33».«--8r

609
14.591
29,154

15,9841

Duties
received.

2,849 ^8 7

139 ! 8 z\

[^j ^

The

;a4l ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The following is an account of the average prices of corn in England and
Wales, by the ftandard Winchefter bulhel, for the year 1779.

Wheat.

Rye.

Barley.

Oats.

Beans.

s. d.

s. d.

J. d.

/. d.

/. d.

4 2i

2 11

2 Si

I 9

3 oi

N. B. The prices of the fineft and coarfeft forts of grain generally exceed
and reduce the average price as follows, viz.

Wheat. Rye. Barley. Oats. Beans.
Per bufhel, 6d. 3d. 3d. 3d. 6d.

SUPPLIES

[ 3^S 1

SUPPLIES granted by Parliament, for
the Year 1779.

NAVY.

D'ECEMBER 3, 1778.

I. ^ I ^HAT 70,000 men be employed for the fea
X fervice, for the year I779> including 175389
marines.

2. That a fum, not exceeding 4I. per month per
man, be allowed for maintaining the faid 70,000 men,
for 13 months, including ordnance for fea fervice 3,640,000 o o

December 17.

1 . For the ordinary of the navy, including half pay

Co the fea and marine officers, for the year 1779 — 369,882 6 i

2. Towards building, rebuilding, and repairs of
(hips of war in his Majefty's yards, and other extra-
works, over and above what are propofed to be done
upon the heads of wear and tear in ordinary, for the

year 1779 — — -, 579.187 ' o o

4,589,069 6 I

ARM Y.

December 15.
I. That a number of land forces, including 3.213
invalids, amounting to 30,346 efFedlive men, com-
miffioned and non-com miifioned officers included, be
eip ployed for the fervice of the year 17 79.

' 2. For defraying the charge of 30,346 efFedlive
men for guards, garrifons, and other his Majelty's
forces in Great Britain, Jerfey, and Guernfey, for the
year 1779 — — — 833,911 18 6

3. For the pay of the general and general ftafF offi-
cers in Great Britain, for the year 1779 — 37)2o6 8 6f

4. For maintaining his Majefty's forces and garri-
fons 'n\ the plantations and Africa, including thofe in
garrifon in Minorca and Gibraltar ; and for prcvi-
fions for the forces in North America. Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland, Gibraltar, the Ceded Iflands, and

Africa, for the yean 779 — - — 1,103,118 11 o

C^3 3 5- for

3:6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

5 . F jr defraying the charge of the difference of pay
between the Britiih and Irifli eltablifliment of one re-
giment of light dragoons, and lix regiments of foot,

ferving in North America, for the yeai 1779 — 52*923 i 6

6. For defraying the ciiarge of live H.,i .ovcrian re-
giments cf toot at Gibi:iltar and M.iiorca, and for
provifions for the threee battalions of c le faid troops at

Gibraltar, for the year 1779 — — 56,074 19 4I

7. For defraying the charge of 13,4.72 men of the-
■ troops of the Landgrave of Hcffe Caiij), in the pay of

Great Britain, together with the fubfidy, purfuant to

treaty, for the year 1779 — — 567,203 9 lo

8. For defraying the charge of two regiments, of
Hanau, in the pay of Great Britain, together with the
fubfidy, purfuant to treaty with the hereditary prince

of HefTe CafTel, for the year 1779 — — 35j44I 3 2|

9. For defraying the charge of a regiment of foot
of Waldeck, in the pay of Great Britain, together
with the fubfidy, purfuant to treaty with the reigning

Prince of Waldcck, for the year 1779 — i7>4-98 3 2|

10. For defraying the charge of 4,300 men, the
troops of the reigning Duke of Brunfwick, in the p;iy
of Great Britain, together with the fubfidy, for the

year 1779 . — — — 93.947 'S ^

11. For defraying the charge of 1,447 i^en, the
troops of the Margrave of Brandenburgn Ani'pach, in
the pay of Great Britain, together with the fubfidy,

for the year 1779 — __ -_ 39,644 14 3

I?. To make good a deficiency in the fums voted
for the troops of the Margrave of Brandenburgh An-
fpach, in the pay of Great Britain, being the charge
of an augmentation to the faid troops, from Nov. i,
1777, to Dec. 24, 1778 — — 7,958 10 uf

13. For defraying the charge of a corps of foot of
Anhalt Zerbfl-, in the pay of Great Britain, together
with the fubfidy, purfuant to treaty with tiie reigning

Prince of Anhalt Zerbrt, for the year 1779 — 16,630 11 9J

14. For defraying the charge of provifions for the
foreign troops ferving in North America, in the pay of

Great Britain, for the year 1779 — — 48,668 3 9I

15. For defraying the charge of artillery for the fo-
reign troops in the pay of Great Britain, purfuant to

treaties, for the year 1779 — • ~ 27,683 14 o

16. For defraying the charge of the embodied mili-
tia of the feveral counties of South Britain, and of
three regiments of fenciblc men in North Britain, for

the year 1779 _ — — — 610,882 5 o

17. For defraying the charge of the cloathing for the

embodied militia in South Britain, for the year 1779 85,760 17 2

18. Fof

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [327

18. For defraying the charge of additional compa-
nies to the embodied militia in South Britain, for the

year 1778 _ __ — 5,421 18 6

19. For defraying the charge of cloaching for addi-
tional companies to the embodied militia in South

Britain, for the year 1778 — — 2,656 4. O

20. For defraying the charge of feveral augmenta-
tions to his Majeity's forces, for the year 1779- — 259,713 3 4

Febr UA RY 23, 1779.

1. On account of the reduced officers of his Ma-

jefty's land forces and marines, for the year 1779 ^7,703 8 4

2. For defraying the charge for allowances to fe-
veral private gentlemen of the two troops of horfe
guards reduced, and to the fuperannuated gentie-
men of the four troops of horfe guards, for the year

1779 — — — 62S 2 II

3. Towards defraying the charge of the out-pen-

fioners of Chelfea Hofpital, for the year 1779 — 103,127 14 2

March 25.

1. For completing the whole charge of the pay of
one regiment of light dragoons, and fix regiments of
foot, which of late years have been paid in part of the
revenues of the kingdom of Ireland, and are now ferv-

ing in North America, for the year 1779 — 63,195 11 10

2. For defraying the charge of a regiment of fenci-
ble men, to be forthwith raifed in North Britain, for

the year 1779 — — — I9»S84 2 o

March 29.
Towards defraying the extraordinary expences of
his Majerty's land forces, and other fervices incurred,
between the 3 ill Jan. 1778, and the I ft Feb. 1779,
and not provided for by parliament — — 2,026,1^7 4 ^^

April 22.

1. To make good the charge of forming three regi-
ments of light dragoons of 41 1 men each, out of tae
light troops belonging to the regiments of dragoon
guards, and dragoons in Great Britain, including the
charge of bringing General Elliot's and Lieut. Gen.
Burgoyne's regiments to the like eftablifhment, for

the year 1779 — — — 6,246 5 6

2. For defraying the charge of an augmentation to
a corps of Royal Highland emigrants, fervingin North
America, from the 25th May, 1779, to the 24tti Dec.

following, both days inclufive, being 214 days — 4.113 6 8

5,913,081 9 5
[A'] 4 ' _ OR D-

3.28] ' ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ORDNANCE.
December 15, 177S.

1. For the charge of the otiice cf Ordnance for the

land fervicc, for the year 1779 — ~~ 39S»43^ *S 4

2. For defraying the expence of fervices performed
by the office of Ordnance for land fervice, and not pro-
vided tor by parliament, in the year 1778 — 52'>935 13 5

9i7'324

— t

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.

FeBRU A RY 18, 1779.

1. To be advanced to the governor and company
of the merchants of England, trading into the Levant
Tea, to be applied in affilUng the faid company in carry-
ing on their trade — ' — ■ — 5,000 ,0 p
' 2. For the expences of the new roads of communi-
cation, and building bridges, in the Highlands of
North Britain "r- — — ^^995 o 9
May 3.

1. For the augmentation of the falaries of the
Piiifne Judges of the courts of King's-bcnch and
Common-pleas, and the Puifne Barons of the Coif of
the court of Exchequer at Wtilminller, for the time
being, in the proportion of 4C0 I. to each of the faid

judges and barons in every year • — — ■ 3,6oQ o o

2. For the augmentation of the falary of the chief

baron of the Exchequer tor the time being, per ann. 500 o 0

May 6.
T. To make good the fum iffued by his Majel^y's
orders in purfuance cf the addrelTes of the Houie — 32,968 2 S

2. To replace the fum ifiued by his Majelly's or-
ders to Mr. Duncan Campbell, lor the expence of
confining, maintaining, and employing convids on the
River Thames — — — 13,586 7 o

May 27.

1. To make good the fum i/Tued by his Majcfly's
orders, to be applied for the relief and benefit of
fundry American civil ofhcers, and others who have
fuffered on account of their attachment to his Ma-

jefty's government — — — — 60,527 3 6

For defraying expences attending general furveys
of his' Majelty's dominions in North America, for
the year 1779 — — — — — 2,041 o o

2. To be paid to James Berkenhout, Etq; and
Thomas Clarke of the town of Leeds, dyer, upon a
proper ditcovery to be made by them, for the ufe of
itie public, of their method of dying fcarlet and crim-

fon, as well as other colours, on linen and cotton — 5,000 O o

For

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [329

For defraying the charges of the following civil
eftablifhments, and other incidental expences at-
tending thf: fame; to wit, in America:

1. His Majeily's iflan<l of St. John's 3250I.

2. His Maj ity's colony of Georgia 2900I.

3. His Majefly's colony of Nova Scotia 4796L

4. His Majelly's colony of Eaft Florida 4950I,

5. His Majeily's colony of Weft Florida 4900I.

' 20,796 o o

June 15.
For repairing, maintaining, and fupporting the
Britifn forto and fettlements on the coaft of Africa, for
theyeari78o 13,000 o o

164,013 13 2

LOANS DISCHARGED.

December 14, 1778.

1. For 'paying off and difcharging the Exchequer
bijls made out by virtue of an ad, pafTed in the laft
fefiion of parliament, intitled, " An aft for rainng
a certain fum of money by loans or Exchequer
bills, for the fervice of the year 1778," and charg-
ed on the firft aids to be granted in this feihon of

parliament , — — — — 1,500,000 O O

2. Fcr paying off and difcharging the Exchequer
bills made out by virtue of an ad, pafTed in the laft
feffion of paiiiament, intided, " An aft for ena-
bling his Majefty to raife the fum of one million, for
the ufes and purpofes therein mentioned," and
charged to the firft aids to be granteft in this feffion of

parliament — — • • 1,000,000 o o

ApRir. I, 1779.

For paying off and difcharging the Exchequer
bills made out by virtue of an aft, paflqd in the
laft feffion of parliament, intitled, " An aft for
raifing a farther fum of money, by loans or Exchequer
bills, for the fervice of the year 1778" , 500,000 o o

For difcharging and paying ofi* the prizes of the
lottery, of the year 1778 — — — 490,000 o o

DEFICIENCIES. •

April i.

I. To replace to the linking fund, the like fum

paid out ot the fame, to make good the deficiency

on the 5th J.uly, 1778, of the fund eftabliftied for

paying annuities, granted by an aft made in the

3,490,000

31ft

33o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

5 1 it year of his late Majcfty, toward the fupply

granted for the year 1758 — — — 40,540 o o

2. To replace to the finking fund,. the like fum
paid out of the fame, to make good the deficiency
on the 5th July, 1778, of the fund ellablilhed for
paying annuities, granted by an aft made in the
iSth year of his preftnt Majefly, towards the fupply
granted for the year 1778 — — _ 98,891 3 8

May 6.

To make good the deficiency of the grants for the
fervice of the year 1778 — — — 6^744 4 Sl

To make good the deficiency of the land tax 550,000 o o

To make good the deficiency of the malt tax 200,000 o o

656,175 7 Ill-

Total of fupplies — — — — 15,729,654 5 4

"Ways and MEAHs/or ralfing the aho've Supplies, grantea t "bit Ma'e
for the Sewice of the Tear 177 8.

Decemcer 5, 1778.

1. That the fum of four Ihillings in the pound,
and no more, be raifed within the fpace of one year,
from the twenty fifth day of March, one thoufand
feven hundred and feventy-nine, upon lands, tene-
ments, hereditaments, penfions, ofiices, and per- .
fonal eftates, in that part of Great Britain called
England, Wales, and the town of Berwick upon
Tweed ; and that a proportionable cefs, according .
to the ninth article of the treaty of union, be laid

upon that part of GreatBritaiu called Scotland 2,ooOj00O o O

2. That the duties upon malt, mum, cyder, and
perry, which, by an adt of parliament of the eigh-
teenth year of his prefent Majefty's reign, have con-
tinuance to the twenty- fourth day of June, ane thou-
fand feven hundred and feventy-nine, be further
continued, and charged upon all malt which ftiall
be made, and all mum which Ihall be made or im-
ported, and all cyder and perry which fhall be made
for fale, within the kingdom of Great Britain, from
the twenty- third day of June, one thoufand feven
hundred and feventy-nine, to the twenty-fourth day

pf June, one thoufand feven hundred and eighty 750,000 o o

February 25, 1779.
That, towards raifing the fupply granted to his
Majefty, the fum of 7,000,000!. be raifed by an-
nuities.

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [331

nyities, and the further fujtn of 490,000!. b/ a lot-
tery, in manner following ; that is to lay,

That every contributor to the faid 7,000,000 1.
fliall, for every 100 1. contributed, be entitled to an
annuity after the rate of 3 1. per cent, per ann.
redeemable by parliamenc; and alfo to a further
annuity of 3 1 15 s. per cent, per ann. to conti-
nue for a c'.rtain term of twenty-nine years, and
then to ceafe; the faid annuity of 3 1. per cent,
and of 3 1. 15'S. per cent, to commence from the
15th day of January, 1779. and 10 be payable and
transferrable at the Bank of England, and to be paid
half yearly on the 5th day ot July, and the 5th day
of January in every year, and (hall be charged and
chargeable upon, and payable cut of, a fund to be
eftablifhed in this feffion of parliament for payment ,
thereof, and for which the finking tund (hall be a
collateral fecuriiy :

That every contributor, or his or her reprefenta-
tive, who Ihall chufe to have and receive a life an-
nuity inftead of the faid annuity of 3 1. 15 s. per
cent, per ann. to continue for a certain term of
twenty-nine years as aforefaid, fhall, upon com- ^
pleting the whole of his or her contribution money,
and fignifying fuch his or her intention to the chief
cafhier of the governor and company of the bank of
pngland, have a certificate figned by him the faid
cafhier, expreffing the fum io paid by fuch contri-
butor, or his or her reprefeniative, and the annuity
after the rate of 3 1. 15 s. per cent, per ann. to
which fuch perfon is entitled in refptft of the lame ; '

and fhall, upon producing fuch certificate to the
auditor of the receipt of his Majefty's Exchequer,
at any time on or before the zzd day of December
next, have and be entitled to a like annuity, after
the rate of 3 1. 15 s. per cent, per ann. to be paid
at 'the receipt of the Exchequer, to commence from
the 5th day of January, 1779, and to bo paid and
payable half yearly, on the 5th day of July ami the
5th day of January in every year, during tiie life
of fuch nominee as he or fhe fhall appoint at the
time of delivering fuch cercificaie to the faid audi-
tor of the receipt of the Exchequer, out of the faid
fund to be eftablifhed in this feffion of parliament,
and for which the fmking fund is to be a collateral
fecurity :

That every contributor towards railing the fum
of 7,oco,oool. fhall, for every 1000 1. by him or

A her

332] ANNUALREGISTER, 1779.

her contributed, be entitled to feven tickets in a
lottery to confill of 49,000 tickets, amounting to
Apc.cool. upon payment of the further fum of 10!.
for each ticket; the faid 490,000!. to be dilbibuted
into prizes for the benefit of the proprietors of the
fortunate tickets in the faid lottery, which fhall be
paid in money at the bank of England to fuch pro-
prietors, upon demand, as foon after the ift day of
Warch, 17S0, as certificates can be prepared, without
any deduiftion whatfoever :

That every contributor fhal!, on or before the 2d
of March next, m^ke a depofu of 15 1. per cent, on
luch fum as he or fhe fhall chufe to fublcribe to-
wards raifing the faid fum of 7,000,000!. with the
chief cafhier or cafhiers of the governor and com-
pany of the bank of England; and alfe la depofit of
15 1. per cent, with the faid cafhier or cafhurs, in
part of the monies to be contributed towards raifing
the faid fum of 490,000!. by a lottery ; as a fecu-
rity for making the future payments, refpedively,
on or before the days or times hereinafter limited ;
that is to fay, on 7,000,000!. for annuities, lol.
per cent, on or before the 23d day of April next;
15!. per cent, on or before the 28th day of May
Text; lol. per cent, on or before the 25th day of
jane next; 15 1. per cent, on or before the 23d day
cf July next; 15 1. per cent, on or before the 27th
day of Auguft next; 10 1. per cent, on or before
the 22dday of Oitobcr next; lol. percent, onorbe-
fore the 19th day of November next. On the lottery
for 490,000!. 20!. per cent, on or before the 9th
day of April next; 25!. per cent, on or before the
"th day of May next-; 20 1. per cent, on or before
ihe I ith day of June next; 20 1. per cent, on or be-
fore the 8th d:iy of October next :

Tliat all the monies, fo to be received by the
faid chief cafhier or cafhiers of the governor and
company of the bank of England, fhall be paid into
the receipt of the Exchequer, to be applied from
lime to time to fuch fervices as Ihall then liave been
voted in this feffion of parliament :

That every contributor who (hall pay in the whole of
his or her contribution money towards the faid fum of
7,000,000!. to be contributed for annuities as afore-
faid, at any time before the 19th day of October next,
or on account of his or her lliare in the faid lottery,
on or before the 8ch day of June nexc, l"hall be al-
lowed an interefl, by way of difcoant, after the rate

of

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [333

of 3I. per cent, per ann. on the fums fo complet-
ing his or her contribution money, rcipcftively, to
be computed from the day of completing the fame
to the 19th day of November next, in regard to the
fum to be paid for the faid annuities and to the 8ih
day of Odober next, in refpeft of the fum to be paid
on account of the faid lottery ; and that all fuch
perfons as fhall make their full payments on the faid
lottery, (hall have tneir tickets delivered to them as
foon as they can conveniently be made out :

That the annuicies after the rate of 3 1. percent. "
per ann. to be payable in refpeft of the h'ld
7,000,000 1. to be contributed as aforefaid, (hall,
from the time of thjeir commencement, be added
to and made one joint ftock with the 3 1. per cent,
annuities confolidated, per a£ts 25th, 28th, 29th,
3 I It, 32d, and 33d Georgii Ildi. and by feveral fub-
jfequent adts, and OriaW be payable and transferrable
at the bank of England, and fubjeft to redemp-
tion in the fame manner as the faid 3 1. per cent,
confolidated annuities are payable and transferrable
there, and redeemable by parliament — — -',490jOO'3 o o

~ IVIat 6.

That the fum of fifteen thoufand two hundred
and ninety feven pounds, ten {hillings, and five
pence farthing, remaining in the receipt of the Ex-
chequer on the 5th day of January, 1779, of the
furplufles of the feveral {lamp duties granted by the
afts of the thirty-fecond year of King George the
Second, and of the fecond and fifth years of his
prefent Majefly, for augmenting the falaries of the
judges of England and Wales, after payment of
the feveral allowances then due and payable out of
the fame, be granted to his Majepy, to be applied
to the augmentation of the i'alaries of the chief
baron of the court of Exchequer at We{lmin{ler,
and of the Puifne Juftices of the courts of King's
Bench and Common Pleas, and the Puifne Barons
of the Coif of the court of Exchequer at Weltmin-
{ler — — — — — T-20-' in -i

JUNE I.

T. That, towards raifing the fupply granted to
his Majefty, there be i{rued and applied the Turn of
two million feventy-one thoufand eight hundred and
fifty - four pound:,, thirteen {hillings, and eight
pence halfpenny, out of fuca monies as have arifeii,
-or (hall or may ariie, of the furplulies^ exceJTes, or

overplus

334] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

overplus monies, and other revenues, compoling the

fund commonlv callt:d the finking ^und — — 2,071,854 13 8|

2. That, towards railing the fupply granted to his
Majcfty, the fum of one million five hundred thou-
fand pounds, be raifed by loans or Exchequer bills,

to be charged upon the iirll aids to be granted in '

the next fellion of parliament; and fuch Exchequer
bills, if not discharged, with intereft thereupon,
on or before the fihh day of April, one thoufand fe-
ven hundred and eighty, to be exchanged and re-
ceived in payment in fuch manner as Exchequer
bills have ufual'y been exchanged and received in
payment — _— — -.i. |,^oo,ooo 6 0

3. That, towards raifing the fupply granted to
his Majelly, the further fum of one million nine
hundred thoufand pounds, be raifed by loans or Ex-
chequer bills, to be charged upon the firll aids to
be granted in the next feilion of parliament; and
fuch Exchequer bills, if not difcharged, with in-
tereft thereupon, on or before the fifth day of April,
one thoufand feven hundred and eighty, to be ex-
changed and received in payment in fuch manner
as Exchequer bills have ufually been exchanged and

received in payment — — • 1,900,000 o 0

4. That, towards raifing the fupply granted to
his Majefty, there be applied the fum of two thou-
fand leven hundred fixcy-three pounds and one ihil-
ling, remaining in the receipt of the Exchequer on
the fifth day of April, one thoufand feven hundred
and feventy-nine, fubjedt to the difpofition of par-
liament, exclufive of the furplus monies then re-
maining of the finking fund —.___«. 2,763 o o

Total of ways and means — — 15,729,915' 4 i|

Excefs of ways and means — — 260 18 9

Note, ^ ^ote of credit of one million nvas alfo granted
thitjejjion, and is charged on the next aids.

The additional public debt funded and provided
for this year, amounts to feven millions; the intereft
ofwhich, at3 percent, per ann. is — — 2lo,ooo o a

The annnity for twenty-nine years, of 3 1. 15 s.
per cent, per ann. — —. — 262,500 o o

In all *— aiii* A. _ 4-2.c;oo o o

This

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. [335

This futn (by adts pafled in purfuance of the re-
foliiuons of the ift of March) is propofed to be raifed
in the following manner :

An additional duty of five per cent, on the full
produce of the excife and cuftoms, beer and ale, foap,
candles and hides excepted — — — 282,109 o o

A tax on poit horfes of i d. per horfe per mile 164,250 o o

An additional duty of 5 per cent, on cambrick 36000 o o

482,359 o o

Excefs of taxes — — — — 9^859 o o

STATE

[ 336 ]

STATE PAPERS.

His Majefiy^s mnfl gracious Speech to
both Houjes of Pailiamentf No-
vember 25th, 1778.

My LorJs, and Gentlemen,

I Have called you together in a
conjundure which demands
your moil feiious attention.

In the time of profound pence,
without pretence of provocation or
colour of complaint, the court of
France hath not forborne to dilhirb
the public tranquillity, in violation
of the faith of treaties, and the
general rights of fovercigns, at firlt
by the clandeftine fupply of arms
and other aid to my revolted f.ib-
jecls in North America, afterwards
by avowing openly their fupport,
and entering into formal engage-
ments with the leaders of the re-
bellion, and at length by commit-
ting open hoftilities and depreda-
tions on my faithful fubjedts, and
by an adtual invafion of my do-
minions in America and the Well
Indies.

It is, I trufl, unneceflary for me
to affure you, that the fame care
and concern for the happinefs of
my people, which induced me to
endeavour to prevent the calami-
ties of war, will make me defi-
rous to fee a reftoration oi the
biellincfs of peace, whenever it can
be efi'etfled with perfed honour,
and with fecurity to the rights of
this country.

In the mean lime, I have not

neglefled to take the proper and
necelTary meafures for difappoint-'
ing the malignant defigns of uur
enemies, and alfo for making ge-
neral reprifals ; and although my
efforts have not been attended with
all the fuccefs, which, the juftice
of our caufe and the vigour of our
exertions feemed to promife, yet
the extenfive commerce of my fub-
jerts has been protedled in moll
of its branches, and large repri-
fals have been made upon the in-
jurious aggrefTors, by the vigi-
lance of my fleets, and by the ac-
tive and enterprizing fpiritofmy
people.

The great armaments of other
powers, however friendly and fin-
'cere their profeflions, however juft
and honourable their purpofes,
muft neceffarily engage our atten-
tion.

It would have afforded me very
great fatisfadlion to have informed
you, that the conciliatory mea-
fures, planned by the wifdom and
temper of parliament^ had taken
the deflred effeft, and brought the
troubles in North America to a
happy conclufion.

In this fituation of affairs, the
national honour and fecurity call
fo loudly upon us for the moll ac-
tive exertions, that I cannot doubt
of your heartiell concurrence and
fupport. From the vigour of your
councils, and the condud and in-
trepidity of my officers and forces

by

STATE PAPERS.

[337

by fea and land, I hope, under
the bleffing of God, to derive the
means of vindicating and main-
taining the honour of my crown,
and the interefts of my people,
againft all our enemies.

Gentlemen of the Houfe of
Commons,
1 will order the proper eftlmates
for the fervice of the enfuing year
to be laid before you; and when
you confider the importance of the
objefts for which we are contend-
ing, you will, I doubt not, grant
me fuch fupplies as you fiiall judge
neceffary for the public fervice,
and adequate to the prefent emer-
gency.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,
I have, according to the powers
veiled in me for that purpofe, call-
ed forth the militia, to alii It in the
interior defence of this country;
and I have, with the greateft and
trueft fatisfaflion, been myfelf a
witnefs of that public fpirit, that
fteady ardour, and that love of
their country, which animate and
-unite all ranks of my faithful
fubjefls, and which cannot fail of
making us fafe at home, and re-
fpeded abroad.

Y'he humble Addrefs of the Lords Spi-
ritual and Temporal in P arliametit
oJp:?nbled.

Moft Gracious Sovereign,

WE, your Majefty's moft du-
tiful and loyal fubjeds, the
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in
Parliament aflembled, beg leave
to return your Majefty our humble
thanks for your moft gracious
fpecch from the throne.
Vol, XXIL

We have the ftrongeft fenfe of
the importance of thofe objeds
which render the prefent conjunc-
ture worthy of the moft ferious at-
tention.

The difturbance of the public
tranquillity by the court of France,
without pretence of provocation or
colour of complaint, the clandef-
tine affillance, the avowed fupport,
the formal engagements which, at
different periods, that court has
not thought it inconfiflent v/ith its
honour, to afford to your Majefty's
revolted fubjeds in North Ame-
rica, and to conclude with the lead-
ers of rebellion, excite in our
breads a juft abhorrence of the
violation of every public principle
which fuch a condud manifefts,
and a determination to concur in
every meafure, which may enable
your Majcfly to refent with effeft,
the hoftilities committed on your
faithful fubjeds, and the adual
invafion of your Majefty's domi-
nions in America and the Well
Indies.

We beg leave to exprefs our
grateful fenfe of the tender con-
cern for the happinefs of your
people, which has uniformly in-
duced your Majefty to endeavour
to prevent the calamities of war,
and will make your Majefty defi-
rous to fee the return of peace,
whenever it can be effedcd with
perfed honour and fecurity to the
rights of this country.

At the fame time we return your
Majefty our dutiful thanks, for
your great care in taking the pro-
per and neceffary mealures for
difappointing the malignant de-
ligns of our enemies, and alfo for
making general reprifals, and for
the protedion which has been de-
rived from the vigilance of your

[rj Majefty's

33S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Majefty's fleets to our extenfive
commerce, in moll of its branches,
while that of the enemy has ma-
terially fufFered by the aflive and
rnterprizing fpirit of our fellow-
fubjeds: And \vc hope, although
your Majelly's efforts have not hi-
therto been attended with all the
fuccefs, which the juflice of our
caiife, and the vigour of our exer-
tions, feemed to promile, that con-
fequences more adequate to both
may refult from the animated exe-
cution of firm and adive cuuncils,
which the time requires, and with
which the fpirited perleverance of
the Bricifh nation has ib often fur-
jnounted the greatell difficuhies.

It is with concern we learn,
that the conciliatory meafures of
parliament have not yet had the
good effed wi'.h your Majefly's
revolted fubjefls, which was due
to the wifdcm and temper with
which they were planned.

In this fituation of affairs, fully
fenfible that the national honour
and fecurity loudly calls for the
nioft aftive exertions, we will
ftrenuoufly concur in fupporting
your Majefty, that, under the
blcfHng of God, means may be
derived from the conduft and in-
trepidity of your Majefty's officers
and forces, by fea and land, and
■ the yet undaunted fpirit of the na-
tion, to vindicate and maintain
the honour ct the crown, and the
interefts of the people of Great
Britain.

We return your Majerty our
cordial acknowledgments for hav-
ing called forth the militia, t j af-
fift in the interior defence of this
country ; and it Is with joy and
exultation we hear the gracious
lelHmony your Majelly is pleafed
to bear to the public fpirit, the

fteady ardour, and love of their
country, which animate that na-
tional force, and unite all ranks
of your Majefty's faithful fubjeds
in giving fignal proofs, to all the
world, of a loyalty and zeal which
mull render us fafe at home and
refpeded abroad.

His Maj.ejly^s Anfnuer. .

My Lords,
I thank you for this loyal and
dutiful addrefs : The zeal you fhew
for my honour and fupport, and
the firmnefs and vigour you mani-
feft in the prefent conjunfture,
cannot fail to produce the beft
effedls; it muft add confidence to
my people, and encourage anima-
ted efforts to withftand, oppofe,
and fubdue, every hoftile attack
upon the honour and interells of my
kingdoms.

The humble Jddrefs cf the Hmfe
Commons to the King,

Mofl Gracious Sovereign,

WE, your Majefty's mofl dir-
tiful and loyal fubjefts,
the Commons of Great Britain in
parliament affembled, beg leave
to return your Majelly the thanks
of this Houfe, for your moit gra-
cious fpecch from the throne.

We acknowledge with the utmofl
gratitude your Majelly's paternal
regard for the happinefs of your
people, in your earnefl and uni-
form endeavours to preferve the
public tranquillity, and the good
faith and uprightnefs of your Ma-
jelly's condud to all foreign
powers ; and we affure your Ma-
jelly, that we have fecn with con-
cern and indignation, that tran-
quillity

STATE PAPERS.

[339

tjuillity difturbed by the court of
Prance, without the leaft pretence
of provocation, or colour of com-
plaint; and we have, with the
warmeft emotions of refentment,
marked the progrefs of their ma-
lignant defigns againft this country,
£rll by a clandeltine aid and fupply
of arms to your Majelly's revolted
fubjeds in North America; after-
wards, in violation of the faith of
trsaties, and contrary to the rights
and common intereft of every
lovereign Hate in Europe poflefTed
f' colonies and dependencies, by
entering into and avowing formal
engagements with the leaders of
the rebellion; and, at length, by
committing open holHlities and
depredations, and by adually in-
vading part of your Majelly's do-
minions in America and the Well
Indies,

We cannot but feel concern and
regret, that the meafures taken by
your Majefly, for difappointing
thefe- holiile and malignant de-
figns, have not been attended
with all the fuccefs which the
juftice of the caufe, and the vi-
gour of the exertions, feemed to
promife; yet, we have at the
fame time feen with great fatis-
faclion, the extenfive commerce
of your Majelly's fubjefts psoteft-
ed in moft of its branches, ard
large reprifals made on the inju-
rious aggreffors, by the vigilance of
your Majefty's fleets, and the adlive
ipirit of the nation.

It would have given your faith-
ful Commons the trueft happinefs,
to have received the communica-
tion from your Majefty, that the
juft and humane purpoles of your
iMajcfty and your Parliament, for
quieting the minds of your re-
volted fubjedls, had taken the de-

fired effefl, and had brought the
troubles in North America to a
happy conclufion.

Your faithful Commons do moft
heartily concur with your Majerty,
in the jull approbation you have
been pleafed to exprefs of the
public fpirit which has fo confpi-
cuoufly animated all ranks of your
Majeity's faithful fubjefls, to Hand
forth, at this lime of danger, in
the fervice of the militia, who, by
their difcipline and fteady perfe-
verance in their duty, have ena-
bled your Majefty to avail your-
felf of that conftitutional force for
the defence of this country.

Your Majefty may rely on the
hearty and zealous concurrence
and afliftance of your faithful
Commons, in enabling your Ma-
jefty to make the molt adtive and
vigorous exertions by fea and land,
for vindicating and eftabliftiing
the national honour and fecurity ;
and we beg leave to declare our
ftedfaft refolution, and renew cur
folemn alTurances to your Majefty,
that this Houfe, convinced of the
importance of the objects for which
we are contending, and impelled
by every motive of duty and inte-
reft that can animate the hearts
of Britons, will effedlually affifl
your Majefty in the profecution of
the prefent juft and neceffary war;
and that we will, to the utmoft of
cur power, fupport your Majefty
againft all your enemies.

Protests trft/je Lords.

Die Lu-na, Dfcem. 7""'.
Moved,

THAT an humble addrefs be
prefented to hii Majefty, to
exprefs to his Maju-lly the difplea-
\r\ z fjre

\

340] ANNUAL P.EGIS rER> 1779.

furc of this Houfe, at a cerialn eftianging herfelf from us, but of

manifcfto and proclamation, dated mortgaging herfelf, and her re-

thc third day of Oii^ober, 1778, fources, to our enemies, the whole

and publiihed in America under contort is changed, and the quef-

the hands and feals ofthcEiulof tion is, how far Great Britain may,

Carlifle, Sir Henry Clinton, Knt. by every means in her power, de-

of the Bath, and William Eden,
Efq; commiflioners for rellcring
peace to the colonies, and coiin-
terljgned by Adam Fergnfon, Efq;
Secretary to the . commiflion ; the
laid maniferto containing a decla-
ration of the following tenour :

" If there be any perfons, who,
divefted of milUken refentments,
and uninfluenced by felfifli i-nte-
"rells, really think it is for the be-
nefit of the colonies, to fcparate
themfelves from Great Britain,
and that fo feparated they will
find a conlliiution more mild, more
free, and better calculated for
t'r.eir profperity, than that which
they heretofore enjoyed, and which
we are empowered and difpofed to
renew and improve ; with iuch per-
fons we will not difpute a pofuion,
which feems to be fulhciently con-
iradided by the experience they
have had. But we think it right
to leave them fully aware of the
change which the maintaining fuch
a polition mull make in tlie whole
nature and future condut^c of this
war, more efpecially when to this
pofition is added the pretended al-
liance with the court of France.
I'he policy, as well as the benevo-
Jence of Grtat Britain, have thus
tar checked the extremes of war,
when they tended to diftrefs a peo-
ple, flill confidei*sd as our fellow-
lubjeds, and to defolate a coun-
try, fhortly to become again a
i'oarce of mutual advantage: but
♦ivhen that country profelTes the
■unnatural defign, not only of

llroy or render ufelefs a connexion
contrived for her ruin, and for the
aggrandizement of France. Un-
der fuch circumftances, the laws
of felf-prefervation mufl <l\rc£i the
conduft of Great Britain: and if
the Britifli colonies are to become
an acceflion to France, will direfl
her to render that acceffion of :ts
little avail as pofTible to her
enemies."

To acquaint his Majefty with
the fenfe of tins Houfe, that the
faid commiflioners had no autho-
rity whatfoever, under the ad of
parliament, in virtue of which they
were appointed by his Majelty, to
make the faid declaration, or to
make any declaration to the fame,
or to the like purport, nor can
this Houfe be eafily brought to be-
lieve that the faid commiflioners
derived any fuch authority from his
Majefly's inflruftions.

Humbly to befeech his Majefly,
that fb much of the faid manifeito
as contains the faid declaration,
be publickly difavowed by his Ma-
jelty, as containing matter incon-
fiilcnt with the humanity and ge-
nerous courage which, at all times,
have diilinguiihed the Britifh na-
tion, fubverfive of the maxims
which have been eftablifhed among
Chrillian and civilized communi-
ties, derogatory to the dignity of
the crown of this realm, tending
to debafe the fpirir, and fubverc
the difcipline of his Majefly's ar-
mies, and to expofe his Majefly's
innocent fubjefts, in all parts of

his

STATE PAPERS.

[341

his dominions, to cruel and ruinous
retaliations.

After a long debate, the queftion
was put, and carried in the nega-
tive. Contents 37. Non-contents
7 1 , including proxies.

DifTentient,
ifl. Becaufe the public law of
nations, in affirmance of the dic-
tates of nature, and the precepts
of revealed religion, forbids us to
refort to the extremes of war upon
our own opinion of their expe-
diency, or in any cafe to carry on
war for the purpofe of defolation.
We know that the rights of war
are odious, and inllcad of being
extended upon loofe conilrudlions
and fpeculaiions o^'d.-.nger, ought to
be bound up and limited by all the
reltraints of the molt rigorous con-
flruftion. We are ihocked to fee the
iiril: law of nature, felf-prefervation,
perverted and abufed into a princi-
ple deftrudive of all other laws;
snd -a rule laid do^n, by which our
own fafety is rendered incompati-
ble with the prolperity of mankind.
Taofe cbjcds of war, which can-
not be compaflcd by fair and ho-
nourable hoilility, ought not to
be compafled at all. An end that
has no means, but fuch as are un-
lawful, is an unlawful end. The
manifello expiefsly founds the
change it announces from a quali-
fied and mitigated war, to a war
of extremity and defolation, on a
certainty that the provinces muft
be independent, and mufi become
an acceffion to the llrengthofan
enemy. Jn the niidft of ihe cala-
mities, by which our lofs of em-
pire has been preceded and ac-
companied ; in the midft of our
apprehenfions for the farther cala-
iiiiiics which impend over us, it

is a matter of frefli grief and accu-
mulated iTiame, to fee from a com-
miflion under the great feal of this
kingdom, a declaration for defo-
lating a vaft continent, folcly be-
caufe we had not the wlfdum to
retain, or the power to fubdue it.

2dly. Becaufe the avowal of a
deliberate purpofe of violating the
law of nations mufl give an alarm
to every Hate in Europe. AH
commonwealths have a concern
in that law, and are its natural
avengers. At this time, furround-
ed by enemies, and deflitute of all
allies, it is not necefliiry to fharpen
and embitter the hoftility of de-
clared foes, or to provoke the en-
mity of neutral ftatcs. We truft
tliat by the natural ftrength of this
kingdon-, we are fecured from a
foreign conqueil, bat no nation is
fecured from the invafion and in-
curfions of enemies. And it feems
to us the height of frenzy, as well as
wickednefs, to expofe this country
to cruel depredations, and other
outrages too fliocking to mention
(but which are all contained in the:
idea of the extremes of war and
defolation) by eftablilhing a falfe,
fliameful, and pernicious maxim,
that where we have no interell to
preferve, we are called upon by
ncceffity to deftroy. This king-
dom has long enjoyed a profound
internal peace, and has flourifned
above all others in the arts and
enjoyments of that happy Hate.
Jt has been the admiration of the
world for its cultivation and its
plenty: for the comforts of tlie
poor, the fplendor of the rich,
and. the content and profperity of
all. This fituation of fafety may
be attributed to the grcatnefs of
our power. It is more becoming,
and more true, that we ought to
[2"] 3 attribute

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

342]

attribute that fafety, and the power
which procured it, to the ancient
jullicc, honour, humanity, and
gencrc fity of this kingdom, which
brought down the blcffing of Pro-
vid^-nce on a people who made
their profpcrity a benefit to the
world, and interefted all nations
in their fortune, whofe example of
mildnefs and benignity at once hu-
manized others, and rendered it-
felf inviolable. In departing from
thofc folid principles, and vainly
truftlr.g to the fragility of human
force, and to the efficacy of arms,
rendered impotent by their per-
vcrfion, \we lay down principles,
and furn^fi; exair.ples of the moll
atrocious barbariry. We are to
dread that all our power, peace,
and opulence (hoald vanif/i hke a
ciream, and that the cruelties
which we think hfe to exercife,
b caufe their in mediate objed is
remote, be brought to the coaft?,
p rhaps to the bofom of this kiiig-
dom.

jd^y Bccaufc, if the explana-
tion givci in debate, be exprefiive
of the true fenfe of the article in
the manifefto, fuch explanation
Oi'ght to be made, and by as high
authority as that under which the
except. enable article was originally
publiflaed. The natural and ob-
vious fer.fe indicates, that the ex
tremes of war had hitherto been
checked; that his Majefty's gene-
rals had hitherto foreborne (upon
principles of benignity and policy)
to defolaie the country ; but that
the whole natuie, and future con-
duft of the war mult be changed
in order to render the American
acceffion of as little avail to France
as poffible. This, in our appre-
heniion, conveys 'a menace of car-

rying the war to extremes and to
delblation, or it means nothing.
And as fome fpeeches in the Houfe
(however palliated) and as fome
ads of fingular cruelty, and per-
fedly conformnble to theappaie-nt
ideas in the raanifefto, have lately
been exercifed, it becomes the
more necelTary, for the nonour and
fafety of this nation, that this ex-
planation fhould be made. As it
is retufed, we have only to clear
ourfelvcs to our cor.fciences, to
our country, to cur neighbours,
and to every individual who may
fuffer in confequence of this atro-
cious menace, of all part in the
gi:ilt, or in the evils t.-iat may be-
come its punilliment. And we
chufe to draw ourfelves out, and,
to diflinguilh ourfelves to pollerity,
as not being the firft to renew, to
approve, or to tolerate, the return
of that ferocity and barbarifm in
war, which a beneficent religion,
and enlightened manners, and true
military honour, had for a long
time baniihed from the Chriftiaa
world.

Cam Jen,

Abingdon,

Fitzwilliam,

Fortefcue,

Grafton,

Craven,

J. St. Afaph,

Richmond,

Bolton,

Kadnor,

Egremont,

Abergavenny,

Coventry,

De Ferrars,

Ferrers,

Stanhope.

Rockingham,

Tankerville, '

Ponfonby,

Derby,

Manchefter,

Portland,

Beaulieu,

Harcourt,

Effingham,

Wycombe,

Scarborough,

Cholmondeley,

Devonfhire,

Foley

Spencer,

Die

S T A T E PAPERS.

[343

Die Veneris, Apr. 23*'".

Moved,

'THAT an humble ad-
drcfs be prefented to hi^ Majefty,
that he will be gracioully pleafed
to remove the Right Hon. John
Earl of Sandwich, firft commif-
iioner for executing the office of
Lord High Admiral of Great Bri-
tain, and one of his Majefly's moft
honourable privy council, from
the faid office of firft Lord Com-
xniliioner of the Admiralty."

Aft^-r much debate, the queftion
was put, and carried in the nega-
tive. Contents 39. Non-con-
tents 78.

DifTentient,
Becaufe, as it is highly becom-
ing this great council of the na-
tion to addrefs his Majefty for the
removal of any Miniftc;r for negledl
of duty or incapacity, in order to
prevent public detriment; io we
conceive the notoriety of the fads
in this debate fufficiently warrants,
and th? prefent alarming fituation
of public aftairs loudly calls for,
this interpofition.

Abingdon, Bolton,

Courtenay, Harcourt

Craven, Grafton,

King, Fitzwilliam,

Fonefcue, Richmond,

Spencer, Stamford,

Ferrers, Effingham.,

Manchefter, Portland,

Rockingham, Camden,

Brirto!, Egremont,

Scarborough, Pembroke,

Radnor, De Ferrars,

Wycombe.

DifTentient,
B?caufe, having made the. mo-
tion alluded io in the above dilTent,

I think it incumbent upon me to
let poft'-rity know the particular
grounds I made that motion upon.

id. Becaufe, fince the year
1771, there has been 6,917,8721.
5 s. 05. granted for naval purpofes,
more than was granted in an equal
number of years, betw -en 175 1
and 1759, for the ufe of the navy,
although we had been four years
at war with France within that
period.

2dly. Becaufe the navy of Eng-
land appears to be reduced from
what it was in the year 177 1, when
the prefent firft Lord of the Admi-
ralty fucceeded to the head of that
board, notwithftanding the im-
menle fums granted for its fupporc
and increafe fince that time.

3dly. Becaufe it appears, after
having received fuch repeated in-
telligence as hath been acknow-
ledged to have been received from
the 3d of January, 1778, to the
27ih of April following, of the
equipment and progrefs of the
Toulon fqu.idron, to their failing
on the 13th of April, 1778; the
not fending a fquadron into the
Mediterranean, to watch the mo-
tions of, and endeavour to inter-
cept, the faid French fquadron
from paffing the Straits, nor fend-
ing any reinforcement to Vice Ad-
miral Lord Howe, or even dif-
patching Vice-Admiral Byron till
the 9th of June, 1778, was ex-
pohng the fleet as well as army
of England, then eir».ployed in
America, to a very fiip^rior force of
France.

4thly, Becaufe it appears the
fending of Admiral Keppel off
Brell the i;jth of June with
twenty (ail o\ the line, when the
Lords Commiffioners of ttie Ad-
jniraity ku^w, oj:. ought to have

[^j ^ known»

544] ANNUAL REGISTER,

known, that the French fleet then
adually at Brcil, and fitting for
fca, coniirted of 32 lliips of the
line, beiides many heavy frigates,
might have been produdive at that
time of the mall fatal confequences
to the only confiderable naval
force this kingdom had then ready
for its protection, but alfo to the
trade, and even the ports of thefe
kingdoms. And if Admiral Kep-
pel had remained with his 20 fail
of the line off Breit, he muil with
thofe fhips have engaged the
French fleet of 30 fail of the line,
who failed on the 8th of July, as .
Admiral Keppel could not get the
reinforcement even of four Ihips of
the line to join him till the 9th
of July, although he was then at
St. Helens for that purpofe.

jth'y. Becaufe it appears we
loft that valuable ifland of Domi-
nica, for want of tiniely reinforce-
ments and proper inftrudtions beii!g
fent to Admiral Harrington.

6th!y. Becaufe, for want of the
fmallcft naval force beir.g fent to
the coail of Africa, we nave alfo
loft the valuable ftation of Senegal,
which might in time, with proper
attention, have opened new mar-
kets for our drooping manufac-
tures.

7thly. Becaufe it appears that
the Admira'ty, without any deli-
beration whatfoever, having fo pre-
cipitately ordered a court-mariial
upon a commander in chief, of
great rank, and charader, which
Admiral Keppc) bears in his Ma-
jefty's fleet, was fruftrating the fa-
lutarv intentions of that difcre-
tionary pov/er, lodged by theconfti-
tution in the lords coramifiioners for
executing the office of Lord High
Admiral of Great Britain, where-
by all malicious and ill-founded
6

1779-

charges (by whomfoever exhibited)
may be avoided, and the union and
difcipline of the fcrvice not inter-
rupted.

Bristol.

June l"]!}? the follo^jjing Menage nxjas
fent by the King to both Houjh of
Parliament,

GEORGE R.

THE ambaftador of the King
of Spain having delivcreji
a paper to Lord Vilcount Wey-
mouth, and fignificd that he has re-
ceived orders irom his court, imme-
diately to withdraw from this coun-
try; his Majelly has judged it necef-
fary to diredl a copy of that paper to
be laid before both Houfes of Par-
liament, as a matter of the higheft
importance to the crown and peo-
ple; and his Majefty acquaints
them at the fame time that he has
found himfelf obliged, in confe-
quence of this hoftilt declaration, to
recal his anibafiador from Mcdrid.

His Majefty declares, in the
moft folemn manner, that his de-
fire to preferve and to cultivate
peace and friendly intercourfe with
the court of Spain, has been uni-
form and fincere; and that his
conduft lowjrds that power has
been guided by no other motives
or principles than thofe of good
faith, honour, and juftice; and
his Majelly fees with the greater
furpriie the pretences on which
this declaration is grounded, as
foine of the grievances enumerated
in that paper have never come to
the knowledge of his Majefty, ei-
ther by reprefentation on the part
of the Catholick King, or by in-
telligence from any otiier quarter ;
and in all tkofe cafes where appli-
cations

STATE PAPERS.

[345

cations have been received, the
matter of complaint has been treat-
ed with the utmoft attention, and
put into a courfe of enquiry and
redrefs.

His Majefty has the firmeit con-
fidence, that his parliament will,
v/ith that zeal and public fpirit
which he has fo often experienced,
fupport his Majefty in his refolu-
tion, to exert all the power, and
all the refources of the nation, to
refill and repel any hollile attempts
of the court of Spain ; and that,
by the blefling of God, on the rec-
titude of his intentions, and the
equity of his caufe, his Majefty
will be able to withftand and de-
feat the unjuft and dangerous en-
terprifes of his enemies, againft
the honour of his crown, and the
commerce, the rights, and the
common interefts of all his fub-

jCv^S.

^ke humlle Addrefs of the Right
Honourable the Lords Spiritual and
Temporal in Parliament ajjem-
blid.

" Moft gracious Sovereign,

WE, your Majefty's moft du-
tiful and loyal fubjetta, the
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in
parliament affembled, beg leave to
return your Majefty our humble
thanks for your moft gracious mef-
fage, and communication of the
paper delivered to Lord Vifcount
Weymouth by the ambaffador of
the King of Spain, which we can-
not but confider as a m.itter of the
higheft importance to your Ma-
jefty's crovvn and people; and for
acquainting us, that in confe-
quence of this hoftile declaration,
your Majefty had found yourfeif

obliged to gire orders to your am-
baflador to withdraw from that
court.

We beg leave to aiTure your
Majefty, that among the naany
proofs we have received of your
Majefty's conftant care and con-
cern for the fafety and happinefs
of your people, your Majefty's
declaration of your fincere defire
to preferve and to cultivate peace
and friendly intercourfe with the
court of Spain, cannot fail to in-
fpire us with the higheft fenti-
ments of gratitude and attach-
ment; and that, animated by
your Majefty's example, we will,
with unftiaken fidelity and refolu-
tion, and with our lives and for-
tunes, ftand by and fupport your
•Majefty againft all the hoftile de-
figns and attempts of your enemies
againft the honour of your crown,
and the rights and common in-
t'jrefts of all your Majefty's fub-
jccls."

Upon the motion for the above
addreis, an amendment was pro-
poied by adding the following
words :

" That in a moment fo critical
as that which now prefents itfelf
to the conftderation of parliament,
the moft awful this country has
ever experienced, it would be de-
ceiving his Majefty, and the na-
tion, if at the fame time that we
lament the fatal effed of thofe
councils, which, by dividing and
wafting the force of the empire
by civil wars, incited our natural
enemies to take advantage of our
weak and diftracled condition ;
were we not to reprefcnt to his
Majefty, that the only means of
refifting the powerful combination
that now threatens this country,
v/ill be by a total change of tl^at

fyllem

^46] ANNUAL R

fvP.cm t at lias invo'ved us in onr
prefcnt difficu.ties in America, in
Jreia.id, and at home; by fuch
meins, attended with prudent occo-
romv, and a due exertion of the
forces of a free and united people,
we trufl that his M.ije(ly, vvitii the
afliftance of Divine Providence,
will be able to vvichftand all his
enemies, and to re (lore Great Britain
to its former refpefted and happy
lituation."

The quellion being put, that
thofe words Hand part of the ad-
drefs, it was carried in the nega-
tive. Contents 32. Non-con-
tents 57.

Dilfentient,
Bscaufe the amendment pro-
pofed, recommending to his Ma-
jelly a change of lyftcm in the
principles and cor.du£t of ihe war,
appears to us to be warranted by
every confideraticn which prudence
and experience can fuggelt, and to
be called for by the extreme mag-
nitude of the dangers which fur-
xound us. The formal furrender
cf all right to tax North America,'
propofed by the very fame Mini-
Hers, who at the expence of fifty
thovjand lives, and thirty rrJ.ions of
money, had for three years fuccef-
fively attempted to eftablilh this
claim, neceifarily proves, either
that thofe principles of legiflation
which they had thus afTertcd and
thus abandoned v/ere unjuil in
themfelves, or that' the whole
power of Great Britain under their
condudt was liable to c^Fe(ftuate a
reafonable dependency of its ou n
colonies. A dilemma difhonour-
able to them and ruinous to us ;
and which, whatever fide is taken,
proves them wholly undefcrving
of the future confidence of a Sovc-

EG I STER, 1779.

reign and a people whofe implicit
tn'll in them (the largcil which
ever was repofed by any King or
any nation) they have abuled in a
manner of which the records of
parliament, and the calamities of
tho nation, are but too faithful wit-
nelil's.

-If the whole force of Great Bri-
tain and Ireland, aided by the
moll lavifh grants, aflllted by thir-
ty thouidud Germans, unobilruded
for a long time by any foreigii
power, has failed in three cam-
paigns againft the unprepared pro-
vinces of North America; wc
fhould hold ourialves equally un-
worthy of all trull, if we were wil-
ling to confide in thofe abilities
which have totally failed in the fm-
gle contell with the coloniLS, for
refcuing us from the united and
frefn efforts of France and Spain,
in addition to the fuccefsful reiill-
ance of North America.

In fuch a fiiuaiion, a change of
fyftem appeared to us to be our
indifpenfable duty to advife. We
have confidercd fuch a change as the
only means of procuring that union
of councils, that voluntary effort
of every individual in the empire
which is necefiary to be called forth
in this hour cf danger. We have
readily concurred in a fmcere offer
of our lives and fortunes in fupport
of his Majefly againfc the attacks
of his enemies. Thofe valuable
pledges, by/th of what is our own
perfonally, and cf what belongs to
our fellow citizens (which ought
to be, and arc no leis dear to us) ,
give us a full right to c'aim and
iJemand fome better fecurity for
their being employed with judg-
ment and efFeiii, for the purpules
for which we ci^er them, than can
be derived from the c.pinions, in

which

STATE PAPERS.

[347

which all mankind concur, of the
toral warn: of capacity of his Ma
jelly's Miniilers.

We have avoided recomm'^rd
ing any fpecific meafures, in order
not to embarrals government in a
moment of fuch difficulty : but
we have no fcruple in declaring,
that whatever may be the future
conduct of Great Britain with re-
fpeft to America, the cnlleding
our force at a proper time to refift
and to annoy our natural rivals
and ancient enemies, feems to us
beyond a doubt to be proper and
ejcpedient.

2dly. We think this advice the
more feafonable, becaufe we know
the obllinate attachment of the
Miniilers to that unfortunate {yf-
tem, from the fatal prediieCiion to
which they have fufFered the fafety
of the ftate to be endangered, and
the naval ftrength of our power-
ful, jealous, and natural rivals to
grow under their eyes, without the
leall attempt at interruction, until
it had arrived at its prei'ent alarm-
ing magnitude, infidioiis combina-
tion, and hoftile direflion.

3dly. Th.s plan appears to us
flrongly enforced, by the melan-
choly condition in which the mif-
condufl and criminal negleds of
the Miniilers have placed us, —
Our bell refources wafted and con-
fumed; the Britifli empire rent
afunder ; a combination of the
moll powerful nations formed
againft us, with a naval fuperio-
rity both in number of fhips and
alacrity of preparation ; and this
country now, for the firll time,
left entirely expofed, without the
aid ol a fingle ally. We (hould
think ourfelvcs partakers in the
offences of the Miniilers, and ac-
ceffaries to our own deHruftiop, if

we neglefled any poffible means of
fecurir.g a proper application of all
the force we have left, from a
blind confidence in perfons, oa
whofe account no nation in Eu-
rope will have any confidence ia
us. A manly difpofiiion in par-
liament to apply the national wif-
dom to the cure of the national
dillemoers, would rellore our cre-
dit and reputation abroad, and
induce foreign nations to court
that alliance which they now fly
from ; would invigorate our exer-
tions at h'ime ; and call forth the
full operation of that Britilli fpirit
which iias fo often, U"der the di-
re.tion of wife counfel and a pro-
tecling Providence, proved fapericr
to numbers; but which can have
no exirence but from a well-found-
ed opinion, that it is to be exerted
under Minifters and commanders
who polTefs the elleem and affeclioa
of the people.

We have in vain called for fome
pL"i; on which to build better hopes,
or for fome reafon for adhering to
the prefent fyllem.

We have in vain requelled to
know what have been tiie circum-
ftances of the mediation, what are
ihe grievances complained of by
the Spanilh court, in order that
we may weigh the jullice of that
war in which we are going to en-
gage, on which foundation alone
we can rely for the protedlion of
Providence.

We have urged the neceflity of
the great council of the nation con-
tinuing to fit, that his Majelly
may not be deprived of the advice
of parliament in fuch a difficult
crifis.

All thefc reprefentations have
been met with a fallen and unfa-
tisfai^ory filencej which gives us

but

3|S] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

but too much realbn to conclude,
tl at Miniltcrs mean to perfevere
in that unhappy couiTc, which has
been tUe caiite of all our miitor-
tunes.

After doing our utmoft to awaken
the Houfc to a better funre of things,
we take this method of clearing
oiirfelves of the confequcnccs which
mull refult from the continuance of
iuch mcafures.

Richmond, Manchcfter,

Abergavenny, Eflinghani,
D>.-rby, FfircrJ,

De Ferrars, King,
Harcourt, Portland,

Kockinghsm, Radnor,
Scarlxirougii, Coveatrv,
Fonfonby, Hereford,

Dcvonfiiire, Foley.
E"remont,

Die Mart is, 29° Jiaiii, 1779.
THE bill for the more effec-
tually manning the navy was read
a third time. Then an amendment
being propofed to be made thereto;
the lame was objeded to after a
long debate. The quellion was
put thereupon. Rcfolved in the
affirmative. Then it was moved
to re-commit the bill. The quef-
tion was put thereupon. Rciclvcd
in the negative. Contents 24.
Non-contents 50.

Diflentient,
Becaufe the re-commitment of
ijiis b;ll, which was moved, but
which the Houfe has thought pro-
per to negative, appeared to us
ro be abfolutely necellary for the
introduction of fuch alterations as
xjiight, v.'e hope, have enabled the
Houfe to concur unanimouny in
the I'ufpenfion ofthofe ads of par-
liament which ftand in the way of

the extraordinary fupply of men
wanted for equipping the Hcct on
the prelrnt emergency ; an unajii-
mity at this time is certainly de-
firablc, which we have (liewn our
read'Uffs to produce, by oftoring
to acquicfce in meafures of confi-
derable bardfliip and oppreffion^ on
account of the deplorable fiuiation,
to which this country is reduced ;
although that fituation, fo far
from being imputable to us, is to
be afcribed folely to that obllinatc
adherence to a fyftem, of ^vhich
we have conflantly foretold the
confequcnces we now fo unhappily
experience.

'.7e wiflied in the tommittee noii
to have fufFered the day of the
commencement of this bill to re-
main, as it now Itands the fix-
teenth of the prefent month, a pe-
riod antecedent by fourteen days
to the paffing of this bill, whereby
it has a retrofpcflive operation,
and becomes an ex pi^ faclo law,
contrary to every principle of juf-
tice, contrary to parliamentary
faith, and contrary to true po-^
licy.

We wifhed to have accompanied
this alteration in the committee,
with an ael of indemnity for the
avowed breach of the laws now in
being ; v/e cfTered to conlent to
this indemnity in the fullell man-
ner that could be wiflK-d, althougli
the proofs we repeatedly called
for, of the extent of the benefit,
were reiufcd ; proofs which we
did not require to .be attended vylthi
that degree of flricincfs VNhich
could render it diflicult to produce
them ; proofs, which in common
cafes, from an efTential part of tlie
grounds on v/hich the iufrador. of
law is to be faved harmlefs, but
Vv'hich, in the prefent inllance,

v.e

STATE PAPERS,

[349

we would hr.ve difpenfed with in
favour of the intention.

We wi(h, by no means, to dif-
courage future minifters from extra-
ordinary exertions, when warrant-
ed by fufHcicnt neceflity ; but we
think it due to the dignity of par-
liament, as well as to the fafety of
the conftitution, on all occahons,
but more efpecially where the par-
liamentary faith has been fo deep-
ly pledged, to give to afts of in-
demnity all poflibie folemnity, that
they may never come to be confi-
liered as a*5ts of right, but as atts
of the laft neceflity; recognizing
upon the face of them the force of
the lasv, and ftacing, as far as the
occafion will admit, the neceffity
of the viohition. A precedent in
point ftands in the Ilatute book,
7 Geo. III. chap. 7. and we can
lee no reafon why it has not been
precifely followed.

In dired oppofition to this pre-
cedent, the prefent biil does not in
the title, preamble, or in any part,
diref^ly mark its intermediate ob-
jeft; it no where diredly recog-
T^izes the power of the law ; it no
where flates the neceffity, nor the
obtainable advantage, which can
alone julHfy the proceeding; both
the viohiiion itfelf, aiid the indem-
nity it is to obtain, come only in-
cidentally and indireftly under the
lalt cl-iu.'e. Ft has been hurried
through parliament in a moft un-
common manner, and eftablifhes a
new, dangerous, and molt alarming
precedent.

Such an aft of indemnity as was
propofed, would have preferved
the principle that laws are facred,
that nothing lefs than the legifla-
tive power itfelf can proteiSl thofj
Avho infringe them, and that fuch

protection is given only in cafes of
extreme neceliity.

The objedion, that a great fer-
vice already obtained by the num-
ber of men imprefled fince the;
i6ih of this month, would be loft
by their being to be difchargcd,
if the ail had no retrofpeit to the
time when they were fcifad, by
no means applies to the queftion
of re-commitment which the Houle
has rejedted. It appeared in de-
bate, that of the number of men
prefTed on this occafion, and which
has not even been computed to be
very confiderable, by far the great-
er part had only Admiralty pro-
tections, and were not protected
by the ads now propofed to be
fufpended. And it was by no
means impoffibie, but that fuch
bounties or encouragements tnipht
have been fuggefted in the com-
mittee, as would have induced
the greater part of thofe who had
the faith of parliament for their
fecurity, to enter voluntarily into
the fervice at this critical conjunc-
ture.

Every good purpofe therefore of
this bill might have been obtain-
ed, and probably a general con-
currence in its fupport produced,
by fimply acquiefcing in a proper
fecurity for the obfervance of law.

But when we fee this propofal
refuled, when we fee that part of
the preamble pertinaciouflv ad-
hered to, which aims at eltablifli-
ing, as a general principle, that
whatever may be deemed an arduous
and difficult conjundture, makes it
equally juft and expedient to in-
fringe law ; when we fee a pro-
pofed amendment for confining
that reafoning to the cafe which
gives rife to the meafure, namely,

the-

35o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the prefjnt conjundure, rejecf^ed,
we cannot but lee with a jealous
eye this and every opportunity
taken of ellablifiiing fome doftrine
iubverfive of liberty and our happy
freeconllitution.

At fuch a time as this, when
ninifters avow their juft fears of
foreign invafion, which their mif-
condudl has invited, to create
freih jealouiies in refpeft to that
liberty which is alone worth con^
tending for, which is the befl fup-
port to his Majerty's crown, and
the furell foundation of that true
afFeftion of his people, on which
his Majerty can alone rely for effec-
tual and general refiftance to a fo-
reign yoke, is a degree of infa-
tuation we cannot comprehend !
Ancader and Wycombe,

Kelteven, Manchefter,

Richmond, Rockingham,

Scarborough, Fitzwilliam,
Abergavenny, Cholmondeley,
jb'ortelcue, Bolton,

De Ferrars, Effingham.

Portland,

Then the queflion was put, whe-
ther this bill, with the amend-
ment, fhall pafs ? Contents 51.
Non-contents 20.

Refolved in the affirmative.

Diffcntient,
Becaufe the acquiefcence of tlie
country in the mode of impreffing
feamen (tolerated only becaule the
neceffity of the meafure is alledged
by perfons of great experience in
naval matters, and hitherto is not
difproved) has been by poiitive
afts of the legiflature interpreted
and determined, with refped; to
the feveral perfons, objedls of this
bill, who have therefore not only
all the rights of this kingdom, in
common with their fellow fubjccls.

but the fecurity of fpeCial a€i$
of parliament, made exprefsly to
check and curb that acquiefcence
with refpcd to them.

2dly. Becaufe the proteflion giv-
en by fuch acts, in confidence of
which thefe perfons have engaged
in their refpeftive occupations, has,
in my opinion, the nature of a
coriira£l, and is, by every rule of
equity, indiffdluble, except by the
voi'jn.ary confent of the parties,
or u;-cn a compenfation fatisfaftory
to, and accepted by them, or in
extreme neceffity, on the tender of
fuch advantages as the wifdom of
the legiflature fliould dired, and
its judice (hould make a complete,
adequate, and ample equivalent
for fuch an infringement of their
rights.

3dly. Becaufe at the very time
protcftions thus held out by par-
liament to certain perfons, as in-
vitations and encouragements to
undertake certain fervices, were
boldly violated; the cuftomary ex-
emptions cf certain watermen, li-
cenfed by the members of this
Houfe, unauthorized (as 1 con-
ceive) by any law, and unknown
to any court, though Itated in the
Houfe by the fame noble Lord
who has infringed thefe protec-
tions, to be conftru£tively difclaim-
ed by a vote of this Houfe, were
yet declared by him to be, from
deference and refpeft, held facred.

4thly. Becaufe the bill, fo far
as it is an a<5l of indemnity, is in-
confonant with reafon, contradict-
ed by precedent, and dangerous in
pratlice.

Firrt, with refpeft to the per-
fons to be indemnified, as it does
not contain an honelt avowal cf
the tranfgreffion; as it does not
Hake the miniiler to an intentional

viola-

STATE PAPERS.

[J5i

violation of the law for the public
good, to be fubfequently approved
and juftified on that ground by a
public indemnity, but contents
irlelf with the abatement of fuits and
adions.

And fecondly and chiefly, with
refpcft to the conllitution of the
kingdom, to which it offers no fa-
tisfadion for the violation of the
law; as it acknowledges only by
conftrudion and reference to dates,
that it has been violated; as it at-
tempts to confound the jull ideas
of profpeftive legjflation by au-
thorizing a mealuf* from a day
which has already long elapfed,
and as it totally omits to li^te not
only that the effed has bc-n ade-
quate to the meaiure, and that
therefore the meafurc is Islutary,
and that it has had any effect what-
ever.

Radnor.
For the firfl and fourth reafons,

Portland, De Ferrars.

Abergavenny,

On Saturday, July 3, his Majejiy
clcfed the SeJJion of Parliament
•with the foUonuing Speech.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

THE many great and efTen-
tial fervices you have ren-
dered to rtie and to your country,
during the courfe of your long at-
tendance in parliament, demand my
moft cordial thanks.

I have feen, with entire appro-
bation, the zeal you have manifefted
for the fupport and profecution of
the juft and necefTary war in which
I am engaged, nor am I lefs fen-
lible of your attention to the pre-
fent ftate of the kingdom of Ire-
land : my paternal aftedion for all

my people makes me fincerelv
anxious for the happinefs and pro-
fperity of every part of my domi-
nions.

Hitherto the events of war have
afforded the court of France no rea-
fon to triumph on the confequences
of their injuftice and breach of
public faith; and 1 trull that by
a fpirited and profperous exertion
of the force you have put into my
hands, that ambitious power mav
be brought to wilh that they had
not, without provocation or caufe
of complaint, infulted the honour,
and invaded the rights of my
crown.

I have already acquainted you
with the hollile Hep which has
been lately talcen by the court of
Spain. Whatever colour may be
attempted to be put upon that un-
jufi: proceeding, I am confcious
that i have nothing to reproach
royfelf with : it has been followed
by the clearell demonflrations of
the loyalty and affeftion of my
parliament to my perfon and go-
vernment, for which I repeat to
you my warmeft thanks ; and I
confider it as a happy omen of the
fijccefs of my arms, that the in-
creafe of difficulties ferves only to
augment the courage and con-
llancy of the nation, and to ani-
mate and unite my people in the
defence of their country, and of
every thing that is dear to them.

The advanced feafon of the vear
requires that I Ihould aiford 'ycu
fome recefs from public bufinefs,
and I do it v<:ith the lefs reluctance,
as, by the powers veiled in me by
law, f can have the aid of your
advice and aflillance within four-
teen days, fhould any emergency
make it necelfary for me to 'con-
vene you before the ufual time.

Gentle-

35^] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Gentlemen of
Commons,

the Houfe of Dublin Caftle, Odokr 12.

THIS day the parliament hail-
ing met according to the laft
prorogation, his Excellency the
Lord Lieutenant went in Hate to
the Houfe of Peers, and the Com-
mons being fent for and come
thiUier accordingly, his Excellency
made the following fpeech to both.
Houfes :

My Lords, and Gentlemen,
AT a time when the trade and
commerce of this kingdom are, in
a more particular manner, the ob-
jects of public attention, it were
to be wifhed that the general tran-
quillity, ever defirable, had been
rellored, fo as to have left you en-
tirely at leifure to deliberate on

The various and extenfivc ope-
rations of the war have unavoid-
ably occauoned uncommon ex-
pence, aud brought additional
burdens on my faithful and be-
loved people, which I moft fin-
cerely regret: I cannot fufRciently
thank you for the confidence you
have repofed in me, and for the
chearfulnefs and public fpirit with
which the large fupplies for the
current year have been granted.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

It is impcffible to fpeak of the
continuance of the rebellion in

North America without the deepeft thofe great and important fubjefts.

concern ; but we have given fuch But I am perfuaded you will not

unquelhonable proofs of our fm- permit any interelb, however dear

cere difpofiticn to put an end to to you, to impede your efforts, or

thofe troubles, that I muft Hill diHurb your unanimity at this moll:

hope that the malignant defigns of important period: and I have it

the enemies of Great Britain can- cxprefsly in command from his

not long prevail againil the evi-
dent intercUs of thofe unhappy
provinces, and that they will not
blindly perfifl in preferring an un-
natural and dang-erous connedlion

Majefty to afTure you, that tlie
cares and folicitudes infeparable
from a ftate of hoflility, have not
prevented liim from turning his
royal mind to the interefts and

with a foreign power, to peace and dillre/Tes of this kingdom with the
re-union with their mothcr-coun- moll affedionate concern ; of which
try. the money remitted to this country

for its defence, when England had
Then the Lord Chancellor, by every reafon to apprehend a moll
his Majelly's command, faid, formidable and immediate at-

tack, affords a convincing proof.
My Lords, and Gentlemen, Anxious for the happinefs of his

people, his Majefty will moft chear-
It is his Majefiy's royal will and fully co-operate with his Parlia-
pleafure, that this parliament be ment in fuch meafures as may pro-
prorogued to Thurfday, the 5 th of mote the common interefts of all his
Auguft next, to be then here hoi- fubje(n;s.

den; and this parliament is pro- J have the pleafure to inform
rogued to Thurfday, the 5th of you of an acceffion to his Majefty's
AuguftncAt. family fince the lafl feffion of Par-

liament,

STATE

Jiament, by the birth of another
Prince. May the fame Providence
that continues to increafe nis do-
mellic felicity, proted the nonojr
of his crown, and the happinel* of
his people.

Gentlemen of the Houfe of
Commons,

It is with great concern I am to
inform you, that on account of the
extraordinary decline of the reve-
nues, the very liberal fapplies of
the laft feffion have p'oved inade-
quate to the exigencies of govern-
ment ; fo that, contrary to* my
moft fanguine expeclations, and
moft earned endeavours, there is a
confiderable arrear now to be pro-
vided for.

His Majefty, from his paternal
attention to the incerells oi his
people, and his folicitude to ob-
viate to the utmolf, the neceffity
of increafing their burdens, has
gracioufly commanded me to de-
clare to you, that the greacelt
ceconomy fhall in every inftance
be exerted, as far as may be con-
fident with the honour of his
crown, and the real interefts of the
nation.

I have ordered the public ac-
counts, and other neccffary papers,
to be laid before you ; and I have
no doubt that your known loyalty
to your King, and attachment to
your country, will induce you to
go as far as the national abilities
will admit, in making a provifion
fuitable to the exigency of the
times, and the honourable fupporc
of his Majerty's government.

My Lords and Gentlemen,
The united efforts and great
military preparations of ihe hou.e
pf Bourbon feem only to have
Vol. XXII.

PAPERS. l3S3

roufed the courage, and caiied
forth the exertions of his Majelly's
brave and loyal fubjeds of this
kingdom. I have only to 1 imenc,
that the exhau.ted Hate of the trea-
fury has hi;herto put it out of my
power t.) give thole exertions the
mcll extenlive and conititutional
oper;;tiori, by carrying the militia
laws into execution.

I am perlmded you will not fuf-
fer any dangers that may be
threatened from abro.id to draw
oiF your attention from wie and
neceffary dom^ilic regulations ;' and
that, arjong the many fubjeds wor-
thy of your confideration, the Pro-
teftant charter fchools and linea
manufacture will continue to be
objcdls of your feriojs nt;enticn.

In promoting thefe, and in all
other meafures that ii.ay tend to
increafj the prolperity and improve
the true interells of this kingdom,
I am bound to co-operate with
you by a double tie of inclination
and duty. Nothing can ever afFecl
me with more real fstisfadion,
than the exerting my belt endea-
vours for the welfare ot Iceland ;
nor can I ever render a more ac-
ceptable fervice to my Sovereign,
than in promoting the happiuefs
of his people.

Thi humble Addrefs of the Lords
Spiritual and •Tc?npora!, in Par-
liament af/cmbled, to his Excelltncy
the Lord Lieute :ant ; nuith his
Excellency's Anjiuer.

May it pleafe your Excellency,
% i , E, his IVlajeily's moll uuti.
VV til' and loyal fubjeds, t ^e
Lords SpiiitUr.l and Temporal :a
Parli'-nent alT^mbled, return y ur
[Z] Exc.l-

J54] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Excellency our fincere thanks for
your moll excellent fpecch from
the throne.

We feel ourfelves liappy in be-
ing again allcmblcd in Farliamcnt
under your Excellency's adminif-
tracion, oi' which we have had
luch experience, as fills us with
the bed grounded hopes and con-
fiJence, that, aflilted by your Ex-
cellency's knowledge of, and eir-
relt dcfire to promote the true in-
terelt ot this country, fuch things
may be accomplifhcd, as may emi-
nently dillinguilh the prefent lef-
fion of parliament, by the wife
provifion, and ufeful regulations
which fhall be made in it, for re-
Itoring and eflablilhing the national
profperity.

W^ cannot doubt of year Excel-
lency's faithful reprefentations of
this couatry, when we hear from
the throne, as wc have done, that
his Ivlajefty hath gracioufly conde-
Icended to alTure us, that the cares
and- folicituJes infeparable from a
ftate of hodility, have not been
able to prevent him from taming
his thoughts to the intereft and dif-
trefles of this kingdom, and to af-
ford us fuch a proof as he has done
of his afFedtionate concern, by the
remittance made to this country for
its fupport.

We rejoice with your Excellency,
on the happy accellion to his Ma-
jeily'i royal family by the birth of
another Prince.

We congratulate with your Ex-
cellency, thatj notwithllanding the
united efforts of his Majel^.y's
enemies, there is that difplay of
courage and manirfeftation of zeal
for the fupport of his Majefty's
facred perfon and government,
through all orders and ranks of the
people in this kingdom, as /hews

that his Majerty's loyal fubjefts
here, are fo far from being call
down and difmayed, by any holHle
efforts or threats, that they arc
animated to a degree, that roufea
the biave and military fpirit of
this country, that hath fo emi-
nently dirtinguifhed itfelf at all
timesr

We beg leave to affure your
Excellency, that we will not fufFer
any dangers, with which we may
be threatened from abroad, to draw
off our attention from wife and do-
mellic regulations ; and that among
the great objeds, worthy of our
confideration, the l^rotellant charter
fchools, and linen manutacfture,
will continue to have a juft Ihare of
our attention.

We cannot but offer to your Ex-
cellency our moft grateful thanks,
for the kind affurance that you have
given us, of your co-operating with
us in promo.ing fuch meafures, as
may tend tc^ increafe the profpe-
rity, or improve the true intereft
of this kingdom; — and, relying
upon the proofs which your Excel-
lency hath given us, in your paft
condudt, of your good wifhes, we
truft, that your Excellency's belt en-
deavours will never be vv'anting, to
forward and promote the weliare
of Ireland.

His Excellency s Anfiver.

My Lords,
The fame indulgent partiality
v/hich didated the terms of your
Lordfliips Addreff, will, T flatter
myfelf, excufe my not finding lan-
guage fufticiently forcible to exprefs
my th.nks. It' fhall be my ftudy
to perfevere in that line of conduct,
which has been deemed deferving
of your approbation.

Tranjlatioa

STATE PAPERS.

[3SS

f't-aftjiation of the King of France'j
Declaration of War at Martinico.

THE infult ofFered to my flag^
by a frigate belonging to
his Britannic Majelty, in her trear-
ment of my frigate the Belle Poule ;
the capture by an Eigliih fquad-
ron of my frigates the Licorne
and Pallas, and of my cutter, the
Coureur, contrary to the law of
nations; the capture at Tea and
confifcation of (hips belonging to
my fubj'cls, by the Engiifli, con-
trary to the faith of treaties ; the
continual interruption and injury
occafioned to the maricime com-
merce of my kingdom, and of my
colonies in America, as well by
fhips of war as by privateers, au-
thorized by his Britannic Majefty ;
the depredations committed and
encouraged, by which thele inju-
rious proceedings, but chiffly the
infult offered to my flag, have
forced me to lay afide that mode-
ration . which I propofed to ob-
ferve, and will not allow me any
longer to fufpend the eiFedls of my
refentment.

The dignity of my crown, and
the protedion which I owe to my
fubjefts, oblige rne to make re-
prifals, and to aifl in a holtile man-
ner againft the Engiifh nation. I
therefore authorize my fhips lo at-
tack, and endeavour to take and
deltroy all (hips, frigates, and other
vefTels they may meet with, belong-
ing to the King of England, and
alfo to fcize and detain all Englifli
mercantile vefleis which they may
encounter ; and I Iikewife. autho-
rize my trt)ops to attack, feize,
and occupy the pofTefBons of his
Britannic iVIajefty.

I therefore write this letter to
inform you, that it is my defire.

that you employ all the land and
f:"a forces under ycur direttion, in
attacking and Seizing the poffef-
fions of the King of England,
his fhips, frigates, ^nd other vef-
fcls, alio the merchant {hips be-
longing to his fubjeiSls, and for
that purpofe you mjy exercife,
and caufe to be exercifed, all man-
ner cf hojlilities authorized by the
laius ofoKtar; I am afTured in find-
ing in the jaflnefs of my cau*!?, ia
the courage and fkili of my land
and fea forces, in the bravery and
attachment of my foldiers and fai-
lors, and in the love of my fubjedls
in general, the refources Which I
have always experienced from them,
my prefent cond-idl having no
other tendency than to promote
their happinefs

I pray God, Monfieur le Mar-
quis de Bouille, that he may take
you under his holy protedion.

(Signed) Louis.

De Sartine.
Verfailles, 22>thjune, 1 778.

A DECLARATION,

Addrejfed in the Natne cf the King of
France to all the antient French
in Canada, and Snjery other Part
of North-America. (Tranjlated
from the French.)

THE underfigned, authorifed
by his Majelty, and thence
cloathed with the noblell: titles,
witl^ that which efface^ all oihers,
charged in the name of the father
of his country, and the beneficnc
protfftor of his fabjedts, to ofier a
fupport to thofe who were born to
enjoy the bleffings of his govern-
ment—

[ZJ 2 to

356] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

To all his Countrymen in North-
/\meiica.

You were born French ; you
never could ceal'e to be French.
I'he late war, which was not de-
clared but by the captivity of
nearly all our feamen, and the
principal advantages of which our
common enemies entirely owed to
the courage, the talents, and the
numbers of the btave .Americans,
who are now figlwing againft them,
has wrerteJ from you that wLich
is moll dear to all men, even the
name of your country. To cm pel
you to bear the arms of parricides
againil it, mull be the completion
ot misfortunes : with this you are
now threatened : a new war may
julHy m:tke you dread being oblig-
ed to fubmit to this molt intole-
rable law of flavery. ■ It has com-
menced like the laft, by depreda-
tions upon the mott valuable part
of our trade. Too long already
have a great number ot unfortu-
nate Frenchmen been confined in
Anserican priions. You hear their
groans. The prefent war was de-
clared by a melTage in March lall,
fioni the King of Great Britain to
both fiouies of Parliament ; a molt
authentic acl of the Britifh fove-
reignty, announcing to all orders
of the State, that to trade, (with
America) though without exclud-
ing others from the fame right,
was to offend ; that frankly to avow
fuch intention, was to defy this
fovereignty ; that fne fhould re-
venge it, and deferred this only to
a more advantageous opportunity,
tthen (lie might do it with more
appearance of legality than in the
lall war; for fhe declared that Ihe
had the right, the will, and the
ability to revenge, and accordingly

flic demanded of Parliament the
lupplies.

The calamities of a war thus
proclaimed, have been relirained
and re:arded as much as was pof-
fible, by a monarch whofe pacific
and difmiereiled views now reclaim
the marks of your former attach-
ment, only for your own happi-
nefs. ConOrained to repel force
by force, and multiplied hodilities
by reprifals which he has at lall
auihojifed, if necefiity fliould car-
ry his arms, or ihoie/of his allies,
into a country always dear to him,
you have not to fear either burn-
ings or devaftations : and if grati-
tude, if the view of a flag ahvays
revered by thofe who have follow-
ed it, fhould recall to the banners
of France, or of the United Stares,
the Indians who loved us, and
have been loaded with prefents by
him, whom they alio call their
father; never, no never fliall they
employ againll you their too cruel
methods of war. Thole they mull
renounce, or they will ceale to be
our friends.

It is not by menaces that we
fhall endeavour to avoid combat-
ing with our countrymen ; nor
fh;ill we weaken this declaration
by inveftives againft a great and
brave nation, which we know
how to refpedl, and hope to van-
quilh.

As a French gentleman, I need
not mentioQ to thole among you
who were born iuch as well as
myfeU, that there is but one au-
gUil Houie in the univerfe, under
which the French can be happy,
and ferve wiih pleafure ; fince its
head, and thofe who are nearly
allied to him by blood, have been
at all times, through a long line
of monarchs, and aie at this day

more

STATE PAPERS.

[357

more than ever delighted with
bearing that very tide which Henry
IV. regarded as tne firll of his
own. 1 Ihall not excite your re-
grets for thole qualiiications, thofe
marks of diitinction, thofe decora-
tions, which, in our manner of
thinking, are precious tieafures,
but from which, by our common
mistortunes, the American French,
who have known fo well how to
defcrve them, are now precluded.
Thcfe, 1 am bold to hope, and
to promife, their zeal will very
foon procure to be diftufed among
them. They will merit them, when
they dare to become Ibefriendi cf our
allies.

J fhall not afk the military com
panions of the Marquis ot Levi,
thofe who (hared his glory, who
admired his talents and genius for
war, vvho loved his cordiality and
franknefs, the principal charade-
rillics i-A our nobility, whether there
be other names in other nations,
among which they would be better
pleafed to place their own.

Can the Canadians, who favv the
brave iVIontcalm fall in their de-
fence, can they' become the enemies
of his nephews r Can they hght
againit their former leaders, and
arm themfelves againft their kinf-
men ? At tne bare mention of their
names, the weapons would fall out
of their hands.

I l"hall not obferve to the minif-
ters 01 the altars, that their evan-
gelic efforts will require the i'pe-
cial proteclion of Providence, to
prevent faith being diminilhed by
example, by worldly ioterelt, and
by foveieigns whom force has im-
pofed upon them, and whole poli-
tical indulgence will be leffened
proportionably as thofe fovereigns

Hiall have lefs to fear. I fhall not
obferve, that it is neceffary for re-
ligion, that thole who preach it
fhould form a body in the State ;
arid that in Canada no other body
would be more confidered, or have
more power to do good than that
of the p.'iells, taking a part to the
government, fiiice their refpedable
conduct haS merited the conlidence
of the people.

1 fl-iall not reprcfent to that
people, nor to all my countrymen
in general, that a vaft monarchy,
having this fame religion, the fame
manners, the fame language, where
they find kinfmen, old triends and
brethren, muil be an inexhauilible
fource of commerce and wealth,
more eafily acquired and better
f-cured, by their union with power-
ful neighbours, than with Itrangers
of another hemiipircre, among
whom every thing is difFtrent, and
who, jealous and despotic govern-
ments, would fooner or later treat
them as a conquered peoj,-le, and
doubtlefs much worfe than their
late countrymen the .Americans,
wno made them victorious. I fhall
not urge to a whole people, t'at
to join with the United btates, is to
fecure their own happinefi ; i.incc
a whole people, when tney acquire
the right of tbinki.ig, and ading
for themfelves, mull know their
own interell ; but I will declare,
and I now iormaliy declare in the
name of his M?ijetly, who has au-
thorifed and commanded me to do
it, that ail his former fubjedls in
North America, who fhall. no mcie
acknowledge the fapremacy of
Great Bricain, may depend upon
hii protedion and fupport.

Done on board .his Majelly's
Ihip the Languedoc, in the har-

[Z] 3 bour

358] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

hour of Bollon, the 28th day of
Odober, in the year 1778.

ESTAING.
BiGREL DE GRANCLOis,

Secretary, appointed hv the
King, to the fquauron com-
manded by the Count D'lif-
taing.

Letter from the French King to the
Admiral of France, fixing the
'Time from ^whence the Commence-
ment of Hofiilities ivas to be confi- '
dered.

7a his Serene Highnefs, viy Lord, the
Admiral.

Cousin,

I Am informed that doubts have
arifen on the period from
which ought to be fixed the coni-
mencement of hoftilities, and that
from this incertitude may refult
many difputes prejudicial to com-
merce. To prevent which, T have
thought prci^er to explain to you
more particularly what I have al-
rea.^y fufficiently told you in my
letter of the 10th of July. I charge
you, in confequence, to inform
thofe who are under your orders,
that theinfult done to my flag on
the 17th of June, 1778, by the
Erglifli fquadron feizing my fri-
gates, the Pallas and the Licorne,
puts me to the neceflity of making
repritals, and that it is from that
day, the 17th of June, 1778, that
I 'ix the commencement of hofti-
lities againft my fubjedts, by the
fubjefts of the King of England.
Theie being for this purpofe only,
I pray God, tliat he will take my-
coufin into his holy and merciful
protection. ~

Done at Verfailles liic 5 th day
of the month of April, in the year
of Grace, 1779, and in the jtn of
our reign.

(Signed) Louis.

And underneath, De S .rtine.

Letter from the French King, to his
Seiene Highnefs the A niiral of
France. £)^/e«' J une 5 , 1779.

(Tranflatedfrom the French.)

Cousin,

THE defire I have alvvays had
of foftening, as much as in
my power lies, the calamities of
war, has induced me to direft my
attention to that part of my iub-
je6ls who employ themfelves ia
the fifheries, and who derive their
fole fubfiilence from thofe re-
fources. I (uppofe ihat the ex-
ample, which I ihall now give to
my enemies, and vhich can have
no other views than what arife
from fentiments of humanity, will
induce them to grant the fame li-
berty to our hllieries, which I rea-
dily grant them. In confequence
whereof, I fend you this letter tq
acquaint you, that i have given
orders to all the commanders of
my velTels, armed {hips, and cap-
tains of privateers, not to moleft
(until further orders) the Englilli
fifhery, nor" to flop their veffels,
whether they be laden with frefh
fifti, or not having taken in their
freight; provided, houever, that
they do not carry offenfive arms,
and that they are not found to
have given fignais, which mipht
indicate their holding an intelli-
gence with the enemy's ftiips of
war. You will make known thcfe
my intentions to the officers of the

Adnii-

STATE PAPERS.

[359

Admiralty, and to all who are under
your orders. Such being the pur-
pofes of thefe prefents, I pray God,
my Coufin, that he will grant you
his holy protedion.

Given at Verfailles, the jth day
of June, in che year 1779.
Signed

Louis.
Counterfigned

De Sartike.

CoJ>y of a Paper delivered to Lord
Vifcouyit Weymouth, by the Mar-
quis d'Alrnddovnr, the idth June,

»779-

AL L the world has been wit-
nefs to the noble imparti-
ality of the King, in the midft of
the difputes of the Court of Lon-
don with its American colonies
and with France. Befides which,
his Majefty having learned that
his powerful mediation was delir-
ed, generoufly made an offer of
it, w-hich was accepted by the be-
ligerent powers, and for this mo-
tive only a Ihip of war was fent
on the part of his Britannic Ma-
jefty to one of the ports of Spain.
The King has takefl the mod
energetic iteps, and fuch as ought
to have produced che moft happy
effeft, to bring thoie powers to an
accommodation equally honourable
to both parties ; propofing fox this
end wife expedients for fmoothing
difficulties, and preventing the ca-
lamities of war. But althiough his
Majefty's propofitions, and parti-
cularly thofe of his Ultimatum,
have been conformable to thcfe
which at other times the Court of
London itfelf had Appeared to
judge proper for an accommoda-
tion, and which were alfo quite as
moderate, they have been rejeded

in a manner that fully proves the
little defire which the Britiih Ca-
binet has to reilore peace to Eu-
rope, and to preferve the King's
friendlhip. In effed, the conoud
of that Cabinet, with regard to
his Majefty, during the whole
courfe ol the negociation, has had
for its objed to prolong it for more
than eight months, either by vain
pretences, or by anfwers which
could not be more inconclufive,
whilft in this interval the infuUs
on the Spaniih flag, and the viola- ,
tion of the King's territories were
carried on to an incredible excels ;
prizes have been made, Ihips have
been fearched and plundered, and
a great number of them have been
fired upon, which have been 0-
bliged to defend themfelvcs ; the
regiiters have been opened and torn
in pieces, and even the packets of
the Court found on board the
King's packet-boat.

The dominions of the Crown in
America have been threatened,
and they have gone to the dread-
ful extremity of raifing the Indian
nations, called the Chatcas, Che- '
roquies, and Chicachas, againll
the innocent inhabitants of Loui-
fiana, who would have been the
vidims of the rage of thefe barba-
rians, if the Chatcas themfelves
had not repented, and revealed all
the fedudion the EngliiTi had plan-
ned J he fovereignty of his Ma-
jefty in the province of Darien, and
on the coaft of St.'B a's, has been
ufurped, the Governor of Jamaica
having granted to a rebel Indian
the commiffion of Captain-general
of thofe provinces.

In (hort, the territory of the Bay
of Honduras -has been recently
violated by exercifiog ads of hof-
tilitv, and other excelTcs, againft

[Z] 4 the

36c] ANNUAL RE

the Spaniards, who have been im-
priforiL'd, and whofe houles have
bten invaded ; befides which, the
Court of London has hitherto ncg-
leded to accomplilh what the i6th
article of the laft treaty of i''aris
liipulated relative to tliat coalt.

Grievances fo numerous, fo
weighty, and recent, have been at
different times the objed of com-
plaints made in the King's name,
and ftated in memorials, which were
delivered cither to the Britifli Mi-
nillers at London, or tranfmicted to
them through the channel of the
Eiiglilh Ambaffador at Madrid ;
but although the aniwers which
were received hav? been friendly,
his Majefty has hitherto obtained
no other fatisfadion than to fee the
infults repeated, which lately have
amounted to the number of one
hundred.

The King, proceeding with that
fincerity and candour which cha-
raderize him, has f rmally declared
to the court of London, from the
commencement of its difputes with
France, that the condudof England
Ihould be the rule of that which
Spain would hold. ,

His Majefty likewife declared to
that Court, that at the time their
differences with that of Paris
might be accommodated, it would
be abfolutely neceffary to regulate
thofe which had arifen, or might
lUU arile, with Spain, and in the
plan of mediation which was lent
to the under-written Ambaflador
the 28th of laft September, and
which was by him delivered to the
EritilTi Miniftty in the beginning
of Odober, a plan v/ith which
Lord Grantham wai apprized, and
of which he received a copy, his
Majerty declared in, pofitive terms
to the belligerent powers, that ia

G ISTER, 1779.

confidcration of the infulis which
his fubjeds and domini ns had fuf-
fered, and likewile of iiie attempts
levelled againil his rights, he fhould
be under the neceflity ot taking his
part, in c:ife the ncgc^ciation, in-
stead of being contii u d with fin-
cerity, flicuid be buiken off, or
fhculd produce no effect.

The caules of complaint given
by the Court of L-nd n not hav-
ing ceafed, and thai Court fheW-
ing no difpufitii ns to give repara-
tion for them, th; King Jias re-
folved, and orders his Ambaflador
to declare, that ihe hi nour of his
crown, the potedion which he
owes to his iubjeds, and his owa
perlonal dignity, do not permit
him to fuffer their infults t c )n-
tinue, a id tu negled any longer
the reparation oi ihoie already re-
ceived, and that in this view, not-
withrtanding the paciHc dilpolitions
of his ivJajelly, and even the^ parti-
cular inclination he had always had
and expreffed for cultivating the
friendfiiip of his Britannic Ma-
jefty, he rinds himfelf under the
difagreeable neceiiity of making
ufe of all the means which the Al-
mighty has intriilled him with, to
obtain that juilice which he has Jo-
licited by fo many ways, without
being able to acquire it . in con-
fiding on the juilice of his caufe,
his Majefty hopes that the confc-
quences of this refolucion will not
be imputed to him before God or
man, and that other nations will
form a fuitable idea of this refolu-
tion, by comparing it to the coo-
dud which they themfelves have
exjjerienced on the part of the Bri-
tifli Miniftry.

(Signed)
Le Marquis D'Almadovar.
London, 16 June, 1779.

OrJers

STATE PAPERS.

[361

Orders for Reprifuh by the Court of
London.

At the Cour: at St. James's, the
18th of June, 1779-

PRESENT,

The K 1 N G; s Molt Excellent

Majelly in Council.

WHEREAS the' Ambaffador
of the King of Spain has,
by order of his Court, delivered
to Lord Vifcount Weymouth a
paper, in which it is declared,
that his Catholic Majefty intends
to have recourfe to arms, under
the gioundlefs pretence ot obtain-
ing reparation for injuries fup-
poTed to have been received ; and
whereas the faid ArabalTador has
received orders to retire from this
kingdom without taking leave :
his Aiajefty, being determined to
take fuch meafurcs as are necef-
fary for vindicating the honour of
his crown," is pleated, by and with
the advice of his Pri,vv Council,
to order, and it is hereby ordered,
that general repriials be granted
againlt the fliip>j gooJs, and
fubjeds of the King of Spain, fo
that as well hii Majffty's fleet and
fhips, as alfo all other (hips and
veiTeis that Ihall be commiilionat-
ed by letters of marque or general
reprifals, or otherwii'e, by his
IMajelty's CommifiiOners, for exe-
cuting the office of Lord High
Admiral of Great Britain, fhall
and may lawfully feize all Ihips,
veflels, and goods belonging to
the King of Spain or his Tubjedts,
or others inhabiting \\ithin any
the territories of the King of
Spain, and bring the fame to
judgment in any of the Courts of
Admiralty within his Majefty 's

dominions; and to that end his
MajeflyN Advocate-General, with
the Advocate of the Admiralty, are
forchwit.i to prepare the draught
of a commiflion, and prcfent the
fame to his Majefty at this board,
■ authorituig the Conimiftioners for
executing the office of Lord High
Admiral, or any perlon or perlons
by them empowered and appoint-
ed, to ifl'ue forth and grant letters
of marque anu repriial to any of
his Mdjefty's fubjeds, or others
whom the f^L'.id CommifTioners ftiall
deem fitly qualified in that behalf,
for the apprehending, feizing, and
taking the fiiips, veffels, and goods
belonging to Spain, and the vaf-
fals and fubjedls of the King of
Spain, or any inhabitants withia
his countries, territories, or domi-
nions ; and that fuch powers and
claufes be inferted in the faid com-
miffion as have been uiual, and are
according to former p.eceJents :
and his Majelly's faid Advocate
General, vvith the Advocate of the
Aiir.iralty, are alfo forthwith to
prepare tne draught of a Commif-
iion, and prefent the fame to his
Majefty at this Board, p.uiho ifing
the laid CommifTioners for execut-
ing the office of Lord High Admi-
ral, to will and require the High
Court of Admiralty of Great Bri-
tain, and the Lieutenant and judge
of the faid Court, his iurrogate
or furrogates, as alfo the feveral
Courts of Admirajty within his
Majtrtv's dominions, to take cog-
nizance of, and judicially proceed
upon all, and all manner of cap-
tures, feizures, prizes, and repri-
fals of all Ihips or goods that are
or ftiall be taken, and to hear and
determine the lame: and accord-
ing to the courfe of Admiralty,
and the lavvs of nations, to adjudge

and

362] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

aiid condemn all fuch (liips, vef-
iels, and goods, as fhall belong to
S[^ain, or the vaflals and fubjefts
of the King of Spain, or to any
othjrs inhabiting within any of
his counuies, terriiories, and do-
minions ; and that fuch powers and
claufes be inferted in the faid com-
million as have been iifual, and are
acccoruing to former precedents ;
and they are likewife to prep'.re
and lay before his Majefty at this
Board, a draught of fuch inftruc-
tions as may be proper to be fent
to the Courts of Adaiiralty inhis
M<5Jelly's foreign governments and
phntations, for their guidance
herein ; as alfo another draught of
inltruftions for fuch fliips as fhall
be commiflionated for the purpofes
afore mentioned.

Proclamation relati-ve to an In-vajion.

By the K I N G.
A Proclamation.

George R.
HEREAS we have received

intelligence, that prepara-
tions are making by our enemies
to invade this cur kingdom, the
fafety and defence of which re-
quires our utrnofl; care, and where-
in, by the afiHtance and blelTing
of God, we are refolved not to
be wanting ; and to the intent
th^t they may not, in cafe of their
landing, flrengthen themfelves,
by feizing the horfes, oxen, and
cattle of our fubjefts, which may
be ufeful to them for draught or
buitljen, or be eafily fupplied
with provlfjons, we have therefore
;hought fit, and do by our Royal
-Proclamation, by the advice of

4

our Privy Council, ftrit^lly charge
and command the Warden of the
Cinque Ports, his Lieutenants,
Deputy or Deputies, and all and
every the Lieutenants and Deputy
Lieutenants of our c^'unties, and
all Sheriffs, Juilices of the Peace,
Mayors, Bailiffs. ar.d all and every
other Officers and Miniftcrs, civil
and military, within their lelpec-
live counties, cities, towus, and
divifions, that they caufc the coafts
to be carefully watched, and upon
the fnft approach ;.f the enemy,
immed'ately to caufe all horfes,
oxen, and cattle, which may be
fit for draught or burthen, and not
aftually employed in our iervice,
or in the defence of the country,
and alfo (as far as may be pradi-
cable) all other cattle and provi-
fions, to be driven and removed to
fome place of fecurity, and to fuch
a diltance from the place where
the enemy fhall attempt, or appear
to intend, to land, fo as they may
not fall into the hands or power
of any of our enemies ; wherein,
neverthelefs, it is our will and plea-
fure, that the refpeftive owners
thereof may fufFer as little damage,
lofs, or inconvenience as may be
confiftent with the public fafety :
and we do hereby further flriftly
charge and command ail our fub-
jeds to be aiding and afTilling in
the execution of tfiis our royal com-
mand. •

Given at our Court at St. Jameses
the ninth day of July, one thou-
fand feven hundred and feventy-
nine, in the nineteenth year of
our reign.

GOD fave the King.

Tranjlation

STATE PAPERS.

fj6.

^rarijlation of the tnuo Royal Che-
dules of the King o/"vJpain.

DON Carlos, by the grace
of God, King cf Caltile,
Leon, Arragon, the Iwo Sicilies,
Jeruialem, Navarre, Granada, To-
ledo, Valench, Gallicia, Ma-
lorca, Seville, Sardinia, Cordova,
Corfica, Murcia-, Jaen, the A!-
garves, Algazires, Gibraltar, the
Canary Iflaods, the Eaft and Weft
Indies, the Iflands and Terra Fir-
ma, of the Ocean — Archduke of
Aurtria, Duke of Burgundy, Bra-
bant, aind Milan, Count of Hapf-
burg. Flinders, Tirol, and Barce-
lona, Lord of Bilcay, and Molina,
&c.

To ray Council, to the Prefi-
dents, and Auditors of my audien-
cies and chanceries ; to the Al-
caldes [Mayors] and Alguzails
[Conftables] of my Houlhold and
Court. To the Corrigidors
• [Judge,]. Afiiftants, Governors,
A.kaldes Majors [Chief Mayors]
and ord.nary, as well of the crown
as of their lordfhips, to the abbeys
and religious orders, and to all
other perfons of whatfoever rank,
quality, and condition they may
be, in the cities, towns, and places
of my kingdoms and lordlhips ;
you are to know, that the 2itl; of
this month I thoughf proper to
addrefs to my council a decree,
concluded in thefe terms, and
figr.ed by my band : ,

In fpite of the earneft defire I
have always had, to preferve to my
faithful and well-beloved fubjefts
the ineftimable advantage of peace ;
and notwithlianding the extraordi-
nary efforts that 1 have made at all
times, but particularly in the pre-
fent critical circumllanccs of Eu-

rope, to obtain fo efTential an ob-
jed, carrying my moderation and
patience to an extreme, I beheld
myfelf at lait under the hard ne-
cef'ty of ordering my ambaffador,
the Marquis d'Almadovar, to re-
tire from the court of London,
firil delivering in to the Minifter
a declaration (a copy of wJiich is
annexed) reported to my council,
by my firll Secretary of State ; as I
found my own refpeft, and the
honour of my crown, demanded it
of me. At the lame time^ 1 caufed
circular letters to be written to
my ambaffadors and miniflers at
other courts, (of which the follow-
ing is a copy) of the original that
was given in to the faid council.—
The council will take care to ex-
pedite the orders and necefiary ad-
vices, tliat all my fubjecls may be
informed of my prefent royal refo-
lution, and that they ilop all com-
munication, trade, or commerce,
between them and the lubjeds of
the Britlfh King.

Given at Aranjiiez, the 2 ill of
fune 1779.

Addrefled,
To the governor or the council.

\Here is infer ted a Copy of the Re-
fcript delivered by the Spanijh
Amba^adir to Lord Weymouth;
nx'hich the reader nvill find in pctge
359. Then fol.onjjs the circular '
Litter in theje 'v:ords:'\

" BY the annexed copy of the
declaration which the Marquis
d'Almadovar, the King's ambaffa-
dor to his Britannic Majelly, gives
to ^the Englifh minifter, on his
' leaving that court, you will fee
the very weighty motives which
have induced his Majefty to take

that

364I ANNUAL R E G I S T E R, 1779.

that refolution ; being at length
weary of (uitering lucii great and
nu.Tierous mortiiications from the
Britiih cabinet, a»id Englilh navy,
as is flievvn in the laid declara-
tion. You make what ufe of this
information you judge convenient ;
and ihac it may ferve for a new
teltimcny of the julHce and indif-
penfjble necelTity which aftuates
his fviajelly on this occaiion, it is
necelTury to add three particulars
lor your inltrudion. Firfi, That
whllli ihe couit of London fought
to amule chat of Spain, in feeking
delays, and in finally refufing to
admit the honourable and equi-
table propofals which his Majelly
made, in quality of mediator, to
re-eltabiiih peace between France,
England, and the American pro-
vinces, the BiitilTi. cabinet offered,
clandelUnely, by means of fecret
cmlfTaries, ccndiiions of like fub-
liance with the propofuions of his
Majefty. Secondly, That thefe of-
lers and conditions not to llrange
or indifferent perfonsj but directly
and immediately to the niinilter of
the American provinces, reliding
at Paris. Thirdly^ That the Bri-
tifh minifter hath omitted nothing
to procure, by many other methods,
new enemies to his Mijelly ; hop-
ing, no doubt, to divide his atten-
tion, and the carci ot his crown.—
So God keep you in his holy pro-
tection, &c."

My above rcyal decree, having
been publdhed in my council, it
iiath ordered it to be executed.
In confequence thereof, I order
all, and each of you, in your re-
fpedive diftricls and jurifdidions,
that as fcon as you fhall have re-
ceived my faid decree, and (hall
have feen my refolution contained
therein, that you obfsrve, accom-

plilh, and execute it, and caufe it
to be oblerved, accomplilhtd, and
executed, in all and every place,
contorojable to its tenor ; giving
orders, and making convenient dil-
pofi'ions, that my laid royal deter-
mination be known to all my lub-
jeds ; and that they ceale from all
communication, trade, and com-
merce between thcmfelves and the
fubjeds of the Britilh King — For
fuch is my pleafure.

And that the fame credit be given
to the printed copy of this printed
Cliedule, certified by Don Antonio
Martinez Salazar, my Secretary,
Reenter of Refolutions, and oldelt
Clerk of the Government and
Chamber of my Council, as to the
original.

Given at Aranjuez, the zzd of
June, 1779.

Signed I the King.
Signs a little lower,

J. Don "Juan Franci/co de
LaJIni, Secretary to the
King our Lord, have
written this prefent, by
his order.
Alfo figned,

Don Manuel Ventura Figueroa,
Don Manuel de Viliafrans,
Don Manuel Dcz,
Don Raymundo de Irabieny
Don Rlas de Kjncjoja,
Regillered. Don Nicolas Vcrdugo.

Second Royal Chedule contains as

JolioiAJS :

I the King,
In fpite of the earneft defire
that I have always had to procure
the ineftimable advantages of peace
to my faithful and well-beloved
fubjedts, and nptwithilanding the
extraordinary ctjxirts which i have
always made, more efpecially in

the

STATE PAPERS.

[J<5j

the prefent critical ftate of aftairs
in Europe, to obtain that eflemial
objeibt, carrying my patience and
moderation to the utnioil degree;
i fa'.v myfelf obliged, at lalt, to
order my ambaflador, the Marquis
of Almadovar, to withdraw from
" the court of London, and make
to the minifter there the following
declaration. \_Here follonxs the ikda-
ration gi'-veyi to Lord W'cyinoiith.'\

To \sh;it has been already men-
tioned, there muft be added, that
whillt the court of London fought
to luil Spain to fleep, in feeking
delays, and refufing to admit ihe
honourable and equitable propo-
f'lls that I made in quality ot me-
diator, to re ertablilh peace be-
tween France, England, and the
/imerican provinces, the Briiilh
cabinet had clandeitinely oii'ered
conditions by their fecret eniiila-
ries, of the fame tenor as thofe
which I propofed ; and addreffed
thofe conditions and offers, not to
ilrange and indifferent perfons,
but diredly and immediately to the
miniller of the American provinces
relident at Paris, The Englilh
miniliry alfo have neglected no
means to excite new enemies
againll me, hoping to divide my
attentions and the cares ot my
Crown.

in confequence of thefe folid
motives, by my royal decree cf the
2ift of this month, and by other
diipofitions communicated to my
fupreme council q{ war, I have
reiolved to order all communica-
tion and commerce to ceafe be-
tween my fubjcds and thofe cf the
Kmg ot Gieat Britain — that all
the (ubj'.tts of that M'onarch, who
are n-t naturalized in my domi-
nio: s, or who do not employ thcni-
i&\\i& in mechanic arts« do quit

my kingdom : but be it under-
llood, that among the above work-
men, thofe only who inhabit- the
inttrior cf the country, are not to
be comprehended ; but all who
refide in my lea-ports, or d»sell oa
the coalb and fromiers, mull equal-
ly leave the kingdom, — That trom
the prefent moment my fubjed'ts
do carry on no kind of commerce
with thole of England, ana its do-
minions. Thut they do not trai-
fick in their productions, their fait
filh, or other f.llieries ; their ma-
nufadures, or other merchandizL-s ;
lo that this prohibition of com-
merce be abfolute and real ; and
do extend fo as to tender vicious
and contraband all the effeds,
productions, fait fifli, finieries, mer-
chandiaes, and manuf^ictures of the
laid dominions. That they do not
admit or fuffer to enter into any
of my ports, any veffcl laden with
tlie above named eff^ds; nor per-
mit that fuch may be brought ia
by land; being illicit and prohii-
bited in my kingdoms, whence-
foever they may come ; but they
may be feized wherefoever found,
either in veifels, baggages, fliops,
warehoufes, or houies of mer-
chants or traders, or any particu-
lar perlbn whomfoever, whsther
they be my fubjefts and vaffals, or
thoi'e of the kit.gdoms, provinces,
and Itates with whom 1 am in
peace, alliance, and free com-
merce. Neverthelefs, in regard to
which, I will that no prejudice be
done to the peace, franchifes, and
liberties, in lawful commerce,
which their (hips, as well as the
produce of their lands, provinces,
and conquells, vVhere they may be
fabricaiea, ought to enjoy in my
knigduius, by virtue ot iubhlling
treaties.

j66] ANNUAL

1 dcc'arc tha: all merchants who
have any iak fiih, or other produce
ot the filhcries of the dominions of
England in their pofleflion, mull
make a declaration of the fame,
and rcgilter them in the fpace of
Jifteen days, leckoning from the
publication ot this my pfefent Che-
dule, which is fixed tor their pe-
remptory term, before luch officers
3S fnall be appointed by Don Miguel
de Muzqui?., my Superintendant-
general of Finances, as well in this
court as elfewhere, to the end that
notice may be given. And in cafe
that they keep them unregiftered
beyond the faid term of fifteen
days, they lliill be immediately
declared to have fallen under con-
fifcation.

1 will alfo, that a term of two
months be allowed for the difpof-
ing of the faid fiih, and no pro-
longation of that term Ihall be
granted, but after that term all
traders fhall be obliged to carry
them to the Cuftom Houfe, or, in
places where there is no Cuftom
Houfe, to fome houfe of govern-
ment, where they fhall be publicly
fold to the higheft bidder, in the
prefer.ce of the ofliccr cr cfficers
deputed for that purpofe, or, in their
abfence, in prefence of the magi-
Itratcs of the place, who Ihall give
the produce of the fale to the pro-
prietors, who (hall not be allowed
to carry back to their fhops, or
warehoufcs, any of thofe prohibited
goods, in like manner as has been
oblerved here;ofore.

I have given to Miguel de Muz-
quiz, a particular commiflion, that
in qu lity of Superintendant-gene-
ral of my Finances, he fhall have
the care of the aforefaid difpofi-
tions, in the manner that he fhnll
judge moll proper to accomptifh

REGISTER, 1779.

an objeft fo important. He fhall
take cognizance, in the firfl' in-
flance, by himfelf or his fub-dele-
gates, of all difputcs that may arife
in coniequence of contraband ;
faving there is an appeal to the
Council of Finances in the Hall of
Jultice, excepting any martial con-
traventions, refpedting arms, am-
munition, and other effedts relative
to war, as are explained by the
treaties of peace ; the cognizance
of any difputes about thofe belong-
ing to the Council of War, and
Martial Judges.

I order, that all the above regu-
lations be obferved, kept, and ful-
filled, under the pains prefcribed
by the laws, the pragmatics, and
Royal Chedule, pafTed in former
times, from motives of the fame
nature, comprehending therein all
my fubjefts, and the inhabitants
of my kingdoms and lordfhips,
without exception of any perfcn
whatfoever, and howfoever privi-
leged. It being my will, that this
declaration fhall come, as loon as
poflible, to the knowledge of my
fubjeds, that they may preferve
their efFefts and perfoos from all
infults from the Englifh; for that
purpofe my Supreme Council of
War will make all neceflary difpo-
fitions, that it be formally publifhedj
and duly executed.

Given at AranjueZi the 26th of
J line, ^ 1779.

(Signed) ItheKi.n'g.

This prefent, feen and ratified
in full council, hath been this day
publifhed by proclamation in the
ufual places of this court, with
the afTjltince of the Clerk of the
Council Chamber, and the Algua-
fils of the Tribunal, the Staff Offi-
cers of Place, the Serjeants, Drum-
mers, Fifers, Kettle Drummers,

and

S T A T E P A P E R S.

[3^7

and Trumpeters of the Garrifon ;
a company of infantry, and a pic-
quet ot horfe ; as it is verified by
the original, remaining under my
care, in the Secretary's Office of
the Supreme Council of War.
At Mad)-: J, thezSch
of yaz-'f, 1779- 1

^Signed)
Don Joseph Portuose.

Tranjlation of the Spanifh Man'fejio,
pitblijhcd at Madrid, -declaring the
Motinjes ivhich ha-ue induced his
Cathoiic Majejiy to luithdraiv his
Amba[fad<.r, and a^ bojiily agaiiiji
England.

IT would be too long to relate mi-
nutely all the grievances which
Spain might complain of iince the
conclufion of the treaty of peace in
1763; for that realon we fliall re-
train ourfelves to the greater ones,
and thofe mofl recent, lell we
Ihould be accufed of reviving old
injuries already forgotten. By t'.e
iivteenth article of the prelimina-
ries of that treaty; England ac-
knowledged the Bay cf Honduras as
making part of the Spanifh domi-
nions, and bound itlelf to caufe
every fortification that had been
eredted by its fubjeds in that part
cF the world, to be demolished
within four months after the rati-
fication of the treaty ; without pre-
ferving to the court of London any
other right than that of being per-
mitted to cut log-wood, without
any molcdation or hindrance ; and
for which purpoie, its workmen
were to be allowed only the houfes
and barracks effentially neceflkry

to them. None of thefe Ilipula-
tions have been performed by the
E'lglifii ; they have introduced
thfmlelves more and more into
the ancient fettlements, beyond the
limits allotted them, and have ex-
cited a rebellion among the native
Indians, providing them with arms,
and giving them every fuccour and
affiftance under the protedion of
Great Britain.

Not fatisfied with thefe vio-
lences, they have eftablirhi;d them-
felves in many other ports, rivers,
and coafts of the Spanifn territory
in the faid Bay of Honduras ; iti
which places they could not even
alledge the fpecicus pretence of
cutting log-wood, but manifeftly
with a defign of ufurping foreio-n
dominion, and of fmuggiing va-
rious merchandizes without any
difcretion, — Ths names of thefe
places wherein they went are. El
Pincho, Rio Tinto, Rio Matiua, and
many others : they have there
trained up bodies cf militia to arms,
and have given the King of Eng-
land's brevet, or commiffion, of
Captain-general of all thefe fettle-
ments or eftablilhments to Jacob '
Loury ;' which brevet, or pafTport,
together with many other patents
or commiffions to fubaltern officers,
was folemnly read to the whole
colony on the 2ifl of September,
1776, before the troops and peo-
ple. All thefe proceedings of the
Englifh were difcovered by the
Spaniards, at a time when the
Britifli miniftry had declared that
thofe encroachments and fettle-
ments had been made without their
approbation, or the fanftion of their
authority.

The Englifii fett!ers found ont
artifices and various perfidious

iceaus

363] ANNUAL, REGISTER, 1779.

means to prevail on the chief 6r that intention, the faid do£lor had

leader, to re^JoiC againlt Spain, brought up and educated in his own

and to Itile himiclf King of the houle a Ion of an Indian King, and

IVIofquito Indians, and pcrfuaded two Indians of note in the(e coun-

him 50 t:ike the title of Cap ain in tries. The Spanilh Guareia Cofias

Chief of the other Indians, whofe were foon apprifed' of the dodor's

leaders have fent commiffioners to embarkation, and the Britifli mi-

the Vice-Roy of liic Spanilh go- nillry, inllead of giving redrefs to

vernment, acknowledging them- remonllracces for that breach of

felves as vaflals of his Catholic the treaty, threatened Spain with a

Mnjelly : befides which, the Eng- war.

lifli lupplied them with arms, and Laft year, in the month of No-
gave them all kind of aflift.^nce to vember, fome Spaniards happened
prevent their leeking the protecVion to ftttle themfelves on the river
of Spain, who has an immediate Saint Jolme, on the fame coaft of'
right upon the dominion of thoie Mofquito, whereupon they built
territories. Moreover, though fo- fome houfes ; and when they Icall
reigners of all denominations, let expedcd it, they were attacked by
their religion be what it will, be a party of Englifli, and another
well received in all the Englilh party of Indians ; in that conflift,
fettlements of America, the Spa- the captain of the fliip was wound-
niards. only have been refuled ad- ed, molt of his people were put to
mittance, they being either impri- prifon, and many other violences
foned or driven away. were offered. While that was
The better to prove the uniform tranfad^ing, the negociation of
defign England had always har- peace, then on the carpet, was
boured of becoming mailers of carried on with the greateft anxi-
theie exienfive territories; to lay ety by his M«jefty, for the bene-
thcre the foundation of its fettle- fie of England ; and he was Ihain-
ments ; and to augment every day ing every nerve to make it fuc-
the immenfe prohibited commerce ceed. No other proof is required
carried on by its fubj'^'cts in the to eftablifh the efl'cntial difference
interior parts of the Spanilh pro- extant between the proceedings of
vinces, we need but relate what the court of London, its minilters
happened in the year 1 7 75. That and fubjefls, and the generous and
a certain phyiician, tamous for magnanimous condudl of his Ca-
his voyage round the world, known iholic Majelly.
by the name of Dudor Irwin, left Wherever they fet their feet for
England, having with him all the purpofes of fcttlcment, the
kitids of tools for agriculture, fe- Englifh bthave in the fame man-
veral artills, rnd many oiher fuc- ner : for example, on the coaft of
couis found by the Britilh minillry, St. Bias, a province of the Darien,
to the end and purpofe of making they engaged the Indians that in-
a lalling fcttlcment in the province habit the frontiers of the Spanilh.
cf Nucha, wherein he landed fe- fettlements, to raife a revolt; and,
veral families, and fevcral more after giving them all fuccours, en-
were foon to foUov/ them. Wi:h ticed, and drew them on their

fide.

STATE PAPERS.

[369

fide, by decorating them with pom-
pous patents and brevets, or com-
jniffioiis oi coinmand under the
proiedion of Great Britain. A
like commiflion was gr.inted to one
chief of the lndia.:s, named Bernard,
to whom thi governor of Jamaica
fjnt a formal patent or commifiion,
and ill which he was ftiled captain-
general of that.ccali. That pro-
ceeding was alio difcovered at the
beginning of the pretent year, and
complained of ilie 8ch ol March
to the Engiilh miniilry, who, pre-
tending to be unacquainted with
it, anfvvered it in their ufual man-
ner.

Many have been the attempts
made by the Englifii, within thefe
few years, to drive into rebeliion
againlt Spain, thole nations cf In-
dia, their allies, and friends, uho
inhabit the lands contiguous to'
Louifiana \ one while they regularly
provided them with arn>s ; at other
times they bribed them with pre-
fents, and honoured them with pa-
tents and Englifh medals, &c. &c.
and finally, inftigated them to join
the Enghlh troops to commit hoili-
lities againlt the fubjeds of his
Catholic Majjlty.

Applications have been regular-
ly made to the court of London,
on di.fcrent cccafions, for the re-
drefs of various offences of, that
.nature ; and though its anfwers
have been made in general terms,
fuch as thefe : " We Jhall lake n.tlce
*' of that, and fend the necfffary or-
" ders;" Spain has not yet feen
the alteration which {he e;^pedled
in all reafon and juftice.

On the contrary, the court of
London, under pretence cf its war
with the American ftates, and for-
getting fo well the exaft impar-
liality obferved bv the Spanilh co-

VoL. xxn.

Ionics, as to the good reception
the Engiilh have always met with
therein, they hive committed, both
by land and (ea, the mofl grievous
infjlts : having even threatened
wi'h deftruclioii a frigate of war ia
the very capital to.'. n of New Or-
leap.3.

Soon after this, and in the
months of June and July of the
year 1778, the E:igli(h prompted
the Characas, M.raijuies and Mua-
thas India'ns, to raifj a rebellion,
pacing to each Indian ihe value
of a I'kin of venifon a day, and in-
ducing them to fall upon, with the
natural and brutal cruelty of thofe
barbarous nations, and celtrov the
Spanilh fettlements; notwithlland-
ing the treaty of peace then ia
force between Spain and England,
and the pacific difpofition of the
King, and his impartial and up-
right condud in regard to the dif-
turbances of America, and the hof-
tilities committed againft France.
To the purpofe aforefaid, the In-
dians were to have repaired to,
and :;flemMed in a place called the
Na/cles, vvith a body of Englifh
well :rmeJ ; but a happy circum-
fl:ance prevented this barbarous
projedl from taking place : two of
thole nations, convinced, without
doubt, of the injuUice they were
going to commit, every way repug-
nant to the rights of men, an<^ to
the good treatment they had always
received from the Spaniards, they
withdrew, and thus difcountenanced
the re It.

Some inhabitants of the Spanilh
dominions were carried away,
others were offered all fort of vio-
lence, and many compelled to car-
ry arms and war againtt the Ame-
ricans : particularly in one, among
many other inftances of our fub-

[.^ a] jcds.

l7o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

jcdli, a young man, named Lhcis,
the Iba of a captain of one of our
Spaniih colonics.

By the lall news we have recti v-
ed the original leacrs of the Liig-
li(h Commander Hamilton, in
which he threatened lo enter the
Spanifh territories, as ha5 been re-
lated in tne Gazette of Madrid ot
the 20ch of July, at the article of
la Havanna : it appeared mo:e-
over, by thofe letters, that the
Britilh government had given or-
ders to build many fortrcHes, and
in particular a foiid and perma-
nent one at the mouth of the Mj/i-
JJtf'i, near the lake of Iberville ;
which proceeding alone would be
Sufficient to bring to light the de-
fjgns of the court of London againil
the Spanifh dominions, fince the
laid fcrtrefs could by no means
moltft the Americans, but would
be highly prejudicial to the Spa-
nifh nation.

To the above purpofe we muft
not omit, that in the month of
May in the year 177S, Don Fran-
cl/co Efcarano, the Spanifh Charge
des Affains, came to London to
complain, that the Englifh had
inftigated the Indians called Pajea-
gulas, whcie habitations are conti-
guous to Louijiana, to fiiake off the
obedience they owe to the King ;
by giving them commifTions of
captains in the fervicc of his Bri-
tannic Majcfl/, and decorating
them with orders and rnedals. We
fhould never have done, if we
would relate, with their circum-
fiances, thefe, and many more
infringements of the treaties,^vio-
lences, and ufurpations executed
thefe late years by the Englifh go-
vernment againll the Spanifh do-
minions.

2. Spain gave, in regard to
prizes, orders fimilar to thoie of
France ; and it caufed thenl to be
put in execu'.ion with fo much ri-
gour and exadnels, that feveral
American privateers, and among
others the famous Cunnirgham, ex-
afperated againll Spain, retaliated,
by uling the Spaniards very ill, a'nd
making upon them reprizals, whicii
have not as yet been delivered
back, thi;ugh often afked for.

3. Neitiicr ought iriotives of jea-
loufy or the thirft of difcord to have
prevailed upon the Englifh fo
much, as to make them lofe any
fenfe of jullice, gratitude, or re-
fpe£t in regard to Spain, confider-
ing that this lafl could carry on
but little or no trade with the
Englilh Americans, having already
enough of that it carries on with
its own pofTeffions of America ; and
being amply provided with every
necefTary by the fkme. Never-
thelefs, the court of London, with
an intention of keeping at hand a
fpecious pretence for a rupture,
whenever it.< projects Ihould be in
maturity, afFccied a great uneafi-
nefs on account of the mercantile
correlpcndcnce carried on between
fome merchants of Bilhoa and
others of the Etiglifn colonies,
though that coriefpondence had
begun feveral years before their
rupture with the mother country.
The Eng-lilh minillry difcovered
tl»e fame uneafinefs for a like
mercantile correfpondence carried
on by fome French merchants of
Lomfiana with the Americans ; and
pretended to call the Spanifh go-
vernment to an account for that
contravention to its o^vn laws in
that part of the world : at the
lame period, wherein the fubjecls

of

STATE PAPERS.

of England, called the Royalilh,
were iound in the fame contra-
vention on the Spanjlli coalb of
MiJJiJ^pi and Louifiana, making a
tratiic of fmugglcd goods : many
of them were taken up, and great
complaints have bten made for
the fame. The Englilh com-
manders of thofe parts pretended
proudly, that the inhabitants pro-
fecuted by them fhorfld not be al-
lowed to take refuse :iz Lcuijiana,
if they ihould fiy there for it, while
the loyalills were welcome there,
and being under no ^pprenenfions
either for their lives or properties j
for which generous dealing feve-
ral of them returned thanks to the
Spanifh government by word of
mouth, and in wriiing. The Spa-
r.iih government did not confine
itfelf to thofe tokens of huma-
nity. Having heard of a great
fcarcity of flour prevailing at Pcn-
xacola, it ipontaneoufly fent a good

quantity of it into that place ;

threats, violences, and the hoftiie
proceedings laid down in the fore-
going articles are the only thanks
the minirtry and the Englilh nation
gave for the fame.

4. For fear we Ihould be de-
tained in the enumeration of the
events anteri-jr to thefe late times,
we ihall only fay, that the infults
efFered by the Englilh navy to the
Spanilh navigation and trade, from
the year 1776 till the beginning
of the prefent year 1779, were al-
ready 86 in number, including
prizes taken by unjull practices,
piracy, and robberies of various
effects out of the veflels ; attacks
made with gun-firing, and other
incredible violences. Since the
faid month of March, and not-
withllanding the memorial pre-
fented by the ambaliador, Mar-

[371

quis de Almadovar, on the 14th
of the fame, in which he com-
plained of the principal grievan-
ces, and revived the Memorials
that had preced.;d, three Spanifli
Ihifs were taken by the E;:glilh,
on the I2th, 19th, and 26th of
April, viz. the Nojlra fra de la
Conccptionj the la Virgen de Gra-
cia, and the las Almas : which
proceeding, together with the other
infuks, of which a detail was fent
to ihe fame ambaffaJor, in order
to hz laid before the Englilh mi-
niftry, were fufficient motives for
tlie ambaffadcr to. affert, in his
final declaration prefcnted to the
minifiry on the i6;h of June, thac
the grievances of the late years
did not fall much fhcrt of a hun-
dred.

5. In the two kft years, and till
the beginning of March of the pre-
fent year, the Engiifh navy has in-
fulted at 12 difterent times, in the
European and American feas, the
fliips of his Catholic Majefty,
among which were packets, and
ether fmall velTels, that had not a
competent force to refill:. It makes
one blulh to defcribe with what in-
decency and ignominy the King's
flag was treated by the Englifli
officers in thofe and other fimilar
cafes. We {hall only relate the
tranfa£lion of the 3 lit of Oftcber
of the lall year, when an off.cer
having been difpatched by two
Englilh frigates to reconnoitre the
Spanilh floop, named Jsojira Sig-
nora de la Ejcla-jitud, between the
Ifles of /« Mo}ia and la Saona, he
obliged ic to ftrike his Majeily's
flag, and then, taking it, he wip-
ed the fweat off his face with its
coat of arms, to Ihew a greater
contempt for it. This fingulsr
off-cer, with his companions, plur-
[//^] z dered

^-ji] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

'* mode of bad behaviour to tlrDfi?
" of the King and ct che Spanilh

df red lite fhip, and llript the fe.iniea
of iundry things ellennally necel-
fary ro their ufe.

6. The EiiglilTi nation entered
the Spanifh territuries eleven timi-s
witiiin a very few years p^iL
Amoag thofii attempts, one de-
ferves a particular notice; vi/,
what was pcifornied on the 3iil of
Apiil, 1777, by the long-boats of
three E.iglifli frigj^tes, then laying
in the b«y of Gibraltar, which fired
at the King's cutier, and at the
guird-hoiife, that -.vas on tlie bridge
Ma.crga, a;id cani d art ay the crew
a; d tt»e good- of a bailc which had
been taken by the (aid cutler on
fuTpici n of fnuggliriiT tobacco and
money. Alter ihey "had poiielTed
themielves of the whole, they re-
tired, dilplaying affcftcd civilities,
and taking off their hats out of
derifioni

7. The con;plaints of the ccurt
of Spain have been as many as
the infulis offered; memorials hav-
ing been repeatedly prefented
from time to time in London and
in Mad I id ; fo that they might
be faid to have been ipnumerabic.
Nevcrtheiefs, the King of Eng-
land te,ld his parliament precifcly,
that many 61 them never came to
his kno>vledge, adding moreover,
that he was fuIJy convinced, he
had never given occafion for the
unjuft procee.iings of Spain. We
now lay it over again, complaints
have been fo rcpeat-dly made,
that on the 5th of February, ijyii,
Don Francifco Eftarano having ex-
pofed and {h?wn fome of them in
writ;ng to Lord Wcjnouih, did ex-
prefs plainly how tired lie was of
prefen:ing fo nsany, by faying,
** That it appeared as if ail the
" captains of (hips of his BritiHi
'^' Mi'jedy had agreed about the

*' nation ; fmcc it uas known by
" a conltant experience, that the
" Englilh fhips always began by
" hrjng their, guns at ours with
*' bullet- ; then their officers came
" on board to regiller them; put
*' the feamen in irons^ or con-
'* fined them under the hatches of
'* the friip : did not in the lead
" fcruple to carry away what
" goods they had a fancy to, and
" when they parted from us, bid us
" fare well by another cannonad-
" ing with fmall fhot : that the
** Spaniffi Ihips, and efpecially
*♦ the packet-boats, which are
" provided with guns, might have
" repelled thofe infults by force, .
" but that they never did it, on
" account of the remarkable Itridl
*' Ciders they had from the Spa-
" nifh government, which was an-
" xious CO live in the bell harmo-
** ny with the Englifh nation ;
" and that finally, by comparing
" the exceffive moderation of Spain
" with the frequent affronts offer-
" cd by the Engliih navy, his lord-
'•' fnipwill be able to judge, whether
" they ought not to have been paid
*' attention to ; and whether they
" did not call aloud for re-
" drefs."

Thoie were the cxprefiions made
life of by Spain, in February 1778.
Let us now fee what that court
faid on the 14th of March of the
prefenr year, by the channel of
the Marquis d' AlmadQ"jar, in a me-
morial writteci for chat purpofe to
the Vijcou7it Wiymouih.

The Spanifh ambaffador, after
referring to two cafes that had been
anfvvered by the Englilhi minifler,
proceeds in this manner ; " The
•♦ King could no; help to remark,

" that.

ATE PAPERS.

[373

*' that, from all the complaints
•' made to the Englifli miniitry by
" bis orders, for thele two years,
*' thele two c ifes only met with a
" clear inilrudtive aniWer. His
*' Majelty took into confideration
"' the motives of the anivver of
" the 15th of January, and ex-
•' cufes the delay alledged, as to
" the tranfadion tliat happened
** in Atnerica;" but he does not
lee, why any change in the deiii-
natioii of the (hips, the death of
the commanders, or the jecall ot the
admirals, to whom the- orders were
direded, (hould hav.e prei'ented
the veriJication longed after ; fuch
were, however, the motives or pre-
tences alledgeJ. If the captains
were dead, or if the fhips had
changed their ilation, had even
tbole changes and alterations been
univerfal, and had they happened
p'ecifely at the time wlv°n the ve-
rification Ihould have taken place,
.the command of the places near
whom the tranfad\ions happened,
were, neverthelefs, in the fame
Kinds, and there it was they (hould
have been enquired into. Su.ppcfe
tiie officers hid been changed, the
exercife of rheir funtlion was r;ot
interrupted, and the tribunals of
tee diilrict.'-, who ought to have
known of matters of that fort, were
ilill fubfiftiiig. Since that time,
fome of ihe captains, who com-
manded the (hips tha; either took
or treated ill the Spanidi ve(rLls,
came over to Eof'iand, and ;hey
might have been interrogated upon
many articles.

The Marquis of Almadovar ccn-
tinued to make obfervatior,* upon
particular ca'es, and concluded
his memorial in this manner: '* In
*• a word, had even every circum-
*' ftance concurred to hinder or

" delay the infirudion which the
" Bfitilh mir,i{lry defired, pre-
'* vious to its giving redrefs to
*' my court, the King, my m^lkr,
" thought at lealt, that orders Tent
•' by his Britiih Msjefty to his
" oificers (hould have Jtopt the
'• courie of thofe vexations ; fo
•' far from it, advice is conti-
" nually received at .Madrid of
" recent injuries, there having
" been fent to me from tlience
*• the relation of fome of them,
" with injurvdion to commuiiicate
'•' them to your lorcilhip. In com-
" pliance, tnerefore, with thofe
" orders, ] have the honour to
•'include the relation ;hereunto
" annexed, containing the moll
" notorious fads, emitting others,
" for fear cf multiplying com-
'• plaints, though they are eq al-
" ly well founded on troth. Your
*' lordlhip will know from this the
" importance of thole ctxnplaints,
" ai)d the neceflity or' accelerating,
*' as much as pofiible; the iatisfac-
" lion which the Xing mv mafler
•• flatters himfeU he fha^' obtain
*• from the jullice and equity of
" hii BntiOi A^lajefty "

This memorial, giveri in the
month of March, produced nothino-
but fiiie promiles on the part of
the Englilh miniitry, without pre-
venting the making prizes and
commning . other itifults in the
months of April and May iollow-
ing, which was hinted at before
in the fouiih note. We may rea-
fonably queftion, whether' the
Englilh miniitry ever took the
trouble to read -the notes or enume-
ration of the grievances ; and if
not, the reaio.n is obvious, why his
Briiaonic IVIajefty had never been
intorm:;d of them, as he was. pleair
ed lO ai;pounce to'hii pctriiament.

[^«] 3 Spaiij

574] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Spain w.ns more fortunate with fhould bring rp and employ (ez-
the Knglilh government, bccaufe olficcrs pofl- fling I'uch principles,
at lealt this la!t iiever denied ii:cXs, 9. The injullice of the ientences
but always made good (flsrs, pronounced by the Englilh judges
though fuch as never were produc- of the Adniiralty, and their extra-
tive oT a compleat redrcis, or even vagaiit conduct, ni.iy be alcer-
prevented the uTual vexations. All tained by the two following cales :
the European powers know very the Enclifh cutter, the Lively,
veil the praclices of the Eugiifli command' d by Jofeph 'imith, took
navy in its depredations ; v^'hat the Spanifii fhip, the St. Nicholas,
country has not experienced them and St. Celmoy (the property of
either in the pr'efent, or the lace Don Manuel del Cer-vo Rubio, an
war againft France and England ; inhabitant of the neighbourhood of
but they did not know, nor c<'uld La Carugua) bound tioni that port
they have imagined, that the cap- to the Spaniih ifles. 1 he Englilh
tain of the Eoglifn frigate or captain carried her into the ifland
floop of war, the Z:pbir, com- oi Ajiguila, where it \vas declared
manded by Thomas Haflh, after flie was not a legal prize ; and ^
taking by unjuft means the Spanilh having been releafed, the Englifli
fhip, La Trinidad., going from governor gave her a p^flport to con-
Bilboa to Cadiz, towards the end tinue her voyage unmolelled. That
of I777> loaded with leather, nails, precaution, however, did not avail
iron, and other goods, fliouid car- to her ; for, at her going out of
ry her into Tangiers, and there try port, another Englilh floop of war
to exchange her for an American took her, and carried her into St.
brigantine (which had been taken Chrillbpher's, to the pert of i?<7/^-
by a corfair of Morocco) leaving terrey in which place (he was len-
the captain, pilot, ar.d all the ma- tenced to be a legal prize. The
riners for flaves. Happily, how- Spanifh packet-boat, the St. Pedro,
ever, the Moors did not accept of commander, Captain Francijco Xa-
that propofal, and the ftiip was ■ 'vier Garcia, had the faqie lot
conducted to the Bay of Gibraltar ; fmce, having been taken on the
and there being no kind of pre- 8th of May, 1778, by the Englifh
tence to declare her a lawful prize, captain James Duiif.o'uan, and car-
they abandoned her, after having ried into the fame ille oi Jnguila,
plundered a great deal of her cargo ; {he was there declared an illegal
the Ihip, however, fufFered io prize, but at her departure, another
much in the ai^ion when taken, Englilh cruizer. Captain Jcjeph
that having met with a gale of Armet, which happened to be ia
wind near Gibrahar, fne could the fame port, retook her, and ear-
not hold it out, but was fhipwreck- ried her into St. Chrijiopher, where
ed on the coails. No faith would fhe was fentenced a legal prize, as
be given to a fafb of that nature, the former had been,
if the truth of it was not fo well 10. No other power has expe-
eflaSlifiied ; and nobody could ever rienced, like Spain, the aggrel-
imagine, that a nation io learned fions and ufurpaticns of the Englifll
and improved as the Englifli are, government, made in the time of

the

STATE PAPERS.

l37S

the moft profound peace, and with-
out any previou5 declaration of
war. There is hirdly one of thofe
Eugiifti territories, vvhicii former-
ly belonged to Spain, that has not
been taken by furprize, in time of
pence ; and all the feas may be
witnefTes thit when the SpanilTi
fhips ware beaten or taken, there
was no reafcn to believe they
fhouIJ be attacked: it has been a
practice with . no other cabinet,
bu: the Englifii, to conclude a
treaty with Sp in, and immediate-
ly after to coinmit the greateft hof-
tilities againll that fame treaty.
After fucb a ccnduft, we leave ic
to the confederation of the impar-
tial world to decide, if the Kiijj
was wrong to augment his naval
forces, and to frultrate, by antici-
pation, the defigr.s of his enemies
and offenders.

11. No motives whatfoever
ftiould have hindered England to
give redrefj to Spain, to have pre-
vented new infults, and return it
the gratitude it defcrves ; llnce,
in fpite of the projects and public
threats of feveral members of the
Englilh parliament, in the felTion
Oi the months of December, 1777,
and January and February, J 778;
(vvho propofed to fettle the Jifputes
with the Americans, in ordtr to
make war againll the Houfe of
Bourbon) the Catholic King never
would make any tre<<ty with the
colonies, for fear of giving to the
court of London the leafc prPtence
for complaints. Wc do not by this
mean to fay, that the French mi-
ni dry had not the itrongeft reafjns
to fear new enemies, ana coufe-
quently to prevent the hollile de- ,
figr.s of the Briciih cabinet.

12. The French court behaved
with fo Kiuch candour and fmccrity

in the treaty made with the Ame-
ricans, (of which, however, the
Catholic King knew nothing then)
that the lame court declared, by
its ambaffador in London, that
Spain had no hand at" all in it.
Nf):vviihltanding this, by orders
difpatch -d to Do>> F.ancijco Efcara-
nc, the Spaniih Charge dcs A^'aires
in J^ondoo, on the a^.h of March,
he had initrudions, among other
thiiTgs, to declare to the Englifh
niiiiiltry, that though his Catholic
Msjtily had taken no Ihare in
what had happened between France
and America, and was Aill lefolved
to preferve the peace, this w?.s to
be underilood, " As long as his
•' Majeily could make it confirtent
" with the dignity of his crown,
" with the prefervation of his
" rights, and the protcflion he
" owes to his fubjedts ; and that,
•' therefore, the condud of Spain
" fnould be guided by llut of
«' England." This was the de-
claration made by E/carano to the
Vifc^unt Weyii50i:th, in a private
aud'ence he had on the 4th cf .April
tolluwing, and he acquainted his
court with it, on the 8th of the
fame month.

13. It has been the manifefr
leading projc£t of lingland, to
bring about a re-union of the co-
lonics *ith the crown, in order to
arm them againil the- Houfe of
B.^urbon, or to lead that fame
Houfe into an error, by means of
treacheror.^ negociatiffns and trea-
ties, in order to take revenge on
the colon'es, after having made
them e .emies to Franqe. The
beginning, progrefs, and cocclu-
fion of the negociation-, related in
this manifcflo, eilablilh evidently
the certainty of that projeft, and
the fafls coatained iti the fubie-

[_A a] 4 f^'.ient

376] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

quent notes, will prove it beyond
a doubt.

14. The King of Spain could
not obi'erve a greater circumfpedion
than he did, to avoid engaging
hiiTifclf in an unfruitful negotiation,
or getting entangled in its confe-
quences ; he ufed the fame expief-
iions with the court of London that
he had done with France, fending
orders, on the 19th of April, to
the Charge des Jffuires, Don Fran-
cif:o Efcarano, diredting him to
require from the Britilli niinillry,
*' a manifeU declaration from
*' them, exprefllng their real long-
*' iiig after a negotiation wiih
*' France, by the mediation, of
** his Majelty, and fetting forth
«' the chief articles whereupon to
*' ground it."

Thofe and other like precautions
bfcame necelTary with a niinillry
that always nfFeds to fpeak myfte-
rioafly, amhiguoufly, and with art-
ful reliidtion, and who delivered
their thoughts to the Spanifli am-
bafladors and public mir.iiiers in a
mode very difFi.rent from that made
ufe of in the public difpatches of
bufinefs dirtfted by that faiie mi-
niftry to th: Englifh ambafijdor in
Madrid. The Spanifh cabinet,
which does not ad )pt that politi-
cal niCthod of delivery, had the
open-heartednefs to warn the faiJ
miniftry, to fet it afide during the
cour e of ihe negotiation, without
infilling on the candour and fince-
rity the fame Requires,

15. Orders were fent to jE/?«r<3/?:i,
on the 23d and 25th of May, and
on the ill- of June ialt year, diredl-
ing him to keep a profound filence
upon the negotiation that had been
agitated ; and to declare again to
the court of London, that his Ca-
tholic Majefty was always in the

f:une pacific difpofition, and would
continue io, as long as the condmit
of the Englifh nation Ihould not
con;ptl him to alter his fentiments.
England cannot complain, that;
Spain has not repeatedly declared
this fame rcfolutioii of the King.

16. It is evident from the con-
tents of tl,e above notes, that hofti-
lities like the preceding, and e\ en
greater ones, were committed by
England againft the Spanifli terri-
tories, and the Spaniih flag, un-
der the malk of friendfhip, and in
the niidlt of the moll coidial pro-
tcltations, and alTarances of peace.

17. Jt would not appear llrange,
if clandclVine orders, fimilar to thole
given to take pofTeffion of the
French fettlcments in the Eall In-
dies, had been fent, in the begin-
ning of this year, for to fall upon
the Philippine Iflands, and if the
emifi'aries, fent foon after through
Alexandria and Suez, had been in-
truUcd with the conduct of that en-
terpiize : at leaft, thole are the
opinions of the-moll judicious men,
and alio of thofe who are the bell
acquainted with the tranfnttions of
the court of London, Time will
bring thof:; mylleries and Ci.igmas
to ligiit ; and the world will be
better able to comprehend, how
the generofity of th(; King of Spain
has been correfpondent with that
of the Englifh cabinet; at a time,
when his Catholic Majefty fpared
no pains to obtain an honourable
peace, and free "that nation from
great calamities and mislortunes.

18. i'he Catholic King conti-
nued his mediation to his Moft
ChrifHan Majefty, with an intent
of mc'.king a peace, not only be-
caufe his religious and pious heart,
and the love he profeflcs to his
fubject;, and to the human race ia

ceneral.

STATE P A P E^. R S.

[377

j^ener"^], infplrecl him vvith thofe
Icntiments ; but moreover, becaufe
the cour: of London contii'Ued to
infinuate its deiire of coming to an
accommcdaiion with France. And
indeed hardly was the Ccmt of
Alinadci!ar arrived in London, but
he acquainted his own court, on
the 14th of September, 1778, that
in a long conference he lately had
with the Vifcounc Weymouth , that
minifter had concluded his dif-
criurfe with thofe terms ; viz.
•* That the King, his maQer,
** knew the amiable cifpoluions
*' of his Catholic Majclty ; that
** he was indebted to him for his
** demonrtrations of friendfhip ;
*•' and molt fincerely defired to ter-
" rainate the prefent wsr by his
" mediations, by a method con-
*• fillent with tlie h^^nour of the
*' crown of Great Britain, and by
*' which, at the fame time, ah
" equal regard Ihould be paid to
" France." In confideration of
the ufual tendernefs and honour
due to the crown. Lord Weymouth
recommended to the Marquis iT Jl-
■madonjar, not to uf;; in his dif-
patches (as he, Weymouth., would
have the fame care in his own)
thefe wofds " to afk the media-
" tlon," but " to rcqueft and to
*• with that his Catholic Majeily
*• ihould interpjfe his mediation."
The Lord Grantham fpoke fubllan-
tirdly the fame langunge in Ma-
drid ; and his Catholic M.ijelly,
having taken it into his confidera-
tion, ordered a note or memo-
rial to be delivered to that ambaf-
fador, on the 28th of the faid
month of September, and a copy
of the fame was difpatched to the
Marquis of Ahr.ado'var, with di-
refiion to communicate it to the

Englifh government. We thought
it indifpenfibly necefTary to write
out the anfwer contained in the
fame memorial ; becaufe it will
throw light upon, and ferve for the
right underftanding of the laid ne-
gotiation ; and which was as fol-
lows :

•' The King confideriog what
** has been written by his ambaf-
" fader, the Marquis of Almado-
" (var, and out of love- for man-
*' kind; and, moreover, to con-
*• tinue upon good and amicable
•' terms with both the Kings of
*• France and Great Britain; and
*' alio left he might be reproached
*' with refufmg to promote--, as far
" as lays in his power, the tran-
" quiility of Europe, he has re-
♦' iolved to notify to each court,
*' that if they fincerely wilh to
*• enter into a plan of reconcilia-
•' lion, by the mediation of his
*' Majefty, without prejudice to
*' the honour of either crown, but
" with an anticipated anxiety for
«* the dignity of both ; the moft
" regular and decent mode of pro-
'* ceeding is, that each court
*' ffiould deliver into tl,e King's
" hand, without delay, ar.d at the
" fame time, the conditions and
" the articles they intend to ob-
" tain or to grant by the treaty,
*' that h:s Majefty may communi-
"' cate to the one court the propofi-
" lions of the other, to the end
" that they may be modified, dii-
*' cuflVd, or rtfufed. That, after
'* a due*examination of the whole,
" his Majefty fliall propofe his
*' own plan cf pacification to ter-
** minate the difference. That
" the negotiation mult flipulate
'* the method of concerting with
" the Americans; without which

" the

78] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

*« the wifhed-for peace cannot be
" attaintd : and linally, that at
** one and the fame time, the
" conditions relative to the pri-
*' vue intereft ot Enoland and
*' Spain fliall likevvife be ulircuf-
«' fed and fctiltd ; that the King
*' would be forry if this method
*' was not adopted, or if the ne-
*' goci;uion was not cundudltd with
*' fincerity i fincc, in fplte o.f the
*' v.ifhes and pacific dilpcfitions of
*' his Majefty, he forefees that the
*' circumitances of the preleiit war
•' muU oblige him to become a
•* party, the neceif.ty of having his
•' flag refpedcd, and of repelling
*' the infuits which are daily cffer-
*' ed to his fubjetts, having occa-
*' fioned cxpenfive armaments, and
*' immc-nfe lofles." The conciu-
iion of the foregoing ar.fwer caufed
much uneafinei's to the court of
London, which, nevertheleis, lent a
frigate that entered the pore or Co-
run>iaov\ the loth of Novtrpber, with
difpatches for Lord Grantkam, with
the aniwer of the fame court. That
anfwcr was cielivered on the 14th of
the faid monih of November ; and
the contents of it were, that the
court of London accepted with plea-
fure the mediation of his Ca^hclic
Majefty to fettle the differences
that exiiled between Engi.ind and
France, provided the latter would
withdraw the fuccours and a:d it
gave to ihe colonies. As to the ar-
ticles relative to the reciprocal in-
tereft of Great Britain and Spain,
the reply was, that his Briiiih Ma-
jtfey w^s rcrtdy at all times, and
viJhed earnci:iy to enter into that
dilcuiTion ; ard to fettle' them fo
as to cftabiiih reciprocal advantages
to both empires. J he Catfipiic
Kint^, in tcmpliance with the ten-
tier "he had mdde to both courts.

communicated to each of them on
the 20th of November ihc pretcn-
fions, propofuions, and overiurcs
m.ide reipcctively ; periuading both
Oi ti)em, with various rcilonings,
to fecic means and temperaments
produdivc of a fmcere ai.d honour-
able reconciliation At the fame
time a letter was fent to the Mar-
quis of A.'maduvar, fetting forth
what follows J viz. " Your E"-x-
•• ccllency is authorifed to fettle
" the matters relative to our own
" interell, on which important
" buHnefs, the utmoft -efforts of
" your zeal muil be employed :
" lince the King., who wiihes fin-
" cerely to prefervG the peaee,
" will receive the greaieft plea-
'* fure, if he fees thofe differences
" fatisfaftorily fettled : to the fame
" purpole let your Excellency re-
" mind the E^gliib iiiinillry cf
" the geneiofity of Spain, for m
" impartial proceedings in cir-
*' cumliances fo critical as the pre-
" fent ones. But let your Ex-
" cellency reprefent, how badly
*' we have been anfwered, and
" how ill we are conltantiy treat-
" ed by the Enghlli navy, as may
" be afcertained from tne inluhs
" that our navigators receive al- ,
•' moft daily in different parts of
" the ocean, and in the very ports
" and places on the coafts of this
" peninfula. That court will un-
" derlUnd that the greatefi pro-
'* tcltaticns of Jriendlhip have no
" fofce to perfuade, while repeac-
" ed inluhs are never reproved or
*' challifed, efnccially after we have
*• been for years expcfjng to them
" our grievances in the mofi cor-
' •' dial open manner, and With the
'• moft cautious expreffjons.

" Your Excellency is not igno-
*' rant of \^hat has been regulated

" by

STATE PAPERS.

l379

*' by the preliminaries of the trea- '

** ty of Parii in the year 1763, in '

*' the; 16th article, relative to the '

*' Engliln fett!e:Tien:s in the B ly *

" of rionduras and other adjacent *

*' te.'riiories. It was there iiipu- •

*' laced in pofitive terms, that, *

*' whatever fortihcacions had been '

" built, they fiiould be deinolilh- ♦

*' ed ; and that the Englifti ihouid

♦• only be allowed to have fome '

«' houfcs and magaziius, without '

" being moleiled in the cutting, "

•' or in the carriage of the log- *

*•' wood oat of the territoies, which '

" have always been acknowledged '

<* to bflong to Spain. Not only *

♦» that demolition was never per- '

" formed, but the fortifications *

" have been even augmented ; '

*• and there is now artiilcrry and *•

'•' garrifons in them : fo that thoie *

" plantations have been converted '

'.' both into a military government '

*' with patents, and by the autho- '

'• rity of that court ; and into a '

*' permanent colony by the ufur- '

" pation of foreign territories, and '

*' a formal contravention to the '

*' treaties. '

" Ocher enterprizes "cf the fame

*• nature have been made in diirer- •

*' ent parts of thofe extenfive '

•* coails ; as his Excellency will "

•* find related in the papers of his '

*' fecretaryQiip ; and his Excel- ''

" lency is' likewife defired to take *•

" notice of the artful machina- "

" ticns made ufe of by the Eng- '

" lifn to arm the Indians againll *

" the Spaniards. There being no '

*' poflibility of eftnblifhing a folid '

*' and lincere friendfhip, except '

" redrefs be given for iuch nolo- ''

** rious grievances, and except '

*' they be prevented to happen in '

*• future, it becomes the cojrt of '

*' London to compenfate thofc in- •

juries according to the dictates
of equity, and then others will
be laid before the faid c6urcwith
the lame fieedcm : tho!e redref-
les. however, once granted, Eng-
land will find no inllances of
better difpofnion than thole har-
boured in the heart of our au^iUit
Sovereign,

" 1 hive at difFerent periods ac-
quainted your Excellency (as I
had ohen done your predeceffor
in the embalfy) of the various
infults we received near Lc-uifia-
na\ wherein the Engliih, either
inlUgated the Indians, our al-
lies, to raife a rebellion a^ainft
us, and to Aght us with the
' arms and ammunition they had
pat into their hands, or infultecj
the Spanifli plantations and fet-
tlements, and even threatened
to attack the capital towns, with
their men ol war, under the
moll frivolous pretences, no
way excufablc. On this head,
J fhall only add,. that extortions
have been io continual, that
they cry loud for a prompt re-
medy.

" Finally, your Excellency is
well informed of all the iniulcs
we have fuffered, and which we
never dderved, either bv our
pail or prefent condudl. 'Con-
fequently your Excellency will
expofe our rights with the
greateft cordiality and modera-
tion, to the end that the Eng-
lilh rainillry may be convinced
of the redifude and iincerity
of cur condudl, and of the ne-
ceffity of fettling .at once our
differences, and of regulating
our claims and interell; at the
fame time llifling whatever may
lead to any future difcord, for
the refpedlive utility cf both na-
" tions.

:58o] ANNUAL RE

" tions, upon which I refer to the
*• inftruflions lent to your Excel-
*• lency. A lufficient power has
*' already been inveilcd in your
*♦ Exxellency, and a greater one
*' will be cJv^"> i^ necefT.iry, the
** more effeiftually to conlblidate
** the friendihip of the two courts ;
*' which important point, and thic
*• of a general peace, are the two
•* objects, whicli the magnanimous
*' heart of our Sovereign greatly
*' longs after. I fuppofe, however,
** that your Excellency will not
•* forget, that we can do nothing
*' whatever againd the interell of
*' France, wtiofe friendfhip muft '
" always be one of our greatefi
" concerns."

In confequence of the {?.&■: aiii
tranfadlions already enumeiated,
the world will be convinced of the
circumrpe(flion, fincerity, and at-
tention, with which the Catholic
King has endeavoured to conclude
a peace folidly cemented, and to
obtain from England redrcfs for an
infinite number of infults. The
court of London, moreover, affetts
now to compel his Majefty to take
up arms, (a part he has already
t'iken) by renewing the infults,
without any appearance of offering
rcdr^fs.

19. The propofiticns of Enjr-
land, in anfwer to the dilpttches
of bis Catholic Majeily of the zoth
of November, 1778, were not re-
ceived in fvladrid bef r'j the 13th
cf January, 1779. ^''"^ were the
refultofa conference. held the 28ih
of December laft, between i!ie
Marquis of JIaaJovar z.Ttd the Vil-
counc f'Feymo.jb.

What h s been tl-e condud of

that minifler in this occurrence,

m:y be coliected from the fjlio'v-

-iu' exorellions contained in the

GTSTER, 1779.

difpatches, defigncd as an anf^^cr,
and direded to the Marquis oi'yjl-
tnado'uar, on the zoth o( the fame
month of January ; " I have read
" to the King (thofe are ihe very
" words) the w lole difpatches of
" your Excellency, as well as the
'« paper delivered to him by Lord
** Weymouth ', I have at the iame
•' time infonned his IMajefty of the
" ren>;;rks and obfervations that
*' Lord Grantbum has communi-
'* cated to me, relative to the fame
'* object. This ambaflador has
•' put in my hands another paper
'* iimilar to that which your Mi-
" niller of State has forwarded by
" your Excellency ; t^evertlielefs, I
•' mult fay that, neither in the ex-
'* plicanons of Lord Gi-antham,
" nor in the dilpatchcs that he re- •
•' ceived from his court, are found
" the fubftaniial and fpecilic ex-
" preQions, which have been made
" ufe of with your Excellency, in
" order to ir.duee the King to pro-
•' pofe a method of an accomiBo-
" dation.

" Notwithllanding that, I fhall
" tell to your Excellency with
" freedom and exactnefs, the re-
'* flexions made by the Kuig, the
" re(olu;ion he has taken, and the
" conduct your Excellency ftiould
" keep to caufe it to be under-
" ficocj, and get an anfwer, and
" the prefent difpatches will ferve
" to your Excellency as initruc-
•' lions.

" His Majcfly his already re-
" marked, that the c urt of Lon-
«' don expreffes it.'elf differently by
" word of mouth to what it does
" in writing; that is to fay, by
'•' word of r.:oi.;th, it appears, -as if
*' that court wiihed for nothing
'• more eagerly, than to hear the
" coavenicDC and honourable te.m-
*• perame&i:

STATE PAPERS.

[3S1

** perament his majefiy has found,
" in order to accede to it ; and in
'* writing, ic appears, that the Bri-
" tilh Miniitry perfUl in their for-
*' mer ideas, exprelTin^ only their
" deiire of a peac^ by general pro-
" tellations."

Subftquently to the foregoing
refledior.-, others were fet down
in the faid diipatches to the Mar-
quis of Alniadwvar, explaining
fome thoughts that occurred to his
Majefty, with a define of falling
into a prudent and honourable
method that, might facilitate the
pacification. 'l"iie fubllance of
thole ideas was confined ro know,
whether ic mij.;ht be expedled that
the Englifli Cabinet would conient'
to a long continued truce between
the belligerent powers and the co-
lonies, that might be prudently
combined, to preferve the dignity
of each of them, and confolidated
with various precautions, to re-
move any fufpicion of a new rup-
ture ; for whii-h purpoie it fhould
be referred to a fubiequent nego-
ciation, or to a Congrefs, to be held
in ail impartial place, uinder the
mediation of the King, for the
jlipulating or concluding the trea-
ties that might take place between
thole powers.

20. Fioin the zoih January of
this year, when an extraordinary
dilpatch was iorwardcd to London,
with the ideas or thoughts of the
King, as recited in the above
number, the Englifh Cabinet de-
terred giving any anfwer until the
1 6th March.- At the end of fo
long a delay, that Court came to
an explication in a difpatch fent
to Lord Grantham, which was re-
ceived, in Madrid the iSth of the
fame month. It amounted merely
to advert at large on the reflec-

tions contained in that of the
Cturt ot Madiid of the 20th Janu-
ary j but it deferves much notice
what fort of fatisfaiSticn Lord Vif-
count Weymouth gave, relative to
. the difference obferved between
his manner of explaining hiirielf
by word of mouth, and by writing.
Mj language (thefe are the w.ords
ot his. .an'wer) n.-jith the Marquis
d^ Ahnado'uar, fio'vjing from my ar-
dent dejire for peace, 'ivent too far^
and r.vere swaiiting in exaiinefs, if
they imported a dijpcfticn to exchange
the Royal Hcnour, and mamfeji rights
for a decent exterior, and pluupble
temperature. J f, with fuch a finefle,
Minifters recede from their words,
and fatisfy thofe with whom they
treat, what faith or fecurity can be
put in the explanations of a Court
made folemnly to the Ambaffadorof
a powerful King.

Be it as it may: after all the
obfervations contained in the fore-
mentioned Englifn difpatch of the
i6ih March, it concluded with an
appearance which flattered the King
with an hope, that at leafl a paci-
fication would be eftefled. Let
France propofe (faid the Eng'ifti
Cabinet) her cojr.plaints, prete;ifcns„
or points cf any kind ^uohate'ver, and
an adequate anfnjoer njoill be gi-jen ;
or let there- be a truce for a certain
time bet'u.'een Great Britain and
France, during ivhlch period the pre-
tenfions cf the one and the other may
be adjujied through the good ojfces of
his Catholic Majefy.

Let the Colonies (added the Eng-
lifli Cabinet) propofe their com-
plaints, and the conditions for
their fecurity and caution, by
which may be re-eftabli£hed the
continuance and authority of a
lawful government : we ftiall then
fee if v\e can come to a direft and.
immediate

382] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

immediate agreement ; or if they
alio prefer the method above-
mentioned, let there be likeuifc
a truce made with North Ame-
rica, that is, a real truce, and ct-
feflive luipenfion of hoftilities ;
during which, the liberty and ef-
tecis of all forts a :d clafics ot per-
ibns may be re elUbliilicd and (c-
cared, and all violence lufpendrd,
on one fide and the oth r, again il
the refpcdive individuals, and the
eilates or" cffeds ihey pofl'efs. in
thcfe truces, ihc French may treat
of their o*vn peculiar matters,
without giving the umbrage,
which would be inevitable, if they
mixed in tlic negotiation their
own particular advantages with
the fuppofed interells of thofe
whom France affcds to call her
allies : and his Britannic Majefty
may ellablilh the government of
his own dominions, without the
difngreeable circumflance of re-
ceiving the conditions relative
thereto from the hands of a de-
clared enemy.

21. It appears by the opening
made by the Court of London, in
the difpatch mentioned in the
preceding note, for the purpofe of
ellablilhing a truce between France
and the Colonies, that it contained
no difficulty, except the referving'
for a feparate treaty the pretenfions
of the faid Power, and thofe of
the American Provinces aforefaid,
fo that France fhould not inter-
fere in the arrangement of their
interells ; — at lealt, tliis is what
any perfon of finccrity and good
faith would then or even now be-
lieve, who read, or novv reads the
explanations of the Englifli Cabi-
net in that difpatch. Under this
fuppoiltion, we (hall communicate,
for the eye of the impartial public.

the ultimatum of the propofitionj
made by the Catholic King to
the two Courts of Paris and Lon-
don, he having taken on himfelf
the adjurtmeni of the uii^utesfub-
fiiling with the American provin-
ces, and cOiifidering there was not
time to communicate to them, or
even to France, thii his rei' lution,
and wh-reot a.tvice v.'as given ta
the faal Courts on the 3d of April
in the prefect year ; that is to fay,
leven days after the having re-
ceived the anfwer of the Englifh
Cabiriet.

*' If ihefe openings or propo-
" fnions ('has literally are the
'* exprt.flions of the ultimatum)
" had come immediately after the
" King had made his, for the
" forir.i'ng a plan of reconcilia-
" tion, many difficulties might
" already have been removed or
*' adjuited .by the modifications
" which it might have been prac-
•' ticable to have negociated, if
*' reciprocal good faith had exift-
" ed, and a conlideiicc to con-
•• ckJe a peace, Bu: having
" loft: more than two months time,
'^ (wunout mentioning what was
" negleded before, and objerving
" in this interval, there was no
*' need of cefTatioti in the foming
" great expeditions or prepara-
" tions) fulpicions inevitably a-
'* rofe, that the drift was to
** amufe and confume the remain -
•' ing months of the campaign,
•' and to Continue the war with
" vigour. If this be the cafe,
" every attempt of the King -.s-ill
•• be ufelefs towards elfablilhing
" concord between the bellige-
*• rent powers. Neverthei^fs, his
" IVlajeily, to give the lajl proof
" of his love of humanity, and

•' ihac he has not left

undone

any

STATE PAPBRS.

l3^3

** any thing to impede and put a
** llop to the calamities of war,
" has commanded that the follow-
** ing plan be propoled to the two
" Courts, which on his part is the
•* ultimatum of his negociatidn.

•• That with a view that this
*' fufpenfion of hoflilities may re-
•' ertabliili reciprocal fecurity and
•* good faith between the two
" Crowns, there mall be a gene-
*' ral difarming, ' within one
*' month, in all the European
" feas, within four, in thoie of
" America, and within eight, or
" one >ear, in thofe remote parts
•*^of Africa and Afia. That in
*' the fpace of one month, a place
*' Ihall be fixed upon, in which
** tiie Plenipotentiaries of the two
*' Courts fhall meet to treat on a
•' definitive adjuilment of peace,
** regulate the refpeciive reftitu-
'* tions or compenfations necellary,
'* in confeqnence- of ine reprifals
" that have been made, wiihout
*' any declaration of war, and to
** fettle fuch matters of complaint
" or pretenfion, as the one Crown
•' may have againft the other : to
*' the accomplifhment of which
" end, the King will continue his
" mediation, and does now, for
" the holding of this Congrefs,
** make an offer of the city of
•" Madrid. That a like fufpenfion
" of holtililies (hail be feparately
** granted by the King of Great
" Britain to the American Colo-
*' nies, through the intercefl'on and
*' mediation of his Catholic Ma-
•* jefty, to whom the faid Poten-
" tate (hall promifc the obfervance
*• thereof, and with the condition
*' that- it fhall not be broke, \vith-
*' out giving to his Majelty an an-
<' cicipated notice of one year, that

*' he miy communicate it to th^
*' (aid American provinces; and,.,
" that there be eftablifhed a rcci-
" proca! dilarming the fame as
" with France, in the fame times
"and places, regulating the limits
** that (hall not be pafTed by the
" one or the other party, with re-
" fpedl to the places they may re-
♦' (pcctively occupv at the lime of
*• raiilying this adjultment.

" That for fettli-ng thcfe parti-
** culars, and oihers relative to
*' the firmnefs of the faid fulpen-
" fion, and to the effects it may
" produce while it fubfiils, there
'* fhall ccme to iVJadrid one or
♦* more Commiffaries or A^^ents
** of the Colcnies, and his Eritan-
** nic Majelty will fend his under
" the like mediation of the King
** (if they fnculd be in need of it)
*• to accord or agree in the 'fore-
" going, and th.u in the mean time
" the Colonics Ihall be treated as
" independent in afting.

" Finally, if it be dehred by all
'.' or any cf the belligerent powers,
" or by the aforelaid Co'onies,
•' the forementioned' powers (hall,
"Jointly with Spain, guarantee the
" treaties or agreements which (hall
•' be made: — the Catholic King
" now make? an offer of his gua-
** rantee to the faid preliminaries."

Whoever compares thefe articles
with the preceding openings made
by the Court of London, will de-
cide, if there can be imagined
propofals more moderate, or more
analogous to the fyRem laid d^wn
by the Britim Cabinet. — Perhaps
his Catholic Majelly has rather
gone too far in the moderation to
which he reduced the faidpropc-
litions, faking on himfelf the diffi-
cult tafk cf fettling the difoutes.

2 3. Tie

^84] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

22. The greatell repugnance of this fort, authcriied by th?

which the Briiiih Cabinet alFcdcd Court of London, have been, and

to Ihew to the uluma.um and pro- are true figns of the aclinowledg-

pofitions of the King of Spain, nient of the independence : and

rells on the point ot treating the the Englifii nation itielf niay judge

Colonies as I ndt pendant in att- and d.cide, whether all thofe acts

ing daring the interval of the are io compatible with the deco-

truce. rum of the British crown, as would

To what has been already faid, be the granting to the Colonies,

n.ay be added, what was atlinncd at the iiueicefiion of his Catholic

in nil the piblic papers of the Majrlly, a luipenfion of hoitiliiies,

month of Fibruary, 1778, ihat adjuil their diflerences, and treat

Lord North had on the i7th of th\?m in this interval as indepen-

the faid month, prop, fed in the dent States.

Houle of Commons, as a matter 23. It muH: appear incredible,

of courle, " That the Commif- afitr having confidered the pre-

•' iioners, then appointed by the ceding articles, that the Court of

*' Court of London, fliould treat London lliouid refule to accept of

•* with the American Deputies, the propofuions of the ultimatum

** as if they were Plenipotentiaries of that of Madrid, although with

** of independent States ; with pro- feme explanations that it might

** vifo, that this conccfiion fliould think neceffary ; but that Court

*' not be prejudicial to Great Bri- not only rejected them, in its

" tain, if in the courfe of ihe nego- anfwer given the 4th of May,

*' ciacion the coloniesfuculd reioive after various pretexts for delay,

** to deT.ft from their claim of in- but put forth indirect and ftrained

'* dependence." interpretatii^ns of the propof&ls

It is a thing very extraordinary, that were then made, having the
and even ridiculous, that the effrontery to fay, that *♦ the drift
Court of London treats the Colo- *' of Spain v^iis to form, from the
nies as independent, not only in '• pretcniions of the Colonies to
a£iing, but of right, during this " independence, one common
war, and that it fhould have a re- " caufe with them and with
pugnance to treat them as fuch, " fVance."' — The Britifh Cabi-
only in ading during a tiuce or net concluding, with faying,
lufpenfion of hoftilities. The •• That if the conditions which
Convention of Saratoga; the re- " the Court of Verfailles had
puting General Burgcyne, as a " communicated to hi^s Catholic
lawful prifoner, to fufpend his J' Majefly, did not prefent a bet-
trial ; the exchange and liberating " ter afpeft than, this for the
of other prifoners m.ide from the •' treaty, or did not cffer lefs im-
Colonies; the having named Com- •' pericus and unequal terms, the
miffioners to go and fupplicate the " K'^g cf Great Britain would
Americans at their own doers ; ** only have to lament, that he
requeft peace of them, and treat " found the hopes fruftrated,
with them and the Congrefs ; and *• which he had always conceived
finally, by a thcufand other ads ** of the happy reiloration of

• " peace.

STATE PAPERS.

iiH

" peace, as well for his fubjedls
" as the world in general."

If this is not a want of refpedl
to the mediating King, a real pro-
vocation, and evident in confe-
quence, it will be difficult to find
expreffions more adapted for it.
Neither did his Catholic Majefty
irake a common caufe with France
and the Colonies in his lait pro-
pdfals, nor were they made to
France, to whom they were not,
nor could not, for want of time,
be communicated, before they
were tranfmitted to the Court of
London ; fo that the whole appa-
ratus of thofe haughty expreffions
of the Englilh Miniftry amount
merely to fay, that, in fpite of the
overture made by themfelves on
the 1 6th of March, they preferred
war to peace, or treating with the
fore-mentioned mediator, whom
they provokingly infulted, treating
him as partial, leagued with the
enemies of Great Britain, imperi-
ous, andinconfiftent.

In aggravation to all the fore-
going, at the fame time the Bri-
lilli Cabinet anfwered the King of
Spain in the terms already men-
tioned, they were infinuating them-
V felyes at the Court of France, by
means of fecret emillaries, and
making very great offers to her
to abandon the Colonies, and
make peace with England. But
there is yet more : at the very
fame time, the Englifh Miniftry
were treating, by means of ano-
ther certain emiffary, with Dr.
Franklin, Minifter Plenipotentiary
from the Colonies, refiding at Pa-
ris, to whom they made various
propofals to difunite them from
France, and to accommodate mat-
ters with England, on conditions
alnioft identically the fame as thofe
Vol. XXH.

which they had rejedled or fpurn-
ed at, as coming from his Catho-
lic Majelly, but m fa6l with offers
much more favourable to the faid
Colonies. The faid treaty went
fo far as to be extended in formed
articles, with various explanations;
and was carried on under the au-
thority of one of the principal
Englilh Minifters. Of all this,
and much more, it would be eafy
to inform the public, by true and
formal copies, if it were ncceffary,
or that this implacable enemy
hereafter obliges it to be done,
and who has always been treated
by Spain with the greateft mode-
ration.

24. The true intentions of the
Court of London being clearly
difcovered, the Catholic King
could not longer withhold the put-
ting in full force the treaties con-
cluded with France. From what
has been obferved in the preced-
ing note, it evidently follows, that
the whole of the Englifh policy
was to difunite the two Courts of
Paris and Madrid, by means of
the fuggeftions and offers (he iepa-
rately made to them ; alfo to fepa-
rate the Colonies from their trea-
ties and engagements entered into
with France, induce them to arm
againft the Houfe of Bourbon,
or, more probably, to opprefs
them, when they found (from
breaking their engagements) they
flood alone and without proteflors
or guarantees for the treaties they
might enter into with the Britifli
Miniftry. This, therefore, is the
net they laid for the Americaa
States; that is to fay, to tempt theia
with flattering and very magnifi-
cent promiies to come to an ac-
commodation with them, exclu-
five of any intervention of Spaia
[B i>] or

3S6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

cr France; that the BritiQi Mi-
nillry might always remain the ar-
bitrators of the fate of the faid
Colonies, in the point of fulfilling
any treaties or agreements they
might make. But the Catholic
King, faithful, on the one part,
to the engagements which bind
him to the Moft Chri'.tian King,
his nephew ;juft and upright, on
the other, to his own fubjedls,
whom he ought to proteft and
guard againft fo many infuks ;
arid finally, full of humanity and
compaflion for the Americans and
other individuals who fuffer from
the calamities of the prefent war,
lie is determined to purfue and
profecute it, and to make all the
efforts in bis power, until he can
obtain a folid and permanent peace,
with full and fatisfaftory fecuri-
ties that it (hall be obferved.

25 • To attain, as beforc-men-
tibned, the much-defired end of a
fecure peace, it is abfolutely ne-
ceflary to curtail and dcllroy the
arbitrary proceedings and maxims
of the Englifh maritime power;
to the attainment of which, all
other maritime powers, and even
all nations in general, are become
much intereiled. The Catholic
King, for his part, has done all
hfe poflibly could, that the infults
founded in fuch proceedings and
rtiaxims fhould be puf an end to,
but this he has not been able to
efFoft by amicable means. On the
contrary, injuries have been re-
peatedly continued, as has been
reprefentcd in the negociation fet
oh foot with England by the me-
diation of the faid monarch. The
Court of London has become for-
getful, in thefe later times, that
fhc (hould have adjufted and fet-
tled her diiFerences with Spain ac-

cording to agreement. In the
fame month of May, in which
this negociation .was put an end
to, there came advicer of the vio-
lences commiticd by Engliib fhips
and their crews in the river Saint
John, and Bay of Honduras, (of
which mention has been made in
note the firit) and it was known
alfo, with great probability, that
the Englifli Cabinet had given
anticipated orders for the invajion
of the Philippine IHands. From
fuch deeds, as well as from the
foregoing, the impartial and can-
did world will be enabled to do
juftice in this famous controverfy,
and decide whether the declaration
prefented by the Marquis of Al-
madovar, the i6ch June laft, is
founded in reafon and truth. In
the mean while it fhould be ob-
ftirved, that the Court of London,
on the 18th of faid month, iil'ued
orders for commencing and com-
mitting bollilities, and making
reprifals againft Spain, who did
not iflue fimllar orders till after
fue had received advice thereof.

Copy of the A N swe r tranfmitted to
the Marquis /Almadovar by Lord
Vifcotint Weymouth, dated the
13/7^0/ July, 1779.

THE Marquis d'Almad.o\'ar,.
late Ambaflador of his Ca-
tholic Majefty at this Court, on his
fudden departure, left with Vif-
count Weymouth, Secretary to
his Britannic Majefty, a declara-
tion of war, founded on a detail
of motives to juftify fo violent a
ftep. — In this detail Spain affecfts
to complain in general of the lit-
tle defire the King Ihewed towards
the prefervation of peace, and, in
particular.

STATE PAPERS.

D«7

particular, againft the difrefpe(5lful
treatment of the Spanifh flag, and
the violation of the territory belong-
ing to his Catholic Majefly.

As .nothing could be more dif-
tant from the King's intention than
to break the friendQiip fubfiftin^
^between Great Britain and Spain, it
h by order of his Majefty, that the
faid V ifcount Weymouth offers fuch
a ftate of the matters fet forth in
the faid Declaration, as, he doubts
not, mull ftievv the fincerity with
which his Majefty hath endeavour-
ed to maintain the general tranquil-
lity.

The little defire for peace, as
fuppofed on the part of the King,
is deducible from the conduft at-
tributed to Great Britain during
the lail: negcciation : after the
profeffions of the impartiality of
his CathoUc Majefty; his offers of
mediation between Great Britain
and France, and after the accept-
ance of the fame, the Declaration
affirms, — ' That every ftep had
been taken neceffaryto produce
the beft effcfts, in order to pre-
pare the two powers towards an
accommodation equally honourable
to both parties ; that to this end
wife expedients had been propofed;
but notvvithftanding thefe terms
were conformsble to fuch as the
Court of London, at other times,
judged proper and conducive to an
accommodation, they were, how-
ever, rejected in a manner that
proves too well the reluftance on the
part of the Briiifh Cabinet to reftore
peace to Europe, and to preferve
the friendlhip of his Catholic Ma-
jefty.'

The conditions offered by France
were, to the highelt degree, inju-
rious and inadmiffible ; the King
exprefsly declared, that he coiili-

dered them as fuch ; nothing can
be more evident than that the ex-
pedients offered by Spain inevitably
tended to enforce thcfe very inju-
rious conditions, but juft before de-
clared inadmiffible.

The pernicious confequences of
the propofed expedients had been
explained to the Court of Spain,
by order of the King, and that
they were in the moii amicable
manner exprefsly rejeded. Had
it been otherwife, there could be
no reafon for an ultimatum ; yet
it is not without ailoaifliment,
that, after the firll anfwcr, the
King received the ultimatum from
the Court of Spain, not only con-
taining the very fame offers thus
rejeded, but announced with
fcarce any difference in point of
form.

The Declaration further fays,
• That, on the 28th of Septeinbcr,
the Court of Spain had nutified
to the belligerent powers, that
in cafe the negociadou did fuc-
ceed, file would then deterrnine
how to adl.' — If the open part the
Court of Spain now takes, be
THAT fi^.e fecretly intended at
that time, it would have been
more confifteac with her dignity
THEN to avow it, and range her*^
felf openly under the banners oi
France.

Inftead of fuch a conduft, the
Court of Madrid, affefting impar^
tiality, hath offered to me;^iiate,
but not to ditlate the terms of
peace, promifing to communicate
to each Court the conditions
claimed by either, that fo they
might be modified, explained, or
rejeded. When the propofals made
by France were rejeded, and the
Declaration made to Spain to
ceafe her mediation, fince her en-
[-2 6] 2 deavours

;8S] ANNUAL REGlSTtit, 1779.

dca^'ou'-s did not fuccced, it was
accompanied wi.h aflurances, that
the t'riendftiip (ubfilVng between
the two nations fhould not be in-
terrupted.

Hew far this is true, appears
from the a(fliial Dec]ar;ition, an-
T\i uncing hollilities on the part of
Spain, without venturing to ftate
tl.e non-acceptance ct the terms
as one of the caufes of the war:
but fliould it be otheruife ir.finuat-
ed, it will furnilh his Majefty with
an additional reafon to complain of
the injuftice and arrogance of fuch
a prettnficn.

The previous caufes which the
Ccurt cf Spain hath thought pro-
per to urge, are, the infults againft
her flag, and the violadon on her
territory. As to the firft, thefe
are the terms of her memorial :
* Prizes have been made ; vefTels
have been fearched and plundered ;
many have been fired upon who
were forced to defend themfelves ;
the regiOers and packets belonging
to the Court, and found on board
his Catholic Majelty's packet-
boats, have been opened and torn
to pieces.'

All lorts of American veflels
have been received in the ports
of Spain ; they have been furnifh-
ed with falie documents, and fuf-
fered to carry Spanilh colours ;
their privateers have plundered
all nations without dillinftion,
and fuch has been the induiiry of
the Spanifti Miniflry, in order to
enhance the nrmber of grievances,
that thefe depredations were by
them reprefented as injuries com-
mitted by Great Britain. Thefe
complaints, which do not exceed
the number of twenty- four, fel-
dotn fpecify the author ofthefup-
poftd inlult, and thofe which did

were frequently ill - founded, and
in general frivolous ; hcwever, it
is granted that the anfwers were
amicable. The King thought it
worthy of himfelf not only to ufe
every precaution neceffary to pre-
vent diforders which might offend
neutral powers, but alio to exert
every tfiort to punilh the authors,
and repair the lofs of the fufferers.
Such hath been his coiiduft at all
times, when poffible to difcover and
convift the guilty.— Among the vaft
operations, fuch as in the prcfent
war, it is not furprifing that lome
irregularities have happened ; but
when fuch cafes were proved, refti-
tution was made with ample da-
mages, and all charges paid.

It has been advanced, * That his
Catholic Majefty formally declared
to the Court of London, ever fince
France commenced hollilitics, that
the Court of Madrid would regu-
late her condud by that of the
Court of Great Britain.' — Never-
thelefs thiiteen Englifh vefiels have
been feized, on wnat pretence, or
by whofe order, we are flill to
learn, although his Majelly order-
ed fuch reprefentations to be made,
as are ufual on the like occafions,
between nations in a Itate of amity ;
which his Majefty did, not attribut-
ing thefe feizures to a perfidious and
inimical defign, until the conduft of
the Court of Spain has been better
explained by the prefent Declara-
tion.

The pretended violation of the
Spanifh territory may be reduced to
four heads.

In the firft place it is faid,
' That the dominions in America,
belonging to the Court of Spain,
have been threatened,* without
fpecifying time, place, or circum-
flauce.

Secondly,

STATE PAPERS.

[3^

Secondly, the nr'tnorial men-
tions, ' That the Indians have been
fet againlt the innocent inhabitants
of Louifiana, vvho muft have fallen
. viflims to their fury, had not even
the Chaflaws repented, and re-
vealed the confpiracy.' — It is well
known that the Governor of New
Orleans tried to feduce the Chac-
taws, and that he received wi h
open arms thofe tribes which com-
mitted Jevaflations in the Engliih
Weftern fettlements. Theie tribes
returned, but were not fee againil
the Spanilh territory ; it was never
attempted, nor was fuch an idea
ever entertained.

The Declaration -afTerts, ' That
a formal -^eprefentation was made
to the Court of London concern-
ing thefs different grievances, and
feeing the equivocal expreffions on
the two preceding points, fuch
remonftrances were particularly
neceffary towards the ftri«il: obler-
vance of the good faith between
two nations at peace.' — It is not
true that the lea!t reprcientatioii
was ever made on either of the
two preceding articles, to which
the moll ample and facisfadory
anfwers might have been given.

Thirdly, they pretend, ♦ That
the fovereignty of his Catholic
Majefty, in the province of Da- .
rien, and on the coalt of Saint
Bias, hath been ufurped, the go-
vernment of Jamaica having ap-
pointed an Indian to the rank of
General over thofe provinces.'
— On this fubjed, inftrui^ions
were difpatched, bearing date the
28th of April laft, as is ufual be-
tween nations in fri-^ndihip; no
advices being received from Ja-
maica on this matter, frelh orders
were feqt for a full CAplanation,

but in point of time no anfwer could
yet be expefted.

fourth' y, ' That the ter'-i'-ory
in the Ba.y of H'^r.Juras has b ei
ufurped, aifls of hnftilities c m-
micted, thf Spaniards im^rifo eJ,
and their houfes plundered ; .s
alfo that Ei5rland had negieded
to fulfil the ftipulated article rela-
tive to this coaft, agreeable to the
17th article of t,ie treaty of Pa is
— With regard to tne Eng i;h fuo-
jecls frequenting the Biy of Hon-
duras, that matter had been regu-
lated according to the aforef'.id
article, and fi .ally adjufted with
the Court of Spain in the year
1764. Since which period no
complaint having been ma^e on
ei:her fide, this C^urt is ftill igno-
rant whether the leall caufe ever
exifted. — Surely this cannot be
included among the oretended
grievances which the Declaration
fuppofes, as having be:?n duly re-
preiented either to the Engliih
Court, or to her AmbalTador at tne
Cour: of Madrid.

Suc:i are the motives alledged
by the Court of S.iiin in the name
of his Cn'-holic Majefty, as a ju!li-
fication b fore God and the world,
for commencing holtilities againll
Great Britain. The King appeals
to the adual ftate of affairs, being
the fame as that which fubliited
fince the conclufion of the laft
treaty, as a fui} proof chat no at-
tempt was ever made on his part
to infringe tnis treaty, — He ap-
peals to his uniform conduct ever
(ince this epoch, to furnifh ftill
ftronger proofs that he ha:!i en-
deavoured to preferve the fame
with all the afliduity and care,
which the interefts of humanity
and the happinefs of his fubjetls

[5 ^] 3 required

39o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

required. — Ultimately, he' appeals
to the condud of his enemies, and
in particular to the aforcfaid De-
claration from the Court of Spain,
;is the lall proof of the neceflity he
is under to defend the rights of
his Crown and people, againll a
determined projeft to invade the
ianie; a projcdil wherein the Court
of Spain at length openly joins,
without the lead reafon to colour
fuch a proceeding.

A Manifesto pulUjhed at Paris,
dij playing the I^lotin.<es and Conduit
of his tiioji Chr.Jiian Majejiy to-
ivards England.

Translation.

WHEN the Sovereign Dif-
pofer of events called his
Majefty to the throne, France en-
joyed the moll: profound peace.
Tne firfl: concern of his Majefty
w/as to fjgnify to all the powers
of Europe, his _ fmcere defire,
that the bleflings of peace might
be perpetuated to his kingdom.
This gracious dlfpofition of his
Majefty was generally applaud-
ed ; the King of England in par-
ticular tellihed his fatisfaftion,
and gave his Majefty the moft
expreffive afTurances of fincere
friendftiip. Such a reciprocity of
fentiment juftified his Majefty in
believing that the Court of Lon-
don was at laft difpofed to adopt a
mode of condud more equitable
and friendly, than that which had
been adopted fiiice the conclufion
of the peace of 1763, and that a
final ftop would be put to tliofe
various acls of tyranny, which his
fubjects had in every quarter of
the globe e;£perienced on the part

of England, from the tera above
mentioned. His Majefty perfuad-
ed himfelf that he could ftill place
the greater reliance on the King
of England's proteftations, as the
primordial feed of the American
revolution began to unfold itfelf
in a manner highly alarming to
the intereft of Great Britain.

Bjc, the Court of London,
vainly imputing that to fear or
feeblencfs, which was only the
natural effedl of his Majefty 's pa-
cliic difpofition, ftridly adhered to
her cuflomary fyftem, and conti-
nued every haraliing aft of vio-
lence againll the commerce and
the navigation of his Majefty's
fubjefts. His Majefty reprefented
thefc outrages to the King of
England with the utmoft candour,
and judging of his fentiments by
his own, his Majefty had the
greateft confidence, that the griev-
ances would be no fooncr made
known to the King of England,
than he would redreis them. Nay,
further, his M-cijefty being tho-
roughly acquainted with the em-
barrafiment which the aft'airs of
North America had occafioned the
Court of London, charitably for-
bore to increafe that embarraff-
ment, by infifting too haftily on
thofc reparations of injuries which
the Englifli Minifters had never
ceafed to promife, nor ever failed to
evade.

Such was the pofition of affairs
between the two Courts, when the
meafurcs of the Court of London
compelled the Englifa colonifts to
have recourfe to- arms to preferve
their rights, their privileges, and
their liberty. The whole world
knows the asra when this brilliant
event flione forth; the multiplied
and unfuccefsful efforts made by

the

STATE PAPERS.

D91

the Americans to be reinftated in
the bofom of their mother-country;
the difdainful manner in whicT they
were fpurned by England ; and
finally, the aft of independence,
which was at length, and could not
but have been the neceifary refult of
this treatment.

The war in which the United
States of North America found
themfelves involved, with regard
to England, neceflaiily compelled
thorn to explore the means of
forming connei!\ions with the other
powers of Europe, and of opening
a direiTl commerce wi;h tl^em. His
Majefly would have negledcd the
moft eflential int'erefts of his king-
dom, were he to 'have refufed the
Americans admiffion into his ports,
cr that participation of commercial
advantages which is enjoyed by
every other nation.

This condudt, fo much the re-
fult of iuftice and of wifdom, was
adopted by far the greater part of
the commercial ilates of Europe;
yet it gave occafion to tne Court
of London, to prefer her repre-
fentations, and give vent to all
the bitternefs of complaint. She
imagined, no dcubty that ihe had
but to employ her ufaal ftyle of
haughtinefs and ambition, to ob-
tain of France an unbounded de-
ference to her will. But, to the
moll unreafonable propofitions, and
the ^ moft intemperate meafures,
his Majefty oppofed nothing but
the calmnefs of jurtice, and the
moderation of reafon. His Ma-
jcAy • gave the King of England
plainly to underftand, that he nei-
ther was, nor did he pretend to
be, a judge of the difputes with
his colonies : much lefs would it
become his Majclty to avenge his
quarrel ; that in ' confequence his

Majefty was under no obligation
to treat the Americans as rebels ;
to exclude them from his ports,
and to prohibit them from all com-
mercial intercourfe with his fub-
jedts. Notwithftanding, his Ma-
jerty was very ready to Ihackle, as
much as depended on him. the
exportation of arms and military
ftorcs ; and gave the moll pofitive
affurance, not only that he would
not protedt this fpecies of com-
merce, but that he would alfo al-
low England free permiflion to
ftop thofe of his fubjedts who
Ihould be deteifted in carrying on
fuch illicit traffic, obferving only
the faith of treaties, and the laws
and the ufages of the fea. His
Majefty wertt flill further: he was
fcrupuloully exafl in obferving
every commeicial ftipulation in
the treaty of Utrecht, although it
was daily violated by the Court of
London ; and England, at the very
time, had refufed to ratify it in
all its parts. As a confequence
of the amicable part thus taken by
his Majeily, he interdifted the
American privateers from arming
in his sports ; he would neither
fuffer them to fell their prizes,
nor to remain one moment longer
in the ports of France, than was
conliilent with the ftipulations of
the above treaty. His Majeily
Ilridlly enjoined his fubje<5ls not to
purchafe fuch prizes ; and in cafe
of difobedience, they were threat-
ened with confifcation. Tncfe
ac>s, on the part of his Majeily,
had the defired effed. But all
thefe acls didinguilhed as well by
their ccndcrcenfioii, as by their
ftricl adherence to the fpirit and
letter of a treaty, which his Ma-
jelly (had he been fo difpofed)
mieht have ccnlidered as non-
[B l>] 4 exiding

ANNUAL REGISTER,

39^-3

exifting; all thefe afts were far
from latisfying the Court of Lon-
don. That Court affcfted to con-
fider his Majelly as refponfible for
all tranfj^reflions, although the
King of England, notwithltanding a
folcmn ail of parliament, could not
himl'elf prevent his own merchants
from furniftiing the North Ameri-
can colonies with merchandize and
even military ftores.

It is eafy to conceive how the
refufal of yielding to the afluming
demands, and arbitrary preten-
fions of England, would mortify
the felf-fufficiency of that Power,
and revive its ancient animofity to
France. She was the more irri-
tated from her having begun to
experience feme checks in Ame-
rica, which prognofticated to her
the irrevocable feparation of her
colonies ; and from foreleeing the
inevitable calamities and lofTes fol-
lowing fuch a feparation ; and ob-
ferving France profiling by that
commerce, which fhe, with an in-
ccnfiderate hand, had thrown
away, and adopting every means
to render her flag refpeftable.

Thefe are the combined caufes
which have increafed the defpair of
the Court of London, and have
led her to cover the feas with her
privateers, furnifhed with letters
of marque conceived in the mod
offenfive terms ; to violate without
fcruple the faith of treaties, to
liarafs, under the mod frivolous
and abfurd pretences, the trade
and navigation of his Majefty's
-fubjetfts; to afTume to herielf a
tyrannical empire of the fea ; to
prefcrihe unknown and indmif-
fible laws and rcgulaticn^ ; to in-
fult on many occafjons his Ma-
jefty's flag; in fhort, to infringe
on his territories, as well in Eu-

'779-

rope as in America, in the mofl:
marked and charaderiftic ftyle of
iufult.

If his Majefty had been lefs at-
tentive to the facred rights of hu-
manity; if he had been more pro-
digal of the blood of his fubje£ls :
in fhort, if, inftead of following
the benevolent impulfe of his na-
ture, he had fought to avenge
wounded honour, he could not
have hefitated a moment to make
ufe of reprifals, and to repel thofe
infults which had been offered to
his dignily, by the force of his
arms. But his Majefty ftiflcd even
his juft refentments. He was de-
firous that the meafure of his
goodnefs might overflow, becaufe
he ftill retained fuch an opinion
of his enemies, as to expedl, they
would yield that to moderation and
amicable adjullment on his part,
which their own interefts required
of them.

It was thefe confiderations which
moved his Majefty to detail the
whole of his complaints to the
Court of London. This detail
was accompanied with the moft fe-
rious reprefentations, his Majefty
being defirous that the King of
England fnould not be left in any
uncertainty, as to his Majefty's
aflual determination to maintain
his own dignity inviolate ; to pro-
tect the rights and interefts of his
fubjefls ; and to render his flag
refpedable. But the Court of
London afFefled to obferve an of-
fenfive filence on every grievance
reprcfented by his Majefty's Am-
baftador; and when it was deter-
mined to vouchfafe an anfwer, it
v/ris an eafy matter to deny the
b-jfi authenticated fadts ; to ad-
vance principles contrary to the
law of nauonsj to pofuive treatiei,

to

STATE PAPERS.

l393

to marine ufage ; and to encourage
judgments without juftice, and
confifcations without mercy, not
leaving the injured even the means
of appeal. At the fame time that
the Court of London put the mo-
deration and forbearance of the
ELing to the feverell trial, in the
ports of England there were pre-
parations making and armaments
equipping, which could not have
America for their Objed; the de-
sign was too determinate to be
millaken. His Majefty, there-
fore, found it indifpenfable to make
fuch difpofuions on his part, as
might be fufficient to prevent the
evil defigns of his enemy, at the
fame time provide againlt depre-
dations and infults fimilar to thofe
committed in 1755.

In this ftate of things his Ma-
jefly, who had hitherto rcjeded
the overtures of the United S:ates
of North America, (and that in
contradidion to his moll prefTing
interelh) now perceived that he
had not a moment to lofe in con-
cluding a treaty with them. Their
independence had been declared
and ertablifhed; England herfelf
had in fome fort recognized that
independence, by permitting the
exiftence of afts which carried
every implication of fovereignty.
Had it been the intention of his
Majefty to deceive England, and
to adopt meafures for the purpoie
of covering the deception, he
might have drawn the veil offe-
crely over his engagements with
his now allies; but the principles
of juftice, which have everdircdled
his MajeOy, and his fmcere defire
6f prelerving peace, were decifive
inducements for him to purfue a
coadudt more generous and noble:
his Majefty conceived it a duty

which he owed to himfelf, to no-
tify to the King of England the
alliance he Jiad formed with the
United States. Nothing could be
more fimple or lefs ofFnfive than
the Refcript delivered by his Ma-
jefty's Ambaflador to the Britifli
Minifter. But the Council of St-
James's were not of tins opinion ;
and the King of England, after
having fii-ft broken the peace, by
recalling his Ambaflador, announ-
ced to his Parliament the Dtcla-
ration of his Majefty, as an «^ of
hoftility, as a formal and premedi-
tated aggreflion. It would be in-
fulting credulity to fuppofe it can
be believed, that his Majefty's re-
cognition of the ir.dependence of
the Thirteen United Spates of
America, Ihould of itfelf have fo
irritated the King of England;
that Prince, without doubt, is
well acquamted with all thofe in-
ftances of the kind which not only
the Britiih annals, but his own
reign, can furnifh. His refent-
ment is founded on another prin-
ciple. The French treaty defeat-
ed and rendered ufeleis the plan
formed at London, for the fudden
and precarious coalition that was
about to be formed w;th America,
and it baffled thofe fecret projects
adopted by his Britannic Majefty
for that purpofe. The real caufe
of that extreme animofity which
the King of England has manifeft-
cd, and which he has communi-
cated to his Parliament, was the
not being able to regain America,
and turn her arms againft France.

A condud thus extraordinary,
taught his Majelty what he had to
expejSl from tiie Court of London;
and, even had there remained a
poffibility of doubt, the immenfe
preparations carrying on in the
different

394] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

different ports, cf England with
jcdonblcd vigour, \\ouId have
cleared up the doubt. Meafures
k) manit'elily dircfted againit
t ranee, had the cSetl cf impoling
a law en his Majelty ; he ppt him-
ifU" in a condition to repel ibrcc by
force ; it was with this view that
he haftened the equipment of his
armaments, and that he difpatch^d
a Iquadron to America under the
command of Comple d'Eitaing.

It is notorious that the a'-ma-
jnents of France were in a ccndi-
tion to aft offenfively, long before
ihofe of England were prepared.
3t was in his Majelly's power to
have made a fuddcn and a moft
fcnfible impreffion on England.
The King was avowedly engaged
in the enterprize, and his plans
were on the point of being carried
into execution, when the bare'
whifper of peace flayed his hand,
and fufpended their execution.
His Catholic Majeily imparted to
the King, the defire of the Court
of London to avail hcrfclf of the
mediation of Spain on the fub]ed
cf conciliation. But his Catholic
Majefty would not engage to ad
as mediator, without a previous
aiTurance of his good oSices be-
ing unequivocally accepted, in a
cafe where he interpcfed without
being n:^;ade acquainted with the
principal objefts, which were to
ferve as the baiis of the negocia-
tion.

The King received the overture
with a fatisfaflion propcrtiorcd to
the wifh he had uniformly exprcf-
fed for the Cfwiinuance rf peace.
Nptwiihftanding the King of
Spain had prcfcHed it to be a
matter of perfect indifference to
'h\m, whether his mcdiaiicn was
accepted or i;Ot; £r.d that, aot-

withflanding the overtures, he
made, he left the King, his ne-
phew, entirely at liberty to ad as
he thought proper; yet his Ma-
jefly not only conlentcd to the me-
diation, but he immediately coun-
termanded the failing of the B-eft
fleet, and he agreed to communi-
cate his conditions of peace the
moment that England Tnould ex-
prefs, in pofi.tive terms, a defire of
reconciliation, in which the United
S.atcs of North America were to
be comprehended, France by no
means entertaing an idea of a-
bandoning them : there could not
furely be any thing more conforno-
able to the offenfible wilhes of the
Court of London, than this pro-
pcfal. His Catholic Majedy lofl
not a moment to difcufs the buli-
nefs with the King of England
and his Mini.Rer; but it was
quickly dlfcovered bv the Court of
Madrid, that the Englifh Mini-
Hers were not fincere in their over-
lures for peace. The Britifh Mi-
nifler talked exprefsly of his Ma-
jefly ^'ithdravving the Relcript
which had been delivered by his
AmbaCadcr on the jjthofMarchj
1778, as a preliminary and abfo-
lutely nectfTary ftep to reconcilLn-
tion. Such an anfwer was injurious
to Spain as well as to France; and
it developed the hoilile intentions
of England, in the clearefl point
of view. .Both monarchs viewed
each ether with amazement; and
although his Majefty (always ani-
mated with the iove of peace) lefs
the Catholic King to a6l as he
thought moft prudent with refpeft
to continuing his mediation, yet
he judged k expedient to com-
mand his Charge des Aftaires at
London, to obferve a profound
lilence en the fubjed.

The

STATE PAPERS.

The hope of peace continued,
however, to flutter the difpoiition
of his Majelly, until the fleets
commanded by the AJmirals Kep-
pel and Byron failed out of port.
Then it was th:u the veil of de-
ception, which had ferved to cover
the real intentions of the Court of
London, was rent afunder. It was
no longer poffible to place confi-
dence in her infidious profeffior.s,
nor could the aggrcffive defign of
England be any longer doubted.
The face of things being thus
changed, his Maje'.ly found him-
felf obliged to make. an alteration
in thoic meafures he had previ-
oufly adopted, for the fecurity of
his po/TclIions, and to preferve the
commerce of his fubjecls. The
event will very foon demonftrate
"his Majefty's forefight to have been
juft. The world can witnefs in
what manner his Majefty's frigate
the Belle Poiils was attacked by an
Engliin frigate, within view of
the co:ifi: of France ; nor is it
lefs notorious that two other fri-
gates, and a fmaller veffel, were
fi-rprifjd and carried into the ports
of England. The departure of
the fleet under Compte d'Orvilliers
became abfolutely neceiTgry to
fruftate the defigns of the ene-
iTiies of his Majefty's Crown, and
to revenge the infults his dag had
received. Providence difpol'cd the
.triumph in favour of his Majefty's
arms; Compte d'Orvilliers, aher
being attacked by the Englifh
i-leet, forced them to retreat with
confiderable damage.

Since that period hoftilities have
been continued without any decla-
ration of war. The Court of Lon-
don has not declared itj becaufe
fhe vvouid be wanting in reafons to
ju.lify her condudl. Nor has fhe

dared to accufe France publickly of
being liie aggreflbr, after tiiree of
his Majefty's vefiels had been cap-
tured by the Enj^lilh fleet ; and
fhe felt that fhe would have ample
caufe to blulh, when the execution
of thofe orders {he had fen: clan-
deftinely to India Ihould have
opened the eyes of all Europe to
the degree of reliance which can
be placed in her pacific profeffions,
and (liould have enabled every
power in it to determinj, to which
of the two powers, France or F.no-_
land," the term of perfJious mofl
properly applies, an epithet which
the Englilh Minifter lofes no
opportunity of beitowing upoa
France.

As to the King, if he has de-
ferred notifying to the world the
multiplied injuries he has fuftained
from the Court of London; if he
has delayed demonftratirig the ab-
folute recefiity of his having re-
courfe to arms;^fuch a procraiH-
nation on the part.of his Majefty,
has been owing to a fond hope
that the Engliili Minifter would at
laft recollect himfejf, and, that ei-
ther juftice, or the more critical
Ctuation into which he has plunged
his country, would have prevailed
on him to change his conduct.

This hope appeared to have
been the better founded, as the
Englllh Minifler was continually
difpatching his emiffaries to found
his Majelly's difpohrions, at the
very time the King of Spam wa-s
negociating with him for peace.
His Majefty, ib far from belyinj^
thofe fentiments which he had al-
ways exprefic-d, liftencd with ea-
gernefs to the advice of the King
his uncle ; and, to convince that
Prince of his perfcvering iincerity,
his Majefty entrulted him, without
rckrve.

2^G] ANNUAL R

rcfcrvf, with thofe very moderate
conditions, on which his M;!J<?lly
would moll gladly have laid down
his arms.

The Catholic King communi-
cated lo the Court ct" London the
aiTurances he had received from
his Majefty, and he urged that
Court to perfed the reconciliation
which flic had long fo earnelHy af-
fetied to defire. But the Englifh
Minxfter, although conftantly feign-
ino- a dcfire ot peace, never re-
turned an ingenuous anlwer to the
King of Spain, hut was perpetu-
ally infulting his Catholic Ma-
jeftv, with a tender of inadmiflible
propofitions, quite foreign to the
fubjedof difpute.

It was now clear, from the mcfl
indifputable evidence, that Eng-
land did r.ot wilh for peace, and
ti^at fhe negodated for tio other
jmrpofe but to gain tirtne to make
the neceflary preparations for war.
The King of Spain was perfeftly
fenfible of this truth; nor was he
lefs fenfible how much his own
dignity was committed; yet his
heart aniicip'^ted the calamities of
war, and he forgot his own wrongs
in his anxious wifh for peace. He
everv fuggcfted a new plan of a
ceiFation of arms for a term of
years. This plan was perie&\y
agreeable to his Majeity, on con-
dition, that the United States of
America fhould be comprifed in
the propofil, and that, during the
truce, they {hould be treated as
independent. To render it more
eafy for the King of England to
fobfcribe to this elTential iUpula-
tion, his Majeily confentcd that
he fliould either treat immediately
with Congrefs, or through the me-
diation of the King of Spain.

la ccnfequence ot ihefe ever-

EGISTER, 1779.

tures, his Catholic Majeily dif-
patched his plan to the Court of
London. Befides the time limited
for the fuCpenfion of hoftilitics
(during which the United States
were to be conGdcred as indepen-
dent de faSlo) his Catholic Majef-
ty took it on himfelf to propo'e,
relative to America, that each
party Ihould have the poflVUion of
whtit they occupied at the time of
figning the treaty of fufpenfion,
guaranteed to th^'m. Snch infinite
pains did the King of Spain take
to flop the efFufion of human
blood \

Taere is not a doubt but that
thefe conditions mult appear, to
every well-judging perfon, fuch as
would have been accepted; they
were, however, formally rejitSl-^d
by the Court of London, nor has
that Court fliewn any difpofition
to peace, unlcfs on the abfurd
condition that his Majefly fhould
abandon the Americans, and leave
them to thernfelves.

After this afHiding declaration,
the continuation of the war is be-
come inevitable ; and therefore
his Majefly has invited the Catho-
lic King to join him in virtue of
their reciprocal engagements, to
avenge their refpiftive injuries,
and to put an end to that tyranni-
cal empire which England has
ufurpcd and pretends to maintain
upon the ocean.

This fuccinifl expofure of the
political views, and the progrefhve
fcries of events which have occa-
fioned the prefent rupture between
the Courts of Verfailles and Lon-
don, will enable all Eupope to
draw a parallel between the con-
duit of his Majfcjly, and that of
tlie King of England; to render
juiiicc to the purity and diredtnei's

of

STATE PAPERS.

[397

of intention, which, during the of all nations, will never regard
whole of the difpute, has charafter- profeflions; and it is from the

ifed his Maielly; and finally, all
Europe will" be enabled by this
publication to judge, which of ihe
two Sovereigns is the real author
of the war which affiids their

aftini.s of Princes, that they ought
to judge of the motives of their
condiid, and the feniimencs of their
hearts.

When the King afcended the

kingdoms ; and which of the two throne, he enjoyed the fuccefs of
potentates will be anfvverable at his arms in the tour quarters of the
fhe tribunal of Heaven, for that world 1 His moderation re - efta-
train of calamities occafioaed by blilhed public tranquillity, at the
the war ! ' ^^'"^ ^""^ ^*'^^ ^^ lupported with
Paris lyq. firmntfs the glory of liis crown,
Publij'hed by authority. and procured the moll folid advan-
tages to his people. Experience
— ' — — |,,^^j ^3jght him how bitter and af-

iNG Memorial*./ fl'^^''"g f^'" ^1^« ^f"''^^ °^ 7"f3^
are; and how much wars, whether

happy or unfuccefsful, exhauft a

people without aggrandizing their

The Justify

the King of Great Britain, in ^""^
jinfwer to the Exposition, C5r.
of the Court 0/^ France.

TH E ambition of a power,
ever a foe to public tran-

Princes. His adions proved to
the world, that he knew the value
of peace, and it was at leaft to bs

quil'.ity, hath at length obliged prefumed, that that reafon whicii
the 'King of Great Britain to em- had enlightened him to dilcera
ploy the llrength which God and the inevitable calamities of war,
his people have confided to him, and the dangerous vanity of con-
in a juil and lawful war. — It is in quell, infpired him with the iincere
Vain that France endeavours to juf- and unlh?i:en refolution of main-
tify, or rather dilguire, in the eyes taining the public repofe, of whicli
of Europe, by her laft Manifefto, he was himfelf the author and
the politics which feem to be die- guarantee. • Thefe principles were
tated by pride and cunning, but the foutidatlons of that condudl
which cannot be reconciled with which his Majefty held invariably
the truth cf fads, and the rights for the fifteen years which followed

of nations. That equity, mode-
ration, and love of peace, which
have always regulated the fteps ol
the King, now engage him to
fubmit the condud of himfelf and
his enemies, to the judgment of a

the peace concluded at Paris ia
1763 ; that happy sra of quiet and
happinefs, will be prelerved for a
long time, by the recollection, per-
haps the regret, of the European
nations. The inftrudlions of the

free and rcfpedable tribunal, which King to all his Ambaifadors, were

will pronounce, without fear or imprcfied with the marks cf his

flattery, the decree of Europe to charader and maxims.

the prefent age, and co pofterity. , He recommended it to them, as

This tribunal, compofed of the the mod important part of their

underltanding and dilinterefted men duty, to iiften, with the moll licru-

* Although this Memorial has not b^en formally avowed, its authrntlcity Is
not doubted.

pulcus

:j9S] annual register, 1779.

pulous attention, to the com-
plaints and repreientatlons of the
powers, his neighbours or allies ;
to ftifle ill the beginning, all
grounds of quarrel that miglit em-
bitter or alienate the minds of
men ; to turn afide the Icourge of
war, by every expedient compa-
tible with the dignity of the Sove-
reign of a rerpei::table nation ; and
to inlpire all people with a jult
confidence on the political fyftem
of a Court which detelted war,
without fearing it ; which em-
ployed no other means than thofe
of realon and fiacerity, and which
had no otiH-r objed, but the ge-
neral tranquillity. In the midft of
this calai, the firfl: fparks of dif-
cord were kindled in America.
The intrigues of a few bold and
criminal leaders, who abufed the
credulous (implicity of their coun-
trymen, infenfibly feduced the
rreateft part of the Englilh Colo-
nies to raife the ftandurd of revolt
againft the Mother Country, to
which they were indebted for their
cxirtence and their happmcfs. The
Court of Verfailles eafiiy forgot
the faith of treaties, the duties of
allies, and the right of Sovereigns,
to endeavour to profit oi^ circum-
ilances, which appeared favourable
to its ambitious defigns. It did
not blufli to debafe its dignity, by
the fecret conne*.'Vioas it formed
with rebellious fubjefts ; and after
having exhaulled ail the (hamcful
refources of perfidy and diffimuia-
tion, it dared to avow, in the face
of Europe (full of indignation at
i'.s condud) the folemn treaty
which the IVIimllers of the Molt-
Chriftian King had figned v/ith
the dark agents oi the Knglilh
Colonies, wiio founded tneir pre-
tended independence en nothing
but the daringncfs of their rsvoit.

The olFenfive Declaration vvhicll
the MarOjuis de Noaillcs was or-
dered to make to the Court of
London, on the 13th of March,
in the lall year, authorized his
Majcfty to repel by force of arms,
the unheard-of inluk that was of-
fered to the honour of his crown ;
and the King remembered, on that
important occalion, what he owed
his fubjcds ;xnd himfelf. The
fame fpirit of innpoilure and am-
bition continued to reign in the
councils of France.— Spain, who
has, more than once, repented
having ncglefted her true interefls,
to ibllow blifidly the deilruftive
proje£ts of the elder branch of the
Houfe of Bourbon, was engaged
to change the part of mediator, hr
that of enemy of Great Britain.
The calamities of war are multi-
plied, but the Court of Verfailles
hath, hitherto, nothing to boaft of
the fuccefs of its miiitary opera-
tions; and .Europe knows well
how to rate thofe naval victories,
which exift no where but in the
Gazertes and Manifellos of pre-
tended conquerors.

Since war and peace impofe on
nations duties entirely different,
and even oppofite, it is indiipen-
libly neceflary to dilfinguifli, in
reasoning as well as in condiift^
the two conditions : but in the lall
Manifelto, publi'hed by France,
tliefe two conditions are perpetu-
ally confounded : fhe pretends to
juilify her conduiSl in making the
bed, by turns, nay, almoft nt the
fiime time, of thofe rights which
an enemy only is permitted to
claim, and of thofe maxims which
regulate the obligations and pro-
cedure of national friendlhip. Tiie
finefie of the Court of Verfailles,
in blending incefTantly two iup-
pcfiticns, which have m connec-
tion.

STATE PAPERS.

1399

tion, is the natural confequence
of a falfe and treacherous policy,
whicli cannot bear the light of the
day. The fentirrients and condudl
of the King have nothing to fear
from the moit fc^-'/ere fcrutiny;
but, on the contrary, invites it to
diftinguiHi clearly what his ene-
mies have confounded with fo
much artifice. Jtiilics atone can
fpeak, without fear, the language
of reafon and truth.

The full julHfication of his Ma-
jelly, and the indelible condem-
nation of France, may be reduced
to the proof of two fimple, and
aimoft felf-ev'ident principles. —
Firft, That a profound, permanent,
and, on the part of England, a
fincere and true peace, fubiiited
between the two nations, when
France formed connections with
the revolted Colonies, fccret at
firft, but afterwards public and
avowed.— Second, That according
to the beft acknowledged maxims,
of the rights of nations, and even
according to the tenor of treaties
adually fubfiiling between the two
crowns, thefe connedlions might
be regarded as aa infradllon of
the peace : and the public avowal
of thefe connei'Hons was equivalent
to a declaration of war on the part
of the Moil Chriftian King. — This
is, perhaps, the firft time that a re-
fpedable nation had an occafion to
prove two truths, fo inconteftibie,
. the memory of which is already
acknowledged by every difintereiied
and unprejudiced perfon.

" When Providence called the
King to the throne, France enjoy-
ed a raoft profound peace.- TheTe
are the cxpreffions of the laft Ma-
nifel^o of the Court of Vcrfailles,
which caGly remembers the folemn
affurances of a fincere frieadfhip.

and the moft paci.ic difpofition
which it Ticcived from his Britan-
nic Majefty, and which were often
renewed by the intervention of
Ambaffadors to the two Courts,
during four years, until the fatal
and decifive moment of the De-
claration of the Marquis de Ncail-
les. The qucftion, then, is to
prove, that, during this happy
time of general tranquillity, Eng-
land concealed a fecrst war under
the appearance of peace; and that
her unjuft and arbitrary procedure
was carried to fuch a pitch, as to
render lawful, on the part of
Fiance, the boldeft fteps, whicii
are permiffable only in a declared
enemy. To attaia this objed,
griefs clearly articulated ar,d folidly
ellablilhed, iht^uld be produced be-
fore the tribunal of Europe. This
great tribunal will require formal^
and, perhaps, repeated proofs of
the injury, of the complaint, of
a refufal of competent fausfaiflion,
and of a proteftation of theinjured
party, that it held itfelf highly of-
fended by fuch refufal, and that it
fhould look upon itfelf hereafter as
releafed from the duties of friend-
fhip, and the bonds of treaties.
Tbofe nations which refredi the
fan£iity of oaths, and the advan-
tages of peace, are the floweft to
catch hold of opportunities which
fecm to difcharge them from a
facred and folemn obligation; and
it is but with trembling that they
dare to renounce the friend{hip of
powers, from which they have loiig
borne irjuHice and infult.

But the Court of Verfailles hath
been either ignorant of thefe wife
and faliitary principles, or it hath
defpifed them ; and, jnik-ad of
iixing the foundations of a jull
and legitimate war, it bath con-

tentei

4C0] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

tented iifelf to fprcad through eve-
ry pa£je of its Manifello, general
and vague complaints, exprtfled
with exaggerations in a metapho*
rical Ihlc.— It goes above three-
fcore years back to accuie England
of her want of care lo ratify feme
commercial regulations, fonie ar-
ticles of the treaty of Utrecht. It
prefumes to reproach the King's
minillers with ufing the language
of hanghtinefs and ambition, with-
out condel'cending to the duty of
proving imputations as unlikely as
they are odious. The free iup-
pofitions of the ambition, and in-
lincerity of the court of London,
are confefTedly healed up, as if
they feared to be difcriminated j
the pretended infults which the
commerce, the flag, and the terri-
tories of France, have undergone,
are infmuated in a very oblcure
manner, and at laft there efcapes
an avowal of the engagement
which the mod Chriftian King
had already made with Spain, " to
avenge their refpedive wrongs,
and pat bounds to the tyrannical
empire which England had uiurped,
and pretended to maintain over
every fea."

It is difficult to encounter phan-
toms, or to anfwer clofely and
precifely to the language of decla-
mation. The juft confidence of
the King, would doubilefs dcfire
to fubmit to the ftriftelt examina-
tion, thofe vague complaints, thofe
pretended wrongs, upon which the
court of Verfailles has fo prudent-
ly avoided to explain itfelf, with
that clearnefs and particularity
which alone could fupport its rea-
fons, and excufe its condud. Dur-
ing a fifteen years peace, the in-
terefls of two poweiful, and per-
haps jealous nsiions, which ap-

proached in fo many, places in the
old and new world, would inevi-
tably furnifh fubjedls of complaint
and difcufllon, wliich a reciprocal
moderation would always know
how to fettle, but which are but
too eafily fliarpened and impoifon-
td by the real hatred, or affefted
lufpicions, of a fecret and ambi-
tious enemy: and the troubles of
America were but too apt to mul-
tiply the hopes, the pretexts, and
the unjuft pretenfions of France.
Neverthelefs, fuch has been the
ever uriform, and ever peaceable
condud of the King and his mini-
fters, that it hath often filenced
his enemies; and if it may be per-
mitted to difcover the true fenfe
of thefe indefinite and equivocal
accufations, whofe Itudicd obfcu-
rity betrays the features to fhame
and artifice — if it may be permit-
ted of contefted cbjefts which have
no exiflence, it may be affirmed
with the boldnefs of truth, that
feveral of thefe pretended injuries,
are announced for the firft time,
in a declaration of war, without
having been propoled to the court
of London, at a time when they
might have been confidered with
the ferious and favourable atten-
tion of friendfliip. Jn refpedt to
thofe complaints which the am-
bafladors of his moft Chriftian Ma-
jelly have communicated from time
to time to the King's minifters, it
would be eafy to give, or rather
to repeat fatisfadory aniwers, which
would demonflrate, to the eyes of
France herfelf, the King's mode-
ration, his love of jullice, and the
fincerity of his dilpofition to pre-
ferve the general tranquillity of
Europe. Thofe complaints, which
the court of Verfailles may difpenfe
with recollcding, were very rarely
founded

STATE PAPERS.

[401

founded in truth and reafon ; and
it was moft generally found thac
thoie perfons in Europe, America,
or on the feas, from whom an ill-
founded and fuff-eded intelligence
was derived, had not been afraid
to abufe the confidence of France,
the better to ferve her feciet inten-
tions.

If fome fadls, which Frar.ce en-
hanced as the ground of her com-
plaints, were built on a lefs brittle
foundation, the King's minifters
cleared them without delay, by a
rnoll clear and eniire jullification
of the motives and rights of the:r
Sovereign, who might puniih a
contraband trade on his coall, with-
out wounding the public repofe ;
and to whom the law of nations
gave a lawful right to feize all vef-
fels which carried arms or war-
like floras to his enemies, or re-
bellious fubjeifts. The courts of
juilice were always open to indivi-
duals of all narions, and thofe
muit be very ignorant of the Bri-
tiih conftitution, who fuppoie that
the royal authority was capable to
fhut out the means of an appeal.
In the veil and extended theatre of
the operations of a naval war, :he
mofl aclive vigilance, and the molt
fleady authority, are unable to
cifcover or fapprefs every diforder ;
but every time that the court of
Verfailles was able to ellabliin the
truth of any real injuries that its
fubjefts had fuftained, wiihout the
knowledge or approbation of the
King, his Majefly gave the moll
fpeedy and efFeflual orders to ftop
an abufe, which injured his own
dignity, as well as the intereft of
his neighbours, who had been in-
Tolved in the calamities of war.
The object and importance of this
war will fufBce to fhtw all Eu-
VoL. XXlL

rcpe, on what principles the poli-
tical proceedings of England oughc
to be regulated. Is it iikely, that
whilll England employed her forces
to bring the revolted colonies of
America back to their duty, ihe
(hould have chofen that moment to
irritate the moil: refpectable powers
of Europe, by the injullice and vio-
lence of her conduftr Equity hath
always governed the fentiments
and condufl of the King; but oa
this important occafion, his very
prudence is a warrant for his fin-
cerlty and moderation.

But to eftablifh cle."rly the paci-
fic fylle n that fubfiib between the
two nations, nothing more is want-
ing than to appeal to the very
teltimony of the court of Ver-
failles. At the very time in which
it doth not blufh to place all the;e
pretended infractions of the public
peace, which wou'd have engaged
a Prince lefs fparing of his fub*-
jetfts blood, to make, without he-
fuation, reprifals, and to repel in-
(ult by force of arms, the miniller
of the raoft ChrilHan King fpoke
the language of con.^jdence and
friendlhip. Inftead of denouncin?
any defign of vengeance, with thac
haughty tone, which at leait fpares
injufiice from the reproaches of
perfidy and diilimalation, the
court of Verfailles concealed the
mofl: treacherous conduct under the
fmoothcit profeflions. But thoie
very profeflions ferve, at prefent,
to belie its declaration, and to call
to mind thofe fentiments which
ought to have regulated its con-
dudl. if the court of Verfailles
is unwilling to be accufed of a dif-
fimulation unvvorthy of its gran-
deur, it will be forced to acknow-
ledge, that till the moment thac
it diftate4 to the Marquis de

[C r] Noailles,

402] ANNUAL R EG ISTILU, 1779.

Noailles, that dcj||^v-ation. which
has been receiv-d nTihe lijnal of
war, it did not kno'.v any grounds
of complaint, fufficiently real or
important, to air.hori^e a violation
of the obligations of peace, and the
faith of treaties, to which it h.id
fworn in the face of heaven and
earth; and to difcngage from tliat
^mitv, to which, ro the !alt momenr,
Jt had repeated the moil fo'.cnin and
lively aiuiranccs.

When an adverfary is incapable
of ju{lit>ing his violence in the
public opinion, or even in his own
eves, by the injuries which he pre-
tends to have receive*.^, he has re-
courfe to the chimerical danger to
which his patience nvght have
been expcfed ; and in the place cf
facts, of which i^e is totally un-
provided, he endeavours to lublti-
tute a vain picture, which hath
exiftence only in his own imagina-
tion, perhaps his own heart. The
n-iinifler of the moit Chriitian
King, who feems to have f«;lt the
weakncls of the means they wee
forced to employ, yet mbde im-
potent eiForts to fupport thofe
itieans, by the moft odious and
anaccuantable fufpicions. " The
court of London made prepara-
tions in its ports, and armament5,
which could not have America for
their object. Their intention was,
confeq'.iently, too well determined
for the King to raiilake them,
Tnd from thence it became their
iuty to mak" fuch difpofitions, as
were capable of preventing the
evil defigns of his enemy, &c. —
In this itate of affairs, the King
found he had not a moment to
lofe." This is the langqage of
Treuice ; now we will ftiew that of
truib. '

Daring the difpu'es wfuch had

arifcn between Great Britain and
her colonies, the court of Vcr-
failles applied itfelf, with tne
luoit lively and determined ardor,
to the augmentation of her ma-
rine. The King did not '* pre-
tend to reign as a tyra.t of the
feas," bnt knows th".t, at all
times, maritime forces have con -
I'viiuted the glory and iafeiy of his
tloininions ; and that they have
often protefled the. liberty 0*1 Ej-
rope, againit the ambitious Itate,
which ha;h fo long laboured to fub-
due it.

A fenfe of l-is dignity, and a
ji.iit knowKc'je ot bib duty and his
intercll, engaged his Majeily to
watch, with an attentive eye, ever
the proceedings of France, whofe
dangerous policy, without a mo-
tive, and without an enemy, pre-
cipitated the building and arming
of fliips in all her ports ; and which
employed a confiderab'e part of
her revenues in the expence of
thofc military preparations, the
neceility or object of which it was
impoiiible to declare. In that con-
juncture the King could not avoid
following the coanlcl of his pru-
dence, and the example of his
neighbours. The fucceflive aug-
mentation of their marine fervcd
as a rule for his ; and without
wounding the refpecl that he owed
to friendly powers, his Majcfty
declared publicly to his patiia-
nient, that England fhould be in
a refpeftable Itate of defence.
The naval force which he had fo
carefully ilrengthened, was de-
f'gncd only to maintain the gene-
ral tranquillity of Europe ; and
whiirt the diAates of his own con-
fcience difpolld the King to give
credit to the profeffions of tlie
<.<io.v. of Verfaiiles, he prepared to

have

STATE PAPERS.

[403

Slave nothing to fear from the per-
fidious deligns of its ambition.
Fmnce now dares to fu'ppole that
the King, *' inilead of confining
himfelf within the liraits of a law-
ful defence, gave himfelf up to a
hope of conqued, and that the
reconciliation of Great Britain with
her colonics, announced, on her
part, a fixed projccl of re-allying
them with her crown, to arm ihem
againrt France." Since, then,
that the court of Veriailles cannot
excufe i'.s procedure, but in fa-
vour of a fuppofition dellitute of
truth and likelihood, the King
hath a right to call upon thic
Court, in the fac- of Europe, to
produce a proof of an afTertion as
odious as bold ; and to develope
thofe public operation?,- or fccret
intrigues, tiiat can auihorife the
Jufpicions of France, that Great
Britain, after a long and painful
difpute, ottered peace to her iub-
jeft--, v/ith no other defign than to
Undertake a fre(h war againit a re-
fpecLable. power, with which flie
had prefcrved all the appearances
of friendlhip.

After having faithful'y expofed
the frivolous motives, and pre-
tended wrongs of France, we can
refleft, with a certainty, juftitied
by reafon and by fact, on the firit
propofuion, fo fimple and fo im-
portant— That a peace fjjbfiiled
between the two nations', and that
France was bound by every obliga-
tion of friendfliip and treaty with
the King, who had never failed in
his legitimate engagement.

The firft article of the treaty
figned at Paris, the loth of Fe-
bruary 1763, between his Britan-
nic, moft Ghrlftian, Catholic, and
moft Faithful Majefties, confirms,
^a the mpjfl precife and folcmn

manner, the obligations which na-
tural jullice impoies on all nations
which are in mutualr friendfhip ;
but thcle obligations are fpecified
and (lipulaied in that treaty by
exp;efl)ons as lively as they are

julb -After having comprifed,

in a general form, all the ftates
and fubjedts of the high contrad-
ing powers, they declared their
relblution, " not only never to
permit any hoftilities by land or
iea, but eve.n to procure recipro-
caily, on every occafion, all that
can contribute to their mutual
glory, intereft, and advantages,
without giving any fuccour or pro-
teftion, direidy or indireftiy, to
thofe who woiild do any prejudice
to one or other of the high con-
tracting parties." Sfch «as the
facred engagement uhich France
contrafted with Great Britain ;
and it cannot be difgui'ed, ;hac
fuch a prcmii'e ought to bind with
greater lliength and energy againft
the domeflic rebels, than the fo«
reign enemies of the two crowns.
The revolt of the Americans put
the fidelity of the court of Ver-
failles to a proof; and nbtwith-
ftanding the frequent examples that
Europe hath already feen of its
little regard to the faith of trea-
ties, its conduct in thefe circum-
Ilancc5 altonilbed and enraged
every nation which was not blindly
devoted to the interelts, and even
to the caprices of France. If
France had intended to fulfil her
duty, it was impoflible for her to
have miftaken it ; the fpirit as
well a.) the letter of the treaty of
Paris impofed on her an obligatioa
to bar their ports againft the Ame-
rican veiTels ; to forb*^ her fub-
jefts to have any commerce with
that rebellious people ; and not
[G 0 ? to

404] A N N U A r. R F. G I S T E R,

to afford cither fucccur or protec-
tion to the domellic eneniies of a
crown with which Ihe had fworn a
finccre and inviolable friendfliip.
Put experience had too well cn-
jighttndthe Kin{^, in regard to
the political fylleni of his antient
adverratJes, to luffer him to hope
that they would conform exadUy to
thole jull and rcafonable principles,
which would have afl'ured a gi-neral
tranquillity.

As icon as the revolted colonies
had compleated their criminal en-
lerprize, by an open declaration
of their pretended independence,
they thought to fcrni fecrct con-
nedioos with the poacrs wiio were
the leall favourable to the interelts
ot" their mother country; and to
«iraw from Europe thole military
aids, without which it would have
been impofiible for them to have
fupported the war they had un-
dertaken. Their agents endea-
voured to penetrate into, and fet-
tle in thedlileient Rates o! Europe ;
but it was only in France tiut ihcy
ibund an afylum, hopes, an-i afTiH-
ance. Jt is beneath the Kind's
<:]i::jnity to enquire after the itra,
or the nature of the correfpondence
that they had the addrefs to con-
tracl with the miniiters of the
court of Verfaille.-, and of which
the public eft'eds were ibon vifible
in the general liberty, or rather
unbounded licence, of an illegiti-
mate commerce. It is well known
that t^e vigilance of the lavvs can-
not always prevent artful illicit
traders, who appear under a thou-
fand different forms, and whofe
avidity for gain makes them brave
every danger, and elude every pre-
caution : but the conduct of the
French merchants, who turnifhed
America not only wiih ufeful and

1779-

necefliry merchandize, but even
with laltpetrc, gun - powder, am-
munition, arms, and artillery,
loudly declared that they were af-
fured not cnly of impunity, but
even of the protection and favour
of the miniiters of the court oi Ver-
failles.

An enterprize fo vain and fo dif-
ficult, as that of hiding from the
eyes of Great Britain, and of all
Europe, the proceedings of a com-
mercial company, aflbciated for
furnifhing the Americans with
whatever could nourifh and main-
tain the fire of a revolt, was not
attempted. The informed public
named the chief of the enterprize,
vvhofe houfe was eltablillied at Pa-
ris ; his correfponuents at Dunkirk,
Nantz, and Bourdeaux, were equal-
ly known. The immenfe maga-
zines which they formed, and
which they repleniflied every day,
v/cre laden in fhips that they built
or bouf^ht, and they fcarcely dif-
fembled their objecli, or the place
of their dcitination. "^1 hefe vef-
feis commonly took falfe clear-
ances for the French iflands in
America, t)ut the commodities
which ccmpoied their cargo were
fufficient, before the time of their
failing, to difcover the fraud and
the artifice. Thefe fufpicions were
quickly confirmed by the courfe
they held ; and at the end of a
few weeks, it was not furprizing
to hear they had fallen into the
hands of the King's officers cruiz-
ing in the American feas, who
took them even within fight of the
coaits of the revolted colonies.
This vigilance was but too well
jultified by the condudt of thofe
who had the luck or cunning to
efcape it ; fince they approached
America only to deliver the rebels

the

STATE PAPERS.

[405

the arras and ammunition which
they had taken on board for their
fervice. The only marks of thefe
fads, which could be confidcred
only as inanifeft breaches 0/ 5he
fai'.h of treaties, multiplied conti-
nually, and the diligence of the
King's ambaiTador to communicate
his complaiiits and proofs to the
court of Veriailics, did not leave
him the fliamefu! and humiiiating
refource of appearirig ignorant of
what was carried on, and daily
repeated in the very heart of the
country. He pointed out the
names, number, an.d quality of
the fljips, that the commercial
agents of America had fitted out
in the ports of France, to carry to
the rebels arm«, warlilie llores,
and even French o(Hcers, who had
engaged in the iervice of the re-
volted colonies. The dates, places,
and perfons were always fpecified,
with a precifion that afforded the
rninifters of his moit Chriflian iVIa-
jeily the greateit facility of being
afTured of thele reports, and of
flopping in tiruc the progrefs of
theld illicit armaments. Amongft
a croud of examples, which ac-
cufe the court o' V'erfailles of want
of attention to fulfil the conditions
of peace, or rather its conllant at-
tention to nouriih fear and dif-
cord, it is impoiiible to enumerate
them all ; it is very difficult to
felect the mofl ilriking objects.
Nine 'large (hips, fitted out and
freighted by the Sleur de Beau-
niarchais, and his partners, in the
month of January, 1777, are not
confounded with the Amphitrite,
who carried about the fame time a
great quantity of ammunition, and
thirty French officers, who pafTed
with impunity into the ferVice of
the rebels. Every month, aimn>''
every day, farnilhed new ^- "

of complaint; and a fliort memo-
rial that Vifcoimt Stormont, the
King's amba/Tador, communicated
to the Court do Vergennes, in the
month of November, in fame year,
will give a jult, but very imper-
fcdl idea of the wrongs which Bri-
tain had fj often fulfaintd. —
'• There is a fixty gun fhip at
Rochfbrt, and an F.afl India ihip»
pierced for fixty guns, at L'Ori-
ent. Thefe two fliips are dcllined
for the ferviee of the rebels. They
are laden with difi^erent merchan-
dize, and freighted by IMefTrs.
Chaumor.t, Ilolkcn, and Scbatier.

' The lliip L'Heureux, failed

from Marieilies the 26tJi of Sep-
tember> under another name: fhe
goes Hrait to New Hampltiire,
though it is pretended fhe is bound
to the French iflands. They have
been permitted to take on board
three tlioufand mulquets, and
25,000 pounds of iulpliur, a mer-
chandife as neceffary co the Ame-
ricans as ufelefs to the iflands.
This fhip is commanded by M.
Lundi, a French oincer of dif-
tindion, formerly lieutenant to
M. de Bouganvllie. — L'Hippopo-
tame, belonging ro the Sieur Eeau-
marchais, will have on board four
thoufand mufquets, and many war-
like ftores for the ufe of the rebels.
—There are about fifty French fhips
laden wi'.h ammunition for the ufe
of the rcbe's, preparing to fail to
North America. 'Fhey will gn
from Nantz, L'Orlent, St. Malo,
Hav-'e, Bourdeaux, Bavonne, and
otber ditFerenf ports, — 'I'hei'e are
the names of foine of the perfons
principally interelled ; M. Chaii-
mon^ M. ft/lenton, and his part-
ners, &c. &c.'-

1 , ■ — "yopm, w//cre the will

. the Pnnce meets With no ob-

Iticie, fuccours, fo confidcr^ble, fo

r 'J 3 public.

4c6] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

public, To long foppoitoj ; in fine, piizt's, and under a rude, weak
lo ncccllary to maintain tiie war in- ariilice, which they fonietimes
America, fhew clearly enough tlie vouchfaftd to tmploy, the prizes
moll iccret intentions vl the moll were fold publicly and commo-
Ciiriflian King's minilters. Bat dionily enough, in the fight of the
they Ihll carried further their for- royal olhccrs, always difpofcd tc^
^etfulnefs, or contenipt of the moll: piotcdh the commerce of iliofe trad-
lolemn cngagcment>, and it was en, who viuhued the laws, to con-
jiot without ihtir perniillioii that an form to the French miniftry. The
underhand and dangerous war if- corfairs enriched theinii-lves with
fued from the ports of France, un- the fpoils of ,ihe King's fubjefts •
der the deceitful maHc of peace, and after having prorited of full
and the pretended flaj^ of the Ame- liberty to repjir their lofles, pro-
ricaa colonies. The favourable vide for their wants, and procure
receptioD that their agents found all warlike llores, gunp^twder, can-
with the minifters of the court of rion, and rigging, which might
Verfailles, quickly encouraged ferve for new entfrprir.es, they de-
iliem to tprm and execute the au- paried freely from the fame ports,
dacious projedl of ellabli.hing a to make new cruizes. The hiflory
place of arms in the country, which of the Reprifal privHtf-er may be
had ferved them for an afylum. cited froJii a crowd of ex.innples.
They had brought with them, or to fet the unjuii:, but fcarcely ar-
knew how to fabricate letters of tificial, condud of the court of Ver-
marque, in the name of the Ame- failles in a clear light. This fliip,
rican Congrefs, who had the im- which had brought xMr. Frani<lin,
pudcnce to ufurp all the rights agent of the revolted colonies, to
of fovereignty. The partnerlhip, L.urcpe, was received, with two
whofe interefted views ealily em- prizes fhe had taken in her paffage.
barked in all their defigns, fitted She remained in the port of Nantz,
out {hips that they had either as long as file thought convenient ;
built or purchafed. They armed put twice to i'ea to plunder the
them to cruize in the European King's fubjeds, and came quietly
feas, nay, even on the coalls of into L'Orienc with the now prizes
Great Britain. To fave appear- fln; had made.

ances, the captains of thefe cor- Notwithllanding the llrongell re-

fairs hoiltcd the pretended Ame- prefentation of the King's ambaf-
rican flag, but their crews were al- fador ; notwithltanding the moll:
ways compofed ot a great number folemn affurances of the French
of Frenchmen, who entered, with minillers, the captain of that cor-
impunity, under the very pycs of fair was ' permitted to ftay at
their governors and the officers of L'Orient as long as ir was necef-
the maritime provinces. A nuAie- fary to refit his fnip, to provide
rous fwarm of thefe corfairs, ani- fixty barrels of gunpowder, and to
mated by a fport of rapine, failed receive as many French feamen,
from the ports of France, and after as chofe to engage with him. Fur-
*-i~:n,)g in the Britifli feas, re ui. niflicd with thefe reinforcements,
no7ts T'hrcherlheybW^^.<3"<= the Kcprilal failed a third time
r f ■ iiom the ports of tfceir new allies

§ ^ and

STATE PAPERS.

[407

and prefently formed a little fqua-
drnn of pirates, by the concerted
junfrion of the Lexington and tlie
Dolphin, twj privateers ; the fiill
o; w.iivh had already carried more
than one prize into the river of
B^'urdeaux ; and the other, fitted
out a: Nancz, and roanned entirely
by Frenchmen, had nothing Ame-
rican, but the commander. Thefe
three Ihips, which lo publicly en-
joyed the protection' of the court of
Vei-failles, in a Ihort time after-
wards took fifteei! Britifh fnips, the
gre:itelt ptrt ot which were brought
into the ports of France, and ie-
crerly fold. — Such fadls, which it
would be caiy to multiply, ftand
inlteaJ of realo'^ings and reproaches.
The faith of treaties cannot av<;id
being called upon, on this occa-
fion ; and it is not neceflary to
Hiew that an allied, or even a
neutral power, can ever permit
war, without violating peace. The
principle of the law of nations
will, dpubtlefs, refu'^e to the am-
balfador of the moft refpedable
power (that privilege of arming
privateers, which the court of /Ver-
iaiiles granted under-hand, in the
very bolom ^of France, to the
agents of rebels, in the French
iilands, the public tranquillity was
violated in a manner yet more au-
dacious ; and notwitlillanding the
change of the governor, the ports
of Martinico ferved always as a
Shelter to corfairs who cruized un-
der American colours, but minned
by Frenchmen. Mr. Bangham,
agent for ;he rebels, wlro enjoyed
the favour and confidence of two
fuccedive governors of Martinico,
diredled the arming of thofe pri-
vateers, and the public fa'e of their
prizes. Two merchant fhips, the
Lancafhire Hero, and the Iriiji

Gambier, which were taken by the
Revenge, allures, that out of her
crew, confiltmg of 125 men, there
were but two Americuna ; and that
the owner, who at the iame time
was proprietor of eleven other pri-
vateers, acknowledged hiniieh to
be an inhabitant of Martinico,
where he was looked upon as the
favourite, and the fecret agent of
the governor himfelf.

In the rnidft of all thefe ads of
hollility, (which it is impoffible
to call by any other name) the
court of Verlailles continued al-
ways to fpciik the language of
peace and amity, and its minillers
exhaulled all the iources of artifice
and diilimulaiion, to lull the juit
complaints of Great Britain, to
deceive her jult f«fplcions, and to
liop the effeds of her juli: refent-
ment. From the firll sra of the
American troubles, to the moment
of a declaration of war by the
Marqiii? de Noailles, the miniilers
cf the mofl Chriltian King never
ceafed to renew the ftrongeft and
moli expreifive proteftations of their
pacific diipofitions ; and however
the common condud of the court
of Verlailles was adapted to infpire
a juif doubt, yet his Majefly's juft
heart furniihed him with powerful
motives to believe, that France had
at length adopted a fyllem of mo-
deration and peace, which would
perpetuate the folid and reciprocal
h:-ippintfb of the two nations. The
niinifters of the court of Verfaille.-;
endeavoured to excufe the arrival
and refidence of the rebels agent,
by the flrongeft alusranccs, that he
found onfy a fimple afyUim in
France, without eithtr dillindioa
cr encouragement.

The frevdora cf commerce, and
the thirfl of gain, feive fometimps

[Cc] 4 ££

4oS] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

as pretexts to cover the illegiti-
mate defigns of the fubjcvils of
France ; and at a time when they
vainly alledged the impotence of
the laws to prevent abulcs, which
neighbouring ilates know lb well
hew to kipprefs, they condemned,
with every appearance of iincerity,
the tranlportation of arms and
ammunition, which Ihe permitted
with impunity, for the icrvice of
the rebels. To the hrft reprcfenta-
tion of the King's ambaffador
upon the fubjeft of the privateers,
which were fitted out in the ports
of France under American colours,
the niini;lers of his moil Chriftian
Majefty replied, with expreflions
of furprife and indignation, and by
a pofitive declaration, that at-
tempts, fo contrary to the faith of
treaties, and the public tranquilli-
ty, (hould never be fufFercd. The
train of events, of which a fmall
number hath been fhewn, foon ma-
nifefted the inconilancy, or rather
the falfehood of the court of Ver-
iailles ; and the King's ambaffa-
dor was ordered to reprefent to the
French miniilers the ferious, but
inevitable confequences of their
policy. He fulfilled his commiffion
with all the confideration due to
a refpeftable power, the prefer-
vr.tion of vvhofe friendfliip was de-
lired, but with a friendlhip worthy
of a Sovereign, and a nation little
accuflomed to do, or to fuffcr in-
juilice. The court of V^rfailies
was called upon to explain its con-
duct, and its intentions, without
delay or evafion ; and the King
propofed to it the alternative of
peace or war. — France chofe peace,
in order to wound her enemy more
furcly and fecretly, without having
any thing to dread from her juf-
tice. She feveiely condemned

thofe fuccours and thofe armaments,
that the principles of public equity
would not permit her to juftify.
She declared to the King's am-
baflador, that fhe was refolved to
banilh the American corfairs im-
mediately iVom all the ports of
Fiance, never to rttuin again ;
and that fhe would take, in fu-
ture, the moft rigorous precautions
to prevent the.laie of ptizes taken
from the fubjcds of Great Britain.
The orders given to that eifefl
adonifhed the partizans of the re-
bels, and Teemed to check the
progrefs of the evil ; but fubjecls
of complaint fpruilg up again dai-
ly ; and the manner in which thefe
orders were fiiit eluded, then vio-
lated, and at length entirely for-
gotten, by the merchants, priva-
teers, nay, even by the royal offi-
cers, were not excufablc by the
protellations of friendlhip, with
which the court of Verfailles ac-
companied thofe infradlions of
peace, until the very moment that
the treaty of alliance, which it
had figr.ed with the agents of the
revolted A.merican , colonies, was
announced by the French ambafia-
dor in London.

If a foreign enemy, pcknow-
ledged by all the powers of Europe,
had conquered the King's Ameri-
can dominions, and if France had
confirmed by a folemn treaty, an
adl of violence, that had plundered
in the midft of a profound peace,
a refpeflable neighbour, of whom
fhe Itilcd herfch the friend and
ally, all Europe would Hand up
againfl: the injuilice of a conduft
which fliamefully violated all that
is moft facred among men. The
fir/l difcovery, the uninterrupted
poiTcfiion of tv/o hundred years,
and the confent of all nations',

were

STATE. PAPERS.

[409

were fufliclent to arcertaia the
rights of Great Britain over liie
lands of North America, and ks
Jovereignty over the people that
had iettled there with the pcriTiif-
fion, and under the govcrninent of
the King's predecefl'ors. If even
this people had dared to ihake ofr
,the yoke of authority, or rather of
the laws, if they had ufurped the
provinces and prerogatives oi their
Sovereign ; and if they had fought
the alliance of fira.ngers to iup-
port their pretended iudependence ;
thofe Grangers could not accept
their alliance, ratify jheir ufurpa-
tions, and acknowledge their in-
dependence, without fuppofing that
revolt hath more extenfive rights
than thofe of nyar ; and without
gran'.icg to rebellious fubjefls a
iawful title to conqueil, v.hich they
could not have made but in con-
ten:ip: of both law andjuftice. The
iecret enemies of peace, of Great
Britain, and perhaps of France
hcrfejf, had neverthelefs the cri-
minal dexterity to perfuade his
molt ChrilHan Majeliy, that he
could., without violating the faith
of treaties, publicly declare, that
he received the revolted fubje<fls of
a King, his neighbour and ally,
into the number of his allies. The
profefiions of friendihip which ac-
companied that declaration, which
the Marquis de Noailles was or-
dered to make to the court of Lon-
don, only ferve to aggravate the
injury by the infult ; and it was
leierved for France to boalt of pa-
cific difpofitions in the very in-
flant that her ambition inlligated
r.er to execute and avow an acl of
perfidy, unexampled in the hiftory
cf nations. Yet. fuch as the court
of Verfailles dares allow icfelf to
cCe. " Yet it would be wrong to

believe that the acknowledgment
that the King has made of the in-
dependence of the Thirteen United
States of North America, is whac
has enraged the King of England:
that Prince is, without doubt, not
ignorant of ail the e.^amples of the
like kind that the Britiili annals,
even cf his own reign, do fur-
nifh." — But thefe pretended e.x-
amples do not exilt. — The King
never acknowledged the independ-
ence of a people, who had fhaken
ofFthe yoke of their lawful Prince;
it is doubtlefs very affliding that
the minifters of his mod ChrilHan
Majeily have cheated the piety of
their Sovereign, to cover, with fo
refpeilable a name, afiertions with-
out any foundation or likelihood,
which are contradidied by the me-
mory of all Europe.

At the commencement of the
difputes which arcfe between Great
Britain and her colonies, the court
of Verfailles declared, that it did
not pretend to be a judge of the
quarrel, and its ignorance of the
principles of the Britifh conliitu-
tion, as well as the privileges and
obligations of the colonies, ought
to have engaged it to perfift al-
ways in fuch a wife and modefl
declaration, that would have fpar-
ed it tiie Ihame of tranfcribing the
manifellos of the American Con-
grefs, and of pronouncing now,
•* That the proceedings of the
court of London had compelled its
antient colonies to have recourfe to
arms for the maintenance of therr
rights, their privileges, and their
liberty." Thefe vain pretenfions
have been already refuted in the
moft convincing manner, and the
rights of Great Britain over that
revolted people, her benefaftions,
ar.d her long patience, have been
already

4ic] A N N U A L R E G 1 S T E K, 1 779.

.-.Irrady proved by reafon aiui hy
fai^s. Jt is fufficient here to rt-
mark, that France caanoi tdke any
advantage cf the injuliice with
right, and in hfX is the objetft of
dilputc. And the King's dignity
will not permit him to accept of
thofe propcfals, which, from the
verv beginr.ing of a negcciation,
grants all that can fatisty the am-
bition of the rcbeliious Americans,
v-.hilft they exadl from his Ma-
jcfty, without any Ifipiilation in
, his favour, that he fhciilJ dcdli,
Ibr a long or indenriice term, frcni
his moll lawful pretcnfions. It
is true, the court of Verfailles
vouchfafed to confent, that the
court of London might treat with
the Congrefs, either diredly, or
by the interverition of the King of
ijpain. His Majeily, certaiiily,
vvill not fo much demean himfelf
as to complain of that infolence,
which feems to grant him, as a
favour, the permifiion of treating
directly uith his rebellious fub-
jeds. But the Americans them-
selves are not blinded by paflion
and prejudice, they will fee clearly
in the conduft of France, that
their new allies will foon beconie
their tyrants, and that that pretend-
ed independence, purchafcd at the
price of fo much miitiy and
blood, will be foon fubjeded to
the defpotic will of a foreign
court.

W France couU verify that ea-
gernefs which Cne attributes lo the
tourt of London," to faek z'r.e me-
diation of Spain, a like eagerneis
would ferve to prove the King's
juft confidence in the goo.inefs of
his caufc, and his eftcer.i for a ge-
nerous nation which ^hath aiwiiVG
dtfpifed fraud and per;idy. But
the court of London was obliged

to own, that the mediation uas
rH-'ered to it by the niinirtcrs of
the Catholic King, and it claims
no other merit, than that of hav-
ing fhown, on all occafions, a live-
ly and fmccre incIinHlion to deli-
ver its fobjedts, nuy even its ene-
mii's, from the icourge of v/ar.
'J he condufl of the court of Ma-
drid, during that negociation, foon
fhewed the King that a mediator,,
who forgets his own deareft in-
terelh, to give himiclf up to the
ambition or refeiitment of a fo-
reign power, muit be incapable of
propofing a fafe or honourable ac-
commodation. Experience con-
firmed thefe fufpicions ; the unjuft
and inadrniflible icheme juft men-
tioned, was the fole fruit of this
mediation. In the fame inltant
that the minillers of the Catholic
King offered, with the molt difjn-
terelled profefiiona, his capital, his
good oihces, his guaranty, to faci-
litate the conclufion of the treaty,
they fufft-red to appear from the
bottom of obfcurity new fubjecls
fur difcuGing, particularly relative
to Spain, but upon which they al-
ways refufed to explain theinfelves.
His Majdfty's reiufaj to secede to
the u/.'imalmn of the court of Ma-
drid, was accompanied with al) con-
venient precautions and relpeft :
and, unlefs that court will arro-
gate to itfelf a right to dictate con-
ditions of peace to an independent
and refpedable neighbour, there
was nothing pafTed in that conjunc-
ture, which ought to have altered
the harmony ol the two crowns.
But the ofFenfjve meafures of Sp^iin,
which ihe could never cloath with
the faireft appeara:;ces of equity,
will fuon fhow that fne had al-
ready tak<.'n her refoluticns ; had
been infti)»ated bv the French r..':-

STATE PAPERS.

pillry, who had only retarded the
declaration of ihs court of Madrid,
from the hope of giving a morial
blo.v CO th.- honour and iniereil of
preat Britain under the maui of
friend (hip.

Such are the unjuft and ambi-
tious enemies, who have delpiieJ
the faith of treaties, to violate ihe
puMic tranquillity, and againft
ivhom the King now defends the
rights of his crown and people.
The event is yec in the handb of
the /Mmighty; but his Majelty,
who relies upon tiie divine pro-
tection, vvitli a firm but humble
alTuraoce, is perfuaded that the
willies of Europe will fapport the
jcjjticc of his caufe, and applaud
tiie fu-cefs of his arms, which have
no other ot^jeft than to eliablilli the
repo;« of naiions on a iblid and
unlhaken baiis.

B-Jit France herfelf appears to
feel the weakcefs, rhe danger, and
the indecency of thefe pretenfions ;
when, in the c eel .ration of the
Marquis- de Noailics, a.i well as in
her iaft rnanifello, ilie quits her
hold on the right of independence :
flie is content to maintain, that the
revelled colonies enjoy in faB, that
inacpendence they have belh';wed
en tnemfelves ; that even England
her.eif, in fome fort acknowledges
it, in lufFering afts of fovereighty
to fubiift ; and that therefore
France, without any violence of
peace, might conclude a treaty of
friendfhip and commerce with the
U lited States of North America.
- — Let us fee in what manner
Great Britain had acknowledged
that independence, equally imagi-
nary in right, as in faifi. Tad
years had not yet elapfed from
the day in which the rebels de-
clared th°ir criminal refoluiion of

[41^

fhaking off the yoke of their mo-
ther country ; and that time had
been occupied by the events of a
bii'ody and obftinate war. Suc-
cefs had hang in luipence, but the
King's army, which pcfTcHed the
mnit imporrant maritime towns,
continue al^-ayf to menace the in-
terior provinces. The Engliili flag
reigned over ail the American feas,
and the re-efvablifnment of a law-
ful dependence, was fixed as the
indiipenf;ble condition of the peace,
v.'hich Great Britain offered co her
revolted fubjedts, whole rights,
privileges, nay even whofe preju-
dices Oie refpefted. The court of
Verfaiiles, which announced, with
fo much opennefs and fimplicity,
the treaty fii;ned with the pretended
States of Am.trica, which it found
in an in^'ependent fituation, had
alone cuntiibuceo, by its clandef-
ti;:e fuccoars, to foment the lire of
revolt ; and it was the dread of
peace vhat c gaged France to em-
ploy the rumour o: that alliance,
as the moft effectual means to in-
flame :he minds of the people, who
began already to open their eyes
upon U\e unfortunate conl'equences
of the revolt, the tyranny of their
new leaders, and the paternal difpo-
iition of their lawful Sovereign.

Under fuch circumllances it is
impollible, without ini'ulting in
too grcfs a m.anner both truth and
realon, to deny that the declara-
tion of the Marqnis of Noailles, of
the 13th of March, 1778, ought
to be received as a true declaration
of war on the part of the molt
Chriiiian King ; and the afTurances
" that he had taken eventual mea-
fures, in concert with the United
States of America, to maintain a
freedom of commerce," which had
fo often excited thejull complaintsof

Great

412] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Gre.it Britain, authorifed the King,
irorn that moment, to rank France
in the number of his enemies.
The couit ofVerlailles could not
avoid acknowledging that the
King of England, after having
" recalled his ambalTador, de-
nounced to his parliament the
meafures taken by his Majelly, as
an ad of hoiViiity, as a formal and
premeditated aggreflion." Such
was, indeed, the declaration which
both honour and juftice demanded
from the King, and which he
communicated, without delay, to
the minifters of the different courts
of Europe, to jurtify befure-han'd
the effects of a lawful refentment.
from thence it is ufelefs to feek for
orders, that were fent to the Eait-
Indies, to remark the precife day
when the fleets of England or
France quitted their refpedive
ports, or to fcrutinize into the
circumftanccs of the adion with
the £^.'le Poulc, and the taking two
other frigates, which were adually
carried oiF in fight of the very
coaft of France. Hence the re-
proach made to the King of hav-
ing fo long fufpended a formal de-
claration of war, vanifhes of itfelf.
Thefe declarations are only the
meafures that nations have reci-
procally agreed on, to avoid
treachery and furprife ; but tiie
ceremonies which announce the
terrible exchange of peace for war,
Ine heralds dcclafations and mani-
feilo?, are not always ncceilary, are
not alwavs alike. The declaration
of the Marquis de Noailles was a
fignal of the public infraition of
the peace. The King diredly pro-
claimed to all nations that he ac-
cepted the war which France of-
fered ; the laft proceedings of his
iv-Jajefty were rather the fpring of

his prudence, than his juftice, anil
Europe may now judge if the couit
of London wanted means to " juf-
tify a declaration of war, and if
flic did not dare to accufe France,
publicly, of being the aggreflbr."

Three Memorials from the Dutch
Merchants to the States General,
prefented Sept. izih, I 778.

To their High MightinefTes the
States General 0/ the United
Provinces.

A MEMORIAL,

Re/pciifuUy deli-jered from the Mer-
chants., Proprietors of Fef'ch, and
Exchange hfurers, of the Tcivt^
of Amjierdum.

THAT it cannot be ur.kncv/n
to your High JVIightiaeifes
in what manner, for thele fpveral
weeks paft, a confiderable number
of veliels belonging to the inhabi-
tants of this lepublic, bound for
the ports of France, have been
popped in their paflage by the
fliips of his Britannic Majelly, and
other commiffioned vcffels belong-
ing to his fubjedls ; and that, al-
th-.iugh our captains have proved
that their fliips belonged to the
fubjeds of this republic, and were
not laden with contraband goods,
they have, notwithflanding, been
feized and conduded into the dif-
ferent ports of Great Britain,
where they are yet detained, with-
out the letters of recommendation
written to Count Welderen, your
Envoy Extraordinary and Pleni-
potentiary at the court of Great
Britain, and granted by your
High Mightineiles at the folicita-
tions of many pcrfons int?refted in

the

STATE PAPERS.

[41 J

the above veiTci;, in order to re-
claim and effed their fpecdy en-
largement, having produced the
Jeaft etrect, but, on the contrary,
the Engiilh continue to feize our
veflels more than ever, which feems
to announce a plan formed by the
Ent*!ifii nacion to totally prevent
the navigation and commerce of
the inhabitants of this republic
with the pons of Frir.cc.

Thar, in ^^^nfequehce, if thefe
proceedings of the Britifh nation
continue, they will, no doubt,
operate to the total ruin of the
commerce and navigation of tiiis
republic in general, and alio to
the ruin of feveral private per-
fons intereiled therein, either as
proprietors of the veflels, or of the
cargoes, or as infurers, and which
will occalion them a coniiderable
injury.

from thefe confiderations your
memorialifts have judged it ne-
celfary to lay their injuries, as le-
gal as well founded, before your
High Mi^htinefles, and to implore
your relief. The memorialifts coo-
fider it as fuperfiucas to endeavour
to prove more amply to your High
Mightineffes the injuilice of fuch
feizures and detentions, fince it is
known to you, tlwt by the naval
treaty concluded between the couit
of Great Britain and the republic,
on the iith of September, 1674,
" the following, as the fird article,
is llipulated : " that it ilall be
permitted, and is lei;al, for the
fubjefts of the refpedive nations to
navigate ivith Lberty and /aTety,'\o
deal and negotiate in all kingdoms
and countries, where the refpediive
Sovereigns arc at peace, neutra-
lity and friendiliip, and in fuch a
manner, that their navigation and
commerce may be neither hinder-

ed or molefled, neither by any vio-
lence of people who carry on war,
nor by the ihips of war or ether
veflels wliatfoever, under pretence-
of any holliiity or malice which
may arife between one of the fove-
rcign powers and the nations with
which the other is in peace or neu-
trality."

And this liberty of navigation
and commerce is alio determined
by the lecond article of the fame
treaty, by which it "is agreed,
" not to fuffer that it iball ba
made the leafi hindrance of any
branch of commerce, en account,
or by reafoa of a war ; but on the
coairary, to extend thi^ liberty to
all forts of merchandise, which
was accuitomed to be Jcid in times
of peace, exceptiiig only goods
comprized under the denomina-
tion of contraband, and which are
fpeciiied by a liibfequent arti-
cle."

Your High MightneiTcj are not
Icfi ignorant, that by^the point or
ariicle fi.\ed on, ana concluded the
3Cth of Dec. 1675, at the Hague,
between Sir William Tempi?, am-
ba(udor extraordinary from the
King of Great Britain, and the
deputies of your .High Mighti-
neff-'s, it is fpecially explained,
" that the true fenfe of the above
articles of the treaty concluded the
llth of September, 1674, is, and
ought to be. that fince the con-
clufion of the above articles^ the
vefTels and fhips belonging to the
fubjedts of the two contracling
powers^ fhould and may na'-vigate,
trade, and negotiate, not only from
a neutral place to a place at war
with either of the two nations, but
from a place at war to a neutral
place, whether or not the two
places belong to the fame Sove-
reign

4l4] ANNUAL REGISTER, 177^.

rei£»;i or State, or to different
States and Sovereigns vvilh which
eithjr of the ia-o coniraditig pow-
ers m.iy be at war."

It will no: be difficult foi- yCur
nicmorialills to prove in the moll
convincing manner, as well by lb-'
Jid reafonsj as by the authority of
the bell authors, who have written
on the law of nations, and tb.e.
jiidgiiient of civilized States in
general, as alfo by the common
nghrs of men, and without ths
necelfity of any treaty or alliance;
that in cale of war between two
powers, the fubjeds of that State
in peace or neutrality with the
belligertnt powers, ought to en-
j:>y the liberty cf an uninterrupted
commerce, ai;d without being tied
down by all the powers who are at
war, and wicljput meeting with
the leaft obfticle under any pre-
text whatever ; except in cafes
whtre neutral nations would fnpply
the belligerent powers wiih war-
•ike liores or other contraband
goods, or arc endeavouring to nego-
tiate w'itli places befjeiicd or block-
ad e^d.

Vour mernorialiils, therefore,
?ainfider it as loperfluous to call
your attention to luch an objf:(5l,
feeing that the law of nations hath
obtained the llrift^ll fandfion by
the treaty concluded between this
republic and England. Thr.t con-
sequently it is not a queftion what
ojght to be the cafe between two
nations who haVe not any reci-
procal alliance, but that it is only
ro be confidercd, v/liat treatment
the inhabitants of this republic
have a right to expei^ on the part
of the fubjects of Great Britain,
fince the alledgcd tte;uy iliU fub-
{:'}$, and wais concluded on, as it
is well ka: wa to your High Migh-

tlneifes, in a time when this ftatv
was at war with France ; aiid that
conf.queiitly it was principally dic-
taicd by the Engliih, in order /?
prccurc them a free navigation to
and from the fevsral ptrti oj Trance.
Since then the Engliih natioa
were the firll who reaped the fruits
of that convention, they ought
not to prevent the lubjecls of this
republic froirl profiting in their
turn of the advantages of a free
navigation and Comrherce, which
they ftipulated in themfelves, and
which they have enjoyed as they
have found it convenient. And
this objedion ought- to appeai; the
better founded, as the lUpulations
in the treaty agreeing with- the
law of nations, ought to be a coa-
fideration of the greatell weight
with a nation which would '.villi to
prefer ve any pretcnfions to reafori
and equity, and that would not
violate in any paint the faith of a
treaty fo folcm:"! as the above-men-'
tioiied.

The memorialiils, therefore,
hope, that by the efficacy of thefe
reatons, the injuflice will appear
to your High MightinefTei, as
well of mrucing thofe prises as th6
manner of carrying away the vcf-
fels of the inhabitants of this re-
public, navigated from a third
place to the ports of France, or
from one port of ths fame kingdoiri
to another, without confidering
what or who he is, who ought to-
be confidered as proprietor of the
cargo.

That this injtiflice carries fuch
a dcmonftraiive proof, that neither
the proprietors nor the iharers of
the vcflels ought, on that head, tci
begin making by iniVituting a prd-
cefs ; but that it belongs to his Ihi-
tan'nic M^'jefiy to gi-^H iir.mediat'e or-
der's.

STATE PAPERS.

[415

iiers, as ivellto the commanders ifjhips
cf luar as to tboje of the letters of
riarque, that* they no longer caufc the
leaf injury, nor any longer fetie the
fhips or 'veffds belonging to this State ;
but, on the contrary, that they Jhull
be bound dire^iy to repair the in-
juries already dene, and make good
the damages already fujiained, fince
they can no longer pretend the
neceffuy of a judicial examination,
before having decided previouHy
on the validity of the captures, and
tti^t it is otherwife evident, cr at
leafl ought to be fo, that the com-
mifiion for feizing the ihips and
eiTtfTcs belonging to an enemy,
cannot concern the fuhjeifts of a
power with whom they are bound
by treaty, and according to which
the navigation and commerce
Ihnuld be free ; and that there is^
befides, a right that the fhip
fliouJd protect the cargo; nothing
being i^:) certain,, that in fuch cir-
cumftances, the iealt obltruition
given to a fiiip is an acl of the moit
daring injtiftics ; that of coarf^e,
the dangerous confequences brought
en by fo flagrant a violation of the
law of nations cannot be repaired,
although the fliip*; fhould be after-
wards releafed, ano d^rnagei fhould
be awarded.

Befides the jaftice of thefe aiTer-
tions, and the validity of thefe
complaints, the taking of llups
bound lor the ports of France,
not only induces your memorialilh
to folicit your High MightinefTes
to interpole, and even to inftft on
imnie<iiate reparation for damages
already fuftaincd, and fecurity tor
what may accrue. Your memo-
rialiib alfo cannot difpenfe with
refpedfully laying open to your
High Mightinelfes the lamentable
conicquences which will refult to
the merchants, and of courfe to

the Hate io general, in cafe the
velTt'ls and fi\ips of the fubjed^s oi
this republic cannot be guarded
againft what are liccle fliort ot a^/s
cf piracy :

In efle(!t, the feizure of the
fhips act only occafions to the pro-
prieiors a prejudice and confider-
able darange, and opprelTes thenn
in many relpedls by very lajge ex-
pences, but the flopping even of
merchandize, and the danger and
fpoil of goods, to which they are
fubjed ; the poflibiliiy of tl)e lall
of the price of markets, as well as
other events, are alfo very preju-
dicial to the above proprietors,
and others intereiled therein; arid
if Hill by fuch proceedings, and
acainfr all remcnllrance, the Eng-
lifli will pretend that the goods
embarked are from that moment;
to be confidered as French proper-
ty, and fubjcd to confifcation, the
confequences of fo unjuf: a fuppo-
fuion will infallibly caufe the en-
tire ruin pf many infurers in this
country; and ic will be the more
unjulf, as the veHlls hitherto Seiz-
ed, or liable to be feized, have
had all their cargoes iniured in ft
time when there was not the
!ea!l hcllility commenced betweeri
France and Great Britain, which
alone gives a fufficient r^afon
why thole ihips Jhould not he feizedy
much lefs fhould ihey be declared
legal prizes.

Further, uiihout eflimating the
damage which necefTarily mult be-
fal on the fcveral perfons interefted
in iiiips feized, or expoied to fei-
zure, the conicquences of a feizure
fo unjull as that of Dutch ihips,
dcftined for the ports of Franc?,
will have the mcit dangerous ic-^
fiuence on the commerce and na-
vigation of the republic in g-eneral,
fince not only the insvitablc efFeft

will

4'6J ANNUAL REGISTl-, R, ii-j.j.

will be the abfolnte ruin of all
commerce with France, but the
more iOy as all the oilier nation^,
which until this time have em-
plovfd, and will aoain employ
Dutch Ihips to tranfport their mer-
chandize to the ports of France,
or other places, will be deprived
oF employing for the future, Ihips
expofcd to be detained or made
prizes of.

Thcle premifes will afrord a vart:
ground of fpeculation, when it will
pleafe your High IVli2:htineires to
relieft, that notwidiftanding his
Moll Chrirtian Majefty, by the firft
article of his regulations, concern-
ing the navigation of neutral fnips
in times of war, under the date
of July c6, 1778, lias voluntarily
forbidden all his privateers and
lliips, to Hop or feize any /liip be-
longing to neutral powers, even
failing from, or bound to, the
enemy's ports, excepting only
blockaded places, and (hips ladea
with contraband gyjds ; judgi r.g
it proper, neverthelefi, to declare,
that his Majefiy referves the rig'nc
cf jevoicing this liberty, in cafe
the power at war with him doth
Fot think it proper to extend the
fame favour, before the expiration
of fix months, to be computed
from fhe date when the ab'ove re-
gulations were publilhed. Accord-
ing to this, it may then happen
that hi? Chriltian Majelly, in
making reprifals, would alfo limit
the franchiiements of the fhips of
this ftate, when the memoria'lifts,
and other inhabitants of the re-
public, will fee your Mighiinefles
entirely deprived of their com-
merce and navigation with the
two kingdoms and their dependen-
cies, and in this manner fupport-
ing, however unjuftly, the vigo-

rous effeiHs of war, the fame as if
this republic was adually concern-
ed therein.

However matters may terminate,
your memorialifls deem it needlefs
to (hew to your Hiqh Mi^^htincffes
the horiiblc refult of Juch a com-
mercial decline, for ail the inha-
bitants of this country in general,
feeing that by commerce the re-
public is aggrandized ; that in
trade fhe fin'ds the moil folid be-
nefits, and that if her commerce
periflacs, fhe will foon find hcrfs^f
on the brink of dellrudion. What
is ftill further to be apprehended,
when we have refleded on the un-
juil proceedings on the pare of the'
Englilh, the navigation and com-
merce between this country and
France, and very likely by an in-
evitable rupture with England,
both will be totally prevented, it
may furiiifn occafion to other king-
doms to carry on our trade, of
which, againli all reafon and juf-
tice, the ufage will be forbidden
to the inhabitants of this republic,
whilll frequent examples, founded
on moft ivceful experience, vvill
teach us, that of.e time or other,
by a certain concurrence of cir-
cumflances, one branch of com-
merce taken away, can never re-
turn into its ancient courfe.

Prompted thus by every iKOtive
that can be ailedged, your memo-
rialiils refpeflfully addrefs your
High MightinefTes, that it may
pleafe them to prevent and rellore
the damages done to the merchants
of this coimtry, by the feizure of
her fhips bound for the ports of
France, by the Englilh nation,
againjl the faith of treaties, in open
'violation of the la-ui: cf nations, in
oppoftion to natural equity. In fhorr,
to prevciU for the future fuch ex-
traordinary

STATE PAPERS.

[417

traordinary proceedings, to main-
tain the rights and privileges of
the fevcral inhabitants of this
State, which they hold from God
and nature, and on which the
Englifh nation are bound by the
moft folemii treaties to make no
infratftions.

That it will pleafe your High
MiglninefTes to provide fpeedily
and efficacioufly, as well by the
moll ferious reprefcntaticns to the
Court of England, on the fubjed
of the diforders committed, and to
prevent their confequences, by giv-
ing a fufficient proteftion, by the
means of the (hips of war, to the
commerce and navigation of this
country, in fuch a manner as your
High iNIightinefies, infpired by your
acknowledged vvifdom, and animat-
fcd by paternal regard and zeal for
the prolperity of this republic, (ball
judge proper.

To their High iVIightinefles the
States General cf the United
States.

A MEMORIAL,

He/peSlfullj prefented by the Mer-
chants and Ozvficrs of Ships 0/ the
Toivn 0^ Rotterdam.

THAT very lately a confider-
able number of fliips belong-
ing to the inhabitants of tiiis
State, and bound for France, have
been flopped at fea, either by the
fhips of the royal marine of Eng»
land, or by commiffioned fliips of
the fame nation, and afterwards
carried into the ports of Great
Britain, where they continue to be
idetained, nctwithftanding the bare
Vol. XXII.

infpeftion of the confignments and
other papers found on board the
above fliips would fufficienlly ftiew
that they -xuere fiot laden n.vith avy
fort of merchandize under the denomi-
nation oj" contraband goods, ipecified
by the third article of th? Marine
Treaty, concluded in the month
of December, 1674, between th§
Court of Great Britain and this
republic.

That this conduct of the Britifli
nation, the Jiagrant injujlice cf
nvhich might be njery enfUy proved
by an appeal to ths la^vj of nations,
if it be not already evident, a?
well by the aforefaid treaty, as by
the Explanatory Con-vention of 1675^
will infallibly accelerate the entire
ruin of the commerce and naviga-
tion of the United Provinces, if
not timely and efficacioufly pre-
vented.

Notwithftanding the many ar-
guments that might be urged, your
memorialifls will not trouble your
High Mightinefles with all the
reafons they have to alledge in
proof that the deflrudlion of our
commerce and navigation mult fol-
low, as the unavoidable confc-
quence of the unjull proceedings of
the Englilli, our neighbours, of
which there is no occafion of any
further proof, , it having already
been fully reprefented to your High
Mightinefles.

Your memorialifls therefore only
afl'ume the liberty of obferving in
very few word?, that by the feizur?
of their fliips, although they may
afterwards be relealed even witti
indemnity, the ncceffary delays in
fuch cafes are yet highly prejuai-
cial, and totally ruinous to the mer-
chants oi thefe provinces.

That, during the detention of

the merchandize, the commodiiies

[£> d] are

4iS3 ANNUAL, REGISTER, 1779.

?re expolld to tlie injury of the fall
of ni.ifket>, and the merchants are,
bcfivlcs in that interval, deprived
of the opportunity of furn,nr.ii<;'
tVienifi-lvcs in return w'nh fucii
goods a.s they intended when tiie
tirft cargoes arrived at thtir dcillned
ports.

In fhort, the Dutch ihips em-
ployed for the tranfpoi^ation of
merchandize to Frar.ce and elle-
where, being detaincJ, will, with-
out doubt, (ihc rciult of fuch pro-
ceedings out of the queflion) ccca-
f»on fewer numbers to be hired in
fuch fervice for the future.

That this feizure and detention
are not only in themfi.Ivcs fufficient
entirely to ruin our commerce and
navigation, but that this ruin will
be more rapidly brought on, when-
ever it (hall pleafe the Englilh na-
tion to make a fecond firide of in-
juftice, anci having feizcd the fhips
bound for oar French merchants,
or from France to this State, they
iiave only to declare them legal
prizes.

That this profpecl is itill more
deplorable, when your memorialills
refiedl on the regulation given by
his Chriflian MajeJ^y, on the 26tfi
of July laft, concerning the pavi-
5;ation of nfutrcl Jhi/s ; becaiife,
although that Monarch therein
forbids the iioppage and feizure of
neutral (hips, bound to or from an
enemy's pprt, he cevenheVfs re-
ferves to himfelf a right cf revok-
ing that ediil, in cafe any foreign
power jhvuld not agree to the fame
rrgnlattcn rejptcting neutral Jf^ifs.
From hence it necefiarily rcfults,
that, if the Engliih continue to
detain aijd feize our fnips coruing
from Frar.«e, or going thereto, wo
may expect, die fame treatment
*Vom the tVench v.i'.h regard to

O'ii fhips coming fr.');n, or going t.O
'Teat Biitain, and by thei'e me; ns,
. .lU to liK lOtal lur.i of thtff cSta'.cj,
tiiey will be deprived of the bei ef»ts
of commerce raid navigaticn wiili
both countries.

Your memorialifts, tht^ref : -,
flatt.'T tliemfelves, rhat your W (jh
IvlighliiicfTe.s will find tli«;ie resfo;-?
futHcimily concle.five to jufnfy cLc
prefeniaticn of this memotiai, as
alio that your High M:giitir.eiTcs
will t<-;ke fuch mealurcs, diiflated
by your ufual wifdom, and agree-
able to the protei^i.rt of the com-
merce and navigaticn of thele pro-
vinces, in order to fave them from
that total ruin with which they are
now threatened.

To their High Mightincfles the
States General of the United
Provinces.

A M E M O R I A L,

Refpc£lfuUy deli<vered frorn the Mer-
chants, Proprietors of VtJ]]}s, and
Exchange Infurers, of the ^c-jctis.
of Amilerdam, Rotterdam, and
Dordrecht.

THAT the unjuft procedure
of interrupting the navigation
and commerce of the intiabitants
of this republic, for a confidcrable
time part, by rlnglijh commijfioncd
fnps, as well as by the ihips and
officers of his Britannic Alajeliy,
has put many proprietors and
others, whofe Oiips and goods have
been feized, under the indifpenfible
receffity of calling upon the ititer-
cefiion, and entreating the fatherly
protefticn cf your High Mighti-
Refles, in order to obtain a releafe
of the Ihips and cargoes which have

been

STATE PAPERS.

[4^9

been thus unjulily captured, and
detained.

That befides a great numb?r of
merchants eltablilhed in thefe
town'-, as well as others through-
oi:t the provinces, having prefent-
ed a refpedf'ul addrefs to your
High MightinefTes, to fee thofe
eviis redrelFed, of which, with
great reafon, they think tliey have
a. right to complain, your meir.o-
rialilts flattered thenlfdves, that
your Migh MightinefTes 1-tters of
recommendation to Count JVeldere'i,
your Envoy Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary at the Court of
Great Britain, fent at the requell
of the reclaimants, as well as by a
general notification addrefTed by
your High Mightinefles to Count
Welderen, in order for him to
prefent without delay tUe nioil fe-
rious remonllrances in the name of
your High Mightinefles, as well to
his Britannic Majtfty, as to his
MinlOers, (in whicti your memoria-
lifts acknowledged with gratitude
the paternal care of your High
Mightinefles, for the welfare of
the inhabitants of this ftate) that,
we expeded, the faid letters of
recommendation would have pro-
duced the defired efFett ; that is to
fay, that the ffiips fo ftopped ar'd
fo unjufliy feized, with their car-
goes, would have been immediately
fet at liberty.

That the expences, damages,
aiid interells occafioned by their
detention, would have been de-
frayed to the fufFerers, and that
"the inhabitants of this ftarte would
have received the necelf-My a>'"a-
rances, that they could i.ave con-
tinued to carry on their navigation
and commerce with thuit freedom
and lafcty which they have a right
to expecl, as well fiocu the com-

inon rights of nature, as by the
mofc folemn treaties which now
ex'ft between Great Britain nr.d
this Republic; and that your
memorialiAs would then have had
every reafon to believe, tlut the
violence hitherto committed, were
the a'fl« of private pcrfons, and
committed v/ithout the order or
permifiion of the King of Great
Britain, and that fo far from
avoiding them, his Britannic Ma-
jcfty, according to his acknow-
ledged equity, would not have
piade the leaft difficulty of imme-
diately remedying them, efpecially
after he had received our jull; com-
plaints from the hands of your High
MightiacUcs.

That notwithftanding your me-
morialiftr, with great regret, per-
ceive that all the reprefentations
made by, or on the part of your
High Mightinefles on this fui)jeLl,
have only produced an injunction
from the Lords of the Englilh ad-
Hiiraliy, to releafe the (hips which
were not laden with timber or rig-
ging, but not that for the future,
fucti of our fhips as might be laden
with the under-mentioned articles
fnould be indemnified from cap-
ture, and {o far from allowing the
leaft damages to the fufFerers con-
cerned in the fmall number of
fhips which have been releafed,
the Englifh continue daily to de-
tain fuch of our vefTels as are laden
with mails, planks, hemp, and
other articles for fliip building,
coming from the Baltic, and bound
to France.

Your memorialifls are alfo in«
formed, that the intentions of the
Briiifh Minillry are to order a con-
f.f'caticn of the lading of all fhips
whofe cargoes they fh.all deem .'»
tdong to France ; or rather, in t!ii#s
[b d] Z C'JS

42ol ANNUAL RE

caie, where they fhall think that
the French have not an intereft in
the vefl'cls, to order them to be
relcafed, but to retain the cargo,
Tcimburfmg only the value, and
paying only the freightage of the
fiiips according to the fums award-
ed.

Under this confideration, as
they cannot but aUow, that on the
one hand this mode of arguing,
and thi? manner of afting, by the
Biitifh Minillry are diametrically
oppofite to the reciprocal obliga-
tions which bind the two nations,
the rights of men, as fantftiqned
by the laws of ri'.ture and nations,
as well as to the marine treaty of
the luh of December, 1674, in
particular; en which, notwith-
ftanding this republic hath not on
her part made the leall infiadlion,
and that fuch prgcedures muft
evidently wound and even deftroy
thofe rules of equity and good
faith, from which civilized nations
ought not to depart ; ^o, on the
other hand, if the Englifh Minif-
try fhouid obftinately pcrfiiT: in
fuch an unjull conduit, the confe-
qucnces mull necefiarily bring on,
not only the total ruin of a great
number of your memoriaHils, who
are immediately interefted, but
alfo the intire decline of the com-
merce and navigation of all the
inhabitants of this country, on
v/hich the welfare, profperiry, and
prefervation of the iUte entirely
depend.

Thefc evils have been exem-
plified in former times, but parti-
cularly in the years 1746, 1747.,
and 1748, and from 1756 to 1758.
In the firlt period we may eftimate
a iofs of upwards of tzventy miU
lionsi caufed by the Englifh on
the commerce and navigation of
X

GTSTER, 1779.

this State; and during the fecontl
period, near iavel-ve millicfis, which
is fufiiciently proved by the print-
ed records of thofe times, and
which arc laid before your High
MightinefTes.

Befides, the value of the cargoes
contained in the (hips now adu-
ally detained in England, amouni
already to a very confiderabie
fum, which is not only excluded
from circulation, but the total Iofs
of it, or of great part of it, if
fuch proceedings continue under
tbe fri^udous pretext that it belongs
to the French, and is, under that
differ ipt ion, to be conffcated, will
fall almoft entirely on the Dutch
merchants, affurers, &c. to which
we muft again add, the prodigious
damage occafioned to the owners
of (hips by the delay of fuch vef-
fels, the continuance of wages and
provifions during the detention, as
well as the ftoppage of the naviga-
tion during the interval.

Further, the feamen on board
fuch veflel?, and who arc fo ef-
fential to this republic, will either
efcape or be fed need into the fer-vice
of Great Britain. In (hort, if the
inhabitants of this republic are
prevented from freely navigating
in a manner agreeable to the faith
of treaties, their veffels will be
lefe employed than the Ihips of any
other nation, on whom the Eng-
lifli dare not impofe the fame re-
ftriftive law ; confequently the
fhips of the latter will be employ-
ed in tranfporting the goods and
merchandize, the exportation and
vend of which, interells as much
the inhabitants of the north, as
their beneficial impofiation from
the fouth of Europe.

The confideration of all thefe
objeds collectively determined

your

STATE PAPER S.

[421

your memorialiils again to p.ddrefs
your High MighrincfTes, and to
implore once more your fovereign
and efficacious protection. Their
mcmuiials are founded upon well
grounded appreiienfious of inevit-
able ruin, not only to themlelves,
but to the State at large, if the
Englifh iViinJihy obftinar?!y perfift
in their Piefcnt proceedings towards
our tliips.

Fuiaily, your memorialifts firmly
believe, that this State is neither de-
ficient in j:o~u.K'r, nor that her inhabi-
tants lua/it inclination or courage to
maintain the independency cf their
vfpublic againj} ail unjuji ^violence ;
end tbcy iiljo LooR. on it as infufferable,
that a nation njihich oi..cs the fecurity
and prejei'vation of /y:r cinj'l and re-
I'.gicui liberties to the ajfijlance and
CO - opLration of this rtfubiic, and
nvhich otherivife is united ivi:h ker
by ties cf mutual and pojjti-ve interef,
Jhculd dare, agaiujl the firjl prin-
ciples of natural equity, againji all
rules of right, adopted by all d-uilized
nations, and againji the faith of atl
folemn treaties, for the reafon only of
CONVENIENCE ; that this 'very na-
tion, nx:e fay, Jhould dare to caufe fo
much trouble and prejudice to the
commerce and navigation of this re-
public, and that in fo notorious a
manner, that the total ruin of indivi-
duals, and the entire decay of trade,
as luell as of navigation, muji be the
.final refult of their ccnduil.

A MEMORIAL,
Delivered by Sir Jofeph Ycrke, fo
the Deputies of the States Gene-
ral, on the 2zd of November,
1778.

HEIR High Mightinefles will
have received, by the anfwer

T

from Lord Suffolk, one of iu's Ma-
jclly's i'rincipo! Secretaries of State,
to the Count Welderen, dated the
ip'.h of Odobcr, the moft convin-
cing proofs of his Majefty's friend-
ftiip towards them.

After an explicit detail of the
hollile and unprecedented condud;
of his moft Chrillian Majt-fty,
which copdufl occafioaed the {earn-
ing irregularity of the Court of
Great Britain, in fcizing the fhips
appertaining to neucral powers,
bound to the ports of France, the
meafurc hath been fully explain-
ed on the principles of necef-
fity and felf- defence, againft an
enemy who hr.th ever aiSted co-
vertly and by lurprize. — The mo-
deration and equity of the King
my mafter, would not permit him
to difregard the complaints of the
fubjedls of their High Mighti-
nefles, from the moment there ap-
peared a poffibility to renew them.
It is for this reafon that his Ma-
jefty has declared his intention to
releafe the Dutch veflels, under
conditions the moft amicable and
the leaft dlfadvantageous, as far as
circumftances will admit. The
war, however, ftlll continues, ard
the aftive endeavours of the ene-
my to pu{h matters to extremity,
obliges his Pvlnjefty to guard agr.init
the danger. He wilhes, never-
thelefs, to involve his good neigh-
bours and allies as liuie as poflibie;
and although France has even
tiireatened to inv;.r.c his Majefty's
dominions and territories, having,
for that pui pofe, afTembled iiun)c-
rous armies on their coaft, the
King, my mafter, ftill forbtars to.
claim fuch fuccour from their
High MightinelTes as they are
bound to grant, by the moft ex-
plicit and iolemr. trcaues, whenever
■ [D^J 2 (uch

4^2] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fuch ruccour? mny be on his part
required, namely, the treaty ot"
1678, and the feparate article of
1716; his M^'jelty ccnhnes hinifcif
for the prefent folcly to lay before
their High MightineJlVs the 11 ue of
affairs, the motive of his condud,
and the necclTuy he finds himft-lf
under to take mcafures for his ouii
defence, and the prefervation of his
dominions.

It is only wiih this view that I
am ordered by his Britannic Ma-
jcfty, to propofe to their Hi<;h
Mightineilts a conference, to ccn-
iider of the ni&lt proper means to-
wards an amicable regulation of
fuch a mode of proceeding in fii-
rure, refpe61;ing fuch ai tides as his
MajeAy, without yielding to his
enemies, cannot po/Iibly fufftr
them to be fupplied wiih. It can-
rot have efcapcd the attention of
their High Tvlightincfies, that Lord
Suffolk in explaining his M.ijelly's
fenciments to Count Welieren,
fully dcmonitrated the King's fin-
cere delire lo pay the ftridleft re-
gard to ihe faith of treaties, as iar
as thty do not dircclly tend to" ex-
pofe^him to imminent danger. Ft
J5 by no means his intention, nor is
it his vvifh, to caufe the leaft inter-
ruption to the commerce of Hol-
land, ufually carried on with France,
excepting warlike and naval Acres,
and even this rellriction fl;all be en-
joyed with equity, and, [ am con-
fident, with every poffible degree
of generofiry.

I therefore, in obedir-nce to my
inftrucljons, have taken the liberty
to requcft an audience, to know
whether, in confequence of the
anfwcr delivered to Count VVel-
deren, their High Mightincffes arc
refolved to open a conference with
me ? On my part^ 1 increat you to

afiurc their High Mightincffes, th?.jt
as well from my being authoriu;d
by his M,jelly, as from my being-
perfonally dilp. fed, after a refidcnco
in this coi;nrry of 27 years, their
High MightinelTcs will End in mc
e\eiy readinefs to attend to their
complaints, and regard for their
welfare ; and 1 flatter myfelf that
in thf courfe of the conference I
fiiall convince them, that Whatever
forced and affedlcd tunv may have
been given to the condu-fb cf my
Court, ic has been founded on tlVe
juftice, rhoderation.- and necefTi'ty of
our fituation. In expetlation of rhii
declfion of their Hifrh Mightineifes
on what J have laid b'.tore them, I
truil thai ihe'T knov/n equity and
f:iendihip toA'ards his Majelly,
agreeable to' their recent aifurai-.ceS
by their Envoy, will prove fuiiicient
not to Authorize their fubjedls to
carry naval ftores, under convoy',
to France, as being tne moll dan-
gerous objeft to the fecurily of
Great Britain.

A MEMORIAL,

Prefented hv his Excellency the Duke
dc Vauguyon, J! i^baj[)'ador of
France to the States' General of
the United Provinces of the Low
Countries.

THE opinion which the King
my malltr hath entertained,
that your High Mightineffes, ani-i
mated With the defire of perpetu-
ating the perfedl harmony which
fiibfills between France and the
States General, will, in the prefent
circumftances, fcrupuloully adhere
to the principles of abfolute neu-
trality, has induced his Majelly to
comprehend the United Provinces

in

STATE PAPERS.

[4^3

in the regulation which was made
ifi the month of July lalt, concern-
irg the 'commerce and navigation
of neutral powers.

Fns Maielly has ftill lefs reafon
to doubt the perfeverance of your
H!t.; Mightineffes in thefe princi-
J-' s. after fo many afl"urance»
jfiven in claiming their captures,
which are the foundation and gua-
rantee of the folid repofe and pro-
/pc-ily of the Republic. But his
Majetly, notwithilanding, wifhes
to procure on this head a more cer-
.tain aiTurance, anJ it is with this
v'lrw that his Majefty has ordered
me uj demand ot your High Migh-
tjnefrcs a c!:ar and fpecifi; expla-
ra.ion of yo'ir ulterior determina-
ticn';, and fo to ftate them, tliat
hia Mf^jefliy may be enabled to
judge whether they tend to main-
tain or annul the rec procal regu-
lations w'uich his Majelly would
wifli to conioiidate.

The better to explain his Ma-
jefiy's views and Intentions to your_
High Mightinefles, I have the ho-
nour of notifying to you, that the
King my mafter flatters himfelf,
that your anAver to this ?/Iemorial
will preferve to the flag of the
Uiiited Provinces, all the liberty
which of right b^ongs to them, as
an independciit State, and to their
commerce all the refpeil which is
due by the law of nations, and the
.faith of treaties.

The leafl: derogation from ihofe
pviiicipk's of neutrality you have
profelied, will betray a partiality,
ti)e confequences of which will in-
cur tlie necelhty of putting an end
to not only the advantages which
his Majefly promifes to your flag
in cafe of a ftri(^t obfervance of
neutrality, but alio the eflential
favours and benefits which the

commerce of the United Provinces
enjoy in all the ports of his king-
dom.

This Memorial is prefented
without any other motive, than to
fhew the good will and affeaion of
his Majelly for your High Migh-
titiefles.

Hague, Dec. 8, 1778,

Orber ofthe French King's Coun-
cil of State, wliich is to take
place on the 26th of January,
1779, and revokes with refpe'ct
to the fibjefts of the United
Provinces ofthe Low Countries,
(the City of Amfterdam e.\'cept-
ed) all the advantages given,
by the firft article ofthe regula-
tion of the 26th of July, 1778,
to the navigaiion of neutral vef-
feli.; directs alfo, that all Hol-
land vellels fliall provifjonally
execute the firft, fccand, third,
fourth, and fifth articles of the
regulation of the 21ft of Octo-
ber, 1744; fubjeiting the faid
yefiels to the payment of duties
on freightage, and to the making
a new entry,

January 1 4, J 779.

Ex trad from the Regljfeys of tks
Council of State.

THE King having declared,
by his reg-.'.lation of the 25th
of Ju!y lall, concerning the navi-
gation 'of neutral veflels, that he
referved to himfelf the power of
revoking the liberty granted by the
firll article, in cafe the belligerent
powers fhould not grant the like
within the fpace of fix months ;
and his Majefty, judging it pro-
per to make known his intentions,
relative to the veflcls belonging to
[D ^34 tUc

424] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the fubjefts of ;he Republic of
the United Provinces ot tlie Low
Countries, has in council ordered
and declart xl as follows :

Article the ift.

The Republic of the United
Provinces not having obtained of
the Court of London the liberty
of navigation, equal to that which
the King had conditionally pro-
mifed to their fl.:g, and which
their treaties with England (hould
fecure to them, his Majclly re-
vokes, with refpect to the fubjedls
of the faid Republic, the advan-
tages granted by the firil article,
concerning the commerce and na-
vigation of neutral fhips; and in
confequence declares it his plea-
fure, that the vcflels of the laid
Republic fliall provifionaliy execute
tne iirll, feccnd, third, fourth,
and fifth articles of the regulation
of the zifiofOftober, 1744..

2. His Majefty further declares,
that from the date of the 26th of
January, 1779, the vefTels belong-
ing to the fubjefts of the faid
Republic fhall pay the duty on
freightage, as is eiiabliflied by the
ordinances and regulations, and
particularly by the declaration of
the 24th of November, 1750, and
ihe order of Council of The 16th
of July, 1757 ; his Majefty refei-v-
ing to himieif the power of lay-
ing, when he pleafes, new duties
on the commodities of the United
Provinces, and the prcduciions of
their manufactures.

3. His Majefly, however, confi-
dering that toe city of Amfterdam
has made the mofi; patriotic exer-
tions, to perfuade the Republic to

orocure, from the Court of Lon-
■* . . .

don, the fccunty of that unlimit-
ed liberty, which belongs to their

flag, in confequence of her inde-
pendence and integrity of com-
merce, which the rights of nations
and treaties fecure to her ; and
his Majelly, dcfirous of giving the
faid city a flriking cxam{)lc of his
benevolence, has referved to the
fhips freighted by the inhabitants
of AniHcrdam, the liberty pro-
mifed by the hril article of the
regulation of the 26th of July lail,
concerning tlie navigation of neu-
tral vefTels, as well as the exemp-
tion of the duties of freightage ;
except fach vefi'els as are employed
in the French coafting trade, which
fhall continue to be fubjed to the
order of Council of the i6th of
July, 1757. His Majefly further
rcferves to the inhabitants of the
faid citv, the advantages granted
to their own commodities, and the
produdions of their roanufafftures,
conformably to what is at prefent
praAifed,

4. To fecure to the vcffels of
Amfterdam, cxcluHvely, the en-
joyment of the advantages granted
in the preceding article, his Ma-
jefly declares, that the captains of
the faid vcfTcls fhall be fupplied
with a certihcate from the Com-
milTary of the Marine eflablifhed
at Amllcrdam, and an atteftation
of the magillrates of the faid city,
allctting that the vefi'els were adu-
ally freighted by the inhabitants
of that city, and that they went
diredly from their port for the
place they .were bound to.

5. The faid Captains fhall be
bound, on their return, to appear
b'.'fore the faid CommifTary of the
Marine, and to give fufficient
proof, that he landed his cargo in
no other port or harbour of the
Republic than that of Amfterdam.
His Majelly alfo enjoins the faid

CommifTary,

STATE PAPERS.

[4-5

Commlffary, to refufe in future any
new certificate to. thofe, who fhall
not be provided with good proof of
their integrity, or who fliall be con-
vi6\ed of having landed their cargo
in any other port or harbour of the^
rfpublic.

6. His M;ijefty efpecially com-
mands his amballador to the re-^
public of the United Provinces of
the Low Countries, flridly to at-
tend to the due obfervance of tliis
order.

His Majefty orders and com-
mands the Duke de Pcnthievre,
Admiral of France, to fign the ex-
ecution of the prefent oider, which
fhall be entered on the regillers of
the Admiralty, and from whence all
the necedary letters fhall be dif-
patched.

Given in the King's Council of
State, his Majefty being prefent,
Jield at Verlailles, Jan. 14, 1779.
(Signed)

De Sartike.

Memorial prefented by Sir Jofeph
Yorke, /o the States General of the
United Provinces.

" High and ^Jightv Lords,
" 'T^HE King of Great Bri-
JL tain, from the friendlhip
he has for your High MightinefTes,
and taking into confideration the
xegard reciprocally between Sove-
reigns, has hitherto forebore in-
terfering in the negociation which
has been carrying on relative to
the proteiflion to be given to the
tranfportation of all forts of naval
itores during the v.'ar, which is
ai'lually carrying on between your
High MightinelTes and France; but
the lall proceedings of the French
ambaflador forbid his keeping fi-

lence any longer, and his. Majefly
would think he wronged the an^
cient leagues between his. crown i
and your High Migl-.tinefTes, if he,
did not inform tlvcm to what;
danger they will expajQ t:hem-
felves, by liftenin^; to propofals
which will ob]i:re them to in-
fringe a- neutrality .which they
have fo often declared they wilhed
to fupport, and which at once at-
tack their independence, fap the
bafis of their government, and
threaten nothing lefs than their
difunion.

" Your High MightinefTes are
too well inftrufted not to feel that
a foreign power, who takes upon
itfelf the right of granting parti-
cular favours to part of your go-
vernment to the prejudice of the
reft, can have no other view than to
fow difcord, and to break the ties
which unite you ; and that if other
powers were to follow the fame ex-
ample, the republic would be tora
10 pieces by an internal combuftion,
and an univerfal anarchy would
fucceed.

" Thus far the interefl only of
your High MightinefTes feems con-
cerned ; bat when we perceive that
the end of all thefe intrigues is ma-
nifellly dcfigned to caufe the re-
public to quarrel with the King, and
tci bring on a war between your
High MightinefTes and Great Bri-
tain, under the feducing preter.ee
of a perfect neutrality and the in-
terell of trade, the King can no
longer remain an indifferent fpcc-
tator, but finds himfelf obliged to
lay before your High MighimeflV-
the danger into which France wifh:-*
to plunge you.

" What right has France to
ditflate to your High Mightineile-
the arrasgements you ought to

inakc

jiiS] ANNUAL llEG iSTER, 1779.

make with England ? When and
how has thnt court obtained any
Juih ii{;ht? The treaty whicli your
High Miglitineircs do, and which
t'hf King might reclaim, contains
rothing of that kind; it mull;
therefore be fought lor in the am-
bitious views of that power, which
has made a league with the rebels
of America, and now endeavours
to tring other Aates into it with
thrm.

*♦ In O.Jlobcr lall, the King, in
Sn amicable manner, communi-
cated his fitnation ar.d fentimcnts
to your High Mighi'melics, by a
niemcria! cUlivercd to yoiir Envoy,
Count V/eldcren, by the Iste Lcrd
Suffolk, in uh'ch he explained his
views, and the ncci-flity he was
under to defend himfeif agai;iU: an
enemy, who had att;icked him by
jirpri'/e in an unjuft manner ; and
a!tnoug"h that enemy has gone fp
f.y as to didate to your High
Mightir.eiTes, what they were to
do during the prefcnc troubles ;
his Majelly, far from imitating
any fuch arbitrary condti6>, onjy
propofed to your High Mighti-
iiefles to confer with his ambaflador
upon what was moll proper to be
done for the fecurity. Sec. of the
r-.vo countries. Your High Migh-
tineficj., it is true, 10 my gre.-it re-
gret, thought proper to decline this
oifcr, and to infill upon the lite-
ral and llriiTt cbftrvance of a
t.eaty which you vi urfelves rnuft
i'ee is incompatible with the fecu-
rity of Grc2.t Britain, and contrary
TO the fpirit and ftipulaiions of all
the future treaties between the two
nations.

" What objcd can be more iin-
portant, more indilpenfiblc, than
that of depriving the enemy of any
materials which may er.able them

to redouble their efforts during th*
war ? and how can a proiciftion of
thofe n'laterials be reconciled to the
alliances io often renewed between
the two nations, or wich the af-
furances of friendlhip, which your
High MightinefTes are continually
profefling to the King ? '1 o pre-
vent future bad confequences, and
to afTure the republic of the une-
quivocal friendfliip his Majefly en-
tertains for this republic, tite
King has ordered me to nfTure
your High Mightinefles of the ar-
dent d;'firc he has 10 cultivate good
harmony betwten t!v fwo nadons,
to renew the promif.s hj made to
them to maintain the liberties of
legal trade to their fubjedls, agree-
able to the orders given to the
King's fliins and privateers, not-
witliilatuiing the advantage that
may refult from it to the enemy ;
but his Majclty orders me to add,
that he cannot depart from the
neceffity he is undervof excluding
the tranfportation of naval llores
to the ports of France, and parti-
cularly timber, even if they are
tfcorted by men of war.

" '; he example wlTich France
has fct of favouring feme members
of the republic to the detriment
of others, fo diredly contrary to
the union and independence of
ycur High Mightincfics, the King
hopes never to be obliged to follow,
urilefs a condcfcenfion to the views
of France obliges him to take that
method of making amends to thofe
members of the republic who are
hurt by the partiality of his enem5rs.
His Majelly aUvays thought it de-
rogatory from the dignity of fcve-
reignty to fow difcord in any neigh-
Louring llatcs.

" The lart edia publiflied by
the couit of France, which ex-
cepts

STATE PAPERS.

[4^7

cepts the cities of Amil' rdam and
Haerkni from cer;ain duties im-
poied Oil the otL>. r members of the
republic, :o punifh uiem for ha.ving
rrane ufe 0/ ihac lovereign right
wi.ich belo.igi to them, caanot but
fhew all Europe the motives which
have cTt; ig i ffauce to league with
America.

" I'ne ^ving is always ready to
doalj ill hi lUvvcr for.ihe advantage
and trar .juility of the fubjeds of the
rtpublic, pi k'ided it is 'lOt incom-
DL-tibie With the intcrelts of his kino;-
cc::is.

"He f.atters hiijifclf, that your
High Mig'itlneiles will, on this oc-
ohon, confiit your true interefts,
without fufcring yourfelves to be
irjtirtiidate'd by foreign views, and
ina: vou vyill cQ-cperate by that
means to keep up the good intelli-
gence betwien the two nations, and
tr-t ris Majefiy may never be
v'ui;. to take other meafures to-
Wai ji the republic, than thofe which
fiK-n'iir.ip and good harciGny may
diaate. •■ >^ - . .

(Signed)

Joseph Youke."
Hague, Jpril g, 1779.

Ordinance cfthe French King' s Ccun-
cil of State, reflecting the Sujpen-
fion of the Order to cclltcl the Du-
ties of Freightage, and jfteen per
Cat. upon the Ships of the Fro-
ijiace cf Holland exciujive/y.

y^iy 3' i779-

Extrcd from the Regifiirs of the
Council of State.

TH E King, by the orders of
his council of the 14th of
January, the 27th of April, and
tJie 5 til of June lad, having or'

dered to be colledled, in all the
ports of bis kingdom, not oni/
the right of freiglitage, but alio
that o{ fifteen per cent, as well upon
the (hips of Holland as thofe of
the other Provinces, and upon the
merchandize with whicli they (hall
be laden, excepting from thoi'e
difpofitions, the cities o^ Amller-
dam and Haerlem ; and his Ma-
jel*y b:ing willing to grant the
fame exception to the whole Pro-
vince of Holland, the Sieur Mo-
reau de Beaumont, Counfellor of
State in Ordinary, and of the
Council cf the Royal Finances,
has made the fullowing report;
The King, being prefent in his
council, has O'dercd, and does or-
der, that the execution of the or-
dinances of the i^-th of January,
the 27th of April, and the 5th of
June, Ihall be fufpended, until a
new order to the contrary, in fa-
vour cf the faid Province ofHoI-
knd exclufively ; provided never-
theiefs, the captains cf fliips be-
longing to the faid Province be
furnished with a certificate, either
from the Comniiflary of Marine at
Amllerdam, or ifrom the Mariac
Agent at R^.ttcrdam, to prove that
the faid (hips rcaily belonged to a
citizen of the faid Province, and
that their ladings confilled o^ arti-
cles of their own growth,' fifhcry,
manufadures, and commerce. His
Majelly co.iimanJs and enjoins his
Intendar.ts and CommifTaries in his
Provinces, to attend to the execu-
tion of this prcfent ordinance. Given
in the K-.ng's Council of State,
held at Verfailles, his Majefty be-
ing prefchc, the 3d day of July, one
thoufand feven hundred and feventv-
nine.

(Signed.)

De Sartine.

4i8] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

J^Iemorial prcfenttd by S-r Jofeph
York, Ambajl'iidor Extraordinary
and rifn'ipctentiary cf the King of
Great Britain, to their High
Mightincfles the States General
of the Uiiitcd Provinces of the
Lo^v Countries, on the zzd of

>■>• »779-

" Hij^^h and Mighty Lords,
** QINLE France, by the de-
13 tlaration maJe at London
on the I3ih of March lart year,
fully difcovorcd the vaft and dan-
gerous defigns wiiich the Family
Compaft had before announced
to Europe, this part of the world
niuft bear witnefs to the wiidom
and moderation of the King of
Great Britain, who endeavoured
to ward ofF the calamities of war,
avoiding, as much as pollible, en-
gaging his neighbours and allies.

" A condudl like this, founded
in the moil pointed moderauon,
feemed fo much to embolden the
court of Verfailles, that after per-
ndiouily encouraging of rebel fub-
jefts, under the inalk of liberty,
commerce, and independence, to
plunge a poignard into the heart
of their motaer country ; France,
not contented with fo hoftile a pro-
ceeding, has, without any na-
tional quarrel, drawn Spain into
its views, and, without any plau-
fible reafons to colour the defign,
is making every preparation that
an imperious difpofnion can dic-
tate to invade the Britifh iflands.

" On the news of thefe extraor-
dinary and great preparations,
your High MightinefTes cannot but
juftify the preffing and reiterated
inrllances which the King of Great
Britain could not but make to
you, relative to the naval arma-
ment ; and the notorious danger

of England will no doubt con-
vince all the fubjcds of thefe Pro-
vinces, who have hitherto fpoke
againft it, of the necejfity of this
requellofmy court.

" But thofc motives, which
were only palliatives to prevent au
evil, are now out of feiioii; the
danger is become imminent, and
the remedy muil he ipeedy. 7'he
Itipul.itions of a treaty, founded
on the interefts of ii'ade only, muft
gii^e way to thofc founded on the
deareft interefts of the two nations.
The moment is come to decide
whether Great Britain, who has
fpilt fo much blood, and expended
lo much trcafure to fuccour other?,
and to maintain liberty and reli-
gion, is to have no other refources
againft the malice and envy of her
enemies, than her own courage,
and her own internal ftrength ;
whether (he is to be abandoned by
her muft antient friends and allies,
to the moft ambitious views of the
Houfe of Bourbon, which would
crufli all, to reign over all; and
whether Europe in general, and
your High MightinelTes in parti-
cular, will with indifference fee a
fyftem eftablilhcd, which will evi-
dently deftroy that equilibrium
which is the only guarantee of
your commerce, liberty, and even
exiftence itfelf.

" The King, High and Mighty
Lords, has too high an opinion of
the underflanding, the good faith,
and the wjfdom of the republic, to
doubt a moment of the fentiments
of your High MightinefTes on tins
occafion. A nation whofe hiftory
contains fcarce any thing but the
detail of the dangers which the
ambition of France fuccefiiveiy
created, whofe beft days began
with their union v.'ith England ;

STATE PAPERS.

[429

in ftiort a , nation accuflomed to
cxaci the literal execution of" a hard
treaty, has too much generofity
not to fuln) thofe which have unit-
ed the interefts of the two nations
upwards of a century.

" Jt is in this perfuafion, joined
to all that is held moll facred
among men, that the under-writ-
ten Ambaflador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary from the King of
Great Britain, has, by exprefs or-
der, the honour to notify to your
High Mightinefles, that the dan-
ger which threatens his kingdoms,
neceflitates his Majefty to reclaim,
without lofs of time, the Tuccouks
flipulated in the treaties of 1678,
and others, and of which the Cafus
Fcederis is fo ftlly explained in the
feparate article of 1716. His Ma-
jefty expeds the fame with confi-
dence from a neighbour who has
never failed in his engagements,
and for the reft confides in the di-
vine benedidion on thejuftnefsof
his caufe, and on the fidelity and
valour of his fubjefts.

" The underwritten waits with
the greateft impatience for a juft,
ipeedy, and favourable anfwer,
and is ready to confer with the de-
puties of your Hi^^h Mightinefles
on what fteps are further neceffary
to be taken.

(Signed)

Joseph Yorke,"

Hague, July 22, 1779.

Re/olutions of their High Mightinef-
fes, relati'-ve to Paul Jones'j Squa^
dron and Prizes, deli'vered to the
Englifti Amhajfcidor at the Hague,
OH the 2^th of Ociober iTJg.

THAT
neiles

their High Mightl-
being informed that

three frigates had lately arrived at
the Texel, namely, two French
and one called an American, com-
manded by Paul Jones, bringing
with them two prizes taken bv
them in the open iea, and called
the Serapis and the Countefs of
Scarborough, defcrjbed in the am-
balfadur's memorial. That their
High Mightiuefies having for a
century paft ftriclly obferVed the
following maxim, and notified the
fame^ by placards, viz. that they
will in no refped whatever pretend
to judge of the legality or illega-.
lity of the aclions of thofe who
have on the open fca taken any
vcjTels which do not belong to this
country, and bring them into any
of the ports of this repulAic; tbac
they only open their ports to theni
to give them flielter from ftorms
or other difailers; and that they
Qblige them to put to fea again
with their prizes without unload-
ing or difpofmg of their cargoes,
but lettir.g them remain exaiily asv
when tkity arrived. That their
High Mightinefles will not exa^
mine whetner the prizes taken by
the three frigates in queftion belong
to the French or the Americans,
or whether they are legal or illegal
prizes, but leave all that to be de-
termined by the proper judges,
and will oblige them to put to fea,
that they may be liable to be re-
taken, and by that means, brought
before the proper judge, particu-
larly as his Excellency the Ambaf-
fador niuft own he would have no
lefs a right to re-claim the above-
mentioned ftiips, if they had been
private property, than as they have
been King's ftiips;- therefore their
High Mightinefies are not autho-
riled to pafs judgment either upoa
thefe prizes, or the pcrfon of Paul

Jones;

43o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Jones; that as to what regards a(f>s humanity dictated relative to thff
of hiTmr.nity, their High Mi:ihtl- wounded men on board the twci

nCill's have already made appear
how ready they are to (licw them
towards the woundt-d on board of
the vcfllls, and that ihcy have
. given orders accordingly. That
an extrart of the prelcnt refolu-
tion 'hall be given to Sh" jofcph
Yorke by the Agent Vandcr Burch
de Spierinxhock.

At the fame time it was refolv-
ed, that word ihoulJ be fent to
the Admiralty of Amllerdam that
their High MightineiTes approve
ihrir proceedings, and adhere to
tiieir placard of the 3d of Novem-
ber, 1756, by whicii it is forbid
to meddle with any piizes, or to
open their c.irgoes, fo as by that
means to free them from being re-
taken, ^-c. That this is (Iridly to
he obfervcd with regard to the
Jserapis and Couiitelb of Scarbo-
rough. Their High Mightinell'cs
authorife the faid Admiralty to or-
der matters fo that thefe five ihips
do put to fea as foon as poffible,
and that they take care they are
rot furnilhed with any warlike or
naval ftores but what are abfolutely
neceffary to carry them fafe to the
hrll foreign port they can come ar,
in order that all fufpicion of their
being fitted out here may drop.

Memorial prefc7iied hy Sir Jofeph
Yorke, his Majefty^s Amlujfodor
i't the Hague, to their ilitrh
Mightinefil's, requejiing the ddi-
itring np the Herapis and Coun-
ttfs of 'Scarlorcugh, taken by Paul
Jones.

1

High and M>ghry Lords,
N thanking your High Mighti-
neiTes for thp. orders which vour

King's Qiips the Serapis and Coun-
tefs of Scarborough, I cannot but
comply v>,ith the Itrid orders of his
Majehy, by renewing in the ilrongi
elt and moll prelliug manner his
requcft that ihele fhips and their
crews may be Hopped, and deli-
vered up, which the pirate Paul
Jones of Scotland, who is a rebel
iubjed, and a criminal of the
State, has taken.

The fentiments of equity and
juflice which your High Mighti-
neiTes poflefs, leave me no room to
doubt but that, upon mature deli-
beration upon all t!>e circumftances
of this affair, you will acknow-
ledge the: reafonablenefs of this re-
queft, founded both on the mod
foiemn treaties now fubllfting be-
tween Great Britain and the Unit-
ed Provinces, and the right and .
cuftoms of nations in fricndfhip and
alliance.

The ftipulation of the treaty of
Ereda of the loth of July 1667,
(Old Stile) confirmed particularly
in that of 1716, and all the later
ones, are too clear and incontellible
in that refpeft for the full force of
them not to be felt.

The King would think he deroi
gated from his own dignity, as
well as that of your High Migh-
tinefi'es, was he to enter into the
particulars of a cafe fo notorious
as that in queltion, or to fet before
the eyes of the ancient friends
and allies of his crown analogous
examples of other Princes and
States ; but will only remark, that
all the placards even of your High
Mightintflcs require that all the
captains of foreign armed veflels
fliall, upon their arrival, prefent
their h-tiers of marque or commif-

iion.

STATE

fion, and authorlfes, according to
the cuftom of Admiralties, to treat
all thct'e as pirates ivhole letters
are found to be illegal for want
of being granted by a fovereign
po-.ver.

The fjuality of Paul Jones, and
all the circumllances of the affair,
are t30 notorious tor your High
MightinelTcs to be ignorant of them.
Ttie eyes of all Europe 'aro fixed
upon your refolu'.icn-; Voir Hi^h
Mightinefies kr.ovv too well the va-
lue of good faith not to give an
example of it in this eifential ren-
contre. The fir.alleil deviation from
fo facred a rule, by weakening the
friendlhip of neighbours, mny pro-
duce ferious confeq-ences.

The ICing has always gloried in
cultivating the friendlhip of your
High MightinefTes; his M.-ijofly
conilantly perfiib in the fime Icn-
timents; but the Englilh nation does
not think that it any ways has de-
ferred its fellow-citizens to be im-
prifoned n the ports of the republic
by a man of no char?.dcr, a fubjeft
of the iame country, and who en-
joys that liberty which they are de-
prived of.

It is tor thefe and mjlfiy other
ftrong rcafons, which cannot efcape
the wiiJ.oni and penetration of your
Hign ilvIiguiineiTes, that the under-
written hopes to receive a ipeedy
and t^ivourable anfwer, conforrxi-
able to the jult expectations of the
King his mailer and the Britifh
nation.

(Signed)

Joseph York.!.
Done at the Hague, Oct. 29, i779-

T:ie anfwer which thetr High
MighiineiTes caufed to be given to
the rdiove memorial was in brief j
»* That they WJU in no refped

PAPER S.

[43 J

take upon them to judge of the
legality or illegality of thofe who.
have on the open lea taken any
veiTels which do not belong to
their country ; that they only
opeii their ports to give them (hel-
ter from ilorms or other difaflers ;
and that they oblige th.nn to go tO'
fea again with their prize,-", without
fufterin^ them to unload or difpofe
of any part ©f thci'- cargoes, that
they may be liable to be re-takeu
in the fame ftate they v/ere taken ;
but do not think themfelves au-
thorized to pafs judgment upon
thofe prizes, or the perfon of Paul
Jones, &c."

Memorial prefented by Sir Jofeph
Yorke, fo their High Mighti-
neffes, AW. zSth, I779-

High and Mighty Lords,

H E King cannot without
furprize fee the filence that
has been obferved, with regard ^
the memorial which the under-
written had the honour to prefent
upwards of four months ago to yojr
High iVIighiinefic?, requii-ing tiie
fuccours ftipulated by treaty.

His Majeity would not have
claimed the afTiftance of his allies,
if he had not been fully authorized
to it by the menaces, the prepara-
tions, and even the attacks of his
enemies ; and if he had not thought
your High Mightineffcs as much in-
lerefted in the prefervation of Great
i-ri'ain as in their own.

The fpirit and the letter of the
treaties confirm this truth. Your
High Mightineffes are too wife
and too juil to difpenfe with the
obfervance of them, having par-
Plcularly yourfelvcs Iblicited the
addition

^3:] ANNUAL R E G I S T E R, 1779.

addition of the fepaiate article of
the treaty of 17 1("), in w'iiich the
Ca/'us farJcris is ilipulatcd in a clear
and incontetHble manner.

The hollile declaration made at
London by the Marquis de Noaillcs,
the attack of Jerfcy, the fiege of
Gibraltar, and all the other noto-
rious enterprizes, are fo many
clear proofs of a raanifeft aggref-
-fjon. BefjJes which, your High
Mightinefles have feen, during the
part fummer, that the combirted
forces of the Houfe of Uouibon
were evidently direifted againll his
Mnjefty's kingdoms; and although
the vigorous meafurcs of the King,
the zealous and patriotic eftcrts of
the nation, crowned with the blcf-
iings of Providence, have happily
Jiitherto frudrated their ambitious
defigns, yet the danger exiils Hill,
and the enemy continues flil! to an-
nounce their intended attacks and
invafions, under the protection of
their naval forces.

The King can never imagine
that the wifdom of your High
MightinefTes can permit them to
remain indifferent in intereih fo
folid and fo common to both coun-
tries, and ftill lefs that ihey fhould
not be convinced of the julbce of
the motives which have determined
his Majciiy to claim that fuccour
which is his due on fo many ac-
tounts. His Majeity would rather
perfuade himfelf that your High
MightinefTes, having refolved to
augment their navy, had through
prudence kept b^ck their aniwer
till they were better able to furnifh
the fuccour required.

It is for this reafon, that, in
jenewing this fubjeft in the molt
preffing manner, 1 have orders to
requell of your High MighcineflTes
molt amicably not to dster the

concerting of meafures, in order
to fulfil their engHgements on this
head. The decilion of your HigU
Mightineflfes is ib necefl.iry, and
fo important in its Confequences,
that the King would think him-
felf wanting to himfelf, his fub-
je<fl3, and the republic, if his Ma-
jelly did not recommend this af-
fair immediately to the moft fe-
rious deliberation of your High
Mightinefl'es. It is of infinite im-
port to the King to have matters
made clear, by a fpeedy and im-
mediate anfwer to fo eflential an
objed.

His Majefty hopes, from the
equity of your High MightinefTes,
that their anfwer will be conform-
able to the treaties and the fenii-
ments of friend(hip he has always
had for the republic; and it will
be according to the refolutions of
your High Mighiinefles that his
Majefty propofes to take fuch fu-
ture meafures as may be moft
adapt-fd to circumftances and moft
proper for the fecurity of his eflates,
the welfare of his people, and the
dignity of his crown.
Do/je at the Hague, Nov. 26, 177^.
"(Signed)

Joseph Yorke.

Treaty of Frie?tdjhip and Commerce
bef-ji^een the French King and
the United States 0/" North Ame-
rica. .

THE Moft Chriftian King,
and the Thirteen United
States of North America, viz.
New - Hampftiire, MafTachufets-
Bay, Rhode -IHand, Connefticut,
New-York, New-Jerfey, Pennfyl-
vania, the Counties of Newcaftle,"
Kent, and SuffvX on the Dela-
ware,'

STATE PAPERS.

U33

w^are, Maryland, Virginia, North
and South Carolina, and Georgia,
defirous of eflabliihing, in an equi-
table and permanent manner, ».Ke
Tttles which ought :o be obferved,
relative to the correl'pondence and
comn^erce, which the two parties
wifh to eftabliih between their le-
fpedive ftates, dominions, and fab-
jeds ; his moft Chriftian Majeffy
and the (aid United States have
thought proper, and as moft con-
iJucive to this end, to found their
arrangennents or^ the bafis of the
snoft pcrfetf^ equality and recipro^
cal advantage, taking care to
avoid difagreeable preferences, the
foarces of altercation, embarraff-
ment, and difconcent; to leave to
each party the h'berty, refpeftjng
commerce and navigation, of mak-
ing fuch interior regula.ti.ons as
IhaJl fuit themfefves ; to found
their commercial advantages as
well on reeiprocaf intereff^ as on
the laws of mutual agreement ;
and thus to preferve to both par-
ties the liberty of dividing, each
according to his will, the fame ad-
vantages with other nations. In
xhis idea, and to accomplifh thefe
views, his faid Majerty, having no-
minated and appointed, as his ple-
nipotentiary, M. Conrad Alexander
Gerard, royal Syndic of the city
o^ Strafbargb, Secretary of his
Jvlajeily's Council of States and
the United States having, on their
part, invefted with ful! powers
3ieir. Benjamin Franklin, Deputy
of the General Congrefs of the
State of Pennfylvania, and presi-
dent of the aiTembly of the faid
<ia.te; Silas Deane, formerfy De-
puty of the State of Cojinefticut j
and Arthur Lee, Counfellor at
Law : the faid plenipotentiaries
-■pfpefiively, after havinrr e;:c!iane-
Vci., XXIL

ed their credentials, and tipon jua«
ture deliberation, have ooncloded
and agreed to the follovying ar-
ticles :

Art. I. A firm, invioJable, and
aniverfa] peace, and a triTe and
fincere friendfhip, fliail fnbfift be-
tween the nioft Cbriffian King,
his bdrs aud fuccefibfs, and the
United States of America, as well
as between his moft Chriftian Ma-
jeily's fubjeifts, and thofe of the
faid ftates ; as alfo between the
people, iflands, cities, and places,
under the governnf>ent of his Chrif-
tian Majelty, and the faid United
States ; and between the people
and inhabitants of all cia3es, with-
out any exception to perfons or
places. The conditions mentioned
in the prefent treaty, fhaJl be per-
petual and permaneat betw^een the
moll Chriltian King, his heirs and
fucceffors, and the faid United
States.

Art. U. The moft ChriRian King
and the United States Diutcally en-
gage, not to grant any particular
favour to other nations, refpefting
commerce and navigation, which
ftia)} not be immediately jnade
known to the other party j and fuch
nation (hall enjoy that favour gra-
taitoufly, if the conccfficwi is fuch^
or in granting the fame compen-
fauou, if the conceSon is condi-
tional.

Art. in. The fabjeds of the
moft Chrillian King fhall uot pay,
in the ports, harbours, loads,
countrie5,iflands, cities, and places
of the United States, any greater
duties or impofts, of what jiatJre
Ibever they may be, or by whatever
name they may be called, thaa
fuch as the moft favoured nation
Iball pay; and they fhall enjoy a 1}
the rights, libertiesa piiviieges, im-
[E e] aauniiies.

4341 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

niuniiios, and exemptions, in point
of" trade, navigation, and com-
merce, whether in palling from
one port of the faid States to an-
other, or in going thither, or in
reciirning from or going to any
part of the world whatever, as
the faid nations may or ihall en-
joy.

Art. iV. The fuhjcfls, people,
and inhabitants of the laid United
States, or each of them, fhall not
pay. in the ports, harbours, roads,
illands, citie;;, and places, within
the dominions of his moll Chriftian
Majefty in Europe, any greater
duties or impoUs, of what nature
ibever they may be, or by whatever
name they may be called, than the
molt favourite nation are or fhall

ever they fliall think proper, a
right equivalent to that in queftion,
in the fame cafe as it is eflablilhed
in the ports of his moft Chriftian
Majefty.

Art.' VI. The moft Chriftian
King ftiall ufe all the means in his
power to protcft and defend all the
ihips and effeds belonging to the
fubjeds, people, and inhabitants
of the faid United States, and of
each of them, which fhall be in
his ports, harbours, or roads, or
in the feas near his territories,
countries, ifles, cities, and places;
and fhall ufe every effort to reco-
ver and reftore to the lawful pro-
prietors, their agents or order, all
the fhips and cft'efts which fhall be
taken within his jurifdidlion ; and

be bound to pay; and they fliall his moft Chriftian Majefty's fhips

"of war, or other convoys, failing
under his authority, fhall take, on
every occafton, under their pro-
te£lion the fliips belonging to the
fubjeds, people, and inhabitants
of the faid United States, or any

£rjoy all the rights, liberties, pri
vileges, immunities, and exemp-
tions, in point of trade, naviga-
tion, and commerce, whether in
paffing from one port to another of
the faid dominions of the moft

Chriftian King in Eiyope, or in of them, which fhall keep the fame
— : .i,,'.u„_ „_ • ...^ : r. r. i i._ ..l. r . .. -_j

going thither, or in returning from
or going to any part of the world
whatever, as the faid nations may or
fhall enjoy.

Art. V. In the above exemption
is particularly comprifcd the im-
pofition of one hundred pence per
ton, eftablifhed in France upon fo,
reign fhips ; excepting when the
fhips of the United States fhall
load with French merchandizes in
one port of France for anoiher in
the lame kingdom ; in which cafe
the faid fhips of the faid United
States fhall difcharge the ufual
rights, fo long as the moft favour-
ite nations fhall be obliged to do
the fame ; neverthclefs, the faid
United States, or any of them, fhall
be at liberty to eftablifh, when-

courfe and make the fame rout, and
defend the faid (hips, fo long as
they fhall keep the fame courfe and
make the fame rout, againft every
attack, force, or violence, in the
fame manner as they are bound to
defend and prote*^ the fhips be-
longing to the fubj efts of his moft
Chriftian Majefty.

Art. VII. In like manner the
faid United States, and their fhips
of war failing under their autho-
rity, fhall protedl and defend,
agrerable to the contents of the
preceding article, all the fhips and
efFefts belonging to the moft Chrif-
tian King, and fhall ufe all their
efforts to recover and reftore the
faid fliips and effeds, which fliall
be taken withia the extent of the

jurif-

STATE PAPERS.

{435

jurifdi£lion of the faid United
States, or either of them.

- Art. VIII. The molt Chriftiari
King will employ his endeavours
and mediation with the King or
Emperor of Morocco or Fez, with
the Regencies of Algier, Tunis,
and Tripoli, or any of them, as
well as with every other Prince,
State, or Powers, of the Barbary
coaft in Afiic?i, and v/ith the fub-
jefts of the faid King, Emperor,
States and Powers, and each of
/ them, to fecure, as fully and ef-
fedually as polTible,. to the advan-
tage, convenience, and fecurity, of
the faid United States, and each
of them, as alfo their fubjecls,
people, and inhabitants, their (hips
and efFeds, againit violence, ,in-
fuJt, attack, or depredation, on
the part of the faid Barbary
Princes and States, or their fub-
jeds.

Art. IX. The fubjeds, inhabi-
tants, merchants, commanders of
Ihips, mailers, and feamen, ofthe
ftates, provinces, and dominions of
the two parties, fhall reciprocally
refrain from and avoid fiiljing in
any of the places poiTelTed, or
V'hich fhall be poiTefred, by the
other party. The fubjeds of his
moll Chrillian Majefty Ihall not
fifh in the harbours, bays, creeks,
roads, and places, which the faid
United States poflefs, or Ihall here-
after poITefs; and in the fane man-
ner the fubjed,s, people, and in-
habitants, of the laid United States,
fhall not filh in the harbours, *^ays,
creeks, roads, coails, and places,
which his moll Chrillian Majelty
aftually poITefies, or Ihall hereafter
poITefs ; and if any Ihip or vcfl':;I
(hall be furprifed fiiTiing, in viola-
tion of the prefent treaty, the i'ame
fiiip or veflel, and its cargo, Ihall,

upon clear proof, be confifcated.
Provided, the exclufion llipulated
in the prefent article Ihall Hand
good only fo long as the King and
the United States Ihall not fuIFer it
to be enjoyed by any other nation
whatever.

Art. X. The United States, their
citizens and inhabitants, Ihall never
difturb the fubjefls of the moll
Chrillian King in the enjoyment
and exercife of the right of filhing
on the banks of Newfoundland,
any more than in the unlimited
and exclufive enjoyment they pof-
fefs, on that part of the coafts of
that illand, as fpecilied in the treaty
of Utrecht, nor in the rights rela-
tive to all and each of the illes
which belong to his moll Chrillian
Majefly; the whole conformable to
the true fenfe of the treaties of
Utrecht and Paris.

Art. XL The fubjeifls and in-
habitants ofthe faid United States^
or any of them, Ihall not be confi-
dered as foreigners in France, ind
confequently fhall be exempt front
the right of efcheatage, or any
other fuch like right, under anj-
name whatever; they may, by will,
donation, or otherwife, difpofe of
their goods, moveables, and fix-
tures, in favour of whom they Ihall
pleafe; and their heirs, fubjedls
of the faid United States, refident
in France or elfewhere, Ihall fuc-
ceed to them, ai intijlat, without
being obliged to obtain letters of
naturalization, and without being
cxpofed to any molellation or hin-
drance, under pretence of any rights
or prerogatives of provinces, ci-
ties, or private perfcns; and the
faid heirs, either by particular title,
or ab intejlat, Ihall be exempt from
all right of detraiftion, or other
right of that kind, provided thrt
*\E i\ 2 fuch

436] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fuch or the lilcft local rights are
pot ellablillied by the iaid Uniied
Siaies, or any ot ibem. The fub-
y:t\s cf the moft Chriftian King
Ihall enjoy, on their fide, in all
the dominioaj pt" the faid States, an
entire and perfed reciprocation,
with refped to the ftipulations in-
cluded in the preient aiiicle.

But it ib at the fame time agreed,
that'tlie contents of this article (hall
pot afTedl the laws made in France
againll emigrations, or fuch as may
be. made hereafter, fuch being left
in their full force and vigour; the
United S:ates, on their fide, or
any of them, Qiall be free to make
luch laws, refpcding that matier>
as they ftiall juHge proper.

Aft. XII. The merchant (hips of
both parties, which fhall be bound
to any port, belonging to a power
then an enemy of the ether ally,
and of which tlie voyage, or nature
of its cargo, (hall give jiifl; fufpi-
cions, (hall be bound to produce,
either on the high feas, or in ports
and harbours, not only their palf-
ports, but alfo certificates, which
fliall exprefsly ftate, that their car-
gees are not of prohibited and con-
traband wares.

Art. XIII. If the contents of the
faid certificates leads to a difco-
very, that the (liip carries prohi-
bited and contraband merchan-
dizes, configned to nn enemy's
port, it (hall not be permitted to
open the hatches of the faid fnip,
nor any cafe, chert, trunk, bale,
caflc, or other cafes, ccntained
therein, or to difplace or remove
the leaft part of the me;chai,di;;e,
whether the fiiip belongs to the
Jnoft Chriftian King, or to the inl.a-
bitants of the United States, until
the cargo has been larded in the
rrefepce of the tfficcis of the Ad-

miialty, and an inventory taken of
them ; but they (hall net be per;,
mitted to fell, exchange, or dilpofe
of the ihips or cargoes, in any man-
ner whatever, until a fair and legal
enquiry has been made, the con-
traband declared, and the Court
of Admiralty fliall have pronounced
the confifcatjon by judgment, ne-
verthelefs without prejudice of
(liips or cargoes, which, by virtue
of this treaty, (hould be confidered
as (ree. It fliall not be permitted
to retain merchandizes, under pre-
tence that they were found among
contraband goods, and Hill lefs tp
confiicate them as legal prizes. In
cafe where a part only, and not
the whole of the cargo, confifts of
contraband articles, and that the
commander of the Ihip confents to
deliver up to the captor what ihall
be difcovered, then the captain,
who fliall have made the prize,
after having received thofe articles,
(hall immediately releafe the ftiip,
and in no manner prevent it from
purfuing its voyage; but in calip
that the whole ot the contraband
articles cannot be all taken into
the veffel of tiie cajnor, then the
captain of fuch velfel (liall remain
mailer of his prize, notwithftandT
ing the offer to give up the contra-
band goods, and condud the Ifiip
into the nearelt port, conformably
to what is above fpecilied.

Art. XIV. It is agreed, on the
contrary, ■ thnt evcy thing that
(hall be found embarked by tlie re-
fpedive fubjeds, in fhips belong-
ing to the enemies of the other
paity, or their fubjedts, (hall be
conlilcated, without regard to their
being prohibited or not, in the
(ame manner as if they belonged
10 the enemy ; excepting, however,
fuch effeds and merchandizes ?.%

had

STATE PAPERS.

fiad been put on board the faid
Ihips before the declaration of war,
er even after the faid declaration,
if they were ignorant of it at the
time of loading; fo that the mer-
chandizes of the fubjedls of both
parties, whether they be found
among contraband goods or other-
wife, which, as hath been juft
mentioned, fhall have been put on
board a fhip, belonging to the
enemy, before the war, or even
after the faid declaration, when
unknown to them, fhall not be>
in any mannerj fubjeft to confifca-
tion, but (hall be faithfully and
truly reftored, without delay, to
the owners who flia'I claim them ;
it muft, however, be underftood,
that it will not be permitted to
carry contraband goods into an
enemy's port?. The two contraift-
ing parties agree, that after the
expiration of two months from the
declaration of war, their refpei^ive
fubjeds, from what part of the
world foever they (hall come, (hall
not be permitted to plead ignorance
of the queftion in this article.

Art. XV. And in order the more
efFedually to fecure the fubj^s of
the two contrading parties from
receiving any prejudice from the
fhipsofwar or privateers of eithfer
party, orders (hall be given to all
captains of (liips of his moft Chrif-
tian Majelly and the faid United
States, and to all their fubjeds, to
avoid offering infult or doing da-
mage to the (hips of either party ;
and whoever (hail ad contrary to
thefe orders, fhall be pnniihed for
it, and Ihall be bound and, obliged
perfonally, in their own etfeds,
to repair all fuch damages and
lofles.

Art. XVr. All (hips and mer-
chandizes of what nature foever.

[437

which fhall be taken out of the
hands of pirates -on the high feasj
fhal! be condufted into fome pore
of the two States, and fhall be
committed to the care of tl»e offi*
cers of the faid port, in order that
they may be entirely reftored to
the right owner< as foon as fuch
property (hall be fully and clearly
proved.

Art. XVI r. The (hips of war of
his mod Chriltlan Maj?lly, and
thofe of the United States, as well
as privateers fitted out by their
fubjeds, fliall be at full liberty to
condud where they pieafe fuch
prizes as they fhall take from the
enemy, without being amenable to
the jurifdidion of their admirals or
admiralty, or any other power-J
and the faid vefTels, or prizes, en-
tering into the harbours or ports of
his moft Chriftiap Majefly, or thofe
of the faid United States, (hall be
neither Itopped nor feized, nor
fliall the oiiicers of fuch places
enquire into the validity of the
faid prizes, but fhall be permitted
to depart freely and at full liberty,
to fuch places as direded in the
commiffions, which the captains
of the faid (hips fhall be obliged
to produce. And, on the contrary,
they fhall neither give fecurity nor
retreat, in their ports or harbours,
to any prizes made on the fubjeds
of his Majerty, or the faid United
States } and, if fuch fhall be found
to enter their ports, through ftorms
or dangers of the fea, they fhall
be obliged to depart as foon as
pofTible.

Art. XVril. Should a fhip, be-
longing to either of the two States,
or their fubjeds, run aground, be
wrecked, or fuffer other damages,
upon the coafts belonging to one
of the two parties, they ihall give

[^^]3 aU

4j8] ANNUAL REGISTER,

all friendly aid and aflirtance to
fuch as are in danger, and take
everv method to fecure their fate
pnffage, and return to their own
country.

Art. XrX. When the fubjeds
and inhabitants of one of the two
parties with their fliips, whether
men of war, privateers, or mer-
chantmen, (hall be forced by foul
weather, by the purfults of pirates
or enemies, or by any other urgent
neceflity, to feek ihelter and re»
fuge, to run into and enter fome
river, bay, road, or port, belong-
ing to one of the two parties, they
Ihall be received and treated with
humanity and kindnefs, and (hall
enjoy all the friend ihip, protec-
tion, and afliftance, and ftall be
permitted to procure refrefliment?,
proviiions, and every thing necef-
fary for their fubfillence, for the
repairing of their fhips, and to
enable them to purfue their voyage,
paying a reafonable price for every
thing; and they fhall net be de-
tained in any manner, nor pre-
vented quitting the faid ports or
roads, but ihaJl be permitted to de-
part at pleafure, uithout any cbila-
cle or impedimt-nt.

Art. XX. In order the better to
promote the commerce of the two
parlies, it is agreed, that in cafe
a war ihould commence between
the two faid nations, fix months
ihall be allowed, after the declara-
tion of war, to the merchants liv-
ing in their towns and cities, to
collefl and tranfport their mer-
chandize; and, if any part of them
fhall be ftolen or damnged, during
the time above prefcribed, by ei-
ther of the two parties, thtir people
or fubjeds fhall be obliged to make
full and perfe<^ fatiifadl'OD for the
iame.

1779.

Art. XXI. No fubjea of the
molt Chrillian King Ihall take a
commiflion, or letters of marque,
to arm any fhip or veffel, to ad as
a privateer again ;l the faid United
States, or any one of them, or
againft their fubjefts, people or in-
habitants, or againft their proper-
ty, or that of the inhabitants of
any of them, from any Prince
whatever, wi,th whom the faid,
United States Ihall be at war. In
like manner, no citizen, fubjeiSl,
or inhabitant of the faid United
States, or any of them, fnall de-
mand or accept any coinmifiion,
or letters of marque, to arm any
fhips or vefTels, to ac\ againft the
fuhje<51s of his moll: Chrillian Ma-
jefty, or any of them, or their pro-
perty, from any Prince or State
whatever, with whom his faid
Majefty may be at war; and if
any of the two nations Ihall take
fuch commiffions, or letters of
marque, they fliall be puniihed as
pirates.

Art. XXII. No foreign priva-
teer, not belonging to lonie lubjedl
of his molt Chrillian majelty, or
to a citizen of the faid United
States, which fliall have a com-
miflion from any Prince or power
at war with one of the two nations,
fliall be permitted to arm their
fliips in the ports of one of the two
parties, nor to fell tlieir prizes, nor
to clear their fliips, in any manner
whatever, of their merchandizes,
or any part of their cargo; they
ihall not even be permitted to
purchafe any other provilions, than
fuch as are neceliary to cai ry tliem
to the nearefl port of the Prince or
State, of whom they hold their com.
miflion.

Art. XXnr. All and each of ihy
fubjedts of the moll Chrillian Ki»^,

its

STATE PAPERS.

[439

as well as the citizens, people, and
inhabitants, of the faid United
States, fhall be permited to work
their veffels, in full liberty and fe-
curity, without any exception be-
ing made thereto, on account of
the proprietors of msrchandizes on
board the faid veiTels, coming from
any port whatever, and deftined
for fame place belonging to a power
adually an enemy, or which
mav become fucb, of his Moll
Chriilian Majefty or the United
Srates. It {hall be equally permit-
led to the fubjeds and inhabitants
above-mentioned, to navigate their
fhips and merchandizes, and to
frequen', with the fame liberty
and fecurity, the places, ports, and
havens, of the powers, enemies to
the two conirafting parties, or one
of tfiem, without oppofition or
molertation, and to trade with
them, not only direftly from ports
of the enemy to any neutral port,
but alfo from one port of the ene-
my to another of the fame, whe-
ther under the jurifdidlion of one
or more; and it is ftipulated by
the prefent treaty, that all free
veflels fhall equally enjoy th^ li-
berty of trade, and that every
thing fhall be judged free which is
found ou board the fliips belong-
ii.g to the fubjeds of o^e of the
contrafiing parties, even though
the cargo, or part of it, fhouid
•belong to the enemies of one of
them; excepting alway, however,
all contraband goods. It is equally
agreed, that the fame libercy ihall
extend to perfons on board fuch
free fliips, even though they fhall
be enemies to one of the two con-
trading parties, and fhall not be
taken from the faid fhips, unlefs
in arms, and adually in the ene-
my's fervice.

Art. XXIV. This free naviga-
tion and commerce is extended to
all forts of merchandizes, exept-
ing only fuch as fhall be deemed
contraband or prohibited, and un-
der fuch denomination are com-
prehended arms, cannons, bombs,
with their fufees and other apur-
tenances, bullets, powder, matches,
piques, fwords, lances, darts, hal-
berds, mortars, petards, grenades,
faltpetre, fufils, balls, bucklers,
cafques, cuiralTes, coats of mail,
and other arms of that kind, pro-
per for the defence of foldiers;
gun-locks, fhoulder- belts, horfes
and their trappings, and all other
inftruments of war whatever. The
following merchandizes are not to
be confidered as contraband or
prohibited, viz. a'l forts of cloths,
and other woollen Huffs, linen,
filk, cotton, or other fuch matters ;
all forts cf clothes, with the ma-
terials of which they are ufually
made; gold and filver either in
fpecie or otherwife, pewter, iron,
latten, copper, brafs, coals, and
even wheat and barley, and all
other forts of grain and roots ;
tobacco and all forts of fpices,
faked and dried provifions, dried
fiih, cheefe and butter, beer, oil,
wine, fugar, and a'! kinds of fait,
and, in g.-neral, all kinds of pro-
vifion nectfTary for the nouriih-
ment of man, and for the fupport
of life ; aifo all forts of cptton,
hemp, liner, pitch, tar, cord-s ca-
bles, fails, canvas for fai's, anchors,
par's of anchors, mails, planks,
timber and wood of all kinds, and
all other things proper for the
building and repairing of ihips,
and other maiters whatfoever,
which are not in the form of war-
like inrtrurnents for fea or land,
fhall not be reputed contraband,

much

44o] ANNUAL REGISTER, 177^.

much lefs fuch as are already pre-
pared for other ules. All the ar-
ticles above-mentioned are to be
compriied among the free articles
of merchandize, as well as all the
•ther merchandizes and eft'eds,
which are not compriied and par-
liculaily named in the liil of con-
traband merchandizes} fo that
they may be tranfported and con-
ducted, in the freell manner, by
the fubjeC^s of the two contradling
parties, into any of the enemy's
ports; excepting, however, that
fuch places are not actually belieg-
td, blocked up or inverted.

Art. XXV. in order to remove
and prevent diflenfions and quar-
teh on either fide, it is agreed,
that in cafe one of the two parties
fliall find themfelves engaged in a
war, the fliips and veffels belong-
ing to the fubjefts or people of
the other ally, Ihall be provided
with marine patlports, which Iball
exprefs the name, property, and
burden of the fiiip, as well as the
name and place of abode of the
jnafter and commander of the faid
Ihip, in order that it may from
thence appear that the fame Ihip
really and triiUy belongs to the
fubjecls of one of the two eontraa-
ing parlies. Thtfe paffports are
to be annually renewed, in cafe
the (hip returns home in the fpace
of one year. It is alio agreed, that
the above-mentioned (hips, in cafe
they fball be laden, are to be pro-
vided not only with paffports, but
alfo with certificates, containing
the particulars of the cargo, the
place from whence the Ihip came,
and a declaration of what contra-
band goods are on board; which
certificate is to be made in the ac-
cuftomed form, by the officers of
the place frora whence the (hip

failed ; and if it be judged hecer»
(ary or prudent, to exprefs in the
faid paffports the perfons to whom
the merchandize belongs, it muft
be freely complied with.

Art. XXVI. In cafe any (hips of
the fubjeds and inhabitants ot one
of the tsvo contracting parties
(hould approach the coail of the
other, without any intention to
enter the port, or, after having;
entered ir, without any intention
to unload their cargo, or break
bulk, they (hall conduft themfelves,
in that refped^ according to the
general rules prefcribed, or to be
prefcribed, relative to that matter.

Art. XXVII. When any veffel^
belonging to the faid fubjeds,
people, and inhabitants, of one
of the two parties, (hall meet,
while failing along the coalt or on
the open fea, a fhip of \<>ar or pri-
vateer, belonging to the other, the
faid (hip of war or privateer, in
order to avoid diforder, (hall bring
fuch veffcl too, and fend her boat
with two or three on board her, to
whom the malter or commander of
the merchantman (hall produce his
paffport, and prove the property
of the veffel ; and as fooa as fach
paffport (hall be produced, the
mafter (hall be at liberty to purfue
his voyage, without being moleft*
ed, or in any other manner driven
or forced to alter his intended
courfe. ,

Art. XXVIIL It is agreed, that
when the merchandizes (hall be put
on board fhips or veffels of one of
the two contrading parties, they
(hall not be fubjed to be examined
again, all fuch examination and
fearch being to be made before
loading, and the prohibited goods
being to be (lopped and feized on
(here, before they could be em-
barkedi

STATE PAPERS.

barked, unlefs there are flrong fuf-
picions or proofs of fraudulent
pradices. So that no fubjed of
his moll Chriflian Mdjefty, or of
the United States, can be flopped
or molefted for that caufe by any
kind of embargo; but fuch fubjeds
of tr.e State?, who fliall prefjme to
I'end or fe'l fuch merchandizes as
are prohibited, fhall be duly pu-
rifhed for fuch infraftion of the
treaty.

Art. XXIX. The two comraft-
ing parties mutually grant each
other the right of maintaining, in
their refpedive ports, Confuls,
Vice Confuls, Agents, and Com-
miiraries, whofe bufinefs Ihall be
regu'ated by a particular conven-
tion.

Art. XXX. In order further to
forward and facilitate the com-
merce be-tween the fubjedts of the
United Scares and Trance, the
Moll: LhrilHan King will allow
them in Europe one or more free
ports, to which they may bring
and fell all the commodities and
merchandizes of the Thirteen
United States. His Majefty wil]
a'(o grant to the fubjedls of the
faid States, the free ports, which
have been, and are open, in the
French iflands of America ; all
which free ports the faid fubjeds
of the ynited States fhall enjoy,
Gon.*^ormably to the regulations
which determine that matter.

Art. XXXf. The prefent treaty
fhall be ratified by both parties,
and the ratifications exchanged,
within the fpace of {\k months, or
j'boiaer if may be. In witnefs of
which, the refpedive Plenipoten-
tiaries have figned the above ar-
ticles, both in the Frepch and
Englifh language, neverthelefs de-
claring, that the prefent treaty was

[441

originally digefted and fettled in
the French language, to which
they have affixed their hands and
feals.

Given at Paris the fixth day of
the month of February, one thou-
fand feven hundred and feventy-
eight,

C. A. Gerard.

B. Franklin.

Silas Deane.

Arthur Les.

By the Congrefs of the United States
9/ America,

MANIFESTO.

THESE United States having
been driven' to hoflilities by
the oppreffive and tyrannous mea-
fures of Great Britain; having
been compelled to commit the ef-
fential rights of man to the deci-
fion of arms ; and having been at
length forced to fhake otiFa yoke
which had grown too burthenfome
to bear, they declared themfelves
free and independent.

Confiding in the juftice of their
caufe, confiding in Him who dif-
pofes of human events, although
weak and unprovided, they fet the
power of their enemies at defiance.

Jn this confidence they have con-
tinued, through the various fortune
of three bloody campaigns, unaw-
ed by the powers, unlubdued by
the barbarity of their foes. Their
virtuous citizens have borne, with-
out repining, the lofs of many
things which made life defirable.
Their brave troops have patiently
endured the hardlhips and dangers
of a fituation, fruitful in both be-
yond example.

The

442] ANNUAL RE

The Congrefs, confidering them-
felves bound to love their enemies,
as children of that Being who is
equally the Father of all, and defi-
rous, fince they could not prevent,
at leaft to alleviate the calamities
©f war, have (ludied to fpare thofe
who were in arms agaitiil them,
and to lighten the chains of capti-
vitv.

The conduft of thofe ferving
under the King of Great Britain
hath, wiih fome few exceptions,
bfQQ diametrically pppofue. They
have laid walte the open country,
burned the defencelel's villages,
and butchered the citizens of Ame-
rica. Their prifons have been the
flaughter-houfes of her foldiers,
their (hips of her feamen, and the
fevereft injuries have been aggra-
vated by the grofTelt infults.

Foiled in their vain attempt to
fubjugate the unconquerable fpirit
of freedom, they have meanly af-
failed the Reprefentatives of Ame-
rica with bribes, with deceit, and
the fervility of adulation. They
have made a mock, of humanity, by
the wanton deftrudion of men :
they have made a mock of reli-
gion, by impious appeals to God,
whilfl in the violation of his facred
commands: they have made a
mock even of reafon itfelf, by en-
deavouring to prove, that the li-
berty and happinefs of America
could fafely be entrufted to thoie
who have Jcld their o^jjn, unawed
by the fenfe of virtue, or of fhame.

Treated with the contempt
which fuch conduft deferved, they
have applied to individuals; th«^
have folicited them to break the
bonds of allegiance, and imbrue
iheix fouls with the blackefl of

GISTER, 1779.

crimes: but fearing that nonff
could be found through thefe Unit-
ed States, equal to the wickedncfs
of their purpof?, to influence weak
minds, they have threatened more
wide devallation.

While the (hadow oT hope re-
mained, that our enemies could be
taught by our example to refpciirt
thole laws which are held facred
among civilized nations, and to
comply with the didlates of a reli-
gion which they pretend in com-
mon with us to believe and revere,
they have been left to the influence
of that religion, and that example.
But fince their incorrigible difpo-
fitions cannot be touched by kind-
nefs and compaflion, it becomes
our duty by other means to vindi-
cate the rights of humanity.

We, therefore, the Congrefs of
the United States of America, do

SOLEMNLY DECLARE AND PRO-
CLAIM, That if our enemies pre-
fume to execute their threats, or
perfift in their prefent career of
barbarity, we will take fuch ex-
emplary vengeance as fhall deter
others from a like condud. We
appeal to that God who fearcheth
the hearts of men, for the reftitude
of our intentions. And in his holy
prefence we declare. That as we
are not moved by any light and
hafty luggeflions of anger or re-
venge, lo through every pofTible
change of fortune we will adhere
JO this our determination.

Done in Congrefs, by unani-
mous confent, the thirtieth
day of Oiilober, one thou-
fand fevcn hundred and
fevcnty-eight.
Atteft,

Charles Thomson, Sec.

CHA-

CHARACTERS.

[ i 3

CHARACTERS,

>ufccount of Michel Schuppach, the
Mau^iain DoSi^r. From Coxe'x
Sketches of the Natural, Ci'vi'l, and
Pi^itical State c/" S vv i iTe r 1 a n d .

Langenauj Sept. i?, 1776.

YOU have heard, perhaps, of
Michel Schuppach, the fa-
Bious Swifs doctor; of vvhofe in-
tuitive fagacity in difcovering the
feat of difurders, and applying
fuicable remedies to thcmi niany
wonderful ilories are recounted by
travellers; and which generally, I
ijppofe, have encrealed in the
.marvellous, like Virgil's Progrels
ol Fame,' in proportion as they
receded from the fcene of aftion.
1 am now lodged in the houfe of
this celebrated ^'Efculapius : it is
iituated above the village of Lan-
genau, on the iide of a Jleep
mountain ; and from that circum-
ftance he is generally known by
the appellation of the phyfician cf
the mountain.

Upoti our arrival here we
found the dodor in his apartment,
furr)unded by a number of pea-
fants, who were confultiig him
upon their refpeclive complaints;
each having brought with him a
fmall bottle, containing fome of
his water: for, it is by infpefting-
ttie urine thai this medical fage
pretends to judge of the (late of
the patiftnt. His figure is es-

VoL. XXIL

* tremcly corpulent ; he has a pe-
netraiing eye J and one of the
beft-humoured countenances I ever
faw. He fers himf:;lf oppolite to
the perfon who confults him, one
moment examining the water, and
the next the patient ; and con-
tinues regarding alternately the
one and the other /or feme time,
always whirling during the inter-
Vdls. He then opens the ftate of
the cafe, acquaints the ccnfultanc
with the nature of his complaints,
and has often the good fortune to
hit upon the true cauf?. In a
word, his knack of dilccvering
dilorders by Urine, has gained
fuch implicit faith in Tiis iScili^
that one might as well doubt of
the Pope's infallibility before d
jealous catholic, as of the doc-
tor's in /the prt fence of his pa-
tients. He has certainly per-
formed feveral gteat cures ; and
the rumour of them hath brought
him patients from all quarters
of Europe. There are at this
time in his houfe, and in the
village, feveral Englifh and French
people, together with many Swifs,
who are come hithel- for his ad-
vice.

The do6or was formerly, it
fcems, a village furs^eon, has a
flight tinfture of anatomy, and is
elleemed a proficient in botany
and ckemilhy ; but bis rcpoia-

J3 tiou

A-NNUAL REGISTER, i'/;9.

tirn r.5 a phyfician has now been
titabliflied fdme yesvs. He is taid
10 have but little acquaintance
with the theory of phyfic ; the
greaieft part of his knowleiiige be-
ing derived Irom his extenfive
praftice, notwithliandirg he ne-
ver Itirs a quarter cf a mile from
his own houfe ; for he would not
take the trouble of going to Berne,
even to attend the King of
France.

it is more than probrble, that
much of this extraordinary man's
fuccefs in his pratflice, is owing to
the great faith of his patients, to
the benefit they receive from
^change of climate, to the falubrious
air of this mountain, and to the
amufenKnt arifing from that con-
ftant fucceflion of different com-
pany which affemble in this place,
in order to apply to him for
affiOrince. But whatever may
have been the caufes of 'his cele-
brity, it has come to him, as all
accounts ?-gree, unfought for by
himfelf. He has certainly many
excellent qualities : humane and
chiiritable to the highefl degree;
he not only fuinifhes the indigent
peafants who coiifolt him, with
niedicines gratis, but generally
makes them a prefent in money
befides ; and he 'always appro-
priates a certain portion of his
gains to the poor of his parifh.
His wife, as alfo his grand-daugh-
ters who live with him, are dreffed
like the peafant women of the
country ; and he has fhewn his
good fen i'e in giving the latter no
belter than a plain education : the
cldeft he bellowed in marriage,
wl^en ftie was but fifteen, upon
one of his affif^iants, and gave with
her 1300I. no inccnfiderable por-
tion for tfcii country. He pro-

cured a match for her fo early, i)5
faid, to prevent her being fpoiled
by the young gentlemen telling
her ihe was pretty, and infpiring
her with the ambition of marrying
above her rank.

If domeftic harmony, and the
moll perfedl fimplicity of manners,
have any preteniicns to pleafe,
you would be highly delighted
with this rural family. The wife
is a notable, adive woman, and
not only fuperintends all the
houfhold affairs with remarkable
clevernefsj buteven performs great
part of the bufinef'; with her own
hands: fhe afTifts her hufband like-
wife in making up his medicines;
and as he talks no other language
than the Swifs-German, fhe ferves
occafionally ashis interpreter. And,
as a proof of his confidence in her
adminiftraticn of his affair?, fhe
a£ls alfo as his treafurer, and re-
ceives all his fees; v/hich, in the "
courfe of a year, amount to a con-
fidcrable fum: for, although he
never demands more than the
price of his medicines, yet no
gentleman confults him without
giving hijn an additional gratuity.
Many prefents have likevvife been
made to herfelf, from perfons who
have reaped benefit by her huf-
band's prefcriptions : feveral of
thefe confiil of valuable trinkets,
with which on days of ceremony
fhe decks herfelf forth to the bell
advantage, in the fimple drefs of
the country.

The family fit down to table
regularly at twelve o'clock; there
are always fome Grangers of the
party, confifling not only of a
certain number of perfons who are
uiider the dcdlor's care, but of tra-
vellers like ourfelves, who are led
hither by motives of mere curio-

fuy.

CHARACTERS.

fity. When the weather is fine,
and their guefts more numerous
than ufual, dinner is ferved out of
doers in an open ihed, that looks
upon one fide of the mountP.in
and the adjacent country, with a
dillant view of the glaciers be-
yond the lake of Thun. Yefler-
day fome peafants, whom the doc-
tor had invited, formed part of
our company; afterdinner, he gave
fome money to thofe thit fat near
him, and ordered one of his grand-
daughters to diftribute his bounty
to the others. The benevolence of
the old man, his eaietv and cood-
humour, the chearfulnefs of his
f.imily, the gratitude of the poor
peafants, the beauty of the prof-
pedt, and the finenefs of the wea-
ther, formed all together the moft
at;reeabje and delightful fcenes I
ever beheld ; and 1 do not remem-
ber in my whole life to have par-
taken of any meal with a more
fenfible and heart-felt fatisfaclion.

This, fingular man is very often
employed in giving his advice from
eight in the morning till fix in the
evening, with no other intermif-
fion than during the time he is at
table. His drugs are of the bed
kind ; for he coUefts the fimples,
B« well as diilills them, himlelf.
His houfe, like thofe of the pea-
fants, is corillruded of ivood ; and,
though ahvays full cf people, is
remaikably neat and clean. In
(hort, every thing about him has
the appeamnce of the pleafing fira-
plicity of former ages.

I had almoft f)rgotten to tell
you, that 1 confalted - him this
morning myfeif; and sfTuiedly I
have reafon to be highly fatiified
uith his prefcriptlon : for, he told

me I was in fuch gcod health, that
the only advice he had to give me,
was, «' to eat and drink well, to
dance, be merry, and take mo-
derate exercifc."

It is now Langenau fair, and
the village is 'crowded with the
neighbouring pea/ants. Great
numbers of the men have lorg
beards, and many of them cover
their heads with a woman's ftra v
hat, extremely broad, which gives
them a very grotefque appear-
ance : their drefs is chiefly a coarfe
brown cloth jacket without lleeves;
with large puffed breeches of lick-
ir.g. l"he women wear their hair
plaited behind .'n trefTes, with the
riband hanging down below the
wain ; a flat plain ftraw har,
which is very becoming ; a red or
brown cloth jacket without fleeves;
a black or biue petticoat bordered
wiih red, and (carcely reaching be-
low the knees ; red liockings with
black clocks, and no heels to
their (hoes; their fliifts fauened
clofe round the throat by a black
collar with, red ornaments; the
better fort have chains of filver
between the fhoulders, brought
round under each arm, and fa-
ftened beneath the bofomj the ends
hanging down with fome filvcr or-
naments.

I .iinio charmed with the fitua-
tion of this village, the chearful-
nefs and fingiilarity cf this rultic
and agreeable family, and the
uncommon character of the hu-
mane doftor, that I could with
oleafure continue her*; fume days
more: but I am pre/Ted for time,
and have a long journey bslorc
me.

I am, Arc.

B2

JtCCU'lt

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Acc'.urt cf the Covfti'.ution nnd Go-
lemmtn: cf Geneva. From the
fame.

T

H E town of Geneva lies

neva is by far the moll populous
town in Swifl'erland : for, Zuric,
which conies next to it in refpeft
of population, contains Scarcely
thirteen thoufand fouls ; whereas

upon the narrowell part of the inhabitants of this place

the extremity of the lake, where amount to twenty-four thoufand. ,

the Rhon2 iffues out in two ]arj»e This fuperiority is undoubtedly

and rapid ftreams, which foon owing to the greater induftry and

afterwards unite. That river di- 5\£livity cf the inhabitants ; to its

vides the town into two unequal more extenfive comrnerce ; to the

pans; receives the muddy Arve facility of purchafing the bi^rgher-

in its courfe; and flows through fhip, and to the privileges which

part of France into the Mediter- government allows to all fore-ign-

ranean. Hire its waters are of a ers who fettle here. The mem-
moft beautiful iranfparent green, . bers of this city are dillinguifhed

like thofe of the Rhine v\hen it into citizeas and burghefle?, inha^

flows from the la! i' of Conftance. bitants and natives. The citizens

The adjacent country is uncom- and borghefles are alone aamiited

monly pidurefqiie ; and I could not to a fhare in the government:

fulficiently admire the m-sgnificent the inhabitants are ftrangers who

views it exhibits: the feveral ob- are allowed to fettle in the town

jedi which compofed this enchant- with certain privileges ; and the

ing profpecl, were, the town ; ttatives are the Ions of thofe inha-

the lake; the numerous hills and bitants, who poflisfs certain addi-

mountains, particularly the Saleve tional advantages. The two lall

and the Mole, rifing fuddenly clafTes form a large majority of the

from the plain in a wonderful people.

variety of fantaftic forms, backed The liberal policy of this go-
by the glpiciers of Savoy, with vernnient, in receiving ftrangers
their frozen tops gliftening in the and conferring the burgherfhip, is
fiin ; and the majellic Mont Blanc the more remarkable, as i^ is con-
lifting up its head far above the trary to the fpirit of moft of the
reft- other Itates of Swifferland. It is
The town, which lies partly in here, indeed, more neceflary ; the
the plain upon the borders of the territory of this republic being fo
lake, and partly upon a gentle exceedingly fmall, that its very
afcent, is irregularly built ; the exillence depends upon the num-
houfes are high, and moft of thofe ber and induftry of the people*
which ftand in the trading part of for, cxclufive of the inhabitants
the city, have arcades of- wood, of the town, there are fcarccly
which are carried up to their tops, fixteen thoufand fouls in the whole
Thefe arcades, which are ft.p- diftridl of the Genevois.
ported by pillars, obftrufl the To a man of letters, Geneva is
Itreets, and give them a gloomy particularly interefting; as every
appearance ; but they are uleful to branch of fcience is here cultivat-
ttie inhabitants in proteftlng them ed in the moft advantageous man-
from the fun and the r*in. Ge- ner : learning is divelted of pe-
dantry.

CHARACTERS.

5

dantry, and philofophy united
with a knowledge of the world.
The pleafures of fociety are here
mixed with the purfuits of litera-
ture; and elegance and urbanity
give a zed to the profoundcft dif-
quifuions. Nor are letters con-
fined in this city merely to thofe
who engage in them as a pro-
feflion, or to thofe whofe fortune
and lelfure enable them to follow
where genius leads, and enter
.into a ftudious life by voliintary
choice; even the lower clafs of
people are exceedingly well in-
formed, and there' is no city in
Europe where learning is fo uni-
verfally diffufed among the inha-
bitants. I have had great fatis-
faftion in converfmg with feveral
of the (hop. keepers upon topics
both of literature and politics ;
and was aftonifhed to find, ia
this clafs of men, (o uncommon
a (hare of knowledge. But the
wonder ceafes, when we are lojd,
that they have all of them re-
ceived an excellent education at
the public academy, where the
children of the inhabitants are
taught, under the infpeftion ofthe
magiftrates, and at the expence of
government.

There is one circumftance in
this feminary, which particularly
contributes to the exciting of the
induftry and emulation of the ftu-
deots : prizes are annually diftri-
buted to thofe, who have diftin-
guifhed themfclves in each clafs.
Thefe rewards confift of fmall me-
dals, and they are conferred with
fuch folemnity as cannot fail of
producing great effecl. A yearly
meeting is held at the cathedral,
of all the magiftrates, profeffors,
and principal inhabitants of the
^own ; wheu the firft fyndic him-

felf diftributes, in the moft public
manner, the feveral honorary re-
tributions to thofe who have de-
ferved them. I met this morning
one of the fcholars, and, feeing
his medal," afkcd him wha't it
meant? *' Je la porte," replied
the litile man, fcarce eight years
old, " parce que j'ai fait mon de-
" voir." I wanted no llronger
proof to convince me of the bene-
ficial inHaence, upon young minds,
of thefe enccuraginw and judi-
cious diilin^ ens. than appeared
from the fprighcly fpecimen before
me.

The inhabitants enjoy the ad-
vantage alfo of having free accefs
to the public library; and by this
privilege, :hey not only retain but
improve that general tindure of
learning which they imbibe in
their early youth : when I vifited
this library, it happened to be
crowded with ftudents, who were
returning the books they had bor-
rowed, and demanding others. As
I pafled only an hour in this room,
I am ill qoalified to give you a
juft idea of its contents : I re-
queued, however, the librarian to
point out to me what was moft
w.^rthy of particular notice. Ac-
cordingly, among ether books and
manufcripts, he fiiewed me feveral
folio volumes containing letters
and other writings of Calvin,
which have never been publilhed.

Although Zuingle, ^colampa-
dius, and Haller, had reformed
the grcatell: part of SwiiTcrland,
forae years before Calvin made
his appearance at Geneva ; yet the
latter, as Voltaire juftly obferves,
has given his name to the fedla-
ries of the reformed religion, in
the fame manner as the new con-
tinent took its appellation from
B 3 Americas

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

Amerlcus \'cl'j.arius, although the
original difc very was made by
Columbus. Neither was Ci^lvin,
indeed, the firlt reformer even of
Geneva ; but, as he give addi-
tional ftrength and folidity to the
ncsv eftablilhmenr, and laid the
foundation of that ecclefiaftical
/orm of government, which has
ever fince been invmiably obferv-
ed ; he totally cclipicd the fame
of his friend Willinai Farcl, who
fcattered the hrfl feeds of reforma-
tion, which the other brought to
naturity. In iraih, fo greae was
the afcendnncy which this extra-
ordinary man, although a ft/anger
in Geneva, acquired over the ci-
tizens, that he poflefled no in-
ccnfiderable inlluence even in ci-
vil, matters ; and bore a large fli are
in fettling the ' political conftitu-
tion of the republic. But his
care and attention was not wholly
confined to eccljfiafcical and po-
litical concern? ; he promoted, to
the utmoit of his power, the cul-
tivation of the liberal arts and
fcienccs, and the fludy of elegant
literature. To this end, as well
E? for the encouraging of theolo-
gical erudition, he prevailed upon
the government of Geneva to eih-
biifti a public aci-drmy. Jn this
new ferninary, hrmfelf, together
with his colleagues, eminent fot
their fuperior knowledge, read
lectures, with fuch uncommon
reputation and fuccefs, that the
youth from ail quarters flocked to
receive the benefit of them : and it
has fent forth, from its bofom,
men of the greatefl diftindlion for
their learning and abilities.

1'here is fuch a ftriking fplendor
in the brighter parts of this difsn-
terelVed and celebrated reformer's
charttCler, that renders one, at the

firll glance, almoft infcnfible of
thofe dark fp'^ts in it, which have
fo jiilily fullied its glory. But
when one reflei-ls a moment on
the afpcrily, the arrogance, the
prerumptaous opiniatrety, of his
temper Jivid coni^uft, and, above *
all, on his cruel perfccution of his
former friend, the unhappy Ser-
vetus ; one lament^s, with abhor-
rence, the mortifying inftance this
famous man exhibited, that th^
noblelt qualities fometimes mix
with the baleft, in the compofition
of human nature. With regard,
however, to his intolerant princi-
ples ; it muft be acknowledged,
that the fame uncharitable fpirit
pievailed alfo among fomc others
of the mod celebrated reformers^
who feemed to think, by a ftrange
inconlifttncy, and unaccountable
blindnefs not only to the genius,
but to the cleared precepts of the
gofpel, that perfccution for con-
fcience fake was unchrilUan in
every ecclefiaitical eftabliftimenr,
except their own. This abfurd and
dangerous opinion, gave gfeat ad-
vantage to their adverfaries of the
papal hierarchy: for, it is obvious
to the ineaned underftanding, that,
if perfccution is juftifiable in any
particular church, it mud be fo
univerfally. »•

The republic of Geneva is, how-
ever, at prefent, the mod tolerat-
ing of all the reformed dates of
Swifferland; being the only go-
vernment in this country, which
permits the Lutheran religion to
be publicly exercifed. In this
refpeft the clergy, no lefs wifely,
than fuitab'y to the fpirit, as well
as the letter, of the Chriflian re-
velation, have renounced the prin-
ciples of their great patriarch,
Calvin : for, although they dili

hoI<i

CHARACTERS.

ho\A that able reformer in high
veneration ; yet they know how to
diftinguifh his virtues from his
defed^s, and to admire the onq
without being blindly partial to
the other.

The town of Geneva and its
territory, were formerly united to
the German empire, under the
fucceirors of Charlemain : but as
the power of the- Emperors, feeble
even in Germany, was ftill weaker
in the frontier provinces ; the
Bifhops of Geneva, like feveral
other great vaffiils of the empire,
gradually acquired .very confider-
able authority over the city and its
.domains; which the Emperors had
no other means of counterbalanc-
ing, than by increafmg the liber-
ties of the people. During thefe
times of confufion, conftant dif-
putcs fubfifted between the Biihops
and the Counts of the Genevois ;
for, the latter, although at their
firft inftitution merely officers of
the emperor, and- confidcred as
vaffals of the bifhops ; yet they
claimed and aflerted a right to
the exciulive adminillration of juf-
tice. The citizens took advantage
of thefe quarrels ; and, by hding
occafionaily with each party, ob-
tained an extenfion of their privi-
leges from both.

But the Houfe of Savoy having
purchafed the county of the Ge-
nevois, and fucceeded to all the
prerogatives of the counts, v^ith
additional power ; the biihops and
the people firmly united together,
in order to oppofe the encroach-
ments of the formfir, which were
no iefs prejudicial to the autiiority
of the one, than to the liberties
of the others. During this pe-
fiod, the refpeftive pretenfions of

the counts, the biihops, and the
citizens, were fo various as to
form a government equally fingu-
lar and complicated. This har-
mony, however, between the bi-
fliops and citizens, was at length
broken by the artful management
of the Counts of Savoy, who had
the addrefs to procure the epifcopal
fee for their brothers, and even
for^heir illegitimate children. By
thefe methods, their power in the
city became fo enlarged, that, to-
wards the commencement of the
fifteenth century, Charles III,
Duke of Savoy, (although the
form of the government was en-
tirely republican) obtained an aU
mo!l abfolute authority over the
citizens : and he exercifed it in
the moll junjuH and arbitrary man-
ner. Hence arofe perpetual llrog-
gles between the duke and the ci-
tizens; the latter continually op-
pofing, either by open violence,
or fecret meaCures, nis tyrannical
ufurpation : thus two parties were
formed; the zealots for liberty
were called eidgeno^fen, or confe-
derates ; v/hile the partifans of
the duke were branded wiih the
appellation of viamtnelucs, or
flaves.

The treaty of alliance which
the town entered into with Berne
and Fribourg, in 1526, may be
confidered as the true a:ra of its li-
berty and independence : for, not
long after, the duke was defpoiled
of his authority; the bilhop dri-
ven frorn the city ; a republican
form of government firmly efta.
blifhed ; and the reformation in-
troduced. From this time, Charles
and his fucceffors waged inceffant
war againft the town: but his ho-
ftilities were rendered inefFetloal,

B 4

t>l

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

by the intrepid bravery of the ci-
tizens, and the cfliilance of tiie
canton of Berne.

In i(;84. Geneva entered into a
treaty of perpctaal alliance with
Ziiric and Keri.c, (Fribourg hav-
ing renounced their alliance when
the town enibraced the reforma-
tion) by which treaty, it is allied
with the Swifs canton?.

The lall attempt of the Houfe
of Savoy againft Gtneva, was in
1602 : when Charles Emanuel
treacheroufly attacked the town
during a profound ptace. Two
hundred of his foidicrs fcaled the
walls in the night, when the in-
habitants were repofed in unfuf-
pcdting fecurity ; but being timely
difcovered, they were repulfed by
ihe defperate valour of a few citi-
zens, who glorioufly facrificed
their lives in defence of the liber-
ties of their country. In memory
cf this event, an infcription is
fixed upon the town-houfe ; and
ibme of the fcaling-ladders, which
the enemy made ule of to enter the
town, are preferved in the arfe-
ral. This' perfidy occailoned a
war, which was terminated the
year following by a folemn treaty ;
f.nce which, uninterrupted peace
has been maintained between the
Heufe of Savoy and Geneva: but
3: was not till 1754> that the
K-ing of Sardinia acknowledged,
by a formal acSl, the indepepdence
of this republic.

No fooner was peace concluded
with the Houfe of Savoy, than the
flames of internal difcord, fo apt
to kindle in popular governments,
and which had been fmothered by
their common danger from a fo-
reign enemy, began to appear.
Acrordingly, during the greateft
part of the lall century, to ihe

prefent period, the hiflory of Ge-
neva contnins little more than a
narrative of contentions betweeti
the arillocratical and the populaf
party. Thefe mutual ftruggles
have occafionally been exerted with
fo much violence and animofity, as
to have threatened, for a moment,
a total revolu'ion in the lia^e ; but
happily, however, they have al-
ways been cc^iprcmiffd without •
producing any fatal tffedts.

About the beginning of the
prefent century, the power of the
council cf two hundred was be-
en :T)e almoil abfolute. In order to
reitrain their authority, the popu-
lar party, in 1707, procured a
law, by which it was enaftcd,
that every five years a general
council of all the citizens and
burghers fliould be holden, to de-
liberate upon the affairs of the re-
public. Agreeably to this law,
a general aflembly was convened
in 1712; and the very firll aft ex-
erted by the people in this their
colledlive capacity, was the total
abolition of the above-mentioned
ordinance. An event of fo fingu-
lar a nature can hardly be ac-
counted for upon the j>eueral prin-
ciple of popular fickienefs and in-
confjitency; accordingly Rou/Teau,
in his Let Ires ecrites de la Men-
tagne, imputes it to the artifices of
the magiftrates ; and to the equi-
vocal terms marked upon the bil-
lets then in ufe. For, the quellion
propofed to the people being,
" Whether the opinion of the
** councils, for abolifhing the
" periodical general alTemblies,
•• Ihould pafs into a law?" the
words employed on the billets de-
livered for that purpofe, were, ap-
probdtion, reje8ion\ fo that which-
ever fide was taken, it came to

the

CHAR AC T E R S.

9

the fame point. If the billet of
approbation were chofen ; the opi-
riion of the councils which rejected
the periodical afTemblv, was ap-
proved ; if that of rejeiiiotif then
the periodical aflembly, was re-
jeded of courfe. Accordingly, fe-
veral of the citizens afterwards
complained that they had been de-
ceived, as they never meant to re-
jed the general aflemblyj but only
the opinion of the councils.

In confequence of tliis extraor-
dinary repeal, the power of the
ariftocracy continued increafing till
within thefe few years; when the
citizens, by a lingular conjuncl'cn
of favourable circumftances, joined
to an uncommon fpirit of union
and perfeverance, have procured
ieveral changes to be made in the
conftitution of Geneva ; by which
the authority of the magiftrates has
been limited, and the privileges
of the people have been enlarged.
Happy i if they know where to
ftop ; left, continuing to extend
the bounds of their own preroga-
tives, they Ihake the foundations
of civil government, by too much
reftraining the power of the magi-
ilrates.

The prefent conftitution of Ge-
neva, may be confidered as a mean
between that of the other ariftocra-
tical and popular cantons of Swif-
lerland : more democratical than
any of the former, inafmuch as the
iovereign and legiflative authority
entirely refides in the general af-
femblyof the citizens and burghers;
and more arillccratical than the
latter, becaule the powers vefted
in the great and little councils are
very confiderable.

The members of the fenate, or
little council of twenty-five, enjoy,
in their corporate capacity, fcveral

prerogatives almod: as great as
thofe which are po/TelTed by that
of the moft arillocratical Hates.
They nominate half the mem-
bers of the great council ; the
principal magiltrates are taken
from their body ; they convoke
the great council and the gene-
ral afTembly of the citizens and
burghers ; they previoufly delibe-
rate upon every quertion which is
to be brought into the great coun-
cil, and from thence into the oe.
neral aflembly : in other words,
in them is lodged the pouer of
propofing ; conlequently, as every
ad muft originate from them, no
law can pafs without their appro-
ba:ioo. In this fenate is vetted
alfo the chief executive power;
the adminiflratjon of the finances;
and, to a certain degree, juiifdic-
tion in civil ard criminal caufes.
They nominate, likewife, to moft
of the fmaller pcfts of government;
and enjoy the fole privilege of con-
ferring burgherlhip. They com-
pofe, moreover, in conjundion with
thirty. five members of their own
choofing, the fecret council ; which
never affemblies but by their con-
voking, and only upon extraordi-
nary occaiioi.s.

Thefe confiderable prerogatives,
however, are counterbalanced as
well by the privil-^ges of the great
council, as by the franchifes of
the general aflembly. The prero-
gatives of the former confift in
chooling the members of the fe-
nate from their own body; in re-
ceiving appeals in all caufes above
a certain value; in pardoning cri-
minals ; in diTpoling of the moll
important charges of government,
thofe excepted which are confer-
red by the general aflembly ; and
in approving or rejeding vvhatever

i»

JO ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Is prcpofed by the fenate to be
laid before the people.

The fovereign council, or ge-
reral afiembly of the people, is
cumpoied of the citizens and bvir-
ghers of the town v their number,
in general, amounts to about
1,500, but it is fehlom that n)ore
than 1,200 convene; the remain-
tier being either fi-ttled in foreign
countries, or are ufually abfcnt.
I ought to .have explained to you
iboner, the diftiniflicn between ci'
i^tzcfis and burghers: the latter, are
either the Ions of citizens or bur-
ghers *, born out of Geneva, or
have obtained toe burgherfiiip by
purchafe ; the former, are the fons
of ciiizens or burghers, born within
ihe town of Geneva. The burghers
may be chofen into the council "of
.two hundred, but the citizens can
^lone enter into the fenate, and
poflefs the charges appropriated to
that body.

The general afiembly meets
twice a year ; choofes the prin-
cipal tnagiftrates ; alTents to or re-
jeds the laws and regulations pro-
pofed by the councils ; impofes
taxes ; contrails alliances ; de-
clares war or peace ; and nomi-
nates one half of the members of
the great council. All queflions
that come before them are decid-
ed by the majority of voices ; and
each member delivers his vote
without having the liberty of de-
bating. The reliriftion is cer-
tainly reafopable; for, in a popu-
lar aiFe-mbly, .like this of Geneva,
compofcd of citizens, the meanell
cf whom is well verfed in the con-

flitution of the commonwealth, ancj
where the people in general hava
a llrong propenfity to enter into
political di feu (lion s ; if every voter
were permitted , to fupport and en-
force his opinion by argument,
there would be no end of debate,
and the whole time would be con-
fumed in petulant declamation.

But the principal check to tht;
power of the little council, arifes
from the method of eleding the
fyndics, and from the right of rt-
pre/eniation. With refpecl to the
former, the four fyndics, Qr chiefs
of the .republic, are chofen an.,
nually out of the little council, by
the general affcmbly ;. and there
muft be an interval of three years
before the fame members can be
again elefted. The ufual mode of
election is as follows: — The little
council nominate eight of their
members for candidates, who mull
be approved by the great council ;
and out of thefe eight, the gene-
ral afiembly choofe the four fyn-
dics. They have ic in their pow-
er, however, not only to rejecl
thefe eight propofed candidates,
but alfo all the other members of
the fenate fuccefiivejy : and \n
that cafe, four members are taken
from the great council, and pro-
pofed to the general afiembly. If
thefe are appointed fyndics, they
immediately become members of
the fenate ; and an equal number
of that body are at the fame time
degraded, and retire into the great
council. No intlance, however,
has yet occurred of the general
afiembly having exerted this power

* The children of tbofe wlio are employed in foreign coinitries, in the fervice
of tlie ftate, although born out of Geneva, are entitled to all the privileges of citi-
K*ns.

/

of

CHARACTERS.

II

of expelHug four ^members from
the fena-.e *.

With refpefl to the other re-
ilraint I mentioned upon the power
of the little council, the right
of repreftJitation : every citiien or
burgher, either fingljfcor in a body,
has the privilege of applying to the
fenace in order to procure fome new
regulation, or of remohftrating a-
gaind: any aft of the niagiftracy.
Thefe reprefentations have proved
one of the principal means, per-
haps, of fecuring the liberties of
the people from the refpedlive en-
croachments of the two -councils ;
as they have frequently prevented
the rnagiftrates from ftretching their
authority to the fame arbitrary ex-
tent that has been praftifed in fome
of the other commonwealths of
Ssvjfferland. The magiftrates are
obliged to give an explicit anfwer
to thefe reprefentations ; for, if
the firlt is not coniidered as fatis-
fadtory, a fecond remonftrance is
prefented. According to the na-
ture and importance of the com-
plaint, the reprefentation is made
by a greater or lefs number of ci-
tizens; and it has fometimes hap-
pened that each remonllrance has
been accompanied by feveral hun-
dred, in different bodies.

The falaries of the feveral ma-
giftrates are fo inconliderable, as
not to offer any temptation on the
fide of pecuniary emolument: a
fenfe of honour, a fpirit of ambi-
tion, the defire of ierving their
country, together with that pcr'o-
nal credit which is derived from
cxercifing any office in the admi-
IiiHration, are the principal mo-

tives which afluate the candidates
to folicit a flaare in the magillracy.
Accordingly, the public^oRs are
generally failed with men of the
firft abilities, and of the moft re-
fpeclable charaders. The reve-
nues of government, at the higheft
calculation, fcarcely amount to
30,000 pounds a year ; a fum,
however, which, by a well regu-
lated ceconomy, is more than luf-
ficient to defray the current cx-
pences: fo that this republic is en-
abled to provide for the fecurity of
its fubjeits, from an income, which
fome individuals, both in England
and France, fquander in vain pomp
and vicious diffipation.

It is very /emarkable that, in a
republic fo free as this of Geneva,
and where the true principles of
liberty are fo well and fo generally
underilood, there fhould be no pre-
cife code of penal laws : for, al-
though the form of the procefs 13
fettled with great precifion, yet the
trial of the criminal is private, and
the punifliment left to the arbi-
trary decifion of the magiftrate.
Nor are the franchifes of the peo-
ple afcertained with that accuracy
one m.ight well have expeded.
Indeed, under Ademar Fabri, bi-
fhop of Geneva in the fourteenth
century, a certain number of po-
litical regulations, both civil and
criminal, together -with feveral
particular cuitoms and liberties,
were drawn up in form ; and the
bifhop took an oath to obferve
them. Thefe ftatutes, if they may
be fo called, were alfo confirmed
by Amadeus VIII. duke of Savoy.
In all cafes of controverfy, the

* Since the above was written, I have been informed, that the citizens and
burghers expelled four members irons the fenate, at the eie<5lion of magiftrates
("or the year 1777,

people

I- ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779/

pev-^ple appeal to this code ; but it
is no: only cornpilf"cl in a very in-
accurate and confiifed mr.nner, but
the mnpiftratps refufe to be gover-
ned by it, hccaufe it wns publilhed
before the ir.dependence of the re-
public was confirmed. With re-
fpect to the fcver.il laws which have
(ince been enadled in the general
aflembly ; fome few of them in-
deed are printed, and in the hands
cf the public, biu the reR remain
in the archives of the fenate : for,
jihcre being no particular fecretary
belonging to the general aflembly;
-all the lavvs which they pafs.are
taken down by the i'ecretary 10 the
fenate ; fo that the latter are the
fole depofitaries of vthofe edi«!:ts
which ought to be laid open to the
jnfpei^ion of the whole commu-
nity. The people have repeatedly
demanded a prtciie code of muni-
cipal and penal laws, fo exprefs
and determinate, that nothing may
be left to the arbitrary decifion of
the magiilrate; but the fenate has
always found means of evading this
very reafonable and jult requifi-
tion.

Their code of civil law is the
moft pcrfedl part, of this conilitu-
tion : all matters concerning com-
merce are well regulated by it ;
and private property fecurely guar-
ded. It is iinneceffbry to trouble
you with a particular detail of the
fumptuary laws ; they are much
the fame as thofe in moft of the
other ftates of Swiflerland, where
reOriftions of that kind are en-
forced. But there is one law, re-
lating to bankrupts, too Angularly
ievcre not to be mentioned. If a
n<ember of either council becomes
a bankrupt, he is immediately de-
graded ; and from ihat moment is
rcndeied incapable of holding any

port under government, until he
fhall h^ve difchargcd all the juit
demands of his creditors : even his
childien are fubjeded to the fame
difgrace; and no citizen can exer-
cife any public employment what^
foever, while* the debts of his fa-
ther remain unpaid.

In this city, as in all the other
principal towns in SwifTerland, a
public granary is eltabliihed. Ma-
gazines of this kind are ufefui in.
all ftates, but are more particularly
neceflary in fo populous a place as^
Geneva; which, if the nto'ghbour-
ing powers were to prohibi'' the ex-
portation of corn into the territory
of the re publicj might be expofed to
all the horrors of a general famine.
The benefit of this inllitutiou has
been frequently experienced in
times of fcarcity : and all authors
who have publilhed obfervations
upon the government of Geneva,
have agreed in mentioning it v;ith
the praifes it ceferves. But they
have overlooked one great defert
in its regulation, and vvhich is not
imputable to the management of
thofe public granaries which are
eftabliflied in Berne and Zuric.
The chamber of corn, as, it is here
called, is a committee from the
great council of two hundred, em-
powered to fupply the granary with
that commodity, at the expence
of government. This corn is dried
by means of machines well con-
trived for that purpofe ; retailed
out to the inn-keepers and bakers;
a confiderable profit accrues to go-
vernment: and there is ahvays, in
cafe of neceffity, a fufficient quan-
tity in referve to fupport the inha-
bitants during a year and a half.
Thus far, all is right: but then
the burden of this inftitution fall|
upon the poor. For, as the direc-

tor*

C ti A R A

tots buy the corn at the chegpell
race ; retail that part of it which
has been kep: the longed ; and
vend it at an higher price than i%
is fold in the neighbouring territo-
ries ; the bakers muft confcquently
fell tl^eir bread dearer, and not of
fo good a quality, as that which
may be purchafed on the frontiers
of Savoy. But the importation of
bread is llrirtly prohibited : thofe
families, therefore, vvho can af-
ford it, lay in a' provifion of corn
far their own ufe; while the poorer
fort fuffer, by being obliged to
purchafe, at an advanced price,
their daily provifion from the ba-
Iceri-. Perhaps, however^ the go-
vernment is not fufiiciently rich to
put iheir granary upon the lame
footing with thole of Berne and
Zur.c, by facrificing the profit a-
rifing fro^a the chamber of corn.

The town is ftrongly fortified on
the hde of Savoy ; and a garrifon
of about nine hundred men con-
ilantly maintained : but thek- for-
tificationsj and this garrifon, are
only fufficient to guard them froni
any fudden attack ; they could not
defend them long againft a regu-
lar fiege. The great fecuriiy of
the republic confiits in its alliance
with the Svvifs cantons, by means
of Zuric and Berne : and, as it is
the intereft both of the king of
France and the king of Sardinia to
keep well with the Svvifs, and to
preferve the independence of Ge-
ijeva; it derives its greateft fecu-
riry from what, in fonie cafes,
would be its greateft danger ;
namely, that its territory borders
upon the dominions of fuch power-
ful neighbours.

This republic is the only com-
monwealth iu SwilTerland, that has
Boregular companies in any foreign

C T E,R S. ij

fervice ; wifely prohibiting the en-
lilling of mercenaries in every part
of its territory.

Rejleilictis upon the general State fff
the thirteen Swifs Cantons. From
the fame.

HAVING, in the courfe of ray
former letters, communicat-
ed to you fuch obfervstions as I
was able to make during my tour
through SvvifT^rland, concerning
the laws, government, Hate of li-
terature, &c. of each canton ia
particular ; I will now requell from
yen the fame candid indulgence I
have fo repeatedly experienced,
whiilt I lay before you a i&w con-
cluding remark", in relation to the
ftate of SwifTerland in general.

There is no part of Europe
which contains, within the fame
extent of region, fo many inde-
pendent commonwealths, and fuch
a variety of different governments,
as aie cciiefted together in this re-
markable and delightful country;
and yet, with fuch wifdom was the
Helvetic union compofed, and {o
little have the Swif";, of late years,
been aduated with the fpirit of
conqueft, that fince the firm and
complete ellablilhment of their
general confederacy, they have
Icarcely ever had occafion to em-
ploy their arms againll a foreign
enemy ; and have had no hoftile
conimotions among themfelves thaC
were not very foon happily termi-
nated. Perhaps there is not a fi-
milar inftance in ancient or modern
liiltory, of a warlike people, divi-
ded into little independeiu repub-
lics, clofely bordering upoti each
other, and of ccurfe having occa-
fionally interfering intereils, hav-

ir;':

14

ANNUAL RE

ing coniioucvi, during fo long a
period, in an almoll uninterrupted
lUte of tranquillity. And thus,
wliile ,the fevcral neighbouring
kingdoms have fuiFered, by turns,
all the horpors ot internal war, this
i'avoored nation hath enjoyed the
felicity defcribed by Lucetius, and
loukcd down with Security upon
the vr.rious tempefts that have Iha-
fceii the world around them.

But the happincfa of a long
peace, has neitLcr biokt:n the Ipi-
rit, nor enervated the arm of this
people. The youth are diligently
trained to all the martial exercifjs,
fjch as running, vvrelUing, and
Ihooting both with the crols-bow
and the muflcet ; a confiderable
number of well-difciplined Svvifs
troops are always employed in
foreign fervices ; and the whole
people are enrolled, and regularly
extrcifed in their rcfpedive mili-
tia. By thefe means they are ca-
pable, in cafe it fhould be necef-
fary, of coUefting a very refpedl-
able body of forces, which'could
not fail of proving formidable to
any enen'y who fhould invade their
country, or attack their liberties.
T huf, while moft of the other
^ftates upon the continent are tend-
ing more and more towards a mi-
litary government, S^wi.Teiland a-
Icne has no {landing nrmies; and
yet, from the nature of its fituation,
from its particular alliances, and
from the policy of its internal go-
vernment, is more fecure from in-
vafjon than any other European
power, and full as able to with-
iland the greateft force that can be
brought againft ir.

But the felicity of SwifTerland
does not confift merely in being
peculiarly exempted from the bur-

GISTER, 1779,

dens and miferies of war; there ii
no country in w hich happinefs and
content more univerfally prevail .
among the pepple. For, whether
the government be ariilocratical,
democratical, or mixed; abfoluie
or limited ; a general fpirit of li-
berty pervades and aduates the
fevcral conllitutions ; fo that even
the oligarchical ilates (which, of
all others, are ufually the moll tv-
rannical) are here peculiarly mild;
and the property of the fubjed is
fecurely guarded againft every kind
of violation.

But there is one general defeft
in their criminal jurifprudencf «
which prevails throughout this
country. For, although the Caro-
line code, as it is ftyled, or the
code of the Emperor Charles the
Vth, forms in each of the repub.
lies the principal balis of their pe-
nal laws, with particular modiiicaj
tions and additions in different dif-
trids ; yet much too great a lati*
tude is allowed to the refpeftive
judges, who are lefs governed in
their determinations by this code,
or any other written law, than by.
the common principles of juflice.
How far long experience may have
jullified- the prudence of trufling
them with this extraordinary pri-
vilege, 1 cannot fay ; but difcre-
tionary jjowers nf this kind, are
undoubtedly liable to the moll ■
alarming abufe, and can never,
without ihe greatefl hazard, be
committed to the hands of the ma-
giflrate.

1 cannot forbear refleding, upon
this cccaiion, on the fuperior wif-
dom, in the prefent inftance, as
well as in many others, of our own
moll invaluable conflitution ; and
indeed, it is impoflible for an Eng-
, liflimaa

CHARACTERS.

^S

lifliinan to obferve, in his travels,
the governments of other countries,
without becoming a warmer anjd
more affedionate admirer of his
own. in England, the life and
liberty of the fubjed does not d"e-
pend upon the arbitrary decifion
of his judge, but is fecured by ex-
prefs laws, frcra which no magi-
iirate can depart with impunity.
This guarded precifipn, it is true,
may occafionally, perhaps, be at-
tended with fome inconveniences ;
but they are overbalanced by ad-
vantages of fo mucij greater weight
as to be fcarcely perceptible in the
fcales of juftic?. 1 do not mean,
however, to throw any imputation
upon the officers of criminal jurif-
dittion in Swiflerland: as far as I
could obferve, they adminiller dif-
tributive juftice with an impartial
and equitable hand.

I remaiked, with peculiar fatis-
f;-.ftion, the excellent ila:e of the
prifons throughout this cotHitry,
and the humane precautions which
the fevefal legiflatures have taken
v.ith reipedt to felons: a circum-
ftance which could not fail ,of
flriking me the more forcibly, as
the contrary is but too visible iu
England. In Swifferland, the cri-
minals are confined in wholefome
and feparate wards; and iiifleaci

of languilhing long in prlfon,'to
the great injury of their health, or
total wafte of their little remnant
of money ; they are almoft imme-
diately brought to trial. In Eng-
land, a criminal, or one fufpeded
to be fuch, way be confined fix
months before his fate Hiall be de-
termined : and if he happen to be
proved innocent", and (houid be in
low circumfcances ; the lofs of his
time, together with the expences
of the gaol-fees, may probably oc-
cafion his utter ruin ; while his
morals are in no lefs danger, by
being compelled to afTociaie with,
a fet of abandoned wretches, lofi
to all fenle of Ihame, and encou-
raging each other in their commoa
profligacy. How much is it to be
lamented, that, while our code o£
criminal jurifprcdence is in gene-
ral formed upon principles, which,
dillinguilh us with honour among
the nations of Europe; that our
courts of juftice are thrown opea
to the view of all the world ; and
that we enjoy the ineftimable and
almoil peculiar privilege of being
tried by cur equals j how much
(I cannot forbear repeating) i;> it
to be lajfnented, that the fame
equitable and humane fpirit fiiould
be foiin'd wanting in fo important
an article of our penal laws*.

One

* For a more particular account of the prifons in SwifTerlnnd, tlie reader Is
referred to a treatiie concernirg " The Ji ate of the prifons in England and IValcst
*' and an account of fome foreign prifons, by fobn Hc-xard,^tfq-, im-'" I"
this tieatife (which merits the attention of tvery friend to hnnianity) the wor-
thy author has produced many melancholy proofs of the fad ftate of the Engiilh
pnfons, and how very inferior they art to thofe abroad in every circumiiance
relating to the health and good government of the unhappy pcribns confined in
them. And it cannot but afford hini the moft foihble idcfbiaftiori to fm.d, that
his benevolent and perfeverfn^r labours have nheady besn produtliva cf feme
very advantageous regulations, particularly concerning the fees cf prifoner*
who ihall be acquitted, and the prevention of the gaol dirtempcr. As Mr. H.
Hill continues his laudable refearches through ail tlie moll coaadurablc prifons

ANNUAL REGISTER, i779.

i6

Onp cinnoc but be aftonilhed,
as vvt^l as concerned, to find, that
in a country where the true prin-
ciples of civil government are fo
well underftood and fo generally
adopted as in SwilTeriand, that the
trial by torture is not ytt abolifti-
cd : for, in fome particular cafes,
the fufpeftcd criminal is llill put
to the rack. The inefficacy, no
Jefs than the inhumanity, of en-
deavouring to extort the truth by
the feveral horrid inftruments
which too ingenious cruelty has
devifed for that purpofe, has been
fo often expofed by the ableit wri-
ter?, that it would be equally im-
pertinent and fuperfluous to trou-
ble yo'i with any reflexions of mine
upon the fubjert: and indcd, the
V/hole ilrength of the feveral argu-
ments that have been urged upon
this occafion, is comprifed in the

very juft and pointed obfervatloa
of the admirable Bruyere, that /a
quojiion eji une in'vention tnarveilleufe
^ to:tt-a fait fi'ire, pour perdre un
innocent qui a la complexion foi hie, ^
fauvre un coupablc qui eJi nc robujle *,
I cannot, however, but add, in
juftice to the Swils, that zealqus
advocates have not been wanting
among them for the total abolitioa
of torture : bui arguments of rea-
fon, and fentiments of humanity,
have been found, even in this ci-
vilized and enlightened country,
to avail little againfl inveterate
cuftom and long-confirmed preju-
dices f .

Learning is lefs generally dif-
fufed among the catholic than the
protellant Itates : but in both, •,*
man of letters will find abundant
opportunities of gratifying his re-
fearches and improving his know-

upon the continent, and intends fubmitting the refult of them to fhe Confideration
cf Parliament 5 it may jultly be hoped, that he will be rewarded with the happi-
refs of having become the means of effectually fixing the attention of the Biitilh
Senate upon an objeft fo highly deferving the caie of evtiy wife and humane
itgiflatuie.

* Cara^cres, Vol. ii. p. 203.

-}■ Criminal jultice is hei-e, as in the greatefl. part of Europe, afiminil^ered agree-,
ably to the rules of the civ;l law. According to the maxims of that code, th; cii-
niinal's confelTion is abfolutely requifite, in onler to hii iufferiiig capital punlflj-
ment j and coiilequentiy, all thof'e n itions who have not eilablifhed a new code of
criminal jurifprudence, retain the \ife of torture.

The preltnt Icms of Prufliaj^ it is well known, fet the example in Germany^*
of aboliftiing this inhuman pra6\ice; but few, perhaps, are apprifeJ, that the firlt
hint of this reforinaiion was fuggefted to him by reading the Hiltory of England.-
For, one of the piincipal ai^iiments in fupport of this method of extorting con-
fefhon, being that it affords the belt in^aiis of difcovering plots againff govern-
ment ; the fagacious monarch remarked, that the Britifi'i annals fully confuted thrf
fallacy of that realbning. Few kingdoms, he obferved, had abounded more in
confpiracies and rebellions than England \ and yet, that the leaders and abe^ttors
of them had been more fucccfifuily traced and difcovered, without the ufe of
torture, than in any country vvhere it was pratb'fed. " From thence," added
thib wife politician, Ipeaking upon the fubje6t, " I faw the abfurdity of torture,
*' and ^holifliL'd it accordingly." '

TIt^- aboye anecdote, which I had from very refpeclable authority, bears the
molt honourable teftimony to the efficacy as well as the mildncls of our penal
laws, and to the fuperior excellency of the prycefs obferved in our courts of cri-
minal juftlce.

ledge.

CFIARACTERS.

J7

ledge. To the natural philofo-
pher, Svviflerland will afford an
inexhauftible fource of entertain-
ment and information, as well from
the great variety of phyfical curi-
ofities fo plentifully fpread over the
country, as from the confiderable
number of perfons eminently /kil-
led in that branch of fcience. In-
deed in every to^vn, and almoil in
every village, the corious travel-
ler will meet with collections wor-
thy of his attention.

With refpedt to agriculture ;
there is, perhaps, no country in
the world where the advantageous
efredis of unwearied and perfever-
ing induftry are more remarkably
confpicuous. In travelling over
the mountainous parts of SvviiTer-
land, I was ilruck with admiration
and aftonifhment, to obferve rocks,
that were formerly barren, now
planted with vines, or abounding
in rich pafture ; and to mark the
traces of the plough along the fides
of precipices fo fteep, that it muft
be with great ditHcalty that a horle
could even mount them. In a
word, the inhabitants feem to have
furmounted every oblbudlion which
foil, fituation, and climate, had
thrown in their way, and to have
fpread fertility over various fpots
of the country which nature feemed
to have configned to everlalHng
barrennefs. In tine, a general
fimplicity of manners, an open
and unafFei^ed franknefs, together
with an invincible fpirit cf free-
dom, may jullly be mentioned in
the number of thofe peculiar qua-
lities which dignify the public cha-
rafter of this people, and diftin-
guiih them with honour among the
nations of Europe.

Vol. XXII,

A Sketch of an Hijiorical Panegyric
en the Marjhal e/" Berwick, by the
Prcjident Montefquieu. From
Memoirs of the Duke o/" Berwick.

HE was born on the 2 1 ll of Au-
guft, 1670 ; was fon of
James, Duke of York, fince King
of England, and of Mifs Arabella
Churchill. Such indeed was the
fate of this houfe of Churchill,
that it gave birth to two men, wha
were defiined, at the fame time,
each of them to Ihake, and to fup-
port, the two greateft monarchies
of Europe.

At feven years cf age he was
fent into France to complete his
ftudies, and follow his exercifes.
The Duke of York having fuc-
ceeded to the crown on the 6th day
of February, 1685, fent him the
following year into Hungary, and
he was pre fent at the fiege of
Bud a,

Ke pafled the winter in Eng-
land, where the King created him
Duke of Berwick. In the fpring
he returned into Hungary, where
the Emperor gave him the rank of
Colonel to command Taaff's regi-
ment of Cuiraifiers. He ferved
the campaign of 1687, in whicbi
the Duke of Lorrain obtained the
viclory at Mohatz ; and on his re-
turn to Vienna, the Emperor pro-
moted him to the rank of Major-
General.

Thus the Duke of Berwick was
iirit trained to arms, under the
great Duke of Lorrain ; and his
life, ever fince, has been in a man-
ner entirely devoted to this pro- ^
fefiion.

He returned into England ;
when the King gave him the go-
vernment of Portfmouth, and of
the county of Southampton, He
C had

iS ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

had already a regiment of infantry.
The regiment of horfe-guards, be-
longing to the Earl of Oxford, was
afterwards given him : fo that at
feventeen years of age, he was in
a fuuation highly flattering to a
man of an elevated mind ; for he
favv the track of glory open before
him, and was in a way of being
able to perform great adions.

In 16S8 the Revolution took
place in England ; and amidft the
number of misfortunes that -lur-
rounded the King on a fudden, the
Duke of Berwick was charged with
affairs of the higheft confequence.
The King having fixed upon him
for aflembling the army, one of
the treacheries committed by his
minifters was to delay the fending
of the orders for this purpofe, that
opportunity might be given to
fome other perfon to lead off the
troops to the Prince of Orange. He
accidentally met with four regi-
ments that were intended to be
conveyed to the Prince of Orange,
and brought them back to his poll.
He exerted himfelf to the utmoil in
order tofave Portfmoutb, which was
blocked up by fea and land, and had
no other provifions than what were
daily fupplied by the enemy, till
the King ordered him to deliver
up that fortrefs. His Majefty hav-
ing taken the refolution to make
his efcape into France, the Duke
was one of the five perfons whom
he entrufted with his defign, and
who followed him. The King,
immediately on his landing, fent
him to Versailles to requeft an afy-
lum. He was then but juft eigh-
teen years old.

Almoft all Ireland having pre-
ferved its fidelity to King James,

that prince went there in the month
of March, 1689; and an unfortu-
nate war enfued, in which bravery
was always confpicuous, and con-
duct always deficient. Of this war
in Ireland it may be faid, that in
London it was confidered as the
bufinefs of the day, and the capi-
tal concern of Great Britain ; and
in France, it. was looked upon as
a war carried on from motives of
particular attachment and deco-
rum. The Engliih, who chofe to
avert a civil war from themfelves,
crufhed the kingdom of Ireland,
It feemed even as if the French
officers who were fent there, were
imprefTed with the fame ideas as
thofe who fent them : they had but
three objefts in view, to get there,
to fight, and to return. Time has
fhewn that the notions of the Eng-
lish upon thefe matters were more
juft than ours.

The Duke of Berwick diftin.
guilhed himlelf on fome particular
occafions, and was made a Lieu-
tenant-General.

Lord Tyrconnel, on his depar-
ture for France in the year 1690,
left the general command of the
kingdom to the Duke of Berwick.
He was then but twenty years of
age, and it appeared from his con-
duct, that heaven had beftowed
prudence upon him at a more early
period of life than upon any other
man of his time. The lofs of the
battle of the Boyne had difcourag-
ed the Irifh troops : King William
had indeed raifed the fiege of Li-
merick, and was returned into
England ; but this did not much
improve the ftate of affairs. Lord
Churchill * landed on a fudden in
Ireland with eight thoufand men.

Afterwards Duke of Marlborough,

CHARACTERS.

»9

It was neceflary at the fame time
to check the rapidity of his pro-
grefs, to re-eftabiifh the army, to
diffipate fadions, and to conciliate
the minds of the Irifh. All this
was eiFefted by the Duke of Ber-
wick.

In 1691, the Duke of Tyrcon-
nel having returned into Ireland,
the Duke of Berwick went back
into France, and attended Lewis
XIV. as volunteer, to the fiege of
Mens. He ferved in the fame ca-
pacity under Marlhal Luxembourg,
in the campaign of 1692, and was
prefent at the battle of Steinkirk.
The following year he was made
Lieutenant-General in France, and
acquired much honour at the battle
of Neetwinden, where he was
taken prifoner. The reports that
were circulated upon this occafion,
murt certainly have originated from
perfons who had the higheit idea
of his lleadinefs and courage. He
continued to ferve in Flanders un-
der Marfhal Luxembourg, and
afterwards under Marftial Ville-
roy.

In 1696, he was fent privately
into England, to hold a conference
with fome Englifn noblemen, who
had refolvod to reftore the King.
He was charged with a very ftrange
kind of commilfion, which was to
induce thefe noblemen to a6t a-
gainft common fenfe. He did not
lucceed ; and hallened his return
upon receiving information that
there was a plot carrying on a-
gainft the perfon of King William,
becaufe he did not chufe to be in-
volved in this confpiracy. I re-
member having heard him fay,
that a man had ditcovered him by
a kind of family likenefs, and par-
ticularly by the length of his fin-
ders ; that luckily this man hap-

pened to be a Jacobite, and faid to
him, God hlefs you in all your under -
takings. This relieved him from
his embarralTment.

The Duke of Berwick loft his
iirft wife in the month of June,
1698. He had married her ia
1695. She was daughter of the
Earl of Clanricard. He had a fon
by her, who was born on the 2 ill
of Oftober, 1696.

In 1699 he made a tour into
Italy, and at his return married
Mademoifelle de Bulkeley^ daugh-
ter of Madame de Bulkeley, Lady
of the Bedchamber to the Queen of
England, and of M. de Bulkeley,
brother of Lord Bulkeley.

After the death of Charles II.
King of Spain, King James fent
the Duke of Berwick to Rome, to
congratulate the Pope on his elec-
tion, and to offer him his fervices
to command the army that France
prelfed him to raife, for the pur-
pofe of maintaining a neutrality in
Italy ; and the Court of St. Ger-
mains offered to fend fome Irifti
troops, to be under his command.
The Pope thought the affair rather
too ferious for him, and the Duke
of Berwick returned.

In 1 701 he loft the King his
father, and in 1702 he ferved in
Flanders under the Duke of Bur-
gundy and Marfhal Boufflers ; in
1703, on his return from the cam-
paign, he was naturalized a fubjeft
of France, with the confent of the
CourtofSt. Germains.

In 1704, the King fent him in-
to Spain at the head of eighteen
battalions and nineteen fquadrons ;
and upon his arrival the King of
Spain appointed him Captain- Ge-
neral of his forces, and made him
put bis hat on in his prdence.

C2

The

•o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The Court of Spain was dlfturb-
cd by intrigues. The govern-
n;ent was very ill conducted, be-
ciuife every one wifhed to guide
the reins of it. Every thing de-
gcnerr^ted into cabals, and it was
one of the principal objects of his
commiflion, to get at the bottom of
them. All parties endeavoured to
gain him over, but he would not
Jidc with either of them ; and ap-
plying himfelf only to the fuccefs
of public affairs, he confidered the
intereft of individuals merely as
they were ; he paid no attention to
Madame d'Orfini, to Orry, to the
Abbed'Etrees, to the inclinations
of the Queen, or to the bias of
the King : the welfare of the mo-
narchy engrofled all his thoughts.

The Duke of Berwick received
orders to endeavour to obtain the
difmiffion of Madame d'Orfini.
The King wrote to him in the fol-
lowing terms : " Tell my grand-
•' fon, that he owes me this mark
•' of complaifance. Urge all the
•' motives you can imagine to per-
" fuade him, but do not tell him
•' that I lliall abandon him, for
*' he vvould never believe you.'*
The King of Spain confented to
the difmiliicn.

This year, 1704, the Duke of
Berwick faved the kingdom of
Spain ; he hindered the Portu-
guefe army from going to Madrid.
His army was two-thirds weaker
than that of the enemy ; he was
condantly receiving orders from
court, one after another, to retire
and to rilk nothing. The Duke of
Berwick, who favv that Spain was
loft if he obeyed, would not dif-
continue to expofe himfelf to rifks,
and difputed every inch of ground.
The Portuguefe&imy retired> and

the Duke of Berwick did the fame.
At the end of the campaign he re-
ceived orders to retu'rn into France.
This was the eftc6t of court in-
trigue ; and he felt what fo many
had experienced before, that to
pleafe at court is the greatelt fer-
vice a man can do; without which,
all our works, to make ufe of the
language of divines, are nothing
more than dead works.

In 1705 the Duke of Berwick
was fent to command in Langue-
doc ; and the fame year he laid
fiege to Nice, and took it.

In 1706 he was made Marfhal of
France, and fent into Spain to take
the command of the army again it
Portugal. The King of Spain had
raifed the fiege of Barcelona, and
had been obliged to return by
France, and to re-enter the king-
^ dom of Spain through Navarre.

I have obferved, that before he
quitted Spain, the iirft time of his
ferving there, he had faved the
kingdom ; and upon this occafion
he faved it a fecond time. I fhall
take but a curfory view of the cir-
cumftances which it is the bufinefs
of hiftory to record. I ihall only
fay, that all was loft at the begin-
ning of the campaign, and all re-
covered at the end of it. In Ma-
dame de Maintenon's Letters to
the Princefs Orfini, we may fee
what was the opinion of the two
courts at that time. They wifhed,
but they had no hopes remaining.
The Marftial of Berwick wanted
the Queen to join his army, but
{he was prevented by the advice of
fome timid perfons. They endea-
voured to perfuade her to retire to
Pampeluna ; the Marfhal of Ber-
wick made it appear, that if this
ilep were taken, every thing was

loft.

CHARACTERS.

U

kll, becaufe the Caftilians would
then think thetnfelves forfaken :
the Queen therefore retired to Bur-
gos with her counfellors, and the
King joined the imall army. The
Portugueie went to Madrid ; and
the Marlhal, by condufl merely,
without riflcing a fingle afiion,
obliged the enemy entirely to quit
Calhile, and wedged in their army
between the kingdoms of Valencia
and Arragon. He ccndufted them
thither by one march after another,
as a fhepherd leads his flock. It
may be faid, that this campaign
was more glorious to him than any
ou the other he made, becaufe the
advantages obtained by it, not hav-
ing depended on an aftion, fur-
nifhed the opportunity for a conti-
nual difplay of his talents. He
took more than ten thcufand pri-
foners, and by this campaign pav-
ed the way for the fecond, render-
ed ftill more illuitrious by the bat-
tle of Almanza, the reduftion of
the kingdoms of Valencia and
Arragon, and the capture of Le-
rida.

It was in this year, X707, that
the King of Spain bellowed upon
the Marlhal of Berwick the towns
of Liria and Xerica, with the rank
of Grandee of th,e firft clafs ; which
procured him a ftill greater efta-
blifliment for his fon by his lirft
wife, in his alliance with Donna
Catherina of Portugal, heirefs of
the houfe of Veragues. The Mar-
lhal gave him up all his pofTeffions
in Spain,

At the fame time Lewis XIV.
gave him the government of the
JLimofin, entirely of his own ac-
cord, without being aflced for it by
the Duke.

1 mull take this opportunity of

fpeaking of the Duke of Orleans,
and 1 fliall do it with the greater
fatisfaftion, as what I Ihall fay of
him, can but redound to his ho-
nour as well as the Marfhal's.

The Duke of Orleans came to
command the army. His evil def-
tiny made him think he fliould
have time to pafs by Madrid. The
iViarfhal of Berwick difpatched
meflenger after meffenger to ac-
quaint him, that he ftiould foon be
under a neceffity of giving battle :
the Duke of Orleans fet out, and
notwithftanding the utmoft expe-
dition, did not arrive in time.
There were not wanting courtiers
who endeavoured to infinuate to
the Prince, that the Marlhal of
Berwick had been well pleafed to
give battle without him, in order
that he might deprive the Prince
cf the glory of it. But the Duke
of Orleans was Satisfied that he
had it in his power to do him juf-
tice, which he very well knew how
to do ; and only complained of his
ill fortune.

The Duke of Orleans, who
could not bear the idea of returnino-
without having done any thing,
propofed the fiege of Lerida. i he
Marlhal of Berwick, who was far
from agreeing with the Duke in
this point, explained his reafons
for it in a ftrong manner ; and even
propofed to refer the matter to
court. The fiege of Lerida was
refolved upon. From thac moment
the Marlhal faw no farther cblta-
cles : he knew, that though pru-
dence be the firftof all virtues before
an enterprize is begun, it is on]) a
fecondary one after it is under-
taken. Perhaps had he been the
propofer 0^ this fiege, he would
have been lefs apprehenfive of the

C 3 raifing

cz ANNUAL R E G I S T E R, 1779.

raifing of it. The Duke of Or- quiefce in M. de Vendofme's opi-

leans finilhed the campaign with nion.

glory ; and this circumftance, which It muft have happened that the

would infallibly have bred a quar- King ihould fend to the army, in

re' between two men of an ordi- order to conciliate the Generals, a

rary turn of mind, ferved only to minifter who was incapable of dif-

unite thefe two more firmly togc- tinguiftiing : it mult have hap-

ther; and I remember to have heard
the Marflial fay, that he traced the
crigin of the favour ftiewed him by
the Duke of Orleans from the cam-
paign of 1707.

In 1708, the Marflial of Ber-
wick, who was at firft defsgned to
be at the head of the army in Dau-
phiny, was fent upon the Rhine to
command under the Eledtor of Ba-
varia. He had defeated a projciil
of M. de Chamillart, whofe chief
incapacity confilled in not knowing
his own. Prince Eugene having
quitted Germany to go into Flan-
ders, the Marfhal of Berwick fol-
lowed him. After the lofs of the
battle of Oudenarde, the enemy
laid fiege to Lille ; and then the
Marfhal of Berwick joined his army
tothatofM.de Vendofme. With-
out an infinite number of very ex-
traordinary events, it was impof-
fible for us to have loft Lifle. The
Duke de Vendofme was incenfed
againft the Marflial of Berwick, for
having made fome difficulty of ferv-
ing under him. From that pe-
riod, the Duke de Vendofme re-

peneu, that that malady of human
nature, of not being able to
bear what is good, when it is done
by perfons whom we do not like,
fhould have taken pofTeffion, dur-
ing this whole campaign, of the
heart and underflanding of M. de
Vendofme : it mufl have happen-
ed, that a Lieutenant - General
fliould have credit enough at court,
to commit two blunders, :one upon
the back of the other, and which
will be remembered in all ages,
his defeat and hi'^ capitulation : it
mull have happened, that the fiege
oFBrufTels fhould have been rejeifl-
ed at firft, and afterwards under-
taken ; that it fhould be determi-
ned to cover, at the fame time,
both the Scheld and the Canal,
that is, to cover nothing. In a
word, the caufe in agitation be-
tween thefe two great men flill ex-
ifts ; the letters written by the
King, by the Duke of Burgundy,
by the Duke de Vendofme, by the
Duke of Berwick, and by M. de
Chamillart, are alio flill preferv-
ed. By thefe it will appear

Jefted every propofal that came which of the two wanted coolnefs,

from the Marflial of Berwick ; and
his foul, in other refpefts fo great,
was no longer animated by any
motive, but a warm refentment
for the kind of affront which he
imagined he received.

The Duke of Burgundy and the
King, conftantly divided between
contradictory propofals, knew not
iiow to aft otherwife, than to ac-

and perhaps I might even venture
to fay, reafon. God forbid that I
fhould attempt to call in queflicn
the eminent qualities of the Duke
de Vendofme ! If the Marfhal of
Berv;ick werp to return upon earth,
he would be forry for it. But I
fliall fay, on this occafion, what
Homer faid of Glaucus. Jupiter
deprived Glaucus of his wifdom,
, and

CHARACTERS.

23

and he exchanged a golden fhield
for a brazen one. This golden
Ihield M. de Vendofme had always
borne till this campaign, and he
afterwards recovered it.

In 1709 the Marfhal of Berwick
was fent to cover the frontiers of
Provence and Dauphiny ; and
though M. de Chamillart, who left
every thing unprovided, had been
removed, he found neither money,
nor ammunition, nor provifions ;
but managed fo well, that he fup-
plied himfelf with all he wanted.
I remember having heard him fay,
that in his diftrefs he' feized upon
a fupply of money that was going
from Lyons to the royal treafury ;
and he ufed to fay to M. D'Anger-
villiers, who was his Intendanc at
that time, that in legal ftridlnefs
they both of them deferved to have
been tried. M. Defmarais ex-
claimed : and he anfwered, that it
was neceflary to provide fubfiftence
for an army, which was to fave the
kingdom.

The Marfhal of Berwick formed
fuch a plan of defence, that it was
impoffible to penetrate into France
on any fide, becaufe the Duke of
Savoy was obliged to proceed by
the arch of a circle, while he kept
along the chord. I remember when
1 was in Piedmont, that the officers
who had ferved at that period, al-
ways gave this as a reafon for their
not having been able to penetrate
into France ; they made the pane-
gyric of the Marfhal of Berwick,
without my knowing any thing of
the matter.

For this plan of defence the
Marihal of Berwick wanted only a
fmall number of forces, and was
enabled to fend the King twenty
battalions j which, in thofe times.

was a confiderable reinforce-
ment.

It would be very abfurd in me
to judge of his military talents;
in other words, to judge of what
I cannot underftand. Neverthe-
lefs, might I be allowed to ven«
ture, I fhould fay, that as every
great man, beildes his general ca-
pacity, has alfo fome particular
talent in which he excels, and
which conllitutes his diftinguifb-
ing quality ; fo the Marfhal of
Bervvick's particular talent con-
fifted in making a defenfive war,
in refloring affairs that were de-
fperate, and in being thorough
mafler of every rcfource that can
fuggeft itfeif in misfortune. He
mufl undoubtedly have been very
fenfible of his powers in this re-
{pe£k. I have often heard him
fay, that the thing he had mofl
coveted, during the whole courfe
of his life, was to have had a
good fortrefs to defend.

In 1713 the peace was figned at
Utrecht ; on the firft of Septem-
her, 1715, the King died: The
Duke of Orleans was Regent, and
the Marfhal of Berwick was fent to
command in Guyenne. Let me
be allowed to fay, that this was a
great happinefs for me, fince it
was there I became acc^uainted
with him.

The intrigues of Cardinal AI-
beroni gave rife to the war which
the Marfhal Duke of Berwick con-
duced on the frontiers of Spain.
The Miniftry being changed upon
the death of the Duke of Orleans,
he was removed from the com-
mand of Guyenne. He divided
his time between the Court, Paris,
and his country -houfe of Fitz-
James. This will give me an
C 4 oppor«

i4 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Cpportunlty of fpeaking of him
»s a private man, and of -piv-
3ng his character, as concifely as
poliible.

He Icarce obtained any favours
which were not offered to him :
when his own interelt was con-
cerned, it was always nccefl'ary to
pufh him on. — His reierved and
rather dry look, which was fome-
times even inclined to fevcrity,
made him appear at times as if
he were not in his proper element
in our country, if it were pnffi-
ble that great I'ouls and perlbnal
merit could be confined to any
one nation.

He knew not how to fay thofe
things that are ufuaily called pret-
ty things. He was more efpe-
cially free from thofe numberlefs
errors into which perions, who
are overfond of thcmfelves, are
continually falling. — He was de-
termined, for the moft part, by his
own judgment ; and if, on the
one hand, he had not toa high an
opinion, on the other, he had no
dillrult of himfelf, he confidered
and knew himfelf with as mucli
penetration, as he viewed all other
objects. — No man ever knew bet-
ter how to avoid exceffes, or, if I
may venture to ufe the exprefiion,
to keep clear of the fnares of vir-
tue : for example, he was fond of
the clergy ; he readily enough rc-
commodated himfelf to the modeliy
of their llation ; but he could not
bear to be governed by them ;
cfpecially if they tranfgrcll'ed in
the leafi. article the limits of their
duty : he required more of them
than they would have required of
him. — It was irapoHible to behold
him, and not be in love with vir-
tue, fo evident was tranquillity and
happiaefs in his foul, particularly

when he was compared with others
who were agitated by various paf-
fions. — In the works of Plutarch,
I have feen at a diitance what
great men were : in him I beheld
in a nearer view what they are. I
was only acquainted with him in
private life : 1 never faw the hero,
but the man from whom the hero
iffued. — He loved his friends :
it was his cuflom to do fervices,
and not to fpeak of them : thus
the benefit was difpenfed by an
iovifible hand. — He had a great
fuad of religion. No man ever
followed more ftriftly thofe laws
of the gofpel, which are more
troublefome to men of the world :
in a word^ no man ever praflifed
religion fo much, and talked of it
[o little.— He never fpoke ill of
any one ; and at the fame time
never bellowed any praife upon
thofe v.hom he did not think de-
lerving of it.— He held in averfion
thofe controverfies, which, under
pretence of the glory of God, are
nothing more than perional dif-
putes. He had learned from the
misfortunes of the King his father,
that we expofe ourfelves to com-
mit great errors, when we have
too much faith even in per-
ions of the moft refpeiflable cha-
racter.— When he was appointed
Commandant in Guyenne, we
were alarmed at the report of his
gravity ; but foon after his arri-
val he was beloved by every body,
and there is no place where his
great qualities have been more
admired.

jNTo man ever gave a brighter
example of the contempt we ought
to have for money. — Ihere was a
fimplicity in ail his' expences,
\vhich ought to have made him very
eafy in his circumllanccs : for he
i.^dulged

CHARACTERS. 25

indulged hlmfelf in no frivolous their father's panegyric better than
expence ; neverthelels he was al- I can.

ways in arrears, becaufe, notwith- The ?.Tarfhal of Berwick has
{landing his natural oeconomy, his written his own Memoirs ; and
expences were great. In the go- upon this occafion I may repeat
vernments he was appointed to, what I have before faid in the
every Englilh or Irilh family that Spirit of Laws, of the narrative of
was poor, and that had any fort of Hanno. The narrati'ue of Hanno is
connection with any one of his a beautiful relic of antiquity : the
houfe, had a kind of right to be farne man nvho has executed^ has
introduced to him; and it is re- n>jritten. There is no kind of often-
markable, that a man who knew tation in his accounts : (treat com-
how to maintain fo much orde'r manders pen their anions ixiith fim~
in his army, and Ihewed fo much plicity, becaufe they take more pride
judgment in all his projects, in nuhat they have done, than in
fhould lofe all thefe advantageous lAihat they ha^ve faid.
talents, when his own private in- The condudl of great men Is
terert was concerned. more liable to a rigorous exarai-

He was not one of thofe per- nation than that of other perfons ;
fons, who are lometimes com- every one takes a delight in ar-
plaining of the authors of any mis- raigning them before his petty
fortune, and at other times fiat- tribunal. Did not the Roman
tering them ; when he had a caufe foldiers indulge themfelves in the
of complaint againll any man, he moll: bitter mockeries, while they
went diredtly to him, and told followed the car of viftory ? They
him his fentiments freely, after imagined that they were triumph-
which. he faid no more. ing over the triumphers them-

Never was the ftate in which felves ; but it is a matter of great
»ve know France was in at the praife fpr the Marlhal of Ber-
death of Marlhal Turenne, more wick, that the two objeftions
exadtly reprefented than at the which have been made to him,
death of the Duke of Berwick, have been occafioned onlv by his
I remember the iniiant when the attachment to his duty,
news v.'as brought : the confter- The objeaion, of not havlno-
nation was general. They had been concerned in the Scotch ex-
both of them left defigns inter- peditlon of 1715, is founded onlv
rupted ; both of them left an army upon conlidering the MarihaJ as a
in danger ; both loft their lives in man who had no country of his
a manner that affedls us more own, and upon the difficulty of
than an ordinary death : both of perfuading ourfelves to look upon
them were poffeffed of that modeft him as a fubjedl of France. Hav-
merit, which is fo well calculated ing become a Frenchman, with
' to call forth our tendereft affec- the confent of his firft fovereign,
tions, and to excite our regret. he obeyed the orders of Lewis

Pie ler't an affeftionate wife, XIV, and afterwards thofe of the
who paiTed the remainder of her Regent of France. It became ne-
life in Tor row for his lofs; and he ceffary for him to filence the dic-
Jleft children, whofe virtue fpeaks tates of his heart, and to be guid-
ed

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

26

ed by enlarged principles : he faw
that he was no longer at his own
dilpofiil: that he mull no longer
regulate his condutS by that rule
which was mod iuitable to his
v'ilhes, but by the one which his
fituation required : he was aware
that he Ihould be cenfured, but
he was above every unjuft decifion.
He was never determined by popu-
lar favour, nor fwayed by the opi-
nions of thofe who think only fu-
perficially-

The ancients, Vv-ho have treated
of our duties, do not place any
oreat difficulty in knowing them,
but in chufing between two duties
which is preferably to be pur-
fued. He, like fate, followed the
ftronger duty. Thefc are matters
we fhould never treat of, unlefs
we are obliged ; becaufe nothing
in the world commands our re-
fjpeft fo jnuch as an unfortunate
monarch. Let us examine the
qucJlion ; it confills in determin-
ing, whether the Prince, had he
even been reftored, would have
had a right to recall him ? The
firongefl argument that can be
urged on this fide the qiteftion, is,
that our country never abandons
ns : but even this was not the
cafe; for he was profcribed by his
country, when he got himfelf na-
turalized. Grotius, Puffendorfj
and all thofe writers who have in-
fiuenced the opinions of Europe,
decided the queftion, and declared
to him that he was a Frenchman,
and fubjed to the laws of France.
The bafis of the political fyftem
adopted by France, at that time,
was peace. How contradiflory
would it have been, if a Peer of
the realm, a Marihal, a Gover-

rnr of a province, hnd difobeyed
the prohibition to quit the king-
dom, that is, had been in aftual
difobedience, in order to appear
to the eyes of the Englilh alone
as having not difobeyed ! In faft,
the Marflial of Ber^vick was in a
very peculiar fituation even from
his very dignities ; and it was
fcarce pofllbl^ to difcriminate be-
tween his prefence in Scotland,
and a declaration of war with
England. France did not think
it confiilent with her intercft that
this war fhould take place, be-
caufe it would bring on a war
which would extend itfelf through-
out Europe. It was not there-
fore tor him, to take upon him-
felf the immenfe weight that fuch
a flep would draw upon him. It
may indeed be faid, that had he
confulted his ambition merely, he
could not have a llronger one,
than the reftoration of the Stuarts
to the Englifh throne. We know
how much he loved his children.
What a delightful profpeft for
him, could he have forefeen a
third ellablifhment in England t

Had he been even confulted
upon the enterprize, in the cir-
cumflances of the times, he would
not have advifed it : he thought
that all thofe kinds of under-
takings were of the fame nature
as others, which ought to be re-
gulated by prudence ; and that in
luch an inltance as this, the failure
of an enterprize is attended with
two kinds of ill fuccefs ; the pre-
fent misfortune, and a greater dif-
ficulty of renewing the undertak-
ing with any profped of fuccefs in
future,

0/

CHARACTERS.

^7

Of the Metaphyseal Poets. trom
JohnfonV Life o/"Cowley.

COWLEY, like other poets
who have written with nar-
row views, and inftead of tracing
intelledual pleafure to its natural
fources in the mind of man, paid
their court to temporary preju-
dices, has been at one time too
much praifed, and too much neg-
leded at another.

Wit, like other things fubjedl
by their nature to the choice of
man, has its changes and faOiions,
and at different times takes dif-
ferent forms. About the begin-
ning of the feventeenth century
appeared a race of writers that
may be termed the metaphyfical
poets ; of whom, in a criticifm
on the works of Cowley, the lall
of the race, it is not improper to
give fome account.

The metaphyfical poets were
men of learning, and to (hew their
learning was their whole endea-
vour ; but, unluckily refolving to
Ihew it in rhyme, inftead of writ-
ing poetry, they only wrote verfes,
and very often fuch verfes as flood
the trial of the finger better than
of the ear ; for the modulation
was fo imperfeft, that they were
only found to be verfes by count-
ing the fyllables.

Jf the father of criticifm has
rightly denominated poetry T'.yyn
fjLifij^iKn, an imitati've art, thefe
writers will, without great wrong,
lofe their right to the name of
poets ; for they cannot be faid
to have imitated any thing ;
they neither copied nature nor
life ; neither painted the forms of
matter, nor reprefented the opera-
tions of intelle«^.

Thofe however who deny theni
to be poets, allow them to be
wits. Dryden confeffes of himfelf
and his contemporaries, that they
fall below Donne in wit, but
maintains that they furpafs him ia
poetry.

If Wit be well defcribed by
Pope, as being " that which has
" been often thought, but was
** never before fo well exprefled,"
they certainly never attained, nor
ever fought it ; for they endea-
voured to be fmgular in their
thoughts, and were carelefs of
their didlion. But Pope's account
of wit is undoubtedly erroneous :
he deprefles it below its natural
dignity, and reduces it from
llrength of thought to happiuefs of
language.

If by a more noble and more
adequate conception that be con-
fidered as wit, which is at once
natural and new, that which,
though not obvious, is, upon its
firft produdion, acknowledged to
be jull ; if it be that, which he
that never found it, wonders how
he miffed ; to wit of this kind the
metaphyfical poets have feldom
rifen. Their thoughts are often new,
but feldom natural ; they are not
obvious, but neither are they juft ;
and the reader, far from won-
dering that he miffed them, won-
ders more frequently by what per-
verfenefs of induftry they were
ever found.

But Wit, abftrafted from its ef-
fefts upon the hearer, may be
more rigoroufly and philofophi-
cally confidered as a kind of co7i-
cordia difcors ; a combination of
diffimilar images, or difcovery of
occult refemblances in things ap-
parently unlike. Of Wit, thus
defined.

5S

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

defined, they have more than
enough. The moit heterogeneous
ideas are yoked by violence to-
gether ; nature and art are ran-
sacked for illullrations, compari-
fons, and allufions ; their learn-
ing inftrufls, and their fubtilty
furprifes ; but the reader com-
monly thinks his improvement
clearly bought, and though he
fometimes admires is feldom pleaf-
ed.

From this account of their com-
pofitions it will be readily in-
ferred, that they were not fuccefs-
ful in reprefenting or moving the
affeftions. As they were wholly

aggregation, and littlenefs by dif-'
perfion. Great thoughts are al-
ways general, and confiit in po-
fnions not limited by exceptions,
and in defcriptions not defcend-
ing to minutenefs. It is with
great ' propriety that Subtlety,
which in its original import
means exility of particles, is
taken in its metaphorical mean-
ing for nicety' of diftindion. Thofe
writers who lay on the watch for
novelty could have little hope of
greatnefs ; for great things can-
not have efcaped former obferva-
tion. Their attempts were al-
ways analytick ; they broke every

employed on fomething unexpeft- image into fragments ; and could

cd and farprifing, they had no re- no more reprefent, by their flen-

gard to that uniformity of fenti- der conceits and laboured parti-

ment which enables us to con- cularities, the profpefcs of nature,

ceive and to excite the pains and or the fcenes of life, than he,

the pleafare of other minds: they who dilTefts a fun - beam with a

never enquired what, on any oc- prifm, can exhibit the wide efful-

cafi^on, they fhould have faid or gence of a fummer noon,

done; but wrote rather as be- What they wanted however of

holders than partakers of human the fublime, they endeavoured to

nature ; as Beings looking upon
good and evil, impalTive and at
kifure ; as Epicurean deities mak-
ing remarks on the adlions of
men, and the viciflitudes of life,
without intereft and without emo-

tion. Their courtdiip was void of credited, but could not be ima-
fondnefs, and their lamentation of gined.

fupply by hyperbole; their am-
plification had no limits ; they
left not only reafon but fancy
behind them ; and produced com-
binations of confufed magnifi-
cence, that not only could not be

forrow. Their widi was only to
fay what they hoped had been ne-
ver faid before.

Nor was tke fublime more
within their reach than the pathe-
lick ; for they never attempted
»hat comprehenfion, and expanfe

Yet great labour, direfted by-
great abilities, is never wholly
loit : if they frequently threw
away their wit upon falfe con-
ceits, they likewife fometimes
jtruck out unexpedled truth : if
their conceits were far-fetched.

cf thought which at once fills the ^ they were often worth the car-
t^'hole mind, and of which the riage. To write on their plan,
firft effeft is fudden aftonilbment, it was at leaft neceflary to read
snd the fecond rational admira- and think. No man could be
tion. Sublimity is produced by born a metaphyfieal poet, nor

affume

CHARACTERS.

2^

affume the dignity of a writer, by
«lefcriptions copied from defcrip-
tions, by imitations borrowed from
imitations, by traditional imagery,
and hereditary funilies, by readi-
nefs of rhyme, and volubility of
fylkble.

In perufing the works of this
race of authors, the mind is exer-
cifed either by recollection or in-
quiry ; either fomething already
learned is to be retrieved, or fome-
thing new is to be examined. If
their greatnefs feldom elevates,
their acutenefs often furprifes ; it
the imagination ,is not always
gratiiied, at lead the powers of
refleftion and comparifon are em-
ployed ; and in the mafs of mate-
rials which ingenious abfurditv
has thrown, together, genuine wit
and ufeful knowledge may be
fometimes found, buried perhaps
in grofihefs of expreffion, but ufe-
ful to thofe who know their va-
lue ; and fuch as, when they are
expanded to perfpicuity, and po-
lilhed to. elegance, may give luftre
to works which have more pro-
priety, though lefs copioufnefs of
fentiment.

This kind of writing, which
was, I believe, borrowed from
Marino and his followers, had
been recommended by the example
of Donne, a man of very exten-
five and various knowledge, and
by Jonfon, whofe manner, refem-
bled that of Donne more in the
ruggednefs of his lines than in the
call of his fentiments.

When their reputation was high,
they had undoubtedly more imita-
tors, than time has left behind.
Their immediate fucceiTors, of
whom any remembrance can be
faid to remain, were Suckling,

Waller, Dcnham, Cowley, Cleve-
land, and Milton. Denham and
Waller fought another way to
fame, by improving the harmony
of our numbers. Milton tried
the metaphyfick ftile' only in his
lines upon Hobfon the Carrier.
Cowley adopted it, and excelled
his predeceflbrs, having as much
fentiment, and more mufick.
Suckling neither improved verfift-
cation, nor abounded in conceit?.
The fafhionable ftile remained
chiefly with Cowley ; Suckling
could not reach it, and Milton
difdained it.

Sir'.^ures on Paradife LoJ}, and
Parcidife Regained ; frotn the Life
c/' Milton. By the fame.

Y the general confent of cri-
) ticks, the firft praife of ge-
nius is due to the writer of an
epick poem, as it requires an af-
femblage of all the powers which
are fingly fufficient for other com-
pofitions. Poetry is the art of
uniting pleafure with truth, by
calling imagination to the help
of reafon. Epick poetry under-
takes to teach the moft important
truths by the moft pleafmg pre-
cepts, and therefore relates fome
great event in the moft afFefting
manner. Hiftory muft fupply the
v/riter with the rudiments of' nar-
ration, which he muft improve
and exalt by a nobler art, ani-
mate by dramatick energy, and
tiiverfify by retrofpeftion and an-
ticipation ; morality muft teach
him the exad bounds, and differ-
ent fliades, of vice and virtue :
from policy, and the praftice of

life^

30 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

lik-, he has to learn the difcrimi-
nations of character, and the ten-
dency of the paOions, either fingle
or combined ; and phyfiology mult
fupply him with illuttrations and
imif^e. To put thefe materials to
poetical ufe, is required an ima-
gination capable of painting na-
ture, and realizing lidtion. Nor is
he yet a poet till he has attained
the whole extenfion of his lan-
guage, dirtinguilhed all the deli-
cacies of plirafe, and all the co-
lours of words, and learned to ad-
juft their diiferent founds to all
the varieties of metrical modula-
tion.

Boflu is of opinion that the poet's
firft work is to find a moral, which
his fable is afterwards to iliuftrate
and ellablifh. This feems to have
been the procefs only of Milton ;
the moral of other poems is inci-
dental and confequent ; in Mil-
ton's only it is eflential and intrin-
ficlc. His purpofe was the moil
ufeful and the molt arduous ; to
^vindicate the ivayt of God to ma?i ;
to fhew the reafonablenefs of reli-
gion, and the neceffity of obedi-
ence to the Divine Law.

To convey this moral there muft
be a fable, a narration artfully
conftrudled, fo as to excite curi-
ofity, and furprife expeftation. In
this part of his work, Milton mufl:
be confeffed to have equalled every
other poet. He has involved in
his account of the Fall of Man the
events which preceded, and thole
that were to follow it : he has in-
terwoven the whole fyftem of the-
ology with fuch propriety, that
every part appears to be necef-
fary ; and fcarcely any recital is
wifhed fliorter for the fake of
quickening the progrefs of the
main action.

The fubjedl of an epick poem h
naturallyan event of great impor-
tance. That of Milton is not the
deftrudion of a city, the conduct
of a colony, or the foundation of
an empire. His fubject is the fate
of worlds, the revolutions of hea-
ven and of earth ; rebellion againft
the Supreme King, raifed by the
highefl: order of created beings ;
the overthrow of their holl, and
the punilbmerit of their crime ; the
creaiion of a new race of reafon-
able creatures ; their original hap-
pinefs and innocence, their for-
feiture of immortality, and their
reftoration to hope and peace.

Great events can be haftened
or retarded only by perfons of
elevated dignity. Before the
greatnefs diiplayed in Milton's
poem, all other greatnefs Ihrinks
away. The weakeft of his agents
are the higheft and nobleft of hu-
man beings, the original parents
of mankind ; with whofe aftions
the elements confented ; on whofe
reftitude, or deviation of will, de-
pended the ftate of terreftrial na-
ture, and the condition of all the
future inhabitants of the globe.

Of the other agents in the poem>
the chief are fuch as it is irre-
verence to name on flight occa-
llons. The reft were lower
powers ;

—of which the leaft could wield
Thsfc elements, and arm him with the

force-
Of all their regions.

—powers, which only the controul
of Omnipotence reftralns from lay-
ing creation wafte, and filling the
vaft expanfe of fpace with ruin and
confufion. To difplay the mo-
tives and aflions of beings thus
fuperior, fo far as human reafon

can

CHARACTERS.

3*

tan examine them, or human
imagination reprefent them, is the
taflc which this mighty poet has
undertaken and performed.

Jn the examination of epick
poems, much fpeculation is com-
monly employed upon the charac-
fgrs. The charatSlers in the Para-
dife Lojit which admit of exami-
nation, are thofe of angels and of
man ; of angels good and evil ;
of man in his innocent and finful
Hate.

Among the angels, the virtue
of Raphael is mild and placid, of
eafy condefcenfion and free com-
munication ; that of Michael is
regal and lofty, and, as may feem,
attentive to the dignity of his own
nature. Abdiel and Gabriel ap-
pear occafionally, and ad as every
incident requires ; the folitary fi-
delity of Abdiel is very amiably
painted.

Of the evil angels the cha-
rafters are more diverfified. To
Satan, as Addifon obferves, fuch
fentiments are given as fuit the
tnc/i exalted and moft depraved
being. Milton has been cenfured,
by Clark, for the impiety which
fometimes breaks from Satan's
mouth. For there are thoughts,
as he juftly remarks, which no ob-
fervation of character can jultify,
becaufe no good man would wil-
lingly permit them to pafs, how-
ever tranfiently, through his own
mind. To make Satan fpeak as
a rebel, without any fuch expref-
fions as might taint the reader's
imagination, was indeed one of
the great difficulties in Milton's
undertaking, and I cannot but
think that he has extricated him-
felf with great happinefs. There
is in Satan's fpeeches little that

can give pain to a pious ear.
The language of rebellion cannot
be the fame with that of obedience.
The malignity of Satan foams ia
haughtinefs and obftinacy ; but his
expreffions are commonly general,
and no otherwife offenfive than as
they are wicked.

The other chiefs of the celeftial
rebellion are very judicioufly dif-
criminated in the firll and fecond
books ; and the ferocious charafter
of Moloch appears, both in the
battle and the council, with exa£t
confiliency.

To Adam and to Eve are given,
during their innocence, fuch fen-
timents as innocence can generate
and utter. Their love is pure be-
nevolence and mutual veneration;
their repafts are without luxury,
and their diligence without toil.
Their addreffes to their Maker
have little more than the voice
of admiration and gratitude. Frui-
tion left them nothing to afk, and
Innocence left them nothing to
fear.

But with guilt enter diftruft
and difcord, mutual accufation,
and ftubborn felf-defence ; they
regard each other with alienated
minds, and dread their Creator as
the avenger of their tranfgreffion.
At laft they feek fhelter in his
mercy, foften to repentance, and
melt in fupplication. Both before
and after the fall, the fuperio-
rity of Adam is diligently fuf-
tained.

Of the prohahle and the mar-
'vellous, two parts of a vulgar epick
poem, which immerge the critick
in deep confideration, the Para-
dife Lojl requires little to be faid.
It contains the hiftory of a mira-
cle, of Creation and Redemption ;

it

32 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

it ditplays the power and the
mercy of the Supreme Being ; the
probable thererore is marvellous,
and the innrvjllous is probable.
The i'ubftance of the narrative is
truth ; and as truth allows no
choice, it is, like neceflity, fupe-
rior to rule. To the accidental
or adventitious parts, as to every
thing human, fome flight excep-
tions may be made. But the
main fabrick is immovably fup-
ported.

It is jullly remarked by Addi-
foD, that this poem has, by the
nature of its fubjedt, the advan-
tage above all others, that it is
univerfally and perpetually in-
tereiling. All mankind will,
through all ages, bear the fame
relation to Adam and to Eve, and
muft partake of that good and
evil which extend to themfelves.

Of the machinery, fo called
from 0£&; a. TO ,ar%«i'i}Cj by which
is meant the occalional interpoli-
tion of fupernatural power, ano-
ther fertile topick of critical re-
marks, here is no room to fpeak,
becaufe every thing is done under
the immediate and vifible direc-
tion of heaven ; but the rule is fo
far obferve'd, that no part of the
adlion could have been accomplifli-
ed by any other means.

Of epljvdes, I think there are
only two, contained in Raphael's
relation of the war in heaven, and
Michael's prophetick account of
the changes to happen in this
world. Both are clofely connec-
ted with the great aftion ; one
was neceffary to Adam as a
warning, the other as a confo-
lation.

To the compleatnefs or integrity
of the defign nothing can be ob-.

jefted ; it has dillindly and clearly
what Ariitotle requires, a begin-
ning, a middle, and an end.
I'here is perhaps no poem, of the
fame length, from which fo little
can be taken without apparent
mutilation. Here are no funeral
games, nor is there any long de-
fcription of a fliield. The lliort
digreffions at the beginning of the
third, feventh; and ninth books,
might doubtlefs be fpared ; hue
fuperfluities fo beautiful, who
would take away ? or who does
not wifh that the author of the
Iliad had gratified fucceeding ages
with a little knowledge of him-
felf ? Perhaps no paflages are more
frequently or more attentively read
than thofe extrinfick paragraohs ;
and, fince the end of poetry is
pleafure, that cannot be ua-
poetical with which all are
pieafed.

The queftlons, whether the ac-
tion of the poem be ftridly one^
whether the poem can be properly
termed heroicky and who is the
hero, are raifed by fuch readers
as draw their principles of judg-
ment rather from books than
from reafon. Milton, though he
intituled Paradi/e Loji only z. poem,
yet calls it himfelf heroick Jong,
Dryden, petulantly and indecent-
ly, denies the heroifm of Adam,
becaufe he was overcome ; but
there is no reafon why the hero
fhould not- be unfortunate, except
eftablifhed prattice, fince fuccefs
and virtue do not go necefiarily
together. Cato is the hero of Lu-
can ; but Lucan's authority will
net be fufFered by Quintilian to
decide. However, if fuccefs be
neceffary, Adam's deceiver was ac
laft crulhed ; Adam was reftored

to

C H A R A C T E R S.

to his Maker's favour, and there-
fore may fecurely relume his hu-
man rank.

After the fcheme and fabrick of
the pcem, muft be coniidered its
component parts, the fentiments
and the diftion.

The /;;//ot£«/j-, as exprefllve of
manners, or appropriated to cha-
raiilers, are, tor the greater part,
unexcep:ionably juft.

Splendid paflT-iges, containing
lefibns of morality, or precepts of
prudence, occur feldcm. Such is
the original formation of this poem,
that, as it admits no human man-
ners till the fall, it can give little
afljftance to human conduct. Its
end is to raife the thoughts above
fublunary cares or plealures. Yet
the praife of that fortitude, with
which Abdiel maintained his fin-
gularity of virtue againft the fcorn
of multitudes, may be accommo-
dated to all times ; and Raphael's
reproof of Adam's curiofny alter
the planetary motions, with the
anfvver returned by Adam, may
be confidently oppofed to any rule
of life which any poet has deli-
vered.

The thoughts which are occa-
fionaliy called forth in the pro-
grefs, are fuch as could only be
produced by an imagination in the
highell degree fervid and aftive,
to which materials were fupplied
by inceffant ftudy and unlimited
curiofity. The heat of Milton's
mind might be faid to fublimate
his learning, to throw off into his
work the fpirit of fcience, unmin-
gled with its grofTer parts.

He had confidered creation in
its whole extent, and his defcrip-
lions are therefore learned. . He

had accuftomed his imagination
to unreftraincd indulgence, and
his conceptions therefore were ex-
tenfive. The charatteriflick qua-
lity of his poem is fublimity. Pie
fonietimes defcends to the elegant,
but his element is the great. He
can occafionally invell himlelf
with grace; but his natural port
is gigantick loftinefs*. He can
pleafe when pleafure is required ;
but it is his peculiar power to aflo-
nilh.

He feems to have been well
acquainted with his own genius,
and to know what it was that
nature had beftowed upon him
more bountifully than upon others;
the power of difplaying the vaft,
illuminating the fplendid, enforc-
ing the av\'ful, darkening the
gloomy, and aggravating the
dreadful : he therefore chofe a
fubjeft on which too much could
not be faid, on which he might
lire his fancy without the cenfaie
of extravagance.

The appearances of nature, and
the occurrences of life, did not
fatiate his appetite of greatnefs.
To paint things as they are, re-
quires a minute attention, and em-
ploys the memory rather than the
fancy. xVIiltrn's deiight was to'
fport in the wide regions of poiS»
bility ; reality was a fcene too nar^
row for his mind. He fent his
faculties out upon difcovery, into
worlds where only imagination can
travel, and delighted to lorm new
modes of exigence, and furnifh
fentiment and adlion to fuperior
beings, to trace the counfels ot hell, .
or accompany the choirs of heaven.

But he coald not be always in
other worlds : he muft fometimes

* Algarotti terms it ^i^antefca fullimita Milteniiina,
Vol. X.^'ir, D

revific

34 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

revifit earth, and tell of things
vifible and known. When he can-
not raile wonder by the ("ublimity
of his mind, he gives delight by
its fertility.

Whatever be his fubjert, he
rever f.iils to fill the imagination.
But his images and deCcriptions of
the fcenes or operations of nature
do not feem to be always copied
from original form, nor to have
the fre(hncls, racinefs, and ener-
gy of immediate oblervation. He
law nature, as Dryden exp'^efTes
it, through the jpeilacUs of books ;
and on molt occalions calls learn-
ing to his afiiltance. The garden
of Eden brings to his mind the
vale of Entia, where Proferpine
was gathering flowers. Satan
makes his way through fighting ele-
ments, like ^rgo between the Cja-
r.e.m rocks, or Uljjps between the
two Sicilian whirlpools, when he
fhunncd Ci-cryb.ii: on the lar.board,
']"he mytii logical allulions have
been juilly ceniured, as not be-
ing always ufed with notice of
their vanity ; but they contribute
variety to the narration, and pi-o-
duce an alternate exercife of the
memory and the fancy.

His fimilies are lefs numerous,
and more various, than^ thofe of
his predecelibrs. But he does not
confine himfelf within the limits
of rigorous comparifon : his great
excellence is amplitude, and he
expands the adventitious image
beyond the dimcnfions which the
occifion re-iuired. Thus, com -
pari.,g the (hielJ of Satan to the
orb of the Moon, he crowds the
imagination with the difcovery of
the leleic'-pc, and all the won-
ders which the telefcope difco-
vvr&.

Of his moral lentimcnts it is
hardly praife to affirm that they
excel thole of all other poets ; ior
this fuperiority he was indebted to
his acquaintance with the lacred
wii:ings. 1 he "ancient epick
poets, wanting the light of Reve-
lation, were very ui'fkilful teach-
ers of virtue: their principal cha-
ra£\ers may be great, but they are
not amiable.' The reader may
rife from their works with a great-
er degree of adlive or paffive lorti-
tude, and fometimes of p udence;
but he will be able to carry away
few precepts of juftice, and none
of mercy.

From the Italian writers it ap-
pears, that the advantages of even
Chrillian knowledge may be pof-
feffed in vain. Ariofto's pravity
is generally known ; and though
the deii'uirancg of Jerujalem may be
confidered as a facred lubjedl, the
poet has been very fparing of mo-
ral inllrudlion.

In Milton erery line breathes
fanclity of thought, and purity of
manners, except when the train of
the narration requires the intro-
duction of the rebellious fpirits;
and even they are compelled to
acknovvledge their" fubjeftion to
God, in fuch a manner as excites
reverence and confirms piety.

Of human beings there are but
two ; but thfife two are the parents
of mankind, venerable before their
fall for dignity and innocence,
and amiable after it for repentance
and fubmifTion. In their firft Itate
their affeftion is tender without
vveaknefs, and their piety fublime
without prefumption. When they
have finned, they lliew how dif-
cord begins in natural frailty, and
how it ought to ceafe in mutual
1 for-

CHARACTERS.

35

forbearance; how confidence of
the divine favour is forfeited by
lln, and how hope of pardon may
be obtained by penitence and
prayer. A llate of innocence we
can only conceive, if indeed, in
our preleni mifery, it be poflible
to conceive it j but the {^entimeius
and woilhip proper to a fallen and
ofFeading being, we have all to
learn, as we have all to pradife.

The poet, whatever be done, is
always great. Our progenitors,
in their firft Hate, converied wich
angels ; even when folly and fin
had degraded them, they had not
in their humiliation tie port of
7nean fuitors; and they rife again
to reverential r<gard, when we
find that their prayers were heard.

As human pafllons did not enter
the world before the fall, there is
in the Patadife Lcji little oppor-
tunity for the paiheuck ; but what
littie there is has not been lolt.
That paffion which is peculiar to
rational nature, the anguifh arifing
from the conTcioufncfs of tranf-
greflion, and the horrors attend-
ing the fenle of the Divine dif-
pleafure, are very juftly defcribed
and forcibly imprefled. But the
paflions are moved only on one
occafion ; fublimity ia the general
and prevailing quality in this
poem ; lublimity varioufiy modi-
fied, Ibmetimfs delcrip'.ive, fome-
times argumentative.

The defeds and faults of Pa-
radife Loji, for faults aud defedli
every work of man muft have, ic
is the bufinefs of impartial cri-
ticifm to difcover. As, in dif-
playing the excellence of Milton,
I have not made long quotations,
becaufe of felefting beauties there
had been no end, I Ihall in the
feme general manner mention tha:

which feems to deferve cenfure ;
for what Englifhman can take
delight in tra.icribing paffages,
which, if they lefTen the reputa-
tioii of Milton, diminilh in fome
degree the honour of our coun-
try ?

The generality of my fcheme
does not admit rhs frequent notice
of verbal inaccuracies ; which
Bently, perhaps better Ikilled in
grammar than in poetry, has of-
tc-n found, though he fometimea
made them, and which he im-
puted to the obtrufions of a revifer
wnom th^ author's blindnefs oblig-
ed him 10 employ. A fuppnfition
raih and groundlefs, if he thought
it true ; and vile and pernicious,
if, as is faid, he in private allowed
it to be fahe.

The plan of Paradife Lt/i has
this inconvenience, that it com-
prifes neither human adions nor
human manners. The man and
woman who afl and fuiFer, are ia
a ftate which no other man or wo-
man can ever know. The reader
finds no iranfacStion in which he
can be engaged ; beholds no con-
dition in which he can by any ef-
fort of imagination place himfelf;
he has, therefore, little natural cu-
riofity or fympathy.

We all, indeed, feel the effefls
of Adam's difobedience ; we all
fin like Adam, and like him muft
all bewail our offences ; we have
reitlefs and infidious enemies ia
the fallen angels, and in the blcf-
fed fpirics we have guardians and
friends ; in the redemption of
mankind we hope to be included ;
and in the defcription of heaven
and hell we are furely interelled,
as we are all to refide hereafter
either in the regions of horror or
of bills.

D 7. ' Bat

56 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

But thel'e truths are too im-
portant to be new; they have been
taught to our infancy ; they have
iningied with our folitarv thoughts
and familiar converfation, and are
habitually interwoven with the
whole tex;ure of life. Being there-
fore not new, they raife no unac-
cullomed emotion in the mind ;
what we knew before we cannot
learn ; what is not unexpeded can-
not furpril'e.

Of the ideas fuggelled by thefe
awful fcenes, from lome we re-
cede with reverence, except when
ftated hours require their aflbcia-
sion ; and from others we ihrink
with horror, or admit them only
as falutary inflidions, as counter-
poiles to our interells nud paiTions.
Such images rather obllrud the
career of f,;ncy than excite it,
• Pleafure and terror are indeed
rhe eenuin^ fources of poetry; but
poetical plealure muft be fuch as
human imagination can at leall
conceive, and poetical terror f':ch
as human lirength and fortitude
Kna\' combat. 'I'he ffood and evil
of eternity are too ponderous for
the wings of wit; the mind finks
under them in pallive helpUflnefs,
content with-calm belief and htim-
ble adoration.

^ -Known truths, however, may
take a different appearance, and
be conveyed to tlie mind by a new
train of iiitexmediate images.
This Milton has undertaken, and
perfdrmed with pregnancy and
vigour of mind peculiar to him-
felf. Whoever confiders the few
radical portions which' the Scrip-
tures afibrdcd him, will 'vonder
by what energetick operation he
expanded chern to iuch extent, and
familied them to fb much variety,
retrained as he was bv reHgiuus

reverence from liceniioufnef^ of
lid ion.

Here is a full difplay of the
united force of ituJy and genius;
of a great acumulation of mate-
rials, with judgment to digell,
and fancy to combine them : Mil-
ton was able to fcleft from na-
ture, or from ftory, from ancient
fable, or from modern fcience,
whatever could illuftrate or adorn
his thoughts. An accumulation
of knowledge impregnated his
mind, fermented bv ftudy, and
lublimcd by imagination.

It has been therefore faid, with-
out an in'decent hyperbole, by one
of his cnccmialts, that in reading
Paradife Lojl we read a book of
univerf'al knowledge.

But original deficicnce cannot
be fupplied. The want of hu-.
man interelt is always felt. Pa-
radife Lofl is one of the books
which the reader admires and lays
down, and forgets to take up
again. Its perufal is a duty ra-
ther than a pleafure. We rqad
Mikon for inllrudion, retire har-
railed and overburdened, and look
elfewhere for recreation ; we de-
fert our mailer, and feek for com-
panions.

Another inconvenience of Mil-
ton's defign is, that it requires the
defcription of what cannot be de-
fcribed, the agency of fpirits. He
faw that immateriality fupplied no
images, and that he could not
fliow angels ading but by inftru-
menis of adion ; he therefore in-
verted them with form and mat-
ter. This, being neceffary, was
therefore defenfible ; and he (hould
have lecured the confiltency of his
fyileia, by keeping immateriality
out of fight, and enticing his read-
er to drop ic froni his thoughts. •

Bm

CHARACTERS.

37

Bat he has unhappily perplexed
his poetry with his philofophy.
His infernal and celeilial powers
are {omeumes pure Tpirit, and
Ibmetinies animated body. When
vJatan walks with his lance upon
the burning mark, he hasabdy;
when in his pafiage between hell
and the new world, he is in dan-

narration of the war of heaven fills
it with incongruity ; and the book,
in which it is related, is, I be-
lieve, the favourite of children,
and gradually negleiTled as know-
ledge is ircreafed.

After the operation of immate-
rial agents, which cannot be ex-
plainfd, may be confidercd that

ger of finking in the vacuity, and of allegorical perfons, which have

is fupported by a gull of rifing va- no real cxillence. To exalt caufes

po'Jrs, he has a b-ody ; when he into agents, to inveft abllraft ideas

animates the toad, he feems to be with form, and animate them with

mere ipirit, that can penetrate adivity, has always been the right

rr'atter at pleafure ; when he Jiarts of poetry. But fuch airy beings

«/> in his own Jhapt, he has at lead are, for the moft part, fuffcred

a. determined torni ; and when he only to do their natural office ; and

is brought before Gabriel, he has retire. Thus Fame tells a tale.

/J Ipear and Jhield, which he had
the p.isver ot niding in the toad,
though the arms of the contend-
ing anuels art evidently material .
The vui'iar inhabitants of Pan-
dasmoiiium oeing incorporeal fi'i

and Victory hovers over a general,
or perches on a flandard ; but
Fame and Vidory can do no more.
To give them any real employ-
ment, or aicribe to them any ma-
terial agency, is to make them

rits, are at large, though iviihoiit allegorical no longer, but to fhock
number, in a limned fpace ; yet in the mind by afcribing efreds to

the battie, when they were over-
whelmed by mountains, their ar-
mour hurt them, crKjhed in upon
th^ir J.ihjlance, noix; gro^tvn grojs by
Jiuniiig. This likewife happened
to tne uncorri'.pted angels, who
Vv'ere overthrown the jooner for their
firms, for unar7neJ they might eafily
as fp'.rits have evaded by contrac-
tion, or remove. Even as fpirits
they are hardly foiritual ; for con-

non«enti'.y. fn the Prometheus of
^fchylus, we fee VioUnce and
Strength, and in the Alee ft is of
Euripides, we fee Death brought
upon the ftage, all as aftive per-
fons of the drama ; but no prece-
dents can jullify abfurdity.

Mi.'z-Ti's allegory of Sin and
Death id undoubtedly faulty. Sin
is inde<;d ttie mo her of Death,
and may be allowed to be the
traSiion and retno^ve are images of portrefs of hell ; but when they
matter; but if they conld have ll')p the journey of Satan, a jour-
ei'caped without their armcur, they ney delcribed as real, and when
might have efcaped from it, and Death offers him battle, the alle-
Icft only the empty cover to be gory is broken. That Sin and
battered. Uriel, when he rides Death (hould have fliewn the way
on a fan-beam, is material: Satan to hell might have been allowed;
is material when he is afraid of but they cannot facilitate the paf-
the proweis of Adam. fage by building a bridge, becaufe

The confufion of fpirit and the difficulty of Satan's paffage is
matter which pervades the whole defcribed as real and fenfible, and

D 3 the

•38

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the bridge .ought to be only figur
at vc. The hell airigned 10 the
itbelllous fpirits is delcribed as not
Ic s local than the rcliJence of
man. It is placed in fome dillant
part of fpace, leparated from the
regions ot harmony and order by
a rhaonck vvaite and an unoccu-
pied vacuity ; but 5.« and Dcaih
worked up a mole ot oggrcgalid jo'.i,
cemenied with *afphal . s ; a work
too bulky for ideal ar^hiudi.

This unQziifuI alUgory appears
to me one of the oreateit faults of
the poem ; and to this there was
no lempcation, but the author's
opinion of its beauty.

To the condud of the narrative
fome objections may be made.
Satan is with great expedaiion
brought before Gabriel in Para-
dife, and is fuficted to go away
unrnolefled. The creation of mm
is reprefented as the confcquence
pi the vacuity left in heaven by
the expulfion of the rc-beis, y?t
Satan mcntio s it as a report r'J'e
zn heauin before his dep rtqre.

To find fentiments for the: ilnte
of innocence, was very diffjeult;
and (omeihing of anticipation
perhaps is now and then ditcovcr-
ed. Adam's difcourfe of dreams
leems not to be the (peculation of
a new-created being. J know not
whether i>is anfwer to the angel's
reproof for curiofity does not want
fomeihiiig of propriety : it is the
fpeech ot a man acquainted with
many other men. Some phi'o
fophical notions, efpecially when
the pliilofophy is fallc, might have
been better omitted. I'he angel,
JO a comparifon, fpeaks of timorous
deer, before deer were yet timorous,
and before Adam could ynderlland
|he comoarifon.

Dryden remarks, that Milton
has tome flats among his eleva-
tions. This is only to fay that all
the parts are not equal. In every
work one pare niuit be for the fake
of others ; a p-ilace mult have
paffiges ;' a poem mull have tran-
fjtions. It is no more to be re-
quired that wit {hould always be
blazing, than that the fun ftiould
always (land at noon. In a great
work there is a viciflilude of lumi-
nous and opake parts, as there is
in the world a fucceffon of day
and night. Milton, when he has
expatiated in the fky, may be al-
lowed fometimes to revilit earth j
for what other author ever foated
fo hi;;h, or luftained his flight fo
long ?

Milton, being well verfed in the
Italian pot ts, appears to have bor-
rowed often from them ; and, as
every man learns fomething from
his companions, his defire of imi-
tating Ariofto's levity has difgra-
ced his work with the Paradi/e of
Fools ; a iiftiou not in itfelf ill--"
imagined, but too ludicrous for its
place.

His play on words, in which he
delights too often ; his equivoca-
t'ons, which Bentley endeavours to
defend by the example ot the an-
cients ; his unnecellary and un-
graceful life of terms of art, it is
not nece.^ary to mention, becaule
they are eafily marked and gene-
rally cenfured, and at lalt bear fo
little proportion to the tvhole, that
they Icarcely deferve the attentioa
of a critick.

Such are the faults of that won-
dt-rful performance, Paradi/e Loft \
which he who can put in balance
with its beauties mult be confider-
cd not as nice but as dull, as lefs

CHARACTERS.

39

to be cenfured for want of candour
than pitied tor want of fenfibiiity.

Of P.iradife Regained, the gene-
ral judgment feems now to be
right, chat it is in many parts ele-
gant, and every-where inftruftive.
It was not to be fuppofed ihat the
v^riter of Paradife Lofi could ever
write without great efFufions of
fancy, and exalted precepts of
wifdora. The bans of Paradife
Regained is narrow ; a dialogue
without aftion can never pleafe
like an onion of the narrative and
draraatick powers. Had this poem
been written not by ?.4iUon, but
by fome imitator, it would have
claimed and received univerfal
praife.

Of the Cufloms and CharaSlers of
Wcfnen in the Eafi. From Rich-
ardion en the Languages, iffc. of
Eafi em Nations,

TRAVELLERS, in general,
do not appear to have con-
ceived a juft idea of the fuuation
of Women in many Eaflern coun-
tries. They are, for the mofl part,
coniidered by them as of imall
conieqijcnce in the tt te : they are
repreiented as mere flaves to the
palTions of the llronger fex : and
becaufe the great men keep many
beautiful Circaffians locked up
from public view, a proper dif-
tinttion does not feem al.vays to
have been made between them and
free-born women. But an atten-
tion to the languages and cuftoms
of Afia, will give us reafon to be-
lieve, that fuch indifcriminate ob-
fervations are partial, fuperficial,
and inconcluiive. I have already
thrown out fome ideas on this fub-
ied ; and fhall here' offer a few

more fads, which appear to flreng-
then my opinion.

In Arabia, very early, we find
the women in high confidera-
tion ; and poflefling privileges
hardly inferior to thofe which
they enjoy in the mod enl-ghtened
countries of Europe. They had a
right, by the laws, to the enjoy-
ment of independent property, by
inheritance, by gift, by marriage-
fetilement, or by any other mode
of acquifition. The wife had a
regular dower, which (lie was to
enjoy in full right after the demife
of her hulband : and (he had alfo
a kind of pin-money, or para-
phernalia, which (he might difpofe
of in her life time, or bequeath at
her death, without hi.s knowledge
or con(ent.

To this confideration and weight,
which property, by the laws and
culioms of the Arabians, gave to
the female fex, it may even per-
haps be no extravagant ftretch of
thought, to trace the fuccefs, if
not the origin, of a religion,
which, from the extenfivenels of
its operations, may be confidered
as one or the greatefl: events in the
hiftory of mankind. Poverty, as
Cardinal de Retz jufily obferves,
is the grave of many a great de-
fign. And fo low in circunillances
was Mohammed, in the early part
of life, that had it not been for
the weight and power which he de-
rived from his marriage with a
rich widow, his enthufiafm might,
perhaps, have juft exifted and ex-
pired with himielf. His father
Abdallah was a younger fon of
Abdollmotalleb, chief o? the Ko-
reilh tribe ; but, dying yciing, he
left Mohammed and his mother,
for all their eftatc, only five ca-
mels and an Ethiopian Have.

D 4 When

4Q ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

When he arrived at man's eftate, coufin gcrmaii to Mohammed, was
his fortune was, of confequcncc, generally confidere i as his luccef-
fo humble, that he was reccm- for : but he had iiKurrtd the dif-
wended by his uncle as fadtor to pleafure of Ayc(ha, whom he had
the uiduvv Khadijah ; who carried once, with mrny others, acculcd
on an c-xteniive trade wi:h Syria of incontinence : and fhe never
and other countries. This lady forgave him. Her faiher Abube-
was o? a noble family, and of the ker owed his elevation to the Kha,-
fame tribe. She had be^n twice lifat chiefly to her addre.'s. Upon
marri'^d : fhe had been largely lei't his deceaie, fhe fupportcd Omar,
liy both hufbands : and had im- She was chief conlpirator againfl
proved the whole by commerce. Othman, the fuccefl'oT of Omar.
Her \oung factor was efleeiDcd the And when Ali, at length, fucceed-
har.di^ meft man of his age : his ed to the Khalifat, fhe headed a
genius was quick: and his addrefs tlirnidable rebellion againll him.
infinuaiinj*. She made him her She tonk Bafrah ; and gave him
third nufband ; and, with her battle near that place. I'his fa-
hand, fhe gave him the difpofal mous aiXion h cMed Tumu' /jamuf,
of her iortune. Being a man of the i/aj of the camel, from a large
birth, this raifed him at once, white one, upon which fiie was

from a menial flation, to a level
with the firfl nobles of Arabia;
and gav.e him conlequence, inde-
pendence, and leilure, iufficienc to
prepare the plans for his future
greatnefs. It was fifteen years
after this marriage before he pub-

mounted. She rode throiic^;h the
ranks ; and, to animate her troops^
fhe drove into the thickefl of the
battle. Seventy hands, it is faid,
were flruck off, in attempting to
feizc her bridle. And, when the
legs of her camel were at length

licly afTumed the prophetic charac- cut cfF, the carriage in which fhe

ter : and he then met with fuch fat refembled a porcupine, from

vigorous oppofulon, particularly the number of javelins aud arrows

from the leading men of his own with which it was transfixed. The

tribe, that, nearly crufhed a_s he fuperior generalfhip of Ali pre-

often was, he mull probably have vailed ; her army, though more

been quite overwhelmed, had not numeroiis, was routed ; and flie

hi- liche?, by increafing his power, fell into the hands of the Khalif.

Ills importance, and his profelytes. When brought before him, he faid,

furnilhed him with refources to " What dofl thou think of the

overcome dilriculties, which might *' work of God to thee?" She

ctherwife have baflled all the vi- anfwered, 'f Thou has conquer-

gour of his genius. ' " ed, O Ali ! be merciful," The

fhe Prophet, at his death, left gei.erous Ali did fhow her mercy,

many widows: four of whom, He fent her to Medina, attended

whilft they lived, had confiderable by feventy women in men's appa-

weight in the councils of the Arabs, rel ; where fhe was ordered to

But the influence of Ayeflia, whom confine herfelf to her houfe, and to

they dif'nified vvith the tit'e of Mo- meddle no more in ftate affairs.

thtr of the Faithful, was almoft un- On the death of Ali, however, fhe

bounded. Ali, as fori in-law and recovered her influence; and,

many

CHARACTERS.

41

many years afterwards, <vhen Moa-
wiyah vvifhed to make the Khalifat
hereditary in his family, he thought
it neceifary to fecure her interell,
by a prefent of bracelets valued at
150,000 dinars, near 70,0001.

The Arabian women of rank
fcem indeed to have taken a very
adive concei-n both fin civil and
military affairs. At the battle of
Ohod, where Mohammed was de-
feated by the Pagan Meccans, the
refcrve, we find, was led on by
Henda, the wife of Abu Sofian,
a man of the firft rank. She was
accompanied by fifteen other wo
men of diftinflion ; who. with mu-
ilc and exhortations, animated the
troops. By their fpirit and re-
proaches they were repeatedly 1 al-
lied, when retiring before Mo-
hammed: and by tliem, in a great
meafure, was the fortune of the
day decided.

One of the moft confiderahle of
the prophet's oppolers, was a lady
called Forka ; who feems to have
anfwercd exaftly the dcfcription of
a feudal peerefs in the middle ages
of Europe. She was pofTefTed of
territory, of a caftle, and of g-reat
riches and confideracion. Her
troops had checked the inroads of
the Prophet's marauding parties ;
and Zeid, one of his chief gene-
rals, was fent to reduce her to obe-
dience. The defence of her caftle
was obflinate: but it was at length
taken by florm : and the lady,
with part of her garrifon, were
killed. Amongll other captives
was Forka's young daughter and
heirefs ; who, with all her wealth,
became the prize of the conq_ueror.

Many other examples migtu be
given ; but it may be fufhcient,
for the prefent fubjeft, to obferve
in general, that the dignified be-

haviour, which diflingulrtied the
Arabian women, long before and
after Mohammed, points clearly
to a confcioufiiefs of their own im-
portance: to which an habitual fla-
very and fubjettion could never pof-
fibly have givjn birth.

Nuraberleis initances of the
confequence of women might be
brought alfo from Pcrfia, Tartary,
and other Eaflern countries. But
I mud again beg the reader to re-
member, that the limits of thefe
fketches will not permit me to en-
ter into details ; or to prefent to
his attention any thing but mere
outlines. Ic is certain, among
other privileges, that they p' ffeffed
the right of fuccefTion to tlie throne ;
and often ad^ed as regents during
the minority of their fons. Touran
dokht and Azurnii dokht, the
daughters of Khofrou Parvis, were
fucceflively the reigning queens of
Ferfia, a tew years before the Mo-
hammedan conquelf. — About the
beginning of the tenth century,
queen Seidet was regent, during
ttie non-age of her fon, and go-
verned with much wifdom. When
he took the reins of government,
he appointed the famous phyficiati
Avicenna to be his vizir. But,
puMic affairs being managed with
much imprudence, the queen mo-
ther, finding herfelf treated with
indignity, retired from court ; and,
raifing au army, defeated her Ion:
whom, neverthelefs, (he reftored
to the throne; and aflilled, from
that time, with her councils. The
kingdom t]ourilhed whilfl file lived :
but on her death, the powerful
Sultan Mahmoud of Ghe/na, who
had ever treated her with much
refpeft, attacked her diflipated Ion,
and annexed Perfia to his empire.

Accordinir

42 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Accorcjing ro Abulpazi Khan,
by the ancient liiws of the Moguls,
a prince could not reign till he was
thirty years of age: on which oc-
cafions, the queen moiher afted
always as regent. He gives an in.
Itance, in this place, cf" a princefs,
nanijd Alcana, (from whom Jea-
giz Khan uerived defcent) who go-
verned her people, ior many years,
daring the minority oi" her ion.
Turkhan Khaiun, a Tartar lady,
mother of Mohammed, Suitan of
Khaiezmc, was a princefs of un-
commoij aoilities, and had {uch an
afcendancy over her Ton, that fhe,
jn a gftiat raeafore, governed the
kingdom ; which, before the in-
vafion of Jengiz Khan, was con-
fidercd as the moll p )werful in the
Eaft: and the court the mod mag-
nificent and polite. Yet ladies of
the firft diftindlion thought it not
inconfillent with the delicacy of
their fex to take the field againft
the Moguls. They made alfo
many faliies during the fiege of
the capital ; which held out, near
twelve months, againil a prodigi-
ous army commanded by three of
Jengiz Khan's fons. And, when
it was taken at laft by affauh, the
inhabitants, male and iemale, re-
tired, fighting, from houle to
houfe, and from ftreet to ftreet ;
till, according to the loweft com-
putation, above a hundred thou-
fand were killed. The fpirit, in-
deed, of the Kharezmian women,
h^s induced feme writers to confi-
der them as the defcendants of the
ancient Amazons.

The Vizir Nezam gives many
inflances of the political influence
of the Women in Eaftern courts;
and is at infinite pains to advife
his fon to pay to them the highefl
attention. He divides the court

into four clafles, at the head of
which he places the Women : and
cbierves, that much of his fuccefs
will depend upon the manner in
which he conduds himfelf towards
them. The firll clals that claims
your noiice, fays he, are the prin-
cipal Women: the next, the
King's Sons; after them, the great
Omras: and, laft of all, the in-
ferior MiniiWrs. — Altun Ta(h,
continues the Vi^ir, was the firlt
Omra of the Divan, in the reign
of Sultan Malimoud of Ghezna.
When the government of Kharez-
me being vacant, he folicited the
appointment. As he wa*; efteemed
the chief pillar of the throne, the
court was furprizsd, that he flinuid
have accepted it. And a friend
begging of him to know, what
could induce him to refign the po-
wer he had over fo valt an empire,
to take the charge of a corner :
Altum Talh replied, " By the
♦' God who created heaven and
*• earth, the fecret which I Ihall
" now difclofe to you I have not
*' revealed to any living foul. It
" was the enmity of Jeniila Kan-
" dahari, and that only, which
** made me give up the power I
" had over this great empire.
'• For, many years hava the affaiis
" thereof been under my manage-
" ment : and, in that time, what-
" ever I tied fhe unlool'ed ; and
** whatever I unloofed fhe tied.
*♦ What fhe refolved upon 1 was
" incapable of oppofing ; and
*• whatever fhe opp;>red it was in
" vain for me to atiein^t. Vexed
•' with being continually foiled,
" and unabie to apply a remedy,
** the world appeared dark in my
•* eyes ; and I voluntarily threw
•« myfelf into this retirement,
" where J trufl in God I fhall be

" fafe

CHARACTERS.

43

'^ fafe from the effe£ls of her re-
*' fentment." We muft not fup-
pofe, that this female influence
was thus powerful in the court of
a weak or a diffipated prince: for
Mahmoud was one of the greateft
monarchs that ever reignud : al-
moll the whole of his great em-
pire he had conquered himfelf ;
and it was governed intirely under
his own inrpe(flior>. Jemila Kan-
dahari appears to have been the
firft lady of the bed-chdinber to
Mahmoud's Sultana: aad her re-
fentment agamlt Ahun Tafh, was
owing to his oppolition io the v'izir
Alimen liaffinn, whom Ihe patro-
nized. Gallantry, at the lame
time, does nor appear to have had
any concern in her operations ; for
Nezam obl'erves. that, though her
favourite Ahmed correfpondcd vvith
her often, they did not fee one ano-
ther perhaps once in twelve months.
Marriage fettlements and por-
tions given with daughters, or fif-
ters, appear to be of great anti-
quity in Arabia: for, long before
Mohammed, they had rrfined fo
much upon them, that it b.-came
common, where two men were
obliged to give great fortunes vvith
their female reiations, to evade
payment, by making a doable
marriage ; one eipoufing the
daughter or fifter of the other ; and
giving his daughter or filler in re-
turn. This practice, which they
called Shigar, proo bly with the
view of encouraging alliances a-
mong different tribes, or prevent-
ing too much wealth from accu-
mulating in particular families.
Mohammed declared to be ille-
gal in the Alcoran. — The fepa-
rate property, or paraphernalia,
which the wife enjoyed, feems
|to have been the produce of fuch

prefents as the bride received from
her friends or from her future
hufband, before marriage. Thofe
of the bridegroom, which were
called Nu'dy had no fixed medium;
being pro ortioneo to his afFedtion,
to his fortune, and often to his
oflentation: for it was cullomary
to fend thofe prefenrs, a day or
two before the nup-iils, with great
pomp, from his houfe to the dwel-
l.ng of the bride. And although
the who^e might have bten car-
ried, pe-haps with eafe, by one or
two camels, horfes, or iervants,
chey would frequently make a pro-
ceiuon of ten, twen'v, .hirty,' or
more : every one beiiring iome-
thing, fet oiF with ornaments, in
a gay fhewy manner.

Their marriage ceremonies, in
the Eaft, feem indeed to Jiave
been, in all times, attended with
much feftivity and public parade.
All the friends of both families af-
fembled : and, where the fortune
or ihe vanity of the bridegroom,
or father of the bride, were confi-
dcrable, they were in general \Qry
expeniivc. The nuptials of per-
fons of high rank, were allonifli-
ingiy fplenoid The marriage of
t e Khalif Almamoun with the
daughter of Haffan Sahal, gover-
nor of Babylonian Irak, was at-
tended wi.b almoft incredible ex-
pence. Sla-es of both fexes, vvith
other rich prefenrs, were lent by
the governor to every grandee. He
defrayed the evpencf vf the whole
court and of the Kialiff's guards,
curing that prince's reiidence at
Fommalfaleh, where H iTan S?.hal
generally lived. The r.;ads from
I'^L-'nce to Baghdad, for near a
hundred miles, W'jre covered with
mats of gold and lilver ItufF: and
the bride's head drefs was adorned

witii

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

44

with a thoufand pearls; each, (if
there is no miltake or exaggera-
tion) of the fize of a pigeon's egg
or of a large nut : wh ch the Klialif
immedia.ely lettled on her, as part
of her dower.

Even upon ordinary occafions it
was ufual to throw amonglt the
populace,, as the proccflion moved
along, money, fweetmeats, floueiii,^
and other articles ; which the peo-
ple catched in cloths, made for
fuch occafions, Ilretched in a par-
ticular manner upon frames. Wiih
regard to the money, however,
there appears often to have been a
mixture of csconomy, or rather of
deception ; which probably arofe
from the nccefiity of complying
with a cuftom, that might oe ill-
fuited to the fortunes of feme, and
to the avarice of others : for we
find, that it v-as not uncommon to
collect bad money, called kelb, at
a low price, to throw away at nup-
tial proceffions.

The bride, on the day of mar-
riage, was conducted wiih great
ceremony by her friends to her
hufband's houfe ; and in)mediately
on her arrival, fhc made him a va-
riety of prefents • efpecially of
houili' Id furniture, with a fpear,
and a tent. 'I'here feems to be a
curious fimilitude, in fome of thofe
ceremonies, to cufloms which pre-
vailed amongll the old Germans,
before they leit their foreOs ; as
tvell as among the Gctliic nations,
after they were ellablilhed in their
conquefts. Tacitus obferves, that
the German bridegrooms and brides
made each other reciprocal pre-
fents ; and particularly of arms
and cattle. ^I'he gifts made to
the Eaftern bride appear likewife
to have been upon the fame prin-
ciples with the Morgingabe, or

Moiling gift, which it was com-
mon for the European hufband,
in the early and middle ages, to
prcfent to his wife the morning
after marriage. And, whilll the
dower, in both, feems to have re-
verted, upon the death of tie wi-
dow, to the kindred of the hul-
b^iid, the piefeuts were left entirely
at her own dilpolal.

A man, without the interpofi-
tion of the law, might divorce his
wife, provided he paid to her
whatever dower had been fettled
by the marriage contrail: unlefs
he could prove, to the fatisfaflion
of her afitmbled friends, that her
condud had given Inthcitnt caufe
for the feparation : in which cale,
her fortune and fetrlements were
forfeited. The wife had alfo the
fame power of divorce, if (he dif-
liked her hufband : but then Ihe
relinquifted her fettltments, and
retur.ied all the prefents (he had
received from him before or after
marriage. A man might re-mar-
ry his divorced wife, even unto
the third time ; beyond which it
was unlawful. The form of re-
pudiation was very cuncife: the
hulband faying oniy, " Get thee
" gone, I care not for thee." Yet
fimple as it was, they confidered
it as f) binding, that if a couple
lived afterwards together, without
the ceremony of a re marriage, it
was reckoned infamous, and view-
ed in the f^ame light as adultery.

Temporary marriages are com-
mon in many parts of the Eaft.
The Arabians call them Almulab,
The Alcoran fpeaks rather equivo-
cally with regard to them ; which
has opened a field for much diffe-
rence of opinion among the Mo-
hammedan lawyers. About the
beginning of the ninth century

ihey

C H A R A C T E R S.

45

they were interdi(fted by the Kha-
Hf Almamnun : but they were
never envirely difcontitiued ; and
are now very common. They are
contraded by a written indenture,
witnefTed by the Cadhi ; and a
certain Turn is fettled upon the wo-
man, to be paid to her on the ex-
piration of the term ; when the en-
gagement may either be renewed
or finally diffblved. The offspring
of fuch connexions cannot inhe-
rit.

A fingular matrimonial cuftom,
we may here remark, fomewhat
refembling the above, prevailed of
old in many parts of Europe. Men
of rank, who had loll their wives,
but had children, to avoid bur-
thening their eilates, might marry
low-born women ; who. bringing
no fortune, were intitled to no
dower. Thefe contrails (accord-
ing to Baron von Lowhen) are flill
prevalent in Germany ; where they
are filled Left-handed marriages :
it being • a part of the ceremony
for the bridegroom to give his left
hand to the bride. The children
of fuch marriages are not capable
of inheriting ; and bear neither
the name nor arms of the father.

V/e find in Scripture, that when
a man died, leaving no iffue by
"his wife, it wa? fometimes incum-
bent upon his next unmarried bro-
ther to efpoufe the widow. A cuf-
tom fimilar to this, is not only
found among the Arabians, but
another Hill more Ilrangc. For
where a father left one or more
widows, the fons often married
them, provided they were not
their own mothers. This ufage
was fupprefied by Mohammed:
and it appears, even before his
time, to have been marked with a
degree of deteftation ; the word

Makt, which denotes this fpecie s '^
marriage, fignif. ing alio hatred
and eKmity. Marrying a brother's
widow, if childlefs, is fiill cufto-
mary in fome parts of Tartary ;
particularly in Circaffia. And
Abulgazi Khan mentions feveral
princes who had married their
Hep-mothers. He feems ♦indeed
to confider it as a thing of courfe :
and particularly tells us, that Odlai
Khan married one of the widows
of his father Jengiz Klir^n. But
what has moll furprized me, is to
find fo odd a cuftom prevailing
even in Scotland, fo late as the
eleventh century : it being men-
tioned by Lord Hailes in his An-
nals ; who fuppofes, that it might
have originated from avarice, in
order to relieve the heir from the
payment of a jointure.

An inftitution, we are informed,
was introduced or revived among
the Moguls and Tartars by Jengiz
Khan, which appears to have been
founded on the principles of found
political wifdom : two families,
though all their children were
dead, being permitted to form a
matrimonial alliance, by marrying
the deceafed fon of one to the de-
ceafed daughter of the other.
Thefe nuptials had often moil fa-
lutary confequences ; hollile tribes
having been united by this imagi-
nary tie, when all other means of
pacification had failed. And they
feem even to have viewed it with
more fuperilitious veneration thaa
if the parties had been alive:
confidering any breach of treaty,
after this ideal contradl, as draw- '
ing upon themfclves the vengeance
of the departed fpirics. The an-
cient Perfians, from a notion that
married people were peculiarly
happy in a future (late, ufed ofcea

to

46

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

to hire penons, to be eipoufed to
luch of their relations as had died
in celibacy.

It may not be quite foreign to
the prcfeiic i"ubji.ft, to make a tew
rematks upon lome pcLuliarities in
the drefi of Eallern women ; as
even from thence lome fre(h lights
may be thrown upjn the female
chara'fter. In all countries where
drefs has arrived at any degree of
refinement, whatever i> coniidered
as a beauiy will generally be imi-
tated by ift, where nature has de-
nied her bounty. To this general
propenfity we may trace the origin
t)f face- painting, patches, the bol
Itering ol the petticoats, falfe hair,
and the feathered ornaments of the
head : all which we diicover very
early in the Ead. F.om ihe de
fcription of Jezebel, and from va-
rious other paiTages in the Old
Tellament, we find, that face-
painting was then fafnioncble a-
noong women of rank : and from
ibele words of Jeremiah, (ch. iv.
30 ) " Though thou rendell thy
" face with painting, in vain fnalt
" thou make thylclf fair;" we
plainly difcover, that the Jewifh
women had then carried it to the
vicious excels, of even rending and
disfiguring their faces, by repeated
and intemperate ufc.

The words in Arabic and Per-
fian, which exprefs painting in all
its ftages, are very numerous.
They paint their cheeks and alfo
their nails with red ; the reft of
the face, the neck, and the arms,
with white; and their eyes, in a
particular manner, with black, to
give them a fine lullre. Eye-
painting, we find, was common in
Ezekiel's time, (ch. xxiii. 40.)
•• Thou didft walh thyfelf, paint-
" edil thine eyes, and deckedfl

•• thyfelf with ornainents." The
particular colours wiich the Wo-
men of I'.ileltine alleged, are not
mentioned: but, among the Per-
fianb and Arabians, wt find not
only red, black, and white, but
even fatfron and other yellow
waflies for the face. Iheir hair
ihey comb with great care; and
they highly perfume it with odori-
ferous unguents or pomatums.
Tire-women are much employed ;
and there are even females, whole
only bufmefs i-i to clean, thin, and
fharpen the teeih.

Among other fafhions, which
may pollibiy have been borrowed
irom Afia, are ornamental patches.
Black moles on the face have been
long confid.red as a fmgular beauty
in the Eaft. We have only to look
into the Arabian and Perlian poets
for innumerable inftances of the
enthufialm wiih which they admi-
red this fancied elegance. That
the ladies would, of confequence,
ufe every art to imitate a beauty fo
highly prized, is extremely natu-
ral : and hence, perhaps, arofe
th? fafhion of fubllituting imprin-
ted marks, or patches of black
filk, to counterfeit nature. Upon
the fame principles we may account
for the number of words in the
Arabic and Perfian languages which
fiyiiit'^y bo.llering or qaiUing of ttie
peuicoats, to give a:i appearance
of that fine fwell below the waift,
which tho'e' people efteem as one of
the grt-atell elegancies of the fe-
male ihape. Falie hair is alfo
frequently alluded to ; and fea-
thers appear to have been more
generally worn, than they were
even lately by the ladies of Eng-
land.

I have now in my pofTefGon a

valuable eaitern manufcript, the

property

CHARACTERS.

property of General Carnac, Go-
vernor of Bombay ; which he pur-
chaffd vvnen Commantier in Cnief
of tne Eaft India Company's forces
in Bengal, for looo rupees (125I.)
- It coii^ains €Xirads frum the fineft
auth:;rs, elpeciUIy Perfians : fome
of which are ornamented in the
Eaitern manner, with drawings of
the heroes sknd heroines of their
poems. S ime of the faces have
confiderable meiit: and the drefs
of the Pri.icefles, when unveiled,
has, in many refpeifts, a refem-
blance to fome of the fafliions of
Europe They are often drawn
without any head-drefs : the hair
dark ; and the ringlets waving
down over their neck and flioul-
ders. They have frequently round
their heads a kind of diadem, fet
with precious ftones ; from which
rife one or more tufts of feathers :
the quills of which are fet in foc-
kets of gold and gems. Some-
times they have a fhort/ flubbed
appearance ; and fometimes they
are long, and flow gracefully back-
wards. They wear iometirnes ncfe-
jewels, which thofe who have not
been accuftomed to them can never
think a beauty. They have alfo
ear-rings, not only in the lob, but
in the upper part of the ear. Their
necklaces confift of many rows of
jewels, the loweft of which hang
down over the bofom. Their
drefs, in general, when the upper
garment is laid afide, is fitted
exadly to the fliape ; and feems
nearly to referable what, I believe,
is called a Jefuit ; buttoning down
the breafl, covering the neck
pretty high, and the arms down to
the wrills. There is fometimes a
large fquare jewel on the fore part
of the arm, a little below the ftioul-
der. Their girdles are very broad.

47

ge.ieraily made of fine leather ;
and covered entirely over with
emoroidery and gems. Their
robes are long and fl.jvving behind:
and their ancles are orten encir-
cled with a ring of gold, orna-
mented with jewels- Upon their
head they wear fometimes a low-
crowned cap, terminating in a
point, round which they wreathe
feveral folds of fine linen or iilk ;
to the top of which, when they go
abroad, they fallen, with a gold
bodkin, a veil which covers the
face and a great part of the body.
There are few of the female faces
which have not one or two blaclc
moles or artificial marks ; which
the Perfians name Khal, and the
Arabians Ulteh. — Women of infe-
rior rank, who cannot purchafe
jewels, make their necklaces,
bracelets, and other ornaments, of
fmall fliclls, or beads of different
coloured glafs.

It may be obferved, before we
finifli this article of drefs, that
face and eye- painting are alfo io
ufe among the men ; who pay the
fame attention to their beards,
which the women pay to their hair.
They perfume them highly, and
often tinge them ; fometimes of a
fine red, fometimes with faffron,
and with various other dyes. Red
was the favourite colour of Mo-
hammed, Abubeker, or Omar:
and their example was greatly fol-
lowed.

Biographical Aiiecdotes of the late
Mr. Garrick.

DAVID Garrick, Efquire,
was born at Hereford, about
the month of February, 1716.
His grandfather svas a merchant

of

4«

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

of French extraftion, as it is faid,
who letc his naiive country on the
revocation of the edidl of Nantz
in the year 16S5. This gentle-
man had two fo;.s and two daugh-
ters : one of the former became a
wine-merchant at Lifljon ; and the
other, whofe name was Peter, tne
father of the late Mr. Garrick,
fcllovved the military • proieliion,
and had at the time of his death
been advanced to a majority in the
army. He married an IrilLlady,
and happened to be quartered at the
Angel Inn in Hereford, where his
fon David (who was baptized * the
zStij of February, 1716) was
born. Mr. Garrick, the father,
afterwards fettled at Litchfield,
and refided there feveral years. A
fliorc time before his death he de-
termined to fell his commiflion,
and for that pi:rpofe entered into a
treaty with a gentleman who had
ti'jreed to give r.im iico/. for it ;
butj unfortunately, before the
fale was compleated he died, and
left a numerous family in a great
meafure unprovided for.

His fon David received the firft
part of his education at the free
School of i^itchfield; and very
early found a friend in Gilbert
Walmfley, Efq; f regifter of the
ccclefi^llical court there ; a gentle-

man then unmarried and well ad-
vanced in years, whofe partiality
fecmed to authorife fome favour-
able cxpeftations of a permanenC
provifion ; all which however were
deiiroye'd by Mr. Walmfley's un-
expe*i^edly taking a wife. He,
however, recorri mended his young
friend to Mr. Collon, mader of
the academy at Rocheflcr, in order
to conipleat ' his education ; and
accordingly, in the month of
March, (736, Mr. Garrick left
Litchfield, in company with Dr,
Samuel Johnfon, -who at the fame
time quitted his profeffion of a
fchooimailer, and came to London,
where he has fince become one
of the firit ornaments of litera-
ture.

On the death of his father
Mr. Garrick went over to Lifbon,
and was received by his uncle with
great kindnefs ; and here perhaps
he might have remained, but,
that (tridnefs of morals which a
fond relation wifhed to fee in his
nephew not being obferved at that
place, to prevent his being cor-
rupted, it was thought proper to
fend him back to England ; his
uncle liill preferving a great re-
gard for him, whi:h he fhewed at
his death by leaving him a legacy
of 1000 /.

* The following is an extrafl from the regifter book of the parifli of All
Saints- in the city of Hereford : " Duvid Garrick, the Ion of Peter and Aia-
" btlln Garrick, was baptized il-.e aSth of February, 1716."

-f This gemlenian was aUb the tViend of Dr. Samuel Johnfon ; who has given
the world afi account of his cluridter ia the preface to tlie Poems of Mr. Ed-
mund Smith. It concludes in the following manner: " at this man's table, I
*' enjoyed many chearful and inftruftive hours, with companions fuch as are
«' -not often found j with one v,/h.) has lengthened, and one who has gladdened
" hfe ; with Dr. James, whole fkill in phyiick will be long remembered j a,nd
<< with David Ganick, whom I hoped to hnve gratified with this chara61er of
<« our common friend : hut what are th? hojies of man ! 1 am dif.ippointed by
*' that ilroke of death -lubich has cclipftd iks gaiety of nations f and imfoveriftied
«« the puUkh foch of hart/dcfs pleafwes.'"

CHARACTERS.

49

It appears from Mr. Walmfley's
letters, that Mr. Garrick was in-
tended for the profeffion of the
law ; and accordingly, on the 9th
day of March, 1736, immediately
on his arrivil in London, he was
entered of the fnciety of Lincoln's-
Inn ; but it is certain he never
paid any attention to the ftudy of
that fcience ; and indeed it is with-
in the memory of many yet living,
that his employment for a fli:)rt
time, in tht interval between his
return from Liibon and his ap-
pearance on the ftage, was of a
nature very different from what
he was fird deftined to, and what
he afterwards purfued with fo
much reputation and fuccefs. We
are credibly informed that he fol-
lowed the bufinefs of a wine-mer-
chant fomewhere in or ne.^i Dur-
ham-Yard, being induced thereto,
it may be prefumed, by the en-
couragement and fupport of his
undo.

To whatever caufe it was O'fng,
we are not informed ; but his
fuccefs in bufinofs was not fuffi-
cient to engage his continuance in
it ; and this want of fuccefs might
perhaps arife from his attention to
a m'-re pleafing purfuit. He had
at fchool performed the part of
Serjeant Kite with applaufe ; and
he was now prompted to employ
•the talents which he pofTcfled for
his immediate fupport. He there-
fore went down to Ipfwich, under
the name of Lyddel, and perform-
ed in a ftroilinw corapanv there.
The part m which he firlt appear-
ed was that of Aboan in Orob-
noko ; and the approbation he
met with in this country excurfion
encouraged him to purfue his plan
in Lf'ndon. Ke, therefore, after
being (as it is reported) rejected

Vol. XXII.

by the manager of Covert Garden,
to whom he had offered his fer-
vice, engaged with Mr. Gifford,
at the theatre in Gjo<1man's Fields,
in the year 1740. The charadler
he then attempted was that of
Richard the Third ; and he per-
formeJ it in a manner which fixed
his reputation on that bafis upon
which it llood, as the firlt adtor of
the time:-, during the reft of his
life. Two circumltances were ob-
ferved on his firfl night's perform-
ance ; one, that, on his entrance
on the ftage, he was under fo much
embarraffmenr, that for feme time
he was unable to fpeak : the
other, that having exerted him-
felf with much vehemence in the
firft two adts he became fo hoarfe
as to be almoft incapable of finifh-
ing the charadter. This difficulty
was obviated by a perfon be-
hind the fcenes recommending
him to take the juice of a feville
orange, which he fortunately had
in his pocket, and which enabled
him to go through the renr^ainder
of the character with that degree
of excellence which he always af-
terwards fhcvved in the perform-
ance of it, and which produced
the applaufe which ever after uni-
formly attended him in it. The
perfin to whom he owed the fea-
fonable relief was the late Mr.
Dryden Leach, printer, who ufed
often to tell the ftory to his
friends.

It was during this firft year of
his theatrical life that he produced
the farce of T'/je Lying Valet ; a
performance which has given plea-
fureto nuraberlefs fpeftators, even
after the principal charafler ceaf-
ed to be performed by its author.
At the end of the feafon he went
ever to Ireland, and in that king-

E Uom

so ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

dom added both to his fortune
and his fame. The next year
(1742 to 1743) he performed at
Drury Lane, and the year after
(1743 to 1744) at the fame thea-
tre. At the beginning of this fca-
fon he was involved in a difpute
with Mr. Macklin, who had join-
ed with him in oppofing the op-
preffions ot the managers. That
gcnllemj^n complained that he was
deferted in the agreement made
with the managers, and publifhed
a ftateof his cafe, in a pamphlet,
inticuli^d, *' Mr. Macklin's Reply
•' to Mr. Garrick's Anfwer. To
•' which are prefixed, all the Pa-
•* pers which have publicly ap-
*' peared in regard to this im-
** portant difpute." The next
year (1744 ^° '745) ^^ continued
at Drury Lane ; but the fucceed-
ing feafon [tj^i; to 1746) he went
again to Dublin, and engaged
■with Mr. Sheridan as joinc fharer
and adventurer in the theatre
there. In May 1746, he returned
to London, and performed in fix
plays at the end of that month at
Covent Garden, by which, we are
told, he added 300/. to a great
fom acquired in Ireland. He per-
formed but one year more as an
hired ai^or(i746to 1747) which
was at Covent Garden theatre,
where he produced Mi/s* in her
Teens.

The mifmanagement of the pa-
tentees of Drury Lane Theatre af-
ter the deaths of Booth and Wilks,
and the retirement of Gibber from
the flage, had ruined every per-
fon concerned in it. At this pe-
riod the fucceflbrs of Mr. Fleet-
wood became involved in fo many
difficulties, that it Wxis no longer
poCible for them to continue the
conJudl of a bufmefs to which

they were ftrangers, and which
therefore they ought never to have
engaged in. Ir, 1745 that gen-
tleman had left the theatre to his-
creditors 10 manage, after making
the bed terms he was able for him-
felf.. They conducted the bufi-
nefs of it for two feafons-, when,
unable to continut the manage-
ment any lon^r, the property of
the patent,, houfe, and fcenes,
was hawked about to feveral per-
fons : but fo apprchenfive was
every one become of the hazard
of intermeddling with the theatre,,,
that no purchafer was for fome
time to be found. At this junc-
ture the late Mr. Lacy ftepped for-
ward, and.boldly ventured to en-
gage for the purchafe. Having
the reputation of a man of inte-
grity, he fcon found friends among-
the monied men to fupport him in
his undertaking ; the fucccfs of it,
he prudently concluded, muft de-
pend in fome meafure on the abi-
lities of the perfon with whom he-
(hould conne6l himfelf in the
fchrme. Mr. Garrick's reputa-
tion, both as a man and an adtor,
naturally led him to wifh for his-
jun6\ion. A treaty was foon be-
gun, and an agreement betweea-
them afterwards took place. Ap-
plication was made for a new pa-
tent ; which was obtained, and
both their names inferted in it.
The feafon which began in 1747-
was the firft of their managpment,
and was opened with an admirable
Prologue, written by Dr. John-
fon, and fpoken by Mr. Garrick.
From this time Drury Lane Thea-
tre, which had been fo fdtal to
many adventurers, became the
fource of wealth and independence
to both partners, who jointly ex-
erted their feveral abilities in the
manage-

CHARACTERS,

St

management of the undertaking,
with a. degree of harmony which
did credit to their underftandings,
and with a (hare of fuccefs which
in fome meafure mult be afcribed
to that good correfpondence which
fubfifted between them.

After he had been a manager
two years, and the diffipation of
youth had fubfided, the charms of
a lady, who then lived with the
Countefs of Burlington as a com-
panion, made a conqueft of him.
It is unneceffary to add that this
lady is at prefent his widow. She
is, we are informed, by birth a
German. Her parents lived at
Vienna; and Ihe appeared on the
(lage there as a dancer. About
the year I744 ihe came to Eng-
land, and performed at one of the
theatres one or two feafons. She
was then called Madame Eva Ma-
ria Violetti. The union between
them took place on the 2zd day
of June, 1749; ^^^ ^^ '^'^'^» wi^h
great pleafure, that no marriage
ever was attended with more hap-
pinefs to both parties than this for
near thirty years, during which
time, it is on good authority af-
ferted, they fcarce paffed a day fe-
parate from each other.

The theatrical feafon which com-
menced in the yea[r I750, was ren-
dered remarkable by the fpirit of
rivallhip which prevailed at both
houfes. At the beginning of Mr.
Garrick's management he had en-
gaged Barry, Macklin, Pritchard,
V/offington, Gibber, and Clive ;
and, with thefe excellent per-
formers, it may be imagined the
profits of the houfe were very con-
fiderable. Soon after, Mr. Barry,
who was under articles, refufed
to continue any longer at Drury
Lanc,£(nd, when fued for the breach

of his contract, efcaped from the
penalty by means no w-.y redound-
ing to his honour. Macklin and
Mrs. Gibber likewife went over to
Govent Garden ; as did Mrs.
Woffington, who is faid to have
entertained expedations of being
united in marriage with Mr. Gar-
rick. With thefe deferters, aid-
ed by the Veteran Q^uin, Mr.
Rich openedGovent Garden Thea-
tre. Mr. Garrick, not intimi-
dated by the ftrength of the op-
pofition, took the field on the 5th
of Sept. with an occaiional Pro-
logue fpoken byhimfelf; which,
was anfwered by another delivered
by Mr. Barry ; and this again re-
plied to by a very humourous Epi-
logue, admirably repeated by Mrs.
Clive. Thofe were only preludes
to the trial of ftrength which was
foon to follow. The play of Ro-
meo and Juliet had lain dormant
many years. This was now re-
vived at both houfes : at Drury
Lane, with alterations by Mr.
Garrick, who performed the prin-
cipal chararter 5 Mr. Woodward
playing Mercutio ; and Mrs. Bel-
lamy, Juliet ; againft them at Go-
vent Garden, were Mr. Barry and
Mrs. Gibber in the principal cha-
rafters, and Mr. Macklin in Mer-
cutio. Both houfes began on the
firft of October ; and continued to
perform it for lafucceflive nights :
when Govent Garden gave up the
contention ; and its rival kept the
field one night mere, with the-
credit of holding out longer than
its opponent, though it is fuppofed
neither fide reaped much advan-
tage from the fpirit of perieverance
which had governed them both in
this conteft.

In the year 1754, on the 6th
day of March, dieJfMr, Pelham,

E 2 who

51 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

who had condiiflc'i thebufincfs of
government for fome years before
with candour, ability, and inte-
oritv. He was fincerely lamented
by both prince and people ; and
on this occahon Mr. Gurrrck dif-
plaved his poetical talents, in ;)n
ode which we are told ran through
iour editions in a few weeks. It
is a performance which does credit
to him, both as a man and a poet,
and is prcferved in the fourth vo-
liime of Dodfley's Colleflion of
Poems.

The fnarlers agninll Mr. Gar-
rtck's manjigpnient of the theatre
had a long time complained that
he conduifled himfelf with too
llridl an attention to ceconomy in
the crnament.il and decorative parts
of theatrical txhibitiors. They
were perpetually throwing out in-
finuations, 'hat Uie manager, re-
lying on his own powers, was de-
termined to Tpgulate the enter-
t iinments of the llage with an eye
orrly to his own advantage, and
wi'hout any regard to the f/-ti>fac-.
tion of the public. — Thefe mur-
mnrs had continued fome lime,
when at lad Mr. G.irrick deter-
mined to me^t the wifhes ai his
fiiends, and to fiience thp difcnn-
tents of his enemies. Ft r this
purp; fe he applied to Mr. De-
noyer, fen. to recommend foinep( r-
fon of genius to Aiperintend and
conrrive a fplendid fpeftacle to be
exhi^'ited at Drury Lane. The
P'Tfon fijced upon for that purpofe
was Mr. Noverre, a Swifs ; who
immediately received orders to en-
gage the b'^ft troop of dancers that
could be pfocured. Thefe he fe-
Ircted from the foreign theatres;
and th'^y con fi 'ted of Swifs, Ita-
lian's, Germans, and fome Fn-nch.
Th: entertainment in which they

were employed wa^ foon after con-
trived. It was called The Chi-
nese Festival ; and .\af, in the
theatrical pKrafe, got up with great
magniticence, and at a very con-
fider.ible efpence. The expeda-
tions of the managers were how-
ever wholly dif.ppointed in the
fuccefs of the performance. Al-
though but few of the French na-
tion were employed in it yet a
report had indullrioufly been
fpread, that noi omy French
dancers had been fent for over,
but French drefles alfo, and even
French carpenters and manufac-
turers. The riation was then on
the eve of a war ; and this ; fforded.
an opporiuniiy for engaging the
paffions of "thofe who profefled
themfelvcs ApfigqUicans. They
accordingly formed dfl" ciations, to
difcourage the feveral performers,
and fupprefs the obnoxious per-
formance whenever it fhould ap-
pear. At length, after having
taken up more than eighteen
months in prep.iring,it was brought
before the pubiick, and received
with all the virulence and oppofi-
tion which might be expeded
from the violence and heat of the
times, Th" firft performance of
it was on the 8th day of Novem-
ber' 17)5, and was honoured with
the prefence of his late Majefly ;
yet, notwithftanding that circum-
ftance, it did not even then efcape
ill-ireatmeht. On the fecond,
third, fourth, and fifth nights the
riots continued with increafing
ftrcngth, though oppofed each
evening by feveral young men of
.fafhion, who had determined to
fuppcrt the performance. On the
fixth evening the oppohticn ac-
quired frefli vigour and increaf-
ing numbers. They tfuftrated

every

CHARACTERS.

S3

ever}' attempt to proceed in the
exhibition ; and committed every
excefs .vliich a mob, fubjeifl to no
coutroul, is apt to indulge itfelf
in. That evening w^s the laft re-
preftntat:on. After receiving af-
furance that the piece fhould be
afted no more, the heroes who had
fign.U'zeJ them("elve< in this im-
p irtant bufinefs prcxeeded to Mr.
Garrick's h.)ofe in Southampton-
flr?et, where they br ke bis win-
dows, HnJ did other damages.
They then dirper;ed, nd the pro-
prietors of the theatre were obliged
to fobmit to ths lofs of more ihaB
four thoufand pv.nd?,

Itwoul.1 be impoTible to enu-
merate the feveral imail pieces of
poetry which Mr. Garrick uCed
to throv out from time cotime, as
his leifure pmni ie<J, to compli-
ment his friend?, or to celebrate
public event"^. In i-'S9' ^''- ^"*
wro;e a pamph!e , aui^uled, " To
David Garrick, Eiq; the Pcti-
tion of/, in behalf of herielf c.nd
her filler:.." The purport of it
was to charge Mr, Garrick with
ir'ifpronour.cing fome wor.l« in-
cluding the letter I, &9. funn U>t
firm, 'vurttte for virtue, and orherf.
The pamphlet is now forgotten ;
bot the following Kpigram, which
Mr. Garrick wrote on theoccafion,
defervrs to be pieferved, as one
of 'he beft in the Erjglifh lan-
guage :

To /)»-. Hill, upon his petition of the
letter i to Davjd Garrick, E/q;

If 'tis true, as you fay, that I've injur'd

a letter,
I'll change my' notes foon, and I hope fof

the better ;
May the j aft righ: of letters, as well as of

men,
Hereafter b3 fix'd by the tongue -and the

pe;i !

Moft devoutly I v/ifh that they both have

their due.
And that 1 may be never mlftaken for T/.

From this period no event of
importance occurs in the annals
of Mr. Garrick's life until the
year 1761. The buhnefs of the
theatre went on without interrup-
tion ; and he continued to ac-
quire both reputation and for-
tune. In that year, however, he
foi'nd himfelf obliged to exert his
poetical talents, in order to cor-
reft the impertinence of an infig-
KJfican': individual, a Mr. Fitz-
patrick, v;ho, wirhcut provoca-
tion, and in defidnce of decency,
carried on a weekly attack againlt
him, in a pap^r cllled " The
Crp.ftfman." The original caufe
of the quarrel, v.e are informed,
was g^rounded on fome illiberal
reflflions which Mr. Fitzparick
thrt'w o«t againil Mr. Garrick,
ani which the litter refented with
ipiiit and propriety, though a
corifider ible time had elapfed be-
fore he was provoked ;o take pub-
lic notue of him. As Mr. Fitz-
Patrick's writings are now en-
tirely forgotten, the revenge vvhich
Mr. G inick took of lii:n *nu{l,
for that citcumftance alone, be in-
volved in lome obfcurity. Thofe,
however, w.'io are unacquainted
with either perl :ns or fads will
receive pleaf-^re in reading Mr.
G'lrrick's admirabk' fatire pi^bliih-
ed on thi-> ocafjon, intitulrd Thi
Fribler 1 AD, a- Poem, wliich h<id
the honour of being highly com-
menjed by Churchill, who has al-
fo given a very fevere correft'.on
to'the fame pcrfon.

However unequal Mr Fitzpa-
trick was to the taflc of contend-
ing wiih Mr. Garrick in a liierary
li •? warfare.

54 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

warfare, yet the rancour which
hi.> dfft'ut had engendered, point-
ed out a new mode of attack to
^iilrefs his antagonifl. ]t had
hpcn cuftomary, on the reprefenta-
tion of a new performance, to re-
fufe ad nittance at any part of the
evening, nnlefs the whole price
of the entertainn ent was paid.
This hai almolt invariably been
the rule; and it had hitherto been
fubmitted to, as a reafonable de-
jnand from the managers, to com-
penlate for the extrsordinary ex-
pence which new drcfies and fcenes
occafioned. To gratify his refent-
m.-nt, M-. Fitzpatrick feized on
this circumftance as a ground
to dilturt the peace of the theatre,
and to involve the managers in
a con tell with the public. For
this purpofe hand-bills were dif-
perfed about the coffee-houles in
the neighbourhood of Drury-lane,
lecommending a peremptory de-
mand to be made, and requiring
an abfolute promife to be given,
that no more than h-lf the ufual
pri' e (hould be taken on any
evening of performance after the
third ad, unlefs at the reprefonta-
tion of a new pantomime. A
kind of aflcciation was entered in-
to by feveral young men, to ob-
tain a redrefs of this grievance, as
it was called; and Mr. Fitzpatrick
pui^ himlelf at the h?ad of it. The
everling on which the attack was
made hippened to be when Ti^e
tivo Gentlemen of Verona was per-
foimed for the alterer's benefit.
The performance accordingly was
interrupted, after feveral attempts
to proceed in it; and the proprie-
tors of the houfe, thinking there-

to it : in confequence whereof, rso
play was afled that night; and
the audience received their mo-
ney again a^ the doors, having firll
amufed themfelves with doing all
the mifchief they were able. By
this trial, the malccontents had
difcQvered their flrength, and de-
termined to carry their point in
humbling the pride of the ma-
nager. On the tiext performance,
which was at the tragedy of El-
'vira, they colledled their whole
force, and again prevented the
adors proceeding in the play. It
was in vain that Mr. Garrick dc-
fired to be heard in defence of
the ancient cufioms of the thea-
tre. The oppofjtion infifled on a
peremptory anfwer to their de-
mand in the new regulation;
which, after fome time, the pro-
prietors of the houfe were obliged
to agree to; and once more peace
was reftored to the theatre after a
cor. fiderable lofshad been fuftained,
and obliged to be fubmitted to.

This ieafon was the laft in which
Mr. Garrick could be faid to have
afted in the regular courfe of his
profeffion. From this time he de-
clined performing any new cha-
raflers ; and, finding his health
declining, by the advice of his
phyfician he determined to give
himfelf fome relaxation from care
and fatigue. He therefore made
the arrangements neceffary for car-
rying on the public entertainment^
during his abfence ; and on the
15th of September, 1763, the day
on which the houfe opened, he
left London, in order to make the
tour of France and Italy. To
fupply his place, he engaged the

quifiiion an unjuft one, and the late Mr. Powell, who had received
planner of making it improper to his inftrudlions the preceding fum-
\i& acceded to, refufed to fubmit mer, aod whofe fuccefs was equal

19

CHARACTERS.

55

"to the abilities he pc{r.n"ed. To
the honour of his employers, it
may be added, that his abilities
were not' h-^her than the en-
couragement he receive.^ for ihe
exert! n of them. Although he
was engaged for a *Tm of ytars at
a fmall fa'ary ; ye- he was, before
the feafon cl-ifed, generoufly al-
lowea an appointment equal io
the firil perfor-iier in th'' houle.
We are credibly informed, thp
profits that year e^c (^^ed even
thofe in which Mr. Garrick per-
formed in the heitw-t cf his r pu-
tation.

The interval from this period,
until the monh of April, 1765,
Mr. Garrick fmploytd in travrj.
•ling through ihe principal parts of
Eurooe ; and \v=.s, at every pl.ice
where he refiJcd, and at moll of
the courts to which he was ir re-
duced, received in the molt h >-
nourable and cordial manner; by
the great, as v. el I as bv men of
letters, each vying with the other
in (hewing refpr-ct to the greaieil
•dramatic character of the age.
While he ftayed at Paris, he a-
mufed himfeTf with reading Fon-
taine's Fables^ which ple^fed him
fo much, that he was induced to
attempt an imitation of the n. He
accordingly \^ro'e one, called The
Sici Moniej; vs hich he tranfmitied
over to a friend, to be ready for
publication immediately on his ar-
rival. It accordingly made its ap-
pearance in two or three days af-
ter, with the following motto :
*' Thurfday afternoon David Gar-
rick, Efq. arrived at his houfe in
Southampton-ftreet, Covent G r-
den. Public Advertifer, April 27,
2765." And he had the pleafure
of hearicg the fentimeets of his

friends upon it; many of whom
miftook it for a fatire upon him,
and riccordingly cxprefied them-
felves in very warm terms on the
occafion.

Immediately on his arrival he
refumed the management of the
theatre, and introduced fome im-
provements which had been fug-
gefted by his obfervations on the
conduft of the foreign flages.
^Frorn the lill of his works, it will
be feen that he had not been idle
whilf abroad. He produced the
next fealon feveral new pieces,
and in the begirrning of 1766, the
excellent comedy of The Clan-
dejline Marriage ^ written in con-
cept with Mr. Colman. He alTo,
at the ••equfll of his Majelly, ap-
peared aj^ain on the rtage ; and
on that occafion fpoke a new pro-
logue, replete with thofe llrokes
of htmour which, in that fpecies
of compofition, m;.ni felted his fu-
perioiity over all his contempora-
rie?.

In that year died Mr. Quin and
Mr. Cibber, Their deaths were
very pathetically taken notice of
in the prologue to The Ciundijii>:r
Marriage ; and for the former Mr.
Garrick wrote an epitaph, which
vvas placed over his tomb in the
cathedral church cf Bath. Mr.
Quin was the only performer of
any reputation when Mr. Garrick
firft appeared en the ftage, and he
had likewife been one of his ear-
licll oppcfers. When he Taw the
fiiccefs which attended the per-
formances of his lival, he obferv-
ed, with his ulual Ipleen, that Gar-
rick ivas like a nenu religion. Whit"-
Jiela ii^as folloivedfcr a time, hut th y
luouid all come to church again. We
mention his anecdote merely on
£ 4 account

5^

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

account of the reply which it in-
duced Mr. Garrick to write, and
which was as i'oUows ;

Pof>e ^:n, who damns all churches but

his own,
Complains " that Herefy corrupts the

'• town }
" That Wbitjitld Garrkk has mided the

" age,
*• And taints the found religion of the

'« ftage ;
•• Schifm, he cries, has tuni'd the, nation's

" brain,
" But eyes will open, and to church

" again !"
Thou great infailible ! forbear to roar,
T hy bulls and errors are reverM no more ;
When doftrines meet with general appro-
bation,
It is not Herc'y, but Reformation,

For feveral years howeve" befo'-e
Mr. QuinN death great cordiality
hi^d fiibiilled between him and
Mr. Garrick, at whofe houfe at
Hampton he fpent Tome time, a
few monihs before his death, and
tht^re firft difcovered the fymptoms
of that dilorder which carriea hiin
to hi? grave.

The year 1769 was remark.-ib!e
for the celebration of a jubilee at
Stratford upon Avon, the 6rh, 7th,
and 8th of September, in honour
of Shakefpeare; a ceremony which
very much engaged the public at-
tention, although it was treated by
fome as a fubj ft worthy. only of
ridicule, and by others as a com-
pliment due to the great writer
whofe memory it was intended
to honour. The circumftance
which gave rife to it happen-
ed fome time before, and was
as follows : A clergyman, into
whofe pofl'efllon the houfe once
belonging to our great poet had
come, found that a mulberry tree,
which grew in the garden, and
>vliich had been planted ac-

cording to tradition by Shakc-
fpeare himfelf, overfhadowed too
much of his minfion, and made it
damp. To remedy this inconve-
nience, he caufed it to be cut
down, to the great mortification of
his neighbours, who were fo en-
raged at him, that they foon ren-
dered the ph.ce, out of revenge,
too difagreeable for him to remain
in ir. He therefore was obliged
to quit it; and the tree, being
purchal'ed by a carpenter, was re-
tailed and cut out in various re-
liiks of lland-diflies, tea-chefts,
tobacco-ftnppers, and other things ;
forne of which were fecured by the
corporation of Stratford. The
gentlemen belonging to this body
foon after agreed to prefent Mr.
Garrick with the freedom of their
borough in a box made from the
mulberry tree ; and their Steward
at the fame time was ordered to
acquaint him, that the corporation
would be happy in receiving from
his hands fome ftatue, bull, or,
pi<5lure of Shakefpeare, to be pla-
ced within their new town-hall j
together with a pifture of hiiti-
felf.

This circumftance prcbablygave
Mr. Garrick the fiilt idea of per-
forming a jubilee to the honour of
Shakefpeare; and, at the conclu-
fion of the theatrical feafon, he
invited his audience to be prefent
at it in the following terms ;

" My eyes till then no fights like this

" will fee,
" Unlefs we meet at Shakefpeare's jubi-

" lee.
" On Atom's harks, ivherc Jloiven eternal

" blew,
" Like its full fjrcam our gratitude fliall

" flow !
•* There let us revel, ihew our fond re-

" ga:-d ;
<? On that iuv'd fpot, firft breath'd our

" matthlefs bard ;

« T«

CHARACTERS.

57

•' To him all honour, gratitude is due,
'* To him we owe our all — to him and
" you."

The manner in wliich this en-
tertainmf nt was to have been per-
formed, the difappointments it fuf-
tained, and the leveral occurren-
ces which took place at it, are all
{o recnt in the memories of moft
of our readers, and were fo accu-
rately related at the time they hap-
pened, that we fti 1] not recapitu-
late them here, it is fufficient to
oolerve, that accident deprived
tbole who were prefept of part of
th''ir entertainment ; that all which
was exhibited gave general fatis-
f-iiflion; and ih.;c Mr. Gdrr'ck,wiio
was a 'great fu:n of money out of
pocket by it, framed an enteriain-
mrnt, which was performed at
Drury-F.an? theatre 92 nights with
great appiauie to very crowded
aud'cnces. The Ode which was
fpaken by him at.- Srratford was
iilfo repeated at the fame theatre,
but not with much iuccefs, b?ing
performed only feven times.

The man igement of a theatre is
always attent;ed with anxiety and
vexation ; the difficulty of f:tis-
fying the feveral candiJa'es for
theatrical fame is Co great, 'hat he
who can preferve the friendfhip of
thofe whofe pieces he rejei^';, muft
be allo^^ed to poffefs veiy fxtraor-
• dinary abilities. In the year 1772,
it wa"; Mr. Garrick's misfortune 'o
be embroil.'d wah a very ir.ifci-
ble and troubleiome perfon, who
claimed the reprerenta'^ion of oae
of his piece.- at Drury L >ne ; and
he enforc"d his demand in a man-
ner that will always reflect difgrace
on his memnry. He pnblifhed a
poem to intimidate the manager,
calleJ Love in the Suds, containing
infinuations of the b il'eft kind, and
\vhicli he afterwards denied iiaving

had any intention to convey. Mr.
Garrick had recourfe to the court
of King's Bench, to punifli the in-
famous libeller of his reputation ;
and, notwithilanding he had been
a fecond time infulted by another
publication conceived with equal
malignity, he was weak enough
to Itop the profecution he had
commenced, on his adverfary's
figning an acknowledgement of
his offence, which was printed in
all the public papers. It cannot
be denied but that the interefls of
fociety demanded that fo grofs an
offender fhould meet with punilh-
meiu, and that no conce.Tions
ought to have been allowed to de-
prec'ite thdt ftroke which the law
would have inflided on fo heinous
a crime.

Fiom this time no event of im-
portance happened, until the refo-
lution which Mr. Garrick had be-
gun to form of quitting the itage
Wis, to the concern of every one,
carried into execution. It will be
a matter of furprize, both to the
prefent and future generations, to
learn that this determination was
accelerated by the caprices of one
or two celebrated adreffes, who
had contrived to render his fjtua-
tion fo un.afy to him, that he
frequently ufed to declare, that he
fliould hive continued feme time
longer in his public capacity, had
it not bfen for the plague thefe
people occafioned. In the begin-
ning of ih? year tjj6, he enter-
ed into an agreement with fome
o\ the prefent patentees, frr the
fale of his intereil in the theatre;
but continued to ait during the
remainder of that ^cafon. The
laft night of his performance was,
for tl.e theatrical f md, on the
loth day of June in rhat year,
when he reprefented the charader

of

58 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

ot Don Felix in The Wonder. At refpeftable in the kingdom, and

the conclulion of tne play he came of a large fortune, acquired in the

forward, and addrefied the audi- courfe of more than thirty years :

<nce in a-fhort fpeech, wherein he but the Ilone, which he had been

i'aid, " it had been uliial for per- afflidted with fome time, had al-

*' fons in his fituation to addrefs ready made fuch inroads on his

*' the public in an Epilogue ; conftimtion, that he was unable to

*' and thiit he had accordingly communicate or receive from, his

«' turned his thoughts that way, friends that pkafure which his

■** but found it as impoflible company afforded, except at times,

«* to vvrite, as it would be to and in a very partial manner. It

** fpeik, a ftudied compofjtion ; is foppofed that he injured his

■*' the jingle of rhyme and the health by the application of quack

*• language of fiftion ill fuiting medicines, and often experienced

** his then feelings: that the mo- the moH violent torments from the

*' mcnt in which he then fpoke feverity of his diforder.

•*' was indeed an awful one to In Augufl, 1777, Mr. Qarrick,

** him : that he had received in- accompanied by his neighbour and

** rumerable favours from the friend, Mr. Hen. Hoare, of the

** public, and took his leave on Adelphi, made a vifit to Mr,

** the fpot where thofe favours Hoare, of Stourhead, in Wilts,

■*' were conferred." He then faid, Being particularly charmed with

*« that, whatever the events of the Grotto, he faid he fhould like

*' his future life might be, he it for his burying-place ; upon

«' fhould ever remember thofe fa- which one of the company wifhed

•' vours with the highell fatisfac- him to write his own Epitaph ?

*♦ tion and deeped gratitude ; and which, as foon as he returned to

thouph he admitted the fupe- the houfe, he did extempore.

■• rior fkill and .-ibiliiies of his
** fuccefiofs, he defired them to
*' exert themielves with more
*' induilry, zeal, and attention,
** than he h^d done." This
fpeech, which was delivered with

Tom Fool, the tenant of this narrow fpace,
(He flay'd no foolijh fart to chufe the

place)
Hoping for mortal honours eVn in death,
Thus fpoke his wi/hes with his l»teft

breat'h.

all that emotion which the parti- *' '^^-\^»'^l*, I^^^t-bMed Hal, might

... r L r 1 '^^'^'^ a-year,

Cular fi'uation of the fpeaker ren- » (^;t fo^iaj j^^^ („ ^rop a frirodly tear;

dered very interefting and affeft-
ing, W8? received with the loudeil
burlii of applaule ; and he left the
ftage with the acdnmations of a
numerous and polite audience,
who were unablt- to forbear ex-
prefling the dcepelt concern for the
lofs of their favourite performer.

Mr. Garrick now retired to the
cnji-yment of his friends, the mofl

* Hen. Hoare, jun.

" Tliat EarU f,, with nnagic founds that

** charm the breaft,
" Should with a rcquium teach his foul to

" reft;
" Full charg'd xvith humour, that the

*' fportive Kujl %
" Should fire three voUics o'er the duft to

« duji;
«< That honeft Bcnfon (], ever free and

*' pla'n,
«' For once fhou'J /igh, and wiih him

" back again j

\ Benfon Earle, of Salifbury. % John RufV, Efq,

,|! John Benfbn, Eic^,

« That

CHARACTERS.

59

'•f That Haare * too might complete his

" glory's plan,
f Point to his grave and fay — I lik'd the

" man."

At Chriftmas, 1778, he went to
vifit Lord Spencer at Althorp, in
Northamptonfhire, during the ho-
lidays. He there was taken ill ;
but recovered (o far chat he was
removed to town, where growing
worfe, he died in a few days after-
wards, at hi'! houfe in the Adel-
phi, on the 20th day of January
lart, at the age of 6^ years; leav-
ing behind him the charafter of a
friendly, humane, charitable, and
(notwithftanding many idle re-
ports we may add) liberal man;
one who felt for diftrefs, and re-
lieved it ; a ihearful companion,
a pleafing writer, and the firll aftor
of this or any other age.

X//? of Mr. Garrick's Writings.

THE Lying Valet, a Comedy,
of two arts, 8 vo, 1740. Firll afted
at Good main's Fields, and after-
wards at D"u'-y Lane.

Mifs in her Teens, or the Med-
ley of Lovers, a Farce in two aifls,
perforrried at Covent Garden, 8vo.
174.7. '^^^ ^'"' °^ '^'^^ piere was
taken from La Parijiene of D'A.n-
court.

Lethe, a Dramatic Satire, afted
at Drury Lane, 8v:'. 1748. This
admirable performanie, which
ranks with the rirll of its kind,
was originally reprrfenred in a
very imperfr-ft Hate ar Goodman's
Fields, when the autnor was en-
gaged there. The nrll fkerch, as
then performed, w;is printed in
izmo, 1745, uncer th' title of
i^iTHB,oriEsop iif THE Shades.

Romeo and Juliet, a Tragedy,
altered from Shakefpeare, adted ac
Drury Lane, i2mo. 1750.

Every Man in his Humour, a
Comedy, altered from Ben Jonfon,
aded at Drury Lane, 8vo, 1751.
This alteiation confills chiefly of
omiffioQs and tranfpofitions, with
the addition of a whole fcene
in the 4th ad. It was excellently
aded. Thofe who remember the
original performers do not exped
to fee a play ever fo completely
filled again in every charader.
Prologue by Mr. Whitehead.

The Fairies, an Opera, altered
from Shakefpeare, fet to Mufic by
Mr. Smith, 8vo, 1755. Pfologue
by Mr. Garrick.

The tempeft, an Opera, alter-
ed from Shakefpeare, fet to mufic
by Mr. Smith, 8vo. 1756. The
prologue to this piece is evidently
by Mr. Garrick.

Florizel and Perdita, a Dra-
matical Pafioral, in three ads, per.
formed at Drury Lane, 1756.
This is taken from ^he Winter' i
Tale, and was originally aded un-
der that title. It was not printed
until 1758.

Catherine and Petrucio, a Farce,
aded at Drury Lane, 8vo, 1756.
An alteration of Shakefpeare's
Taming of the Shreuo. Performed
on thif fame night as Florizel and
Perdita.

Lilliput, a Dramatic Entertain-
ment aded at Drury Lane, 8vo,
1757. This was aded by chil-
dren. In 1777 it was revifed by
the uthor, and performed at the
Hay marker.

T le Male Coquet, or Seventfen
Hur,d,ed and Fifty Seven, a Farce,
aded at Drury Lane, 8vo. 1757.

* Henry Hoare, of S tour head.

This

6o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

This little piece was firrt afled at two afts, performed at Drory Lane,

Mr^ Woodward's benefit. It was 8vo, 1756. This farce is afcrib-

planned, written, and adcd, in lefs ed to Mr. Garrick, although it

than a month. has alfo been given to Mr. King.

The Gamefters, a Comedy, al- It is an imitation of the Cri/pin

tered from Shirley, afled at Drury Rival tU /on Maitre of Le Sage.

Lane, gvo, 1758. Cymon, a Dramatic Romance,

IfabeJla, or the Fatal Marriage, f.£led at Dmry Lane, 8vo, 1767.

a Pliv altered from Southern, aded A Peep behind the Curtain, or

at Drury Lane, 8vo, 175S. An The New Rehearfal, a Farce, adl-

alteration ot The Fatal Marriage, ed at Drury Lane, 8vo, 1767.

by omifllon of the comic fc-nes. The Jubilee, a Dramatic Enter-

The Guardian, a Comedy, in tainment, afied at Drury Lane,

two aft?, performed at Drury Lane, 1769. This piece, which is not

8vo. 1759. This was performed primed, was one of the moft fuc-

the firlt time for the benefit of Mr. cefsful performahces ever produced

Chriftopher Smart, a very agree- on the ilage.

able but unhappy poet, thert un- King Arthur, or the Britifn

der confinement. It is taken in Worthy, altered from Dryden, -idl-

a great meafure from the celebrat- ed at Drury Lane, 8vo, 1770.

ed Pupilleof Monf. Fag^n. Hamlet, altfred fr^^m S^ake-

The Enchanter, or Love and fpeare, aned at Drury Line about

Magic, a Mufical Drama, adted at 177 i- Not printed.

Drury L^ne, 8vo, 1760. The liiili Widow, a Comedy of

Harleqjin's Invafion, a Speak- two aft?, performed at Drury Lan?,

ing Pantomime, afted at Drury 8vo, 1772. The intention of this

Lane, 1 761 ; not printed. We piece (eems to have been merely

are told this was originally per- to inrroduce Mrs. Barry (now Mrs,

formed at Bartholomew Fair, Crawford) in a new light to the

Cymbeline, a Tragedy, altered audience, and is very fuccefsfully
from Shakefpeare, afted at Drury executed. The charafters of Whit-
Lane, i2mo. 1761. tie. Sir Patrick O'Neale, and Tho-

The Farmer's Return from Lon- mas, are extremely well fuftained,

don, an Interlude, perf rmed at and that of Keckfy admirably.

Drury Lane, ^.to, 1762. This The Chances, a Comedy, with

made its firft appearance at Mrs. alterations, afted at Drury Lane,

Priichard's benefit. 8vo, 1773. This is the Duke of

The Clandertine Marriage, a Buckinj. ham's .play with the fame

Comedy, aftpd at Dr>iry Lane, title. The alterations are chiefly

8vo, 1766. This was a joint pro- omiffions of indecent pafl"ages,

duction with Mr. Colman, was which the refinement of the prelent

afted with great ^pplauf?, and m^y times would not fuffer.

be confidered as one of the beft CO- Album-zar, a Comedy, with

iD'dies in the Engliih lang■J.^g?. al:erations, afted at Drury Lane,

The Country Girl, a Comedy, 8vo, 1773. This excellent old

shered from Wycherley, afted at comedy was revived with all the

Drury Lane, 8vo, 1766. ftrength of the houfe, as it had

Neck or Nothing, a Farce, in been before in 174.8; yet, notwith-

ftanding.

CHARACTERS.

6i

flandlng, was not fo fuccefsful as
ii deferved to have been.

Alf^red, a Tragedy, altered from
Mallet, aded at Drury Lane, 8vo,

1773-

A Chriftmas Tale, in five parts,

aifled at Drury Lane, 8\'0, 1774.
This hath fince been reduced to
two nfls, and performed as an af-
ter-piece.

The Meeting of the Company,
a Prelude, afted at Drury Lane,

1774. Not printed.

May Day, a Ballad Opera, adl-
ed at Drury Lane, Svq, 1775.

The Theatrical Candidates, a
Prelude, afted at Drury Lane, 8vo,

1775. The laft two pie«s are
printed together.

He alfo made fome alterations
in Ru/e a Wife and have a Wife,
Mahomet, and many other pieces.

which were performed during his
management.

Befides the feveral pieces men-
tione 1 in the foregoing Anecdotes,
he was the author of many Pro-
logues and Epilogues, too nume-
rous to be here particularized. He
alfo wrote fome poems in Dodfley's
CoUeaion of Poems, Vol. Ill ;
Letters in the Saint James's Chro-
nicle, figned Oakley ; and many
little poems in Magazines and
News-papers.

The Farce of High Life Belo-xv
Stairs, which is frequently afcrib-
ed to him, is omitted in the above
lill, as there are many reafons to
believe it to have been written
by another perfon, the late Mr.
Townly, Matter of Merchant-
Taylors fchool.

NATURAL

[ 62 3

NATURAL HISTORY.

Account of a Cure of the St. Vitus'/
Dance l>y EUilricity. In a Let-
ter from Anthony Fothergill, .
M. D. F. R. S. at Northamp-
ton,/o William Henley, F.R.S.

fFrom tlie Phiiofophical Tranfaftioot.]

ANN AGUTTER, a girl of
ten years of age, of a pale,
emaciated habit, was admitted an
out-patient at the Northampton-
hofpital on the 6th of June laft.
From her father's account it ap-
peared (for {he was fpecchlefs, and
with difficulty fupportcd from fal-
ling by two aflillants) that (he had
for fix weeks laboured under vio-
lent convulfive motions, which
afFefted the whole frame, from
which (he had very (hort intermif-
iion?, except during fleep ; that
the difeafe had not only impaired
her memory and intelleflual fa-
culties, but of late had depiivcd
her of the ufe of fpeech.

Volatile and fetid medicines
were now recommended, and the
warm bath every other night ; but
with no better fuccefs, except that
the rights which had been reftlefs
became fomewhat more compofed.
Biifters and ami fpafmodics were
direfled, and particularly the flow-
ers of zinc, which were continued
till the beginning of July, but
wiihoat the leaft abatement of the

fymptoms ; when her father grow-
ing impatient of fruitlcfs attend-
ance at the hofpital, 1 recom-
mended, as a dernier refort, a
trial of eleftricity, under the ma-
nagement of the Rev. Mr. Un-
derwood, an ingenious electrician.
After this I heard no more of her
till the firft of Auguft, when her
father came to inform me that his
daughter was well, and defired
fhe might have her difcharge. To
which, after expreffing my doubts
of the cure, 1 confented ; but
Ihould not have been perfedly
convinced of it, had I not receiv-
ed afterwards a full confirmation
of it from Mr. Underwood, dated
Sept. i6, an extraft from whofe
letter I will now give you in his
own words :

* I have long expefted the,plea-
fure of feeing you, that I might
inform you how I proceeded in the
cure of the poor girl. As the
cafe was pajiicular, I have beetj
very minute, and wilh you may
find fomething in it that may be
ufeful to others. If you think it
proper, I beg you will ftate the
cafe medically, and make it as
public as you pleafe.

* July 5. On the glafs footed
flool forthircy minutes : fparkswere
drawn from the arms, neck, and
head, which caufed a confiderable

perfpira-

NATURAL HISTORY.

^3'

perfpiratlon, and a rafh appear-
ance in her forehead. She then
received lliocks through her hands,
arms, breafts, and back ; and from
this lime the fymptoms abated,
her arms beginning to recover their
ufes *.

* Julyj3. On the glafs-footed
ftool forty-five minutes : received
ftrong (hocks through her legs and
feet, which from that time began
to recover their wonted ufes; alio
four ftrong {hocks through the
jaws, foon after which her fpeech
^returned.

' July 2 J, On the glafs-footed
ftool for the fpace of one hour :
fparks were drawn from her arms,
legs, head, and breaft, which for
the firit time fhe very fenfibly felt ;
alfo two Ihocks through the fpine.
She could now walk alone ; her
countenance becama more florid,
and all her faculties feemed won-
derfully ftrengthened, and from
this time fhe continued mending to
aftate of perfeft health..

' Every time {he was eleftrified
pofitively, her pulfe quickened to
a great degree, and an eruption,
much like the itch, ap'peared in
all her joints.'

Thus far Mr. Underwood. To
complete the hiilory of this Angu-
lar cafe, I this day (Od. 28v)
rode feveral miles, on my return
from the country, to vifit her;,
and had the fatisfadion to find her
in good health, and the above ac-
count verified in every particular,
with this addition, that at the be-
ginning of the difeafe (he had but
flight twitching?, attended with-
running, ftaggering, and a varie-
ty of involuntary gefticulations
which diftinguilh the St. Vitus's

dance, and that thefe fymptoms-
were afterwards fucceeded by con-
vulfions, which rendered it aifE-
cult for two alTillants to keep her
in b'd, and which foon deprived
her of fpeech and the ufe of her
limbs. The eruptions which ap-
peared on the parts electrified fooa
receded, without producing any
return of the fymptoms, and there-
fore could not be called critical,
but merely the efFeft of the eleflri-
cal ftimulus. Having given her
parents fome general dire£Hons as
to her regimen, &c. I took my
leave, with a {Irong ir.jundion to
make me acquainted in cafe (he
fhould happen to relapfe. Before
I conclude, it may not be impro-
per to obferve, that fome time ago
I was fortunate enough to cure a
boy who had long had the Sr.,
Vitus's dance (though in a much'
lefs degree) by eleftricity. A vio-
lent convulfive difeafe, fomewhat
fimilar to the above, though, ii
1 recollefl right, not attended
with the • aphonia,' was fuccefs-
fully treated in the fame way by
Dr. Watfon, and is recorded ia
the Philofophical Tranfaftions»
May we not then conclude, that
thefe fadls alone, and more might
perhaps be produced, are fufficient
to entitle eleftricity to a di{lin=.
gui(hed place in the clafs of anti-
fpafmodics ?

I am, &c.

^n Account of a Remarkable Imper-
feflion of Sight. From the fame..

Ralcn, May 26, 1777.
Rev. Sir,

RECEIVED your favour ia
due time. I fhould have givea

I

* The coated-bottle.helJ near a quart.

yoo

64 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

you my anfwer fooner, but have
been grcaily sfilided with the
pout. I am very willing to inform
vou (;>nd take your inquiry as a
f.vour) of my inability concern-
ing colours, as far as I am able
from my own common obTervation.

It is a family failing : my father
has e.xaflly the fame jnipediment :
my mother and one of my fillers
>vere pe rfefl in all colours : my other
filkrandmyfelfalikeimperfcd: my
lalt mentioned fiUer has two fons,
both imperfift ;— but fhe has a
daughter who is very perfeO : 1
have a fon and daughter, who
both know all colours without ex-
ception ; and fo did their mother:
my mother'^ own brother had the
like impediment with me, though
my mother, as mentioned above,
knew all colours very well.

Now I will inform you what co-
lours I have leall knowledge of.
] do not know any green in the
world ; a pink coKur and a pale
blue are alike, I do not know one
from the other. A full red and
full green the fame, I have often
thought them a gf^od match ; —
but yellows (light, dark, and mid-
dle) and all degrees of blue, cx-
Cfpt thofe very pale, commonly
called iky, 1 know perfedly weil,
and can dilcern a deficiency, in
any of thofe colours, to a particu-
lar nicety: a full purple and deep
blue fometimes baffle me. I mar-
ried my daughter to a genteel,
worthy man a f. w years ago ; the
day before the marriage he came
to my houfe, drefltd in a new fuit
of fine cloth deaths. I was much
difpleafed that he (hould come (as
I {uppofed) in black ; faid, " He
ftiouid go back to change his co-
lour." But my daughter faid,
•♦ No, no ; the colour is very gen-

teel ; that it was my eyes that de*
ceived me." He was a Gentle-
man of the Law, in a fine, rich
claret-c< louied drels, which i» as
mu'h a black to my eyes as any
black that ever was dyed. She
has been married feveral years j
no child living, and my fon is
unmarried ; (o how this impedi-
ment may defcend from me is un-
known.

1 have a general good fatisfs^c-
tion in the midil of this my ina-
bility ; can fee objects at, a dif-
tance when 1 am on travel with
an acqL'aintance, and can dilHn-
guifli the fize, tigurc, or fpace,
equal to mcft, and, I believe, as
quick, colour excepted.

My bufinefs was behind a coun-
ter many years, where I had to
do with variety of colours. I of-
ten, when alone, met with a diffi-
culty ; but I commonly had a
fervant in the way to attend me,
who made up my deficiency. I
have been now feven years from
trade. My eyes, thank God, are
very good at difcerning men and
things.

If your learned fociety can
fearch <ut t'le caufe of this very
extraordinary infirmity, and find a
m -ihod for an amendment, you
Will be fo obliging to acquaint
me. I am, Sec.

]. Scott.

Jn Account' of the IJland of St. Mi-
guel ; by Mr. Francis Mafon,
in a Letter to Mr. William Aiton,
Botanical Gardener to his Majefy.
From the fame.

St. Miguel, Aug. 10, 1777.

SIR,
Have vifited the greatcft part of
this ifland, and find that its
produc-

NATURAL HISTORY.

^S

produdlions differ greatly from
thofe of Madeira, infomuch that
none of the trees of the latter are
found here, except the faya : it
has a nearer affinity to fturope than
Africa. The mountains are co-
vered with the en'ca vulgaris, and
an elegant ever-green fhrub very
like a phillyrea, which gives them
a molt beautiful appearance. Not-
withrtanding this ifland has been
frequently vifited by Europeans, I
cannot help communicating to you
a few of its. fingu-larities. ft is one
of the principal and mod fertile of
the Azores, fometimes " called the
Weitern Iflands, of which there
are nine, belonging to the crown
of Portugal, and fituated about
500 miles weft of Lifbon. Longi-
tude well from London 25 to 33.
Latitude 36 to 40 north.

The length of St. Miguel is
about eighteen or twenty leagues,
nearly ealt to weft ; its breadth is un-
equal, not exceeding five leagues,
and in fome places not more than
two. It contains about 80,000 in-
habitants.

Its capital, the city of Ponta
del Guda, which contains about
12,000 inhabitants, is fituated on
the fourh fide of the ifland, on a
ilne fertile, plain country, pretty
regularly built ; the ftreets ftraight
and of a good breadth. It is fup-
plied with good water, which is
brought about the diftance of three
leagues from the neighbouring
mountains. The churches and
other religious edifices are ele-
gant and well built for fuch an
ifland. There is a large convent
of Francifcan friars, and one of
the order of St. Auguftln, four
convents for profefl'cd nuns» and
three recolhimjtttos (houfes of re-
tirement) for young womea and

Vot. XXIL

widows who are not profefl*ed.
The veflels anchor in an open
road ; but it is not dangerous, as
no wind can prevent their going
to fea in cafe of ftormy weather.
The country round the city is
plain for feveral miles, well culti-
vated, and laid out with good tafte
into fpacious fields, v^hich are
fown wiih wheat, barley, Indian
corn, pulfe, &c. and commonly
produce annually two crops ; for
as foon as one is taken ofi', ano-
ther is immediately fown in its
place. The foil is remarkably
gentle and eafy to work, being for
the moft part compoied of pulve-
rized pumice Itone. There are in
the plains a number of pleafanc
country feats, with orchards of
orange trees, which are cfteemed.
the beft in Europe.

The fecond town is Ribzira
Grande, fituated on the north fide
of the ifland, containing about as
many inhabitants as the city ; a
large convent of Francifcan friars,
and one of nuns. It gives title
to a count, called the Conde Ri-
beira Grande, who firft inftituted
linen and woollen manufaftories in
the ifland.

The third town is Villa Franca,
on the fouth fide of the ifland,
about fix leagues eaft of Ponta del
Guda. It has a convent of Fran-
cifcan friars, and one of nuns,
which contains about three hun-
dred. Here, about half a mile
from the fliore, lies a fmall ifland
(llhas) which is hollow in the
middle, and contains a fine baion
with only one entrance into it, fit
to hold fifty fail of veflels fecure
from all weather ; at prefent it
wants cleaning out, as the win-
ter's rain waflies down great quan-
tities of earth into it, which has

F greatly

66 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

greatly diminiihed its depth. But able is that called the Caldeir<i>

veflcls trequently anchor between fituated in the eaftern part of the

this iiland and the main. valley, on a fmall eminence by

Befide thefe towns, are feveral the fide of" a river, on which is a

fmaller, f/ss. Alagoa, Agoa de balbn about thirty feet in diame-

Fao, Brelanha, Fanaes de Ajuda, ter, where the water continually

and a number of hamlets, called boils with prodigioas fury, A few

Lugars, or Places. yards diilant from it is a caverir

About four leagues north-eaft in the fide of the bank, in which
from Villa Franca, lies a place the water boils in a dreadful man-
called Furnas, being a round deep ner, throwing out a thick, mud-
valley in the nudd!c of the eafl: dy, uncluous water feveral yards

part of the ifland, furrounded
with high mountains, which,
though Ileep, may be eafily afcend-
cd on hcrfeback by two roads.
The valley is about five or fix
leagues in circuit, the face of the
mountains, which are very fteep,
is entirely covered with ever-
greens, 'VIZ. myrtles, laurels, a

from its mouth, with a hideous
noife. In the middle of the river
are i'everal places where the water
boils up fo hot, that a perfon
cannot dip his finger into it with-
out being fcalded ; alfo along its^
banks are feveral apertures, out
of which the ftream rifes to a
confidei-able height fo hot, that

large fpecies of bilberry, called there is no approaching it with

vra del /era (mountain grapes) one's hand: in other places, a

&c. and numberlefs rivulets of the perfon would think, that a hun-

pureft water run down their fides, dred fmiths bellows were blowing

The valley below is v;e!l cukivat- all together, and fulphureous

ed, producing wheat, Indian corn, fireams ilTuing out in thoufands of

flax, &c. The fields are pknted places, fo that native fulphur is

round with a beautiful fort of found in every chink, and the

poplars, which grow into pyra- ground covered with it like hoar

midal forms, and by their care- froit ; even the bulhes that hap-

lefs, irregular dirpofuion, together pen to lay near thefe places are

with the multitudes of rivulets, covered with pure brimftone, con-

which run in all direciions through denfing fronj the ilream that ifTues-

the valley, a number oF boiling out of the gronnd, which in many

fountains, throwing up clouds of places is covered over with a fub-

fteam, a fine lake in the foath- fiance like burned allum. In thefe

weft part about two leagues round, fmall caverns, where the Itream-

compofe a profpeft the Hncft that ifiues out, the people often boil

can be imagined. In the bottom their yams (inhames.)
of the valley the roads are fmooth Near thele boiling fountains are

and eafy, there being no rocks, but feveral mineral fprings ; two, irt

a fine pulverized pu.iiice ilone that particular, whofe waters have »

the earth is compofed of. very ftrong mineral quality, of

There are a number of hot foun- an acid taite, and bitter to the

tains in different parts of the val-
ley, and alfo on the fides of the
mountains: but the moil remark-

tongue.

About half a mile to the weft-
ward, and cloi? by the river fide,

are

NATURAL HISTORY.

67

are feveral hot fprings, which are
ufed by fick people with great fuc-
cefs, Alfo on the fide of a hill,
weft of St. Ann's Church, are
many others, with three bathing
houfes, which are commonly u(ed,
Thefis waters are warm, although
not boiling hot; but at the fame
place ilfue feveral llreams of cold
mineral water, by which they are
tempered, according to every one's
liking.

About a mile fouth of this place,
and over a low ridge of hills, lies
a. fine lake about two leagues in
circumference, aiid very deep, the
water thick, and of a greenilh co-
lour. Ac the north end is a plain
piece of ground, where the ful-
phurecus Icreains iffae out in
many places, attended with a fur-
prifing blowing noife. I could ob-
serve ftrong fprings in the lake,
but could not determine whether
they were hot or cold : this lake
feems to have no vifible evacua-
tion. The other fprings imme-
diately form a confiderable river,
called Ribeira ^ente (hot river)
which runs a courfe about two or
three leagues through a deep rent
in the mountain, on each fide of
which arc feveral places where the
fmoke iflucs cut. It difcharges
itfelf into the fea on the fouth
fide, near which are fome places
where the water boils up at fume
dillance in the fea.

This wonderful place had been
taken little notice of, until \^ry
lately ; fo little curiofity had the
gentlemen of the ifland, that
fcarcely any of ihem had feen ir,
until of late fome perfons afflided
with very viiulent diforders, were
perfuaded to try its waters, and
found immediate relief from thtm.
Since that lime it has become more

and more frequented ; feveral per-
fons who had loft the ufe of their
limbs by the dead palfy have beea
cured ; and alfo others who were
troubled with eruptions on their
bodies.

A clergyman, who was greatly
afnifled with the gout, tried the
faid waters, and was in a (hort
time perfectly cured, and has had
no return fince.

When I was there, feveral old
gentlemen, who were quite worn
out with the faid diforder, were
ufing the waters, and had received
incredible benefit f om them ; ia
particular, an old gentleman,
about fixty years of age, who had
been tormented with that diforder
more than twenty years, and of-
ten confined to his bed for fix:
months together : he had ufed
thefe waters, about three weeks,
had quite recovered the ufe of his
lirubs, and walked about in the
greatsft fpirits imaginable. A friar
alfo vv'ho had been troubled with
the faid diforder about twelve
years, and reduced to a cripple,
by ufing them a fhort time was
quite well, and went a hunting
every day. There are many other
inftances of the efticacy of thefe
waters, which for the fake of bre-
vity I muft here omit.

There are feveral other hoc
fprings in the ifland, particularly
at Ribeira Grande ; but they 60
not poflefs the fame virtues, ac
leaft not in fo great a degree. The
eaft and weft parts of tJie ifland
rife into high mountains, but the
middle is low, intcrfperfed with
round conic hills, all of which
have very recent marks of fire ;
all the parts below the furface con-
filling of melted lava, lying very
hollow.

F 2 Moft

6S

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Moft of the mountains to the
welhvard have their tops hcllowed
cue like a punch bowj, and con-
tain water. Near the well end is
an immenfe deep valley like the
Furnas, called tlie Site Cdades
(the feven cities). This valley is
furrounded with very abrupt moun-
tains, about feven or eight leagues
round ; in the bottom is a deep
lake of water, about three leagues
in circuit, furniflied with a great
nuinbcr of water fowls. This wa-
ter has no mineral quality ; neither
are there any hot fprings in the
valley. All thefe irouniains are
compofed of a white crumbly
pumice llone, which is fo loofe,
that if a perfon thrufl a flick into
the banks, whole waggon loads of
it will tumble down. The inha-
bitants of the illand relate a ftory,
that he who firll difcovered it ob-
ferved an extraordinary high peak
near the weft end ; but the fecond
time he vifited it no fuch peak was
to be feen, which he fuppofed
muft have certainly funk ; but
however improbable this ftory
may be, at feme period or ano-
ther it muft have certainly been the-
cafe.

If you fhould think the account
of the mineral waters of any fer-
vice to the public, they are very
welcome to it ; and Ihould any
perfon venture fo far for his
health, a fmall ftock of the fuper-
fluities of life only need be laid in,
as the ifland yields every neceflary.
The climate is very temperate:
the thermometer fince I have been
here has been no higher that "J'J" ,
commonly from 70° to 75^^.

Jn Account of the Figure and For-
mation y the Earth-^Of Subtsr-

raneous Fire, and its Effe^s—Of
the Deluge — 0/ the Origin of
Mountains, Continents, (jfc.

[From Whitehurfl's Enquiry into the ori-
gin;.! State of the Earth.]

A V I N G premifed the ge-
neral laws or principles be-
flowed upon matter, let us en-
deavour to trace tlicir operations
in forming the chaotic mafs into
an habitable world.

The firft operation which pre-
fents itfelf to our conception is the
figure of the earth: for according-
to propofuion the fecond, the fluid
mafs no fooner began to revolve
upon its axis, fhan its component
parts b,egan to recede from their
axes of motion, and thus conti-
nued till the two forces were equal-
ly balanced, and the earth had
acquired its prefent oblate fpheroi-
dical form.

The component parfs being now
arrived at a iiate of reft, with re-
fpedl to the general laws of mo-
tion, began a fecond operation by
means of their afiinities ; for par-
ticles of a fimilar nature attraft
each other more powerfully ihaa
thofe of a contrary aflinity or
quality.

Hence particles of air united
wi;h thofe of air ; thofe of water
with water; and thofe of earth
with earth ; and with their union
commenced their fpecific gravities.

The uniform fufpenfion of the
component parts being thus de-
Itroyed by the union of fimilar par-
ticles, thofe bodies which were the
moll denle began their approach
towards the center of gravity, and
the others towards the furface.

Thus commenced the feparation
of the chaotic mafs into air, ivaur,
earth, &C.

Now

NATURAL HISTORY.

69

Now as air is eight hundred
times lighter than water, it feems
to follow, by the laws of ftatics,
that it became freed from the ge-
neral mafs in a like proportion
of time, fooner than water, and
formed a muddy, impun atmo-
fphere.

The procefs of feparation ftiil
goes en, and the earth confoli-
dates every day more and more
towards its centre, and its furface
becomes gradually covered with
water, until one uni'verjal Jla pre-
•valled over the globe, perfectly
pure and fit for animal Ufe.

Thus, by the union of fimilar
particles, the component parts of
the atmofphere and the ocean
•feem to have been feparated from
the general mafs, a£embled toge-
ther, and furrounded the terra-
queous globe.

To the peculiar laws c^ attrac-
tion may likewife be aicribed that
famenefs of quality which prevails
. in Jirata of different denomina-
tions, as' calcarious., argillaceous,
&c. and alfo the afl'emblage of all
other particles into felecl bodies,
of metals, minerals, fairs, talks,
fpars, Huors, cryllals, diamonds,
rubies, amethylls, &c. and many
other phenomena in the natural
world.

Having thus defined the gene-
ral laws or principles by which
the component part of the chaos
were feparated and arranged into
the different claffts of air, water,
icz. it may not be improper to re-
mark, that as the fun is the com-
mon center of gravity, or the go-
verning principle in the planetary
fyftem, the prefumption is great
that the governing body was at
leaft coeval with the bodies go-
verned :

Tl^hercfore, as the chaos revolv-
ed upon its axis during the fepa-
ration of its component parts, may
we not thence infer, that as the
atmofphere was progrelfively freed
from its grofs matter, light and
heat muft have gradually incrcafed,
until the fun became vifible in
the firmament, and fhone with its
tall lufrre and brighcnefs on the
face oi the new-formed globe.

Hence it appears, that feveral
days and nights preceded the fun's
appearance in the heavens. How
far the refult of this reafjning may
illullrate the Mofaic account, of
the fun being created, or becom-
ing vifible, on t!ie fourth day of
creation, is moft humbly fubmitted
to the confideration and candour of
the learned world.

It is further to be obferved, that
as the feparation of the chaos was
owing to the union of fimilar par-
ticles, it feems to follow, that as
the central parts of the earth were
fooner at reft than the more fu-
perficial parts thereof, that the
former would begin to confolidate
before the latter, and therefore it
appcr-irs repugnant to the laws of
Nature, that the central part fhould
confift of water only, and the
more fuperficial part of a fnell
or cruil, as fome writers have ima-
gined.

Having traced the operations of
Nature in feparating the chaotic
mafs into air, earth, and water,
we have now to enquire into the
formation of the primitive iflands.

T" inveftigate this matter, let
us fuppofe, for the prefent, that
during the feparation of the chaos,
the earth was perfei^Uy free from
the attradive influence of all other
bodies ; that nothing interfered
with the uniform law of its owa

F 3 gravi-

70 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

gravitation. It will then follow, the Mofaic account of the creation
that as the chaos was an unitorm and the rcfult of phyfical reafon-
pulp, the folids would equally ings, iii fo many effential points :
iubfiJe from every part of its fur- for we find the fame feries of truths
/ace, and confequently become e- afi'crted in Scripture which are
qu?.l!y covered with water, here deduced from the univerfal

On the contrary, if the moon laws and operations of Nature.
was coeval with the earth, its at- From this obvious agreement of
tradive power would greatly in- revelation with reafon, may we
terfere with the uniform fubfjding not conclude, that they both flow
of the folids: for as the feparation from the fame fountain, and there-
of the folids aad fluids increai'ed, fore cannot operate in contradiftion
fo, in like manner, the tides would to each other? Confequently, by
increafe, and remove the folids which ever means the iame truths
about, from place to place, with- are brought to light, be it by rea-
OJt any order or regularity. Jon or revelation, they will perfcd-

Hence, the fea nccefiarily be- ly coincide, and that coincidefx:e
came unequally deep, and thofe may be confidered as a telumouy
inequalities daily increafing, in of the truth of each,
procefs of time dry land would The iailances we find recorded
appear, and divide the fea, which of volcar.os, and their efi'edls, leave
had univerfally covered the earth. no room to donbt the exiftena.
The primitive iflands being thus force, and imimnfity of fubterrane-
raifed, by the flu.v and reflux of ous fiies ; not only under the bot-
the tides, as fand-banks are form- torn of the ocean, but likewife un-?
ed in the fea, v\e cannot fuppcfe der mountains, continents, &c. in
them to have been of any great all parts of the world,
extent or elevation, compared to But from what principles they
the mountains and continents in were generated, at what diftance
the prefent Hate of the earth : of tlnse from the creation of the
therefore they can only be conii- world, or whether nearer to its
dered as fo many protuberances centre or to its furface, is perhaps
gradually afcending from the deep : not afcertainable, uhilll the phe-
whence it appears, that craggy nomena of nre remain in fo much
rocks and impending fhores were obfcnrity : for, according to the
not then in being ; all was fmooth, celebrated chymilt M. Macquer,
even, and uniform ; ftones, mine- " an accurate dillinftion has not

lals, &c. only exilled in their ele
mentary principles.

The primitive iflands being thus
raifed above the furface of the fea,
JO procefs of time, became firm,
and fit for animal or vegetable
life.

Having now confidered the for-
mation oT the atmofphere, the fea,

" yet been made between the phe-
" noraena of fire atlually exilling
" as a principle in the compofition
" of bodies, and thofe which it
" exhibits when exiiling feparate-
*' ly in its natural itaie : nor have
proper and diilinft appellations
to it under thofe
there.

" been afligned

" different circumllances

and the land, I cannot pafs over in fore, neither the time, the flace^
jjilence the great analogy between nor the modet in which fubterra-

neous

NATURAL HISTORY.

71

«eous fire was generated, can be
truly afcertained.

However, this we know, moft
■afiuredly, that a certain degree of
moiflure and drynt-ls are produdive
of fire in the vegetable and mine-
ral kingdoms ; and likevvile, that
thofe fires are generated from the
firll increment of heat, and gra-
dually increafe to their full matu-
rity. Therefore, if we were al-
lowed to reafon from the analogy
one part of nature bears to ano-
ther, we fhould conclude, that fub-
terraneous fire was generated from
the fame elementary- principles,
and alfo gradually increafed 10 its
full maturity.

Having premifed thefe matters,
let us return to the chaotic ftate
of the earth, and endeavour to
trace the progreflive operations of
fubterraneous fire, from \t.^ Jirji in-
crement of heat, and mark its ef-
fects on the incumbenty?rfl'i2.

1. If a certain degree of moif-
ture and drynefs were equally as
Tiecefiary to the prcduftion of fire
in the bowels of the earth as in
the vegetable and mineral king-
doms, u feems to t'ollow, that
thofe parts of the globe which firft
began to confolidate, were alfo the
firit which began to generate fire :
therefore as the central parts began
to confolidate fooner than the more
fuperficial parts, there is fome pro-
bability that they were the firft ig-
nited.

2. It has alfo been obferved, that
as the earth b:gan to confoiidate
by the union of firnilar particles,
an univerfal famenefs prevailed
either in the fame fratum, or in
the central part of the earth :
whence it appears, that fubterra-
neous fi.te was generated univer-
faily in the fame point of time.

either in the fame firatum or in
the central part of the earth, and
gradually increafed to its full ma-
turity.

3. All bodies expand with heat,
and the force or power of that law
is unlimited : therefore, as fub-
terraneous fire increafed, its ex-
panfive force would gradually in-
creafe until it became equal to the
incumbent weight. Gravity and
expanfion being then equal, and
the latter continuing to increafe,
became fuperior to the termer, and
diflended the incumbent y/r^a/^, as
a bliuJdar forcibly blown.

4. Now if this fire was fur-
rounded by a Ihell, or cruft of
equal thicknefs, and of equal denjity,
its incumbent --weight muft have been
equal : on the contrary, if the fur-
rounding Ihell or cruft were un-
equally thick or unequally dcnj'e, its
incumbent weight muil have been
unequal.

5. Hence it appears, that as the
primitive iflands were uniform
protuberances gradually afcending
from the deep, the incumbent
weight mull have been unequal ;
fcr as the fpecific gravity of ftone,
fand, or mud, is greater than that
of water, the incumbent weight
of the former mult have been
greater than that of the latter ;
confequently the bottom of the
fea would afcend by the expanfive
force of the fubterraneous fire
fooner than the iflands, which
would therefore become more or
lefs deluged, as the bottom of the
fea was more or lefs elevated ; and
this efFc(5l mult have been more or
lefs univerfal, as the fire prevailed
more or lefs univerfally, either in
the lame Jlratimi, or in the central
part of the earth. Therefore,
fince it appears, that fubterrane-

^ .J. ous

^

72 ANNUAL R EG I ST ER, 1779.

ous fire operated univerfally in the
fame firatum, with the fame de-
gree of force, it appears much
more probable, that the deluge
prevailed univerfally over the
earth, than partially ; and more
efpecially when we confider the
elevation of the antediluvian hills.
But more of this hereafter.

But the tragical fcene endeth
not with an univerfal flood, and
the dellrudion of terrelbial ani-
mals: for the expanfive force of
fubterraneous fire, Itill increafing,
became fuperior to the incumbent
nveight and cohejian of the Jlrata,
which were then burfl, and opened
a communication between the two
oceans of melted matter, and wa-
ter.

The two elements coming thus
into contadt, the latter would be
inftantaneoufly converted into
fleam, and produce an explofion
infinitely beyond all human con-
ception ; for it is well known, that
the expanfive force of water thus
converted into lleam exceeds that
of gunpowder in the proportion of
fourteen thoufand to five hun-
dred.

The terraqueous globe being
thus burft into millions of frag-
ments, and from a caufe appa-
rently feated nearer to its center
than its furface, mull certainly be
thrown into llrange heaps of ruins :
for the fragments of \\it Jlrata thus
blown up, could not poflibly fall
together again into their priluitive
order and regularity : therefore an
infinite number of fubterraneous
caverns mull have been formed,
probably many miles, or many
hundreds of miles below the bot-
tom of the antediluvian fea.

Now it is eafy to conceive, when

a body of fuch an immenfe mag-
nitude as the earth was thus re-
duced to an heap of ruins, that its
incumbent ivater would immediate-
ly defcend into the caverns and
interllices thereof; and by ap-
proaching fo much nearer towards
the center, than in its antediluvian
ilate, much of the terreftrial fur-
face would be left naked and ex-
pofed, with all its horrid gulphs,
craggy rocks, mountains, and other
diforderly appearances.

Thus the primitive fiate of the
Earth feems to have been totally
metamorphofed by the firfl con-
vulfion of Nature, at the time of
the deluge ; its Jlrata broken, and
thrown into every pofiible degree
of confufion and diiorder. Thus,
thole mighty eminences the Alps,
the Andes, the Pyrenean moun-
tains, &:c. were brought from be-
neath the great deep — the fea re-
tired from thofe vail tradls of land,
the continents — became fathom-
lefs ; environe<l with craggy rocks,
clifrs, and impending fliores ; and
its bottom fpiead over wi.h moun-
tains and vallies like the land.

It is further to be obferved of the
horrid efFeds of this convulfion —
that as the primitive iflaads wtr&
more ponderous and/^ ele'vated\\i2LX\.
the bottom of the fea, the former
would more inllantaneoufly fubfide
into the ocean of melted matter,
than the latter : therefore, in all
probability, they became the bot-
tom of the polldikivian fea: and
the bottom of the antediluvian fea
being more elevated, was convened
into the poftdiluvian mountains,
continents, &c. This conjecture
is remarkably confirmed by the
vaft number of foflil lliells, and
Other marine exwvia, found imbed-
ded

NATURAL HISTORY.

7J

ded near the tops of mountains,
and the Interior parts of continents,
far remote from the fea, in all
parts of the world hitherto ex-
plored.

The above phenomena have ge-
nerally been afcribed to the effeifls
of an univerfal flood; but we pre-
fume fuch conclufions were too
haftily drawn: for it manifeflly
appears, upon a more ftrid exami-
nation of the various circumftances
accompanying thefe marine bodies,
that they were aAually generated,
livtii, and died, in the very beds
wherein they are found ; and that
thofe beds were originally the bot-
tom of the ocean, though now
elevated feveral miles above its le-
vel. Thus we find a further agree-
ment between natural phenomena
and the laws of Nature.

Hence it appears, that moun-
tains and continents were not pri-
mary produclions of Nature ; but
of a very dillant period of time
from the creation^of the world.

It may, perhaps, be objefled,
that many of the above foflil bodies
are natives of very diftant regions
of the earth, and could not have
exlfted in climates wherein they
are found, according to the prefent
conilitutio;! of Nature.

To avoid prolixity, in the invef-
tigation of the deluge, &c. many
interefting phenomena refpefting
earthquakes have been omitted ;
we fliall, therefore, take this op-
portunity of introducing fome of
them, before we proceed to fhew
the improbability of a fecond uni-
verfal flood.

I. Previous to an eruption of
Vefuvius, the fea retires from its
adjacent fliores, and leaves its bot-
tom dry, till the mouatain is burll

open, when the water returns to
its former boundary.

2. Before volcanos burft opea
the bottom of the fea, the water
rifes in thofe places, confiderably
above its former level, runs itk
mountainous waves towards the
lefs elevated parts, and deluges
diftant (bores.

3. The earth is frequently burft
open many miles in length, and
difcharges fuch vaft quantities of
water as to deluge the adjacent
countries, of which we have had
feveral inftances, both in Europe
and South America. In the year
1631, feveral towns were deftroyed
by an eruption of boiling water
from Vefuvius; and in the year
J 755, an immenfe torrent of boil-
ing water flowed from .^tna, a
mile and a quarter broad, down to
its bafe. See Sir Wm. Hamilton's
Obfervations on Vefuvius and ^t-
na, p. 82.

4. Eruptions are generally ac-
companied with thunder and light-
ning, and fucceeded by inceifant
rains.

5. On the ift of November
1755, the memorable Era of the
earthquake at Lifljon, not only
the fea, but lakes and ponds were
violently agitated all over Europe.
See Philof. Tranf. vol. 79.

Moft of thefe phenomena teftify
the immenfe force of fleam gene-
rated by melted matter and water,
in the bowels of the earth ; for, in
the iirlt iniiance. Mount Vefuvius
and ito aijacent ftiores being more
elevated by the fleams, than the
bottom of the diftant fea; the
water retreats from the fliores to-
wards the lefs elevated parts, and
leaves its bottom dry. When the
fleams find vent, by the eruption,

th*

74 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the niountain fubfides to its fonner
levtl, and the water returns to the
Ihore.

The ft-'coiid inflancc fhevvs, that
the bottom of the fca is more ele-
vated than the land ; therefore the
water retires, in mountainous
waver., towards the lefs elevated
parts, and overflows the coalt.

The third is not only a corro-
feorating intlance, to fhew the ex-
panlive force of fteam ; but like-
wife coincides with the Mofaic dc-
feription of the deluge, " the foun-
*' tains of the ?reat deep <were broken

«* up:'

The fourth feems to have fome
analogy to that dreadful event.

The fifth phenomena feems to
arife from the fame caufe. When
iiiejirata incumbent on the melted
matter are elevated by the force of
fteam ; the impending roof is ap-
parently feparated from the liquid
mafs ; and this feparation may be
laterally extended to the diftance
of many miles from the original
fource of the fteam, according to
its quantity, and degree of its ex-
panfive force.

Now if thefe conjeftures are
tree, the confequences thence arif-
ing are maaifeft. The firata im-
mediately over the fteam firfl ge-
nerated being more elevated than
thofe in the aft of feparation, the
horizontal pofition oi the earth's
furface muft confequently be alter-
ed, fo as to produce an undulation
of the water in lakes, ponds, &c.
as in veflels fuddenly elevated on
ont fide more than on the oiher ;
and thus contiime in motion, alter-
nately overflowing the oppcfite
banks, until the momentum' ■&z(\\nx-
cd by the firtt impulfe is gradually
overcome.

That fteam is the principal agent
whence thefe phenomena arile, 1
prefume will be readily granted
by thofe who have carefully at-
tended to the Rev. Mr. Michetl't
obfervations on the caufe of earth-
quakes. Now, as one of the pro-
perties of fteatn is condenfation by a
fmall degree of cold, the fame de-
gree of expanfive force can only
exift during the fame degree of
heat : therefore the incumbent
weight cannot become elevated to
any greater diftance than fubter-
raneous fire is continued. Thi»
being granted, it feems to follow,
that as the waters were thus agitat-
ed on the ift of November 1755*
through an extent of country not
lels than 3000 miles, there muft
have been one continued uninter-
rupted mafs of melted matter of
the fame extent at leaft. And this
idea feems to be corroborated by
thofe vaft expJofions which were
heard in fome of the Derbyfhire
mines, about ten o'clock in the
morning fo fatal to Lifbon.

The above exr.mples fer\'e to il-
luftrate the powerful and extenfive
elfefts of fteam, produced by melt-
ed matter and water : truths well
known to founders, particularly to
thofe converfant in cafting gold,
filvcr, copper, brafs, and iron.
*' About fixty years ago, a me^
" lancholy areident happened
" from the cafting of brad's cannon,
" at Windmill-Hill, Moorfieids,
" where many ipeftators were af-
" fembled to fee the metal run
" into the moulds. The heat of
'• the metal of the firft gun drove
" fo much damp into the mould of
" the fecond, which was near it,
*•' that as foon as the metal was lee
«' into it, it blew up with the
*' greateft

NATURAL HISTORY.

75

'* greatcft violence, tearing up ihc
" ground lome feet deep, breaking
** down the furnace, untiling the
** houfe, killing many people on
•' the fpot with the ftreams of
*• melted metal," &c. See Cra-
mer's Art of A.Taying Metals.
Englifh tranflation, p. 323.

The inflammable vapour or
damp, in mines, occafions vio-
lent explofions ; but they are only
momentary, as the firing of gun-
powder. On the contrary thofe
from volcanos frequently continue
many months, with great violence,
which plainly fhews that thcfe
Ibeams mult be continually gene-
rating from the above caufes.

P. S. As the difiention of the
Jirata, oblervcd in the former part
of this chapter, may appear highly
improbable to fome readers, 1 take
this opportunity of reciting the
Reverend Mr. Micheli's obferva-
tions en the elaiticity and com-
preffibilicy of ftone. Sec. mention-
ed in. his excellent Treatife on
Earthquakes, note, p. 34, as fol-
lows : " The comprelhbility and
** elafticity of the earth are qua-
*' lities which do not fhevv them-
*' felves in any great degree in
*• common inilances, and there-
*' fore are not commonly attended
** to. On this account it is that
*' fe;v people are aware of the
*' great extent of them, or the
" cfFedis that may arife from
" them, where exceeding large
'• quantities of matter are con-
*• cerned, and v\here the com-
** preflive force is immeniely great.
" The compreffibility and elalli-
*' city of the earth may be col-
" lefted, in fome nieafure, from
*♦ the vibration of the walls of
" houfes, occafioned by the paf-
»* fing of carriages in the Itreets

" next to them. Another in-
*' ftance, to the fame purpofe,
*' may be taken from the vibra-
" tion of fleeples, occafioned by
" the ringing of bells, or by guft»
" of v/ind: not only fpires are mo-
" ved very confiderably by this
*' means, but even ftrcng towers
" will lometimes be made to vi-
" brate feveral inches, without
** any disjointing of the mortar,
" or rubbing the llones againft one
" another. Now, it is manifeft,
•' that this could net happen,
" without a confiderable degree
" of compreffibiiity and elafticity
*' in the materials of which thejr
" are compofed."

Now, if fo flicrt a length of
ftone as that of a ileeple, vifibly
bends, by fo fmall a degree of
force as the ringing of bells, or a
blaft of wind ; may we not con-
clude, that the Jirata, in the pri-
mitive ftate of the earth, might
become confiderably diftended, by
an unlim.ited force, and therefore
occafion an univeri'al deluge, ac-
cording to the preceding conclu-
fion. Since it appears, that if a
globe 80 inches diameter only,
fufFered a degree of expanfion e-
qual to the thicknefs of a human
hair ; the fame degree of heat, by
analogy, would have raifed the
bottom of the ocean one-fourth,
of a mile ; which is above four
times higher than the primitive
iTands were fuppofed to have been
elevated above the furface of the
fea.

An Acccunt of an Infant Mujician,
by Dr. Burney, F. R. S.

FFrom the Philofopliical Tranfadlions.]

THAT reafon begins to dawn,
and reflection to operate, in
3 fomff

7S ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fome children much fooner than in But as perfons confummatc in
others, mull be known to every thefe arts, and who are acquainted
one who has had an opportunity with the ufual difficulties which
of comparing the faculties of one impede the rapid progrels of com-
child with thofe of another. it mon ftudcnts, can only judge of
has, however, feldom been found, the miraculous parts of a child's
that the fenfes, by which intelli- knowledge or performance, it will
gence is communicated to the be necelVary, before I fpeak of the
mind, advance with even pace to- talents peculiar to the child who
nvards iperfedion. The eye and is the fubjeft of the prefent in-
the ear, for inltance, which feem quiry, to dillinguifh, as far as ex-
to aftbrd reafon its principal fup- perience and obfervatlon ihall en-
plies, mature at different periods, able me, between a common and
in proportion to exercife and ex- fupernaiural dilpofition, during in-
perience ; and not only arrive at fancy, towards the art of mulic.
different degrees of perfeftion du- In general a child is not thought

xing the liages of infancy, but capable of profiting from the in-
have different limits at every pe- llrudions of a mulic-mafter till live
riod of human life. An eye or ear or fix years old, though many have
that only lerves the common pur- difcovered an ear capable of being
pofes of exigence is intitled to no pleafed with mufical tones, and a
praife ; and it is only by extraor- voice that could imitate them,
dinary proofs of quicknefs and much fooner. The lullaby of a
difcrimination in the ufe of thefe nurfe during the £rll months of a
fenfes, that an early tendency to child's exiftence has been found to
the art of painting or mufic is fubdue peevifhnels, and, perhaps,
difcovered. divert attention from paiq ; and ia

Many children, indeed, feem to the fecond year it has often hap-
recognize different forms, perfons, pened, that a child has not only
founds, and tones of voice, in very been more diverted with one tune
early infancy, who never after- or feries of founds than another,
wards endeavour to imitate forms but has had fulhcient power over
by delineation, or founds by vocal the organs of voice to imitate the
inflexions. inflexions by which it is formed ;

As drawing or defign may be and thefe early proofs of what is
called a refinement of the fenfe of commonly called mufical genius
fight, and praftical mufic of that would doubtlefs be more frequent-
of hearing; and as a perfedlion in ly difcovered if experiments were
thefe arts at every period of life, made, or the mothers or nurfes
from the difficulty of its attain- were mufically curious. How-
ment, and the delight it affords ever, fpontaneous efforts at form-
to the admirers and judges of ing a tune, or producing harmony
both, is treated with relped, a upon an infirument fo early, have

premature difpofition to either u-
fually excites the fame kind of
wonder as a phenomena or pro-
digy.

ne'er come to my knowledge.

The arts being governed by laws

built on fuch proaudlions and ef-

fefts as the moft polifhed part of

Hiankind

NATURAL HISTORY.

77

mankind have long agreed to call
excellent, can make but fmall ap-
proaches towards perfedion in a
ftate of nature, however favour-
able may be the difpofuion of
thofe who are fuppofed to be gifted
with an uncommon tendency to-
wards 'their cultivation. Nature
never built a palace, painted a
piflure, or made a tune : thefe are
all works of art. And with refped
to architecture and mufic, there
are no models in nature which caa
encourage imitation : and though
there is a wild kind of niuilc among
favages, where paffion vents itfelf
in lengthened tones diffe-rent from
thofe of fpeech, yet tfiefe rude ef-
fufions can afford no pleafure to a
cultivated ear, nor would be ho-
noured in Europe with any better
title than the bowlings cf animals
of an inferior order to mankind.

All therefore tfiat is really ad-
mirable in early attempts at mu-
lic is the power of imitation ; for
elegant melody and good harmony
can only be iuch as far as they
correfpoiid with or furpafs their
jnodels : and as melody conli.ls in
the happy arrangement of fingle
foundsj and harmony in the arti-
ficial combinaiion and limultane-
ous ufe of them, an untaught mu-
fician becomes the inventor of
both ; and thofe who are at all ac-
quainted with the infancy of fuch
melody and harmony as conlHtute
modern mufic, can alone form an
idea of the rude ftate cf both when
an individual dilcovers them by
the flow procefs of experiment.

Every art when firft difcovered
feems to refemble a rough and
ihapelefs mafs of marble jult hewn
out of a quarry, which requires
the united and fucccllive endea-
vours of many labourers to form

and polifh. The zeal and aiftivity
of a fingle vvorkman can do buc
little towards its compleiion ; and
in mufic the undiredted efforts of
an infant mu!! be ftill more cir-
cutnfcribed : for, without the aid
of reafon and perfeverance he can
only depend on memory and a pre-
mature delicacy and acutenefs of
ear for his guides ; and in thefe
particulars the child of whom I
am going to fpeak is trulv wonder-
ful.

William Crotch was born at
Norwich, July 5, 1775, His fa-
ther, by trade a carpenter, having
a paffion for mufic, of which how-
ever he had no knowledge, under-
took to buiid an organ, on which,
as foon as it would fpeak, he learn-
ed to play two or three common
tunes, fuch as God fave great George
our khg ; Let ambition fire ihy mind\
and The Eajrer Hymr. ; with which,
and fuch chords as were pleallng
to his ear, he ufcd to try the per-
fection of his inftrument.

I have been favoured with feve-
ral particulars concerning his fon's
firft atrention to mufic from Robert
Partridge, Efquire, a gentlemen of
rank in the corporation of Nor-
wich, who, at my requeft, has
been fo obliging as to afcertain
many curious tads, the truth cf
which, had :hev relkd merely on
the au-.hority of the child's father
or mother, might have been fuf-
peded ; and tranfadions out of
the common courfe of nature can-
not be too fcrupulouily or minute-
ly proved.

My correfpondent, of whofe in-
telligence and veracity I have the
higheft opinion, tells me, that I
may reii affured of the authenti-
city of fjch circumftances as he
relates from the information of

the

73 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the chili's f.ither, who is an in-
genious mechanic, of good repu-
tation, whom he knows very well,
and frequently employs, as thefe
circumitances are coiifirmcd by the
teftimony of many who were wit-
nefl'es of the child's early per-
formance; and he adds, that he
has himfelf fcen and heard moll
of the very extraordinary efl^brts
of his genius.

About Chriftmas 1776, when
the child was only a year and a
half old, he difcovered a great in-
clination for muljc, by leaving,
even his food to attend to it when
the organ was playing : and about
Midfummer 1777, he would touch
the key-note of his particular fa-
vourite tunes, in order to per-
fuade his father to play them.
Soon after this, as he was unable
to name thefe tunes, he would
play the two or three firft notes of
them when he thought the key-
note did not fufRciently explain
which he wiuied to have played.

But, according' to his mother,
it feems to have been in confe-
quence of his having heard the
fuperior performance of Mrs. Lul-
man, a mufical lady, who came
to try his father's organ, and who
not only played on it, but fur.g to
her own accvompanymenr, that he
firll attempted to play a tune uiin-
I'elf: for, the fame evening, atier
her departure, the child cried,
and was (o peevifli that his mother
was wholly unable to appeafe him.
At length, pafung through the
dining - room, he fcrc?.med and
ftruggled violently to go to the
organ, in which, when he v/as in-
dulged, he eagerly beat down the
keys with his little fids, as other
children ufually do after finding
themfelves able to produce a noife.

which pleafcs them more than the
artificial performance of real me-
lody or harmony by others.

The next day, however, being
left, while his mother went out,
in the dining-room with his bro-
ther, a youth of about fourteen
years old, he would not let him
red till he blew the bellows of the
organ, while be fat on his knee
and beat down the keys, at firft
promifcuouily ; but prefenlly, with
one hand, he played enough of
God Jave great George our King
to awaken the curiofity of his fa-
ther, who being in a garret, which
was his work-fhop, halkned down
ftairs to inform himfelf who was
playing this tune on the organ.
When he found it was the child,
he could hardly belie\'e what he
heard and faw. At this time he
was exatlly two years and three
weeks old, as appears by a copy
1 have obtained of the regifter in
the parifn of St. George's Colgate,
Norwich, fign^d by the reverend
Mr. Tapps, Miniller. Nor can
the age of this child be fugpofed
to exceed this account by thefe
who have feen him, as he has not
only all the appearance, but the
manners, of an infant, and can no
more be prevailed on to play by
perfuafion than a bird to fing.

It is eafy to account for God
fa^ue great George our King being
the firll tune he attempted to
play, as it was not only that
which his father often performed,
but had been mofl frequently ad-
miniftered to him as a narcotic by
his mother, daring the firfl: year
of his life. It had likewife been
more magnificently played than he
was accultomed to hear by Mrs.
Lulman, the afternoon before he
became a praftical niufician him-
felf;

NATURAL HISTORY.

19

felf; and, previous to this event,
he ufed to teize his father to play
this tune on his organ, and was
very clamorous when he did not
carry his point.

When his mother returned, the
father, v/ith a look which at once
implied joy, wonder, and myftcry,
dehred her to go up ilairs with
him, as he had fomething curious
to (hew her. She obeyed, ima-
j^ining that fome acquaifltance or
friend was arrived, or that fome
interefling event had happened
during her abfence. ; but was as
much furprized as the father on
hearing the child play the firll part
of God Jaue great George our King.
The next day he made himfelf
mailer of the treble of the fecond
part ; and the day after he at-
tempted the bafe, which he per-
formed nearly correft in ewtry par-
ticular, except the note imifie-
diately before the clofe, which,
being an o^^lave below the pre-
ceding found, was out of the
reach of his little hand.

In the beginning of November
1777, he played both the treble
and bafe of Let ambition fire thy
mind, an old tune which is, per-
haps, now better known by the
words to which it is fung in Love
in a Village, Hops, thou nurfe cf
young defers.

Upon the parents relating this
extraordinary circumftance to fome
of their neighbours, they laughed
at it ; and, regarding it as the
effect of partial fondnefs for their
child, advifed them by no means
to mention it, as fuch a marvel-
lous account would only expofe
them to ridicule. However, a few
days after, Mr. Crotch being ill,
and unable to go out to work, Mr.
Paul, a ma ftcr- weaver by whom

he was employed, pading acci-
dentally by the door, and hearing
the organ, fancied he had beca
deceived, and that Crotch had
l^ayed at home in order to diver:
himfelf on his favourite inilru-
inent ; fully prepofTeffed with this
idea, he entered the houfe, and,
fuddenly opening the dining roora
door, faw the child playing on the
organ while his brother was blow-
ing the bellows. Mr. Paul thought
the performance fo extraordinary,
that he immediately brouglit two
or three of the neighbours to hear
it, v^ho propagating the news, a
croud of near a hundred people
came the next day to hear the
young performer, and, on the fol-
lowing days, a IHU greater number
flocked to the houfe from aii
quarters of the city ; till, at length,
the child's parents were forced to
limit his exhibition to certain days
and hours, in order to lefien his
fatigue, and exempt themfelves
from the inconvenience of confianc
attendance on the curious multi-
tude.

This account agrees in mo ft par-
ticulars with a letter I received
from Norwich, and of which the
following is an extradl.

" There is now in this city a
*' mufical prodigy, which cn-
" gages the converfation and ex-
" cites the wonder of every body.
" A boy, fon to a carpenter, of
" only two years and three quar-
" ters old, from hearing his fa-
" ther play upon an organ which
*' he is making, has diicoverei
'* fuch mufical powers as are
*' fcarcely credible. He plavs a
*' variety of tunes, and has from
** memory repeated fragments of
" feveral voluntaries which he
'* heard Mr. Garland, the orga-

" ni!}.

8o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

•♦ nlft, play at the cathedral. He that he never dwells long on any

•* has likewife accompanied a per- note or chord, and indeed his per-

•' Ion who played upon the flute, formance mull originally have been

«« not only with a treble, but has as much under the guidance of

*' formed a bale of his own, the eye as the ear, for when his

•' which to common hearers feem- hand unfortunately falls upon

«« ed harmonious. If any perfon wrong notes, the ear cannot judge

«» plays falfe, it throws him into till it is too late to corredl the

«« a paffion diredly ; and though milUke. However, habit, and

•* his little fingers can only reach perhaps the deljcacy and acutenefs

«* a fixth, he often attempts to of another fenfe, that of feeling,

*• play chords. He does not leem now d.rcft him to the keys which

** a remarkable clever child in any he prefl'es down, as he hardly ever

** other rcfpecl ; but his whole foul looks at them.

*' is abfcrbed in mufic*. Numbers The firft voluntary he heard
** croud daily to hear him, and with attention was performed at
«« the mufical people are all amaze- his father's houfe by Mr, Mully,
*' ment f ." a mufic-mafter ; and as foon as he
The child being but two years was gone, the child feeming to
and eight months old when this play on the organ in a wild and
letter was written, his performance different manner from what his
null have appeared confideiably mother was accudomed to hear,
more wonderful than at prefent : fhe alked him what he was do-
for as he feems to have received ing ? And he replied, " I am
fcarce any inftruftions, and to •' playing the gentleman's fine
have purfued no regular courfe of •* thing," But (he was unable to
ftudy or praftice fince that time, judge of the refemblance: how-
it can hardly be imagined th^it he ever, when Mr. Mully returned a
15 much improved. However, ex- few days after, and was afked,
perience mull have informed him whether the child had remembered
what ferics or combination of any of the pafiages in his volun-
founds was moft cffenfive to his tary, he anfwered in the aSirma-
ear ; but fuch is his impetuofity tive. This happened about the

* This opinion fccms to have been too haftily formed ; for, independent of
his mufical talent, he appears lo me poifcired of a general intelligence beyond
his age : and he has dil'covered a gtnliis and inclination for drawing, nearly as
ftrung as for niufic ; for v.henever he is not at an inflrumenr, he ufualiy em-
ploys hinilelf in fketching, with his left-hand, houles, churches, Ihips, or
animals, in his rude and wild manner, with chulk on the floor, or upon what-
ever other plain I'urface he is allowed to Icrawl, Painters may, perhaps, form
fome indgment of his mulic by his drawings.

f His father, who has lattly been in London, and with whom I hare con-
verfed fince this account was drawn up, all the particulars of which he has con-
firmed, told me, that when he firft carried the child to the cathedral he uied to
cry the inftant he heard the loud organ, which, being fo much more powerful
tiian that to which he had been accuftomed at home, he was fonie time before
he could bear without difcovering pain, occafioncd, perhaps, by the extreme
delicacy of his ear, and irritability of his nerves.

roiddle

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

8i

middle of November 1777, when
he was only two years and four
months old, and for a confidera-
ble time after he would p!ay no-
thing elfe but thefe paiTages.

A mufical gent'ema-n of Nor-
wich informed Mr. Partridge, that,
at this lime, fuch was the rapid
progrefs he had made in judging
of the agreement of founds, that
he played the Eafter-Hymn with
full harmony ; and in the la:i:
two or three bars of Hallelujah,
where the fame found is fuftaineJ,
he played chords with both hands,
by which the parts were multi-
plied to fix, which he had great
difficulty in reaching on account
of the fhortnefs of his fingers.
The fame gentleman obferved,
that in making a bafe to tunes
which he had recently caught by
his ear, whenever the harmony
dilpleafed him, he would continue
the treble note till he had formed
a better accompaniment.

From this period his memory
was very accurate in retaining any
tune that pleafed him : and being
prefent at a concert where a band
of gentlemen-performers played
the overture in Rodelinda, he was
fo delighted with the minuet, that
the next morning he hummed part
of it in bed ; and by noon, with-
out any further affiftance, played
the whole on the organ.

His chief delight at prefent is
in playing voluntaries, which cer-
tainly would not be called mufic
if performed by one of riper
years, being deficient in harmony
and mcafure ; but they manifelt
fuch a difcernment and fcledlion
of notes as is truly wonderful,
and which, if fpontaneous, would
furprize at any age. But though
he executes fragments of com-

VoL. XXII.

mon tunes in very good time, yet
no adherence to any particular
meafure is difcoverable in his vo«
luntaries ; nor have I ever obferved
in any of them that he tried to
play in triple time. If he difco-
vers a partiality for any particu-
lar meafure, it is for daftyls of
one long and two fliort notes, which,
conllitute that fpecics of common
time in which many flreet-tunes
are compofed, particularly the fijfl
part of the Eelleifle March, v/hich,
parhaps, may firft have fuggefled.
this meafure to him, and im-
prefTed it in his memory. And
his ear, though exquifitely formed
for difcriminating foi:nds, is ^s
yet only captivated by vulgar and
common melody, and is fatisfied
with very imperfeft harmony, t
examined his countenance whea
he firll heard the voice of Signor
Pacchierotti, the principal finger
of the Opera, but did not find
that he feemed fenfible of the fg-
perior tafte and refinement of
that exquilite performer ; however,
he called out very foon after the
air was begun, " He is fmging
*' in F."

And this is one of the afto-
nilhing properties of his ear, that
he can diftinguifti at a great dif-
tance from any inrtrument, and
out of fight of the keys, any note
that is flruck, whether a, b, c, &c.
In this I have repeatedly tried
him, and never found him mif-
taken even in the half notes; a cir-
cumftance the more extraordinary,
as many pratlitioners and good
performers are unable to diftin-
guifh by the ear at the Opera or
eifewhere in what key any air or
piece of mufic is executed.

But this child was able to find
any note that was ftruck in hi»

G

hearic^»

82 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

hearing, when out of fight of the
key?, at two years and a half
old, even before he knew the let-
ters of the alphabet : a circum-
flance fo extraordinary, that I
was very curious to know when,
and in what mmner, this faculty
firrt difcovered itfelf; and his fa-
ther fays, that in the middle of
January 1778, while he was play-
ing the organ, a particular note
hung, or, to fpeak the language
of organ builders, ciphered, by
which the tone was continued
without the preiTure of the fin-
ger: and though neither himfelf
nor his elder fon could find out
what note it was, the child, who
was then amufing himfelf with
drawing on the floor, left that
employment, and going to the or-
gan, immediately laid his hand
on the note that ciphered *. Mr.
Crotch thinking this the efveft of
chance, the next day purpofely
caufed feveral notes to cipher, one
after the other, all which he in-
flantly difcovered : and at laft he
weakened the fprings of two keys
at once, which, by preventing the
valves of the wind-cheft from
clofing, cccafioned a double cipher,
both of which he direftly found
out. Any child, indeed, that is
not an idiot, who knows black
from white, long from Ihort, and
can pronounce the letters of the
■ alphabet by which mufical notes
are called, may be taught the
nsmes of the keys of the harpfi-

chord in five minutes f ; but, in
general, five years would not be
lufficient, at any age, to impref*
the mird of a mufical fiudent with
an infallible rcminifcence of the
tones produced by thefe keys, when
not aliowfd to look at them.

Another wonderful part of hi&
pre-maturity was the being able
at two years and four months old
to tranfpofe into the molt extra-
neous cind difficult keys whatever
he played; and now, in his ex-
temporaneous flights, he modu-
lates into all keys with equal fa-
cility.

The laft qualification which I
fliall point out as extraordinary in
this infant mufician, is the being
able to play an extemporary bafe
to eafy melodies when performed
by another perfon upon the fame
inflrument. But thefe bafes muft
not be imagined correiJl, accord-
ing to the rules of counter-point,
any more than his voluntaries.
He generally gives, indeed, the
key-note to paffages formed from its
common chord and its inverfions;,
and is quick at difcovering when
the fifth of the key will ferve as a
bafe. At other times he makes
the third of the key (erve as an
accompaniment to melodies formed
from the harmony of the chord to
the key-note; and if fimple paf-
fages are played flow, in a regu-
lar progreflion afcending or de-
fcending, he foon finds .out that
thirds or tenths, below the treble.

* This circumftance proves that he exercifed his eye in diawing, after his
manner, before he was two years and a half old.

f By remarking that the fhort keys, which ferve for flats and (harps, are
divided into parcels of three's and two's, and that the long key between every
two fhort keys is always called D, it is extremely e;ify from that note to difcover
the fituation and names of the reft, according to the order of the firft feven letters
vt the alphabet.

will

NATURAL HISTORY.

8j

Will ferve his purpofe in furni fil-
ing an agreeable accnmpanimenr.
However, in this kind of ex-
temporary bafp, if the fame paf-
fages are not frequently repeated,
the changes of modulation mull
be few and flow, or correiftnefs
cannot be expelled even from a
profeflbr. The child is always as
ready at finding a treble to a bafe
as a bafe to a treble, if played in
flow notes, even in chromatic paf-

fnges ; that is, if, after the chord
of c natural is flruclc, c be made
fliarp, he foon finds out that a
makes a good bafe to it ; and on
the contiary, if, after the chord
of D with a Iharp third, >• is made
natural, and a is changed into b,
he inrtantly gives g for the bafe.
Indeed he continued to accom-
pany me with great rcadinefs in
the following chromatic modula-
tion, alcending and defcending :

:^,'i«LiJir_bJ=-J-

1

K«-

I made more experimeiits of this
kind, but to relate them would
render my account too technical to
all but compofers, or fuch as have
long rtudicd harmony.

When he declares himfelf tired
of playing on an inflrument, and
his mufical faculties feem wholly
blunted, he can be provoked to
attention, even though engaged
in any new amufement, by a
wrong note being llruck in the
melody of any well-known tune;
and if he Hands by the inftrum'-nt
when fuch a note is defignedly
ftruck, he will inflantly put down
the right, in whatever key the air
is playing.

At prefent, all his own melo-
dies are imitations of common and
eafy pafl"ages, and he feems infen-
fible to others ; however, the only
method by which fuch an infant
can as yet be taught any thing
better feems by example. If he
were to hcir only good melody and
harmony, he would donbtlefs try
to produce fomething fi.Tiilar ; but.

at prefent, he plays nothing cor-
redlly, and his voluntaries are lit-
tle lefs wild than the native notes
of a lark or a black-bird. Nor
does he, as yet, feem a fubjeft for
initruCtion : for till his reafon is
fufiiciently matured to comprehend
and retain the precepts of a mailer,
and fomething like a wifli for in-
formation appears, by a ready and
willing obedience to his injunc-
tions, the trammels of rule would
but difguft, and, if forced upon
him, dellroy the miraculous parts
of his felf-taught performance.

Mr. Baillet publiftied in the lall
century a book, Sur les Enfans ce-
Ubres par leurs eludes; and yet,
notwithllanding the title cf his
work, he fpeaks not of infants but
adolercmt!), for the youngell won-
der he celebrates in literature is
at leall feven years old ; an age
at which feveral Undents in muuc
under my own eye have been able
to perform difficult compofitioDS
on the harpfichord, with great
neatnefs and precifion. However,

G 2 this

84 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

this has never been acconiplilhed ever his mother fi-ng, or whatevr?
w'lihout inftruclions and laborious he heard in ihe iucet.
pradice, not always voluntary. Samoel, the youngoft, though
Mufical prodigies of this kind he was three years old before he
are not infrequent: there have aim-'d at a tune, yet by conftantly
been fevernl in my own memory hearing liis bi other prailife, and
on the harphchord. About thirty being accultonied to good mufjo
vears aoo I heard Palfchau, a and mnftcrly execution, before
German boy of nine or ten years he was f\K ye.irs old arrived at fuch
old, then in London, perform with knowledge in mufic, that his ex-
great accuracy many of the moft temporary performance on keyed
difficult compofitions that have inllruments, like Pvlozart's, was
ever been written for keyed in- fo mafterly in point of invention,
itruments, panicularly fome lefibns modulation, and accuracy of exe-
and double fugues by S.ballian cution, as to furpafs, in many
Bach, the father of the prefent- particulars, the attainments of moft
eminent profeil'ors of that name, profeflbrs at any period of their
which, at chat tim?, there were live?.

very few mailers in Europe able Indeed Mozart, when little more

to execute, as they contained diffi- than four years old, is faid to have

culties of a particular kind ; fuch been '•' not only capable of exe-

as rapid divifions for each hand in *' cuting leflbns on his favourite

a fories of third?, and in fixths, " inllrument, the harpfichord, but

afcending and defcending, belides '* to have compofed fome in an

thofe of full harmony and con- " eafy llyle and tafte, which were
trivance in nearly as many parts " much approved*:" and Sa-
as fingers, fuch as abound in the muel Weftiey before he could
lelTons and organ fugues of Handel, write was a compofer, and men-

Mifs F'ederica, now Mrs. tally fet the airs of feveral Orato-
"Wynne, a little after this time, rios, which he retained in memory
was remarkable fjr executing, at till he was eight years old, aud
lix years old, a great number of then wrote them down.
lelT'jns by Scarlatti, Paradies, and Here the difFerence of educa-
otherf, with the utmoll: precilion. tion appears : little Crotch, left

But the two f ns of the Reve- to nature, has not only been with-
lend Mr Wcit'ey feem to have out inftrudions but good models
difcovered, during early infancy, of imitation; while Mozart and
very uncommon faculties for the Samuel Wellley, on the contrary,
practice of mufic. Charles, the may be faid to have been nurfed
c'deft, at two years and three in good mufic: for as the latter
quarters old, furprized his father had his brother's excellent per-
by playing a tune on the h irpfi- formance to ftimulate attention,
chord readily, and in juft time: and feed his ear with harmony;
foon after he played feveral, what- the German infant, living in the

^ See Phil. Tranf. vol. LX. for the year 1770; an account of a very re-
markable young mulician, by the honourable Daines Barrington, F. R. S. who
iboii intends to favour the public with an account of the two Weltleys.

houfc

NATURAL HISTORY.

85

houfe of bis father, an eminent
profefTor, and an elder firter, a
ne^iC p'lyer'on the harpfichord,
and conlia'-' ly pradiGng compo-
fitions of ihe firll clai's for that
inllrumpnt, hnd fvery advantage
of ijiU3tion and cultiire jjined to
the profufioii of natural endow-
ments.

Of Mozart's infant attempts
at tr.ufic I was unablv'? to difcover
the traces from the converfation
of his father ; who, though an
intelMirent man, whofe education
and knowledge ofthe world did
not feem confinc'd to mufic, con-
fe/Ted himfeif unable to defcribe
the progreflive improvements of
his fon during the firft ftages of
infancy. However, a^ eight years
of age I was frequently convinced
of his gieat knowledge in con)-
pofition by his writings ; and that
his invention, talle, modulation,
and execution in extemporary
plnying, were fuch as few pro-
fedbrs are pofieiTed of at forty years
cf age" -

Into what the prefent prodigy
may mature is net cafy to pre-
diifl ; we more frequently hear of
trees in bltjfTom during the winter
months, than of fruits in confe^
quence of fuch unfcafonable ap-
pearances. However, to keep pace
with the expeflations to which
fuch premature talents give birth
is hardly allowed to humanity.
It is the Willi of fome, that the
uncommon faculties with which
this child is endowed might be
fuflVred to expand by their own
efforts, neither retrained by rules,
nor guided by examples ; that, at
length, the world might be fur-
nilhed with a fpecies of natural
muflc, fuperioi' to all the furpriz-
ing produdions of art to which

pedantry, affe£lation, or a power-
ful hand, have given birth. But,
alas! fuch a wiGi muft have been
formed without refleflion ; for,
mufic having its ciaflics as well
as poetry and other arts, what
could he corr.pofe or play upon
different, principles that would not
offend the ears of thofe who have
regarded thofe claffics as legifla-
tors, and whofe fouls have been
wrapped in elyfium by theirftrains?
He might as well, if fecluded
from all intercourfe with men, be
expefted to invent a better lan-
guage than the prefent Englilh,
the work of millions, during many
centuries, as a new mufic more
grateful to the ears of a civilized
people than that with which all
Europe is now delighted.

An individual may doubtlefs ad-
vance nearer perfeftion in every
art bv the affillance of thoufands,
than by the mere efforts of his
own labour and genius.

Another wi(h has been formed,
that the effefts of different genera
and divifions of the mufical fcale
might be tried upon this little mu-
fjcian ; but the fucccfs of fuch an
experiment is not difficult to di-
vine. An uncultivated ear would
as .naturally like the mofl: plain
and comoion muiic, as a young
mind would belt comprehend the
moil fimple and evident propoli-
tions : and, as yet, the attention
of Crotch cannot be excited by
any mufical refinements or elabo-
rate contrivance.

It has likewife been imagined
by fome, that every child might be
taught mufic in the cradle, if the
experiment were made; but to
thefe it may with truth be faid,
that fuch an experiment is daily
made on every child, by every

G 3 mother

86 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

notlier and nurfe, tint is able to tree, una, netnus, flood clofe on the
form a tune, on every pnrt of the north iide ;.f Hendon Place, the
glebe. In Italy the ?:innc nor.nc, or elepant refidence of Mr. Aifl.ibie,
Jullabies, are fragments of elegant eight miles fri>ni I,ondon. From
melodies, become common ard the gardener's information, and
popular by frequent hearing ; and my own admeafurements, fome of
thefe, though they help to form its dimenfions ^W ^^fw thefe. The
the national tafle, are n6t found to height 70 feet; the diameter of
ftimo!a:e tlie attention of Italian the horizontal extent of the bran-
children to melody, or to accele- ches, upon an average, loo ; the
rate the cifplay of mufical talents circumference of the trunk, 7 feet
at a more early period than elfe- above the ground, 16 ; 12 feet a-
where. bjve the ground, 20. At thislat-
Premature powers in mufic have ter height it began to branch ;
as often furprizcd by fuddcnly be- . and its limbs, about 10 in num-
coming rtationary as by advancing ber, were from 6 to 12 feet in cir-
rapidly to the fummit of excel- cumference. Its roots had not
Jencc. Sometimes, perhaps, na- fpread wide nor deep; and the
ture is eiliaiifled or enfe-.bled by foil that had fuited it fo well, is a
thefe early efforts ; but when th=it llrong clay, upon rather an eleva-
js not the cafe, the energy and vi- ted fituation'. Tradition afcribes
gour of her operations are felciom the planting of this tree to Queen
properly feconded, being either Elizabeth herfelf; yet the vigour
impeded and checked by early felf- of its trunk, and the full verdure
complacence, or an injudicious of its branches (befides a reafon
courfe of ftudy ; and fometimes, which I (h;.ll prefently adduce),
perhaps, genius is kept from ex- make me doubt whether we are
panfion by ill-chofen models, ex- to allow it fo great an age. How-
clufive admiraticn, want of coun- ever that be, its appearance (hews
fel, or accefs to the moll excellent that it had not arrived at maturity,
compofiiior.s and performers in the and might have fiocd, perhaps
clafs for which nature has fitted have thriven, for centuries to come,
thefe on whom it is belloweJ. The gardener made 50I. of the

cones the yenr before lall, but lalt

— — — year only 12 I.

The great fizp, and apparent

On the Groivth of Cedars in Eng- incrcafnig vigour cf this tree, ex-

Jand ; i,i a Ltlter to Sir John cited my curiofity to inquite into

Cullum. the age and fize of fome of its

brethren ; and to colleft what

MONG the {lighter devafla- particulars I could towards the

tions occrifioned by the laft Englifh hiftory of this nobleft of

new-year's hiirrican?, I cannot, as our exoticf.

an admirer of natural prodL(fi:ions, The Rev. Mr. Lightfoot of Ux-

bat lament with particular regret bridge, upon whofe accuracy, as

the deftruclion of perhaps the fiDcft well as frienddiip, lean depend,

cedar in England. This fuperb has fent mc the following dimen-

fions

NATURAL HISTORY.

S7

fions of one at Hillingdon, in his
neighbourhood. The perpendicu-
lar height is 53 feet; the diame-
ter of the horizontal extent of the
branches from eall to weft, 96 ;
from north to foath, 89 ; the cir-
cumference of the trunk clofc to
the ground, 15 |; jf feet above
the ground, i^j; 7 feet above
the ground, 12^; 12 feet above
the ground, 14 feet 8 inches;
13I-, juft under the branches, 15
feec 8 inches. It has two princi-
pal branches, one of which is bifid
l| foot above its origin : before
it divides, it meafurcs in circum-
ference 12 feet; after its divifion,
one of its forks meafures 8|-, the
other 7 feet 10 inches. The other
primary branch at its origin mea-
fures lo feet ; and, foon dividing,
throws out two lecondary ones,
each 5'-. The proprietor of this
tree lays he can, with much cer-
tainty, determine its age to be 1 16
years.

The largeft of thofe at Chelfea,
meafured lalt month, is in height
85 feet; the horizontal extent of
its branches is about 80 ; the cir-
cumference of its trunk clofe to
the ground, 18 i ; at 2 feet above
the ground, 15 ; at 10 feet, 16 ;
at about i yard higher it begins to
branch. Thefe trees, Mr. Miller
fays, were, as he was credibly in-
formed, planted in 1683, about 3
feethigh. The foil is a lean hungry
land mixed with gravel, and about
two feet furface.

In the garden of the old palace
at Enfield is a cedar of Libanus,
of the following dimenfions, taken
by Mr. Thomas Liley, an ingeni-
ous fchool-marter there, at the de-
fine of my friend Mr. Gough, who

was fo obliging as lo communicate
them CO me :

Feet. Inches.
Height 45 9

Girt at top 3 7

Second girt 7 9

Third girt 10
Fourth girt 14 6
Large arm that branches out
near the top, 3 feet 9 inches ; fe-
veral boughs, in girt 3 feet 5 in-
ches ; and the boughs extend from
the body from 28 to 45 feet. The
contents of the body, exclufive of
the boughs, is about 103 cubical
feet. This tree is known to have
been planted by Dr. [Jvedale, who
kept a fiourifliing fchool in this
houfe at the time of the great
plague 1665, and was a great flo-
rill. Eight feec of the top were
broken off by the high wind of
1703. Tradition fays, this tree
was brought hither immediately
-from Mount Libanus in a port-
manteau. The iirft lime-trees
planted in England found their
way over in the fame convey-
ance *,

Several other cedars of confider-
able fize are fcattered about in
different parts of the kingdom.

I find not, with exaftnefs, when,
or by whom, the cedar was firit in-
troduced into England. Turner,
one of our earliell herbarifts, where
he treats " of the jpyne tre, and
•' other of that kyndc," fays no-
thing of it. Gerard, publilhed
by Johnfon in 1636, mentions it
not as growing here ; and Par-
kinfon, in his Theatrum Bo-
tanicum 1640, fpeaking of the
Cedrus magna conifera Libani,
fays, ** The branches, /ome fay.

* Harris's Kent, p. 92.

V all

88

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

** all grow upright, but otherr,
«' fiiait out." Evelyn, whole
difcourfe on forcft trees was deli-
vered in the Roy;.] Society in 1662,
cbrer\ing that cedars throve in
cold climates, odd«, Why then
*• fhould they not thrive in Old
*' England ? I know not, fave lor
** want of induftry and trial.''*

H" bene, I think, it is pretty
p'ain the cedar was unknown a-
mong us: a' d it appears probable,
that we are indebted to the Ial\-
jnenticned gentleman for its Intro-
duflicn into England ; for he in-
forms us in the fame paragraph
from which I made the above quo-
tation, that he had received cones
and feeds from the few trees re-
mainirg en the mountains of Li-
banus.

Something better than twenty
years affrwards, we find, among
Mr. Ray's philofophical letters,
ihe following curious one addrefled
to him from Sir Hans Slcanei

*• London, March 7, 1684-5.
*♦ I was the other day at C'nel-
" fea, and find that the artifices
•' ufed by Mr. Watts have been
•• very^ffeftual for the preferva-
*' tion cf bis plants; infcmuch
•• that this {t\^xQ enough winter
** has fcarcely killed any of his
•* fine plants. One thing I won-
«' d?r much, to fee the Cedrus
«' montis Libani, the inhabitant of
** a very different climate, fliould
" thrive fo well, as without pot or
*• green-houfe, to be able to pro-
" pagate itfelf by layers this
*< ipring. Seeds Town laft autumn,
** have as yet thriven well, and
«'. are like to hold out: the main
*' artifice I ufed to them has been,
*' to keep them from the winds,
*' which feem to give a great ad-

X

'• ditional force to cold to deHroy
*' th»' lender plants."

This is the firlt notice that has
occurred to me of the cultivation
of the cedar among us. Perhaps
the tree tliat propagated itielf by
layers in 16S4, niijflit be from the
feed received by Mr. Evelyn ; and
the reputed age of that at Hilling-
don .-igrees with the time of that
importation ; fuppofing that im-
portation was made about the time
of the delivery of the difcourfe on
foreft-trees : nor probably, not-
withftanding traditi'on, is that at
"Hendon to be referred to a higher
date. Why Sir Han^ fliould won-
der at the cedar thriving fo well
in the open air at Chelfea, 1 know
not ; for, though it be found in
the warmer climates, it is known
to be a native of the fnowy moun-
tains of Libanus, and conftquently
not likely to be delhoyed by the
inclemency of an Englilh winter.
But, I believe, we generaliy treat
exotics, upon their firft arrival
among us, with more tcndernefs
than they require. Perhaps the
fear of lofing them may be one
reafon ; perhaps, too, they may be
gradually habituated to endure a
degree of cold, wliich at firft woul4
have proved fatal to them. Upon
the firft introdudion of the tea-
tree, it was either kept in our
green-houfcs, or, if planted in the
open ground, matted, or otherwife
fheltered in the winter: we now
find fuch c^re unneceffary. I have
had one at a degree N. < f London,
thrive and blofibm fcr fome vears,
in the open sir, wiih-ut the flight-
ed: protection, in the levereft win-
ter.

That this little memoir may not
appear to terminate in mere curi-
olity, I think it warrants me in

recom-

NATURAL HISTORY.

sg

recommending the cultivation of
ihe cedar for common ufe; as it is^
v/ell known to be a very valuable
materia! in the hand of the joiner
and cabinet-maker. Mr. Miller
obferved their quick growth at
Ch^lfea, in a poor gravely foil :
thofe at Hendon, Hillingdon, and
Enfield, fljew that they thrive as
v^eli in a very different one. Thole
planted by the old duke of Ar-
gyie at Whiaon have made the
happieft progrefs ; and I i^m afTur-
ed that a room has been wainfcot-
ed with their timber.

If thefe flight notes fhould in-
duce any better informed perfon
to threw more light on this fi:b-
je£l, it would afford entenainmtnt
to many, as well as to,

Harilivicke Hmfe, Yours, &c.

Feb. 1 6, 177Q. T r^

' ' '^ John CuLLUM,

An Account cf the Vallais, and of
the Goitres and Idiots of that
Country. From Coxe's Letters
from cjvvillerland.

A M now writing to you from
the little village of Trient in
ti^e Vallais, on my way to the gla-
ciers of Savoy. From the moun-
tain of the Furca, its eaflern boun-
dary, two vail ranges cf Alps en-
clofe the Vallais : the fouthern
chain feparates it from the Mi-
lanefe. Piedmont, and part of
Savoy ; the northern divides it
from the canton of Berne. Thefe
two chains, in their various wind-
ings, form feveral fmall vallies,
through which a number of tor-
rents rufh into the Rhone, as it
traverfes the whole country from
the Furca to St. Maurice. A coun-
try thus entirely enclofcd within

high Alps, and confiding of plains,
elevated valleys, and lofty moun-
tains, mu(l: neceffirily exhibit a
great variety of fituations, cli-
mates, and productions. Accord-
ingly, tlie Vallais prefents to the
curious traveller a quick fucceilioa
of profpeds, as beautiful as they
are diverliiied, Numberlefs vine-
y.rds, rich pafture-grounds covered
with cattle, corn, flax, fruit-treec,
and wild forefls : and thefe occa-
ficnally bordered by naked rocks,
vvhofe fummits are crowned with
eierlafting fpow, and inacceflible
glacier?. This flrong and ilriking
contraft between the paltoral and
the fublime"; the' cultivated and
the wild ; cannot but afrert the
Tnind of an obferver with the moll
pleafing emotions.

As to the productions of the
Vallais ; they muil evidently vary
in different parts, according to the
great diveriiry of climates, by
which this country is fo pecuiiarly
diftinguillied. It fupplies more
than fufncient wine and corn for
the interior confumption ; and in-
deed a confiderable quantity of
both are yearly exported ; the foil
in the midland and lower parts be-
ing exceedingly rich and fertile.
In the plain, where the heat is col-
lefted and confined between the
mountain?, the harveft is.fo very
forward, that it has already for
fome time been carried in : where-
as, in the more elevated parts,
barley is the only grain that can
be cultivated with any fuccefs ;
and the crop is feldom cut before
November. About Sion, the fig,
the melon, and all the other fruits
of Italy, -ripen to perfeftion ; in
confequence of this fingular va-
riety of climates, I tailed in the
fame day (what is ufualiy to be

had

^o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

had only in gradual fuccellion)
ftrawbtrries, cherries, plums,
pears, and grapes ; each of them
the nantral growth of the country.

With refpeft to manufaftures ;
there are none of any confcqucnce :
and indeed the general ignorance
cf the people is no lefs remaik-
ablc thun their indolence; fo that
they may be confidered, in regard
to knowledge and improvements,
as feme centuries behind the Swlls,
who are certainly a very enlighten-
ed nation. The peafants ieldom
endeavour to meliorate thofe lands
where the foil is originally bad ;
nor to make the moll of thofe,
which are uncommonly fertile :
having few wants, and being fatis-
fied with the fpontancous gifts of
liature, they enjoy her bleifings
without much confidering in what
manner to improve them.

The beauties and varieties of
this country you will find amply
and faithfully delineated in that
elegant letter of the Ncwvelk Heloife,
where St. Preux relates his excur-
lions into the upper Vallais. As to
the truth of the defcription he
gives, in the fame letter, of the
manners of the people, 1 can
hardly be fuppofed to be a com-
petent judge, from the little time
\ have pafl'cd aciong them. But,
as far as I have had an opportu-
nity to obferve and inquire, the
pictare, although in fome parts
i:ot entirely devoid of refemblance,
hi, upon the whole, confiderably
heightened.

Before I take leave of the Val-
3ais, you will probably expeft,
that, according to my promiie, I
fhould fend you fome informations
concerning the caufes which are
fuppofed 10 occafion, or lo conui-

bute to render, goitrous perfons
and idiots, fo remarkably common
in many parts of this country. I
have indeed made all poflible re-
fearches in order to gi;in fome fa-
tisfa^ory intelligence upon fo cu-
rious a fubjcd; but I have the
mortification to add, that the very
faint lights 1 have been able to
obtain, have left me almoll as
much in the dark as I was before ;
you mult rell contented therefore
with merfe conjeftures.

I fhall begin however with un-
doubted faft. The Vallaifans are
not all equally fubjeft to the above
infirmities; but thofe chiefly who
live in or near the lower parts of
the Vallais, as about Sider, Sion,
Martinac, &c. The people in ge-
neral are a robull and hardy race,
as well thofe who dwell in the
places laft mentioned, as thofe who
inhabit the more mountainou^s
parts of this country.

It is a common notion, that
fnow- water occafjons goiters: btit
I have fome reafon to think the
contrary. For, I have been at fe-
veral places, where the inhabitants
drink n© other water than what
they procure from thofe rivers and
torrents, which defcend from the
glaciers ; and yet are not fubje<5l
to this malady : indeed I have been
affured, though I will not venture
to anfwer for the truth of the afTcr-
tion, that fnow-water, fo far from
being a caufe, is efteemed even a
preventive. The air of the moun~
tains is alfo a Itrong prefervative
againll them ; and goiters have
been known to diminiih upon ele-
vated fituations ; whereas, in the
lower parts of the Vallais, if
this excrefcence once begins to
ihcw itfslf, it always continues

N A T U R A T. HISTORY.

91

to. increafe *. Some diftrifts are
more particularly rfmarkable for
this dilorder than others : thus, in
a little village, near Sion, almoft
all the inhabitants are goitrous.

From thefe fads it {eems reafon-
ub'e to conclude, that goiters are
derived from certain local circum-
ftances ; and that feveral caufes,
both phyfical and moral, m<ay
jointly contribute to their produc-
tion. Among the phyfical ; bad
water, and bad air, may, perhaps,
be juiily ailigned, but chiefly the
former; which, near the particu-
lar dillridls above mentioned, is
ftagnant, and loaded with particles
of lufo. The torrents alfo, whicli
are formed by the melting of the
fnovvs, diflblve this fubftance, or
fimilar ones, in their paiTage : and
probably this circumftance has
given rife to the notion, that fnow-
water, fimplv in itfrlf, occahons
thefe goiters ; but wherever it has
that efie£>, it is ftrongly impreg-
nated vviih certain ftony particles.
1 was (hewn feveral pools of the(e
ftagnant waters, which I fhould
have fuppofed no human being to
have been capable of drinking.
Afnong the moral caufes, which
may be fuppofed to concur in oc-t
cafioning thefe gutteral protube-
rances, the inconceivable lazinefs
and negligence of thefe people,
may be mentioned. For, they
rarely take the lealt precaution to
guard againll, or to remedy, the
ill efFefts of their unwholefome
water : indolently acquiefcing in
its confequences, they ufe no fort
of means either to prevent Or re-
move them.

The fame caufes, which feem to
produce the goiters, probably ope*
rate in the cafe of idiots : for,
wherever in this country the for-
mer abound, the latter are alfo in
great numbers. Such indeed is
the nice and inexplicable con-
nexion between our bodies and
our minds, that the one ever fym-
pathizcs with the other : we fee
that the body fuffers, whenever the
mind is deeply affedted by any
ftrong impreffion of melancholy
and diftrefs ; and, in return, that
whenever the corporeal frame is
impaired and fhattered by Jong
pain and fjcknefs, the underftand-
ing alfo is equally out of order.
Hence it is by no means an ill-
grounded conjecture, that in the
cafe before us, the fame caufes
which affeft the body (hould alfo
affedl the mind ; or, in other
words, that the fame waters, &c.
which create obil:ruftion<^, and
goiters, fhould alfo occaficn .-nen-
tal imbecility and difarrangement.
Bur, in conjundion with caufes of
a phyfical nature, there is a moral
one likewife to be taken into the
account: for the children of the
common people are totally ncg-
ledted by their parents ; and, witb
no more education than the mean-
ert brutes, are, like thofe, fufFered
to wallow in the dirt, and to eat
and drink whatever coroes in their
way.

I faw feveral idiots with goiters ;
but I do not mean to draw any
certain conclufion from that cir-
cumftance. For, though in gene-
ral they are t!.e children of goi-
trous parents, and have frequently

* This difference, however, may be occafioned by the different quality of
the water, as well as by tlie fuperior puiity of the air.

thofe

92 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

thcfe fvvellings themfelvrs : yet
the contrary often happens : and
they are fometimes the oftVpring
even of healthy parent?, whole
other children are all properly or-
ganized. So that, it fecms, the
caufes above mentioned operate
more or lefs upon I'ome conlVitu-
tions than upon ethers; as indeed
is obfervable in all epidemical dif-
orders whatlbever*.

I was informed at Sion, that
the number, both of goitrous per-,
fons, and of idiots, have confiJer-
ably decreafed \\i:hin thefe few.
years ; and two reafons were af-
iigned : one is, the laudable care
which the niagiftrates have taken
to dry up the llagnant waters in
the neighbourhood ; and the other,
the cuilom which now generally
prevails of fending the children to
the mountains; by which means
they efcape the bad efFedls of the
unwhcjefome air and water.

It is to be prefumed, that a
people accu domed to fee thefe ex-
crefcences daily, will not be at all
fhocked at their deformity ; but I
do not find, as fome writers affert,
that they confider them as beau-
ties : I cannot believe that a Val-
jaifan poet would venture to ad-
drefs a copy of vcrfes to his mi(-
trefs in praife of her goiten To
judge by the accounts of fomp

travellers, one might fuppofc, that
all thele people, without excep.
tion, were gifted with the above
appendage : whereas, in L6i, as I
have before remarked, the Vallai-
fans, in general, are a robult,
hardy race of people ; and all thac
with truth can be affirmed, is,
that goitrous perfons, and idiots,
are more abundant here than per-
haps in any other part of the
globe.

It has been afierted alfo by
fome, that tne people very much
refpeft thefe idiots, and even coa-
fider them as bleflings from Hea-
ven ; an afiertinn which is as
ftrongly con trad ided by others. I
made many inquiries in order to
get at the tru-h of this matter.
Upon my queftioning feme gentle-
men of this country, whom I met
at the baths of Leuk, they trea-ed
the notion as abfurd and falfe:
but whether they fpoke their r'.al
fentiments, or \wre unwilling to
confirm what they thought might
lower their coun'.rymen in the opi-
nion of a ftranger, will admit per-
haps of fome doubt. For I have,
fince that tin^e, repeatedly enquir-
ed among the lower fort, and am
convinced, that the common people
clTeem them as blefling.s. They call
them " Souls of God, without
f* fin:" and there are many pa-

• I was told by a phyfician of the Vallais, that children are fometimes bor:7
with goiters; and I faw fcveral, I'carce ten years old, who had very large ones.
Thefe fweilings, when ihey incre'afe to a confidera^le magnitude, check refpv-
racion, and render ihoi'e who have them exceedingly languid and indolent.
During my expedition throi:gh the Yallais, J obftrveii fome of all proportions,
from the fize of a walnut to the bignefs of a peck loaf.

The fpecies of idiots I have mentioned above, and who are deemed by many
anthors as peculiar to the Vallais, are c, lied Cniir.s.. Among thefe I aifo ob-
ferved a kind of fenfible gradation : namely, from thefe who, being totally
<]eaf and dumb, and incapable of helping themfelves, give no proof of tlieii*
«5i(teDcc, but the mere animal fenfations ; to others j who are a little more ani-
nriated, und poiTeis iooie faint dawnings of reafon.

rents

NATURAL HISTORY. 6j

rents who prefer thefe idiotrchil- pay the greater attention to thofe

dren to thofe uhofe underRandings ur.happy beings, who are incapa-

are perfeft ; becaufe, as they are ble of taking care of themfelves.

incapable of intentional crimina- Thefe idiots are fufFered to marry,

li'ty, they confider them as more as well among themfelves as wirfi

certain than ihe others of happinefs others; and thus the breed is,

in a future Hate. Nor is this opi- in fome meafure, prevented from

nion entirely without fome good becoming exiinft *.
eifeft, as it difpofes the parents to

* Since! wrote the above letter, I have met with an account of thefe Cretins
in the "- Recherches Philofophiques fur les Americams." The jngeiiious aa-
thor compares them with the Blafards of the ilthmus of Darien ; a fpecies of
beings who refemble the white negroes. He refers to a memoir written ex-
prefsly upon thefe Cretins, by the Count of Mogiron, and read to the Royal
Society of Lyons : I Jlm forry that I have not been able to procure this memoir j
becaufe, from the character given of it by the author of the Recherches PLiiojli-
phiques, it muft contain fome very curious remarics. I fhaii here fubjoin his
account of the Cretins, as being, in many refpects, more ample than mine ;
premifing, at the fame time, that it by no means appears thefe Cret'ws are imi-
verfally goiters.

" On ne fauroit mieux comparer les Blafards quant a leurs facultes, a leur
" degeneration, et a leur etat, qu'aux Cretins qu'on voit en affer grand nombre
" dans le Valais, et principalemcnt a Sion capitale de ce pays : iis font fourds,
" muets, prefqiie infenfbles aux coups, et portent des goitres prodigieux qui
" leur defcendent jufqu'a la ceinture : ils font ni furieux ni malfaifants, quoiqu'
*' abfoluiTient ineptes et incapables dc penfer ; ils n'ont qu'une fjrtc d^attrait
" aflez violent pour leurs befoins phyfiques, et s'abandcnnent aux plaifirs de
" fens de toute efpece fans y foup^onner aucune crime, aucune indecence. Les
*' habitans du Vallais regardent ces Cretins comrae les anges tutelaires des
*' families, coinme des faints ; on ne les contrarie jamais, on les foigne avec
*' afliduite, on n'oublie rien pour les amufer, et pour fatisfaire leurs gouts et
" feurs appetits ; les enfaiits n'ofent les infulter, et les vieillards les refpeflenr.
" lis ont la peau tr«s livide et naiffent Cretins, c'elt-a-dire auffi llupides, aufil
" fimples qu'il eft poffible de Tetre : les annees n'apportent aucun changement
" a leur etat d'abrutilfement : lis y perfiflent juiqu'a la mort, et on ne connoi;
" point de remede capable de les tirer de cet alfoupilfement de la raifon, et de
«' ceite defaillance du corps et de Tefprit. II y en a des deux fexes, et on les
** honore egalement, foit qu'ils foient hommes ou femmes. Le refpeft qu'on
•' porte a ces perfonnes atteintes du Cretinage, eft fonde fur leur innocence er
*' leur fcibleffe : ils ne fauroient pecher, parce qu'ih ne diftinguent le vice de
" la vertu ; ils ne fauroient nuire, parce qu'ils manquent de force, de vaillance,
*' ou d'envie ; et c'eft juftemcnt le cas des Blafards, dont la ftupidite eft auffi
" gi-ande que celle des Cretins."

In another part he fays, " Mr. De Maugtron attribue les caufes du Creti-
" nage des Vallalfans a la malproprete, a Teducation, aux chaleurs exce'lives
*' des vallees, aux eaux, et aux goitres qui font cominuns a tous les enfans de
" ce pays : mnis il y exifte probablement une autre caufe fpecifique, que Ton
" fera plus a portee de connoitre quand on fera parvenu a obtenir la permifllon
" de diflequer un de ces Cretir.s."

See Recherches Philofophiques fur les ^merUains, &c. Par Mr. De P ,

S^atrieme Partie, Seciion I,

Account

94 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Account cf the Glaciers of Savoy,
and cf Mont Blanc. From the
fame.

UPON quitting Trienr, we
went along f me narrow val-
lies through forelts of pines by the
fide of the torrent of Trient ; and
foon aftervxards entered the valley
of Orfina, which led us to the
fmall village of that name: a lit-
tle way from Trien: we entered
the dutchy of Faucigny, which
belongs to the King of Sardinia.
Our road was very rugged, till
we arrived at the vale of Cha-
mouny , the great mountains and
glaciers of Savoy rifing m^-jefli-
callv before us.

There are five glaciers, which
extend aimoft to the plain of the
vale of Chamouny, and are fepa-
rated by wild forefts, corn-fields,
and rich meadows : fo that im-
menfe trails of ice are blended
with the higheft cultivation, and
perpetually focceed to each other
in the molt fingular and itriking
viciffitude. All thefe feveral val-

lics of ire, which lie chieflv in
the hollows of the mountains, and
are feme leagues in length, unite
together at the foot of Mont
Blanc ; the higheft moun'ain in
Europe, and probably of the an-
tient world.

According to the calculations
oi Mr. De Luc, (by whofe im-
provement of the br.rometer, ele-
vations are taken with a degree
of accuracy before unattainable,)
the hcightli of this mountain above
ihclevel of the fea is 2391 1- French
toiles. Mr. de Saull'ure, profef-
for of natural pliilofophy at Ge-
neva, has made ufe of the above
barometer in meafuring the ele^'a-
tion of fever-al very confiderable
mountains. This great improve-
ment of the barometer marks a
diftinguifhed aera in the hiflory of
natural philofophy ; as, before it
was reflified by that ingenious na-
turalift, Mr. De Luc, its uncer-
tainty was fo great, that there was
no relying upon the menfuraticns,
which had been taken by that in-
ilrumcnt *.

I am

♦ It was by this means th;it Mr, De Luc found the altitude of the glacier of
Buet ; and from thence he took geometrically the elevation of Mont Blanc above
the Buet. The labours of this celebi'ated natural ill, and his rules for com-
puting heighths by the barometer, are to be found in his very valuable treatile,
•' Sur Ics Mcdifications de rjtmcfphcre.'"' Thefe rules are explained, and iiis
tables leJuced to Englifti meafuie, by Dr. Malkelyne, R. A. 5 and llill more
fully by Dr. Horiley, lecretary to the R(;yal Society : both thefe treatiles arc
publillied in t!ie Philolbphical Tranlhilions for the year 1774-.

The accviracy of the barometrical meafurements made by Mi'. De Luc, was
verified by Sir George Schuckborough, in a number of ingenious experiments
towards alcertalning the elevation of fome of the mountains of Savoy, a Hiort
time before I airived at Geneva. He followed Mr. De Luc's method ; took
the heighths of I'everal mountains, reciprocally, by barometrical and geometrical
obfervaiions ; and he perceived that the former coincided almoll exactly with the
latter.

Having found the elevation of the fummit of the ^'Jole, a neighbouring moun-
tain, above the I'urface of the lake of Geneva 5 he took from thence the geome-
trical altitude of Mont Blanc.

During the courfc of thefe experiments, he was enabled to correft fome trif-

linsi

NATURAL HISTORY.

OH

I am convinced, from the fitua-
tion of Mont Blanc; from the
heighths of the mountains around
it; from its fuperior elevation
above them ; and its being feen
at a great difiance from all fides';
that it is higher than any moun-
tain in SwiiTeriand ; which, be-
yond a doubt, is, next to Mont
Blanc, the higheft ground in Eu-
rope. That it is jnore elevated
than any part of Afia and Africa,
is an affertion that can only be
made good by comparing the ju-
dicious calculations of modern tra-
vellers, with the exaggerated ac-
counts of former ones ; and by
fhewing that there is no mountain
in thofe two quarters of the globe,
the altitude whereof, when ac-
curately taken, amounts to 2,400
toifes *.

Perhaps in no inftance has the
imagination of man been more
creative, or more given to ampli-
fication, than in afcertaining the
heighihs of mountains. I have
been confiderably amufed to-day
with confidering this article in

Gruner's defcription of the Swifs
glaciers. In one of the chapters,
he has given the altitude of fome
of the moll remarkable mountains
of the globe, agreeably to the
calculations of fevcral famous geo-
graphers and travellers, both an-
tient and modern.

According to Strabo, the! Toifes,
higheft mountain of the f
n tient world was a- f 3»4-''
out - - _J

:ording lo RicrioH - 58,216

4,000

10,000
EOjOOO
28.000

an
bo
According lo RicrioH
According to Father Kir-
cher, who took the
elevations of mountains
by the uncertain me-
thod of meafuring their
ih;.dows,
Mtna is

The Pike of TenerifF
Mount Athos
Lariffa in Egypt

But thpfe feverol calcu!aiioas
are evidently fo extravagant, that
their exaggeration cannot but
ftrike the moft common obferver.
If we confuh the more f modern

nui.

ling errors that had crept into Mr. D: Luc's compulations ; to improve flrill
farther thedifcoveries of the latter; and has facilitated the means of takin"- ele-
vations, by fimplifying the tables and rules neceffary for that purpofe.

Theheigkt of Mont Blanc, according to Sir George Schuclcboroogh, is 15,662-
feet perpendicular above the level of the fea ; according to Mr. De Luc, 2,39$^
French toifes : which, reduced to our meafure, gives 15,303 feet 5 if the propor-
tion of the French to the Englifli foot be nearly as 15 to 16, without confidering
the fra6lion. The difference is only 359 feet.

[See Sir George Scbuckborough' s Obfer'vathns made in Sa'voy.']

* General Pfiffer indeed computes the heighth of the Schercckhorn (the moft
elevated of the Alps in the canton of Berne) as equal to 1,400 toifes abov<
ifee level of the Tea : a calculation, however, which is probably fomewhat ex-
aggerated. For although, as I am informed, his method of taking elevation*
is in itfelf exa6l ; yet as he does not corre6l the difference occafioned by the
refractions of the atmofphere; he confequently afligns tju great an heigh;h,
Neverthelefs, as lie accurately prelerves the different proportions, this exsijgera-
iim may he eafily reduced to the true Jtandard. Probably the Schereckbora
will be found to be the higheft mountain of the old world, excepting Mont
Blanc.

f In order to determine with abfolute certainty that Mont Blanc is the higheft
point of the old world, it would be neceftary to elUmate, by the faaic mode

of

95 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

and rational accounts, it appears
that the Pike of" TenerilFo and
yEtna have been fi. quently fup-
poled to be tlie higheft moun-
tains of tlie globe. The former is
ellima'ei by fome natural philQ-
fophers, to be 3,000 toifes above
the level of the fea ; but, ac-
cording to Feuille?, this elevation
is reduced to 2,070 toifes (and
this mcafurement too is probably
ibme what beyond the truth) where-
as jEcna, by the accurate compu-
tations of Mr. De SaufTure, rifes
only * 1672 toifes above the fea.
So that from thefe obfervatiohs,
as well as from thofe which havp
been made by other travellers,
whofe fkill may be depended upon.

it will appear that there are few
mountains, except thofe in Ame-
rica, (the elevation whereof reaches,
according to Condamine, to above
3,000 toil'es) which are equal m
heighth to Mo/if Blanc.

The accefs to Mont Blanc has
been hitherto found impradlicable.
About two months ago four inha-
bitants of Chamouny attempted to
reach it ; and fet out from that
village at ten in the evening.
After above fourteen hours moft
violent fatigue,emp]oyedin mount-
ing -rugged and dangerous af-
fcents, in eroding feveral vallies
of ice, and large plains of fnow,
which was in fome parts fo loofe,
that they funk in it down to the

of menfura'ion, Mont Blanc, the Schereckhorn, the Pike of TenerifFc, the
mountains of the Moon in Africa, the Taurus, and the Caucafus.

Tlie latter have long been deemed the higheft mountains of Afia ; and fome
philofophers, upon confulering the great fuperiority, which the eaftern rivers
have over the European, both in depth and breadth, have drawn from thence a
prefumptive argument, that the Afiatic mountains are much more el vated than
thofe of Europe. But conje6lures are now banifned from natural philefophy :
and, till fome perlbn of fufficient ability fhall fhew from undoubted calcula-
tions, that the highelf part of the Caucafus rifes more than 15,000 feet above
the level of the fea, Mont Blanc may be fairly confidered as more elevated.

N. B. Throughout the text I have made ufe of the French toife, confifting of
fix French feet.

* About 10,660 Englifti feet. According to Sir George Schuckborough,
10j95+ : who fays, '* I have ventured to compute the heighth of this celebrated
*' mountain from my own tables, though from an oblervation of Mr. De Sauf-
" fure, in 1773, which that gentleman obligingly communicated to me. It
*' will ferve to fliew that this Volcano is by no means the higheft mountain of
** the old world ; and that Vefuvius, placed upon Mount y^tna, would not be
«' equal to the heighth of Mont Blanc, which I take to be the muR elevated
" point in Europe, Afia, and Africa."

. I am happy to find my conje6lures corroborated by that ingenious and accu-
rate obferver.

Fee*.
— — Jo,954

Heighth of JCtna, according to Sir George
Of Vefuvius, according to Mr. De SaufTure

Of both together -~ —

-*— 3r90O

14,854

Heighth of Mont Blanc, accoi'ding to Sir George — — 15,66s

Difference, — or the height of Mont Blanc above that of JEtna and 1 _ „
Vefuvius taken together — ■■" ■ — — J

waill ;

Natural history.

97

Waitl ; tliey found themfelvef upon
the funifnit next to Mont Blanc.
At firl^ fight it appeared fcirce a
league dillant: howevef, they foon
difcovered that the clearnefs of
the air, the extraordinary white-
nefs of the fnow, and the heighth
of that mountain, made it feem
nearer than it was in reality; and,
they perceived with regret, that ic
would require at lealt four hours
more to arrive at if, even fup-
pofing it were praflicable. But
as the day was now far advanced,
and the vapours towards #,'e fum-
mit of Mont Blanc began to ga-
ther into clouds, they were oblig-
ed to return without having ac-
complifhed their en terprifc. i'h.°y
had no time to lofe: and as they
were returning in great haile, one
of the party Hipped down in at-
tempting to leap over a chafm of
ice. He had in his hand a long
pole, fpiked with iron, which he
had itruck into the ice en the

other fide of the opening; and
upon this he hung dreadfully fuf-
pended for a few moments, until
he was tfiken out by his compa-
nions. The danger he had jull
efcaped, made fuch an imprefiion
upon him, that he fainted away,
and continued for fome lime itv
that fitUcition : he was at length,
however, brought to himfelf, and,
though confiderably bruifed, he
fufficiently recovered to be able to
go on. They did not arrive at
Charaouny till eight that evening,
after having palled two and twenty
hours of inconceivable fstigue,
and being more than once in dan-
ger of lofing their lives in thofe
defolate regions ; but, as fosre
fort of recompence for fo much
danger and fatigue, they have the
faiisfaftion, at leaft, to boalt of
having approached nearer to Mont
Blanc than any former adventur-
ers *.

I am, &c.

* According to Sir George Schuckborough, the fummit to which they arrived,
is more than 13,000 feet above the Meiliterninean. Thefe perlbns however do
not feem to have tr.kcn iufficient precautions for fo perilous an cnterprize ', for
the expedition was not only hazardous to a grant degree, but it was alio too fa-
tiguing and too difficult to be nccomplifiied within twenty-four hours. They
ought to have fet out in the niornhig, have taken furs with them, and, if pofii-
ble, have found fonie proper place in which to have palled the night. If that
could have been accomplifhed, and if by any means tney could have guarded
themfelves againft the piercing cold, they would have been fufficiently refrelhed
th« next morning to purfue their expedition ; and would not have found them-
felves, after advancing within four hours of Mont Blanc, fo fatigued and terri-
fied as to be unable to proceed ; nor the day fo far (pent, that, had they gone on,
they muft have been overtaken by darknefs, and would probably have either fallcii
4o'ivn one of the precipices, or have perilhed with cold.

Vol. XXII.

II

USEFUL

[ 9? ]

USEFUL PROJECTS.

Account of the late Dr. Knij^ht'^
Mctl.oa of makin^T artificial Lcaa-
Jiones ; bv Mr. Bciijamia Wil-
fon, F. k. S.

[From the Philofophical Tranfaftions.]

'HR method of making arti-
lioial I,oadftones, as it was
dilcovered and praftifed by the
late Dr. Gow'in Knight, being
unknown to the public, and I
myfcif having been frequently
prefent when the doclor was em-
ployed in the nioll material fteps
cf that curious procefs, I thought
a communication thereof would
be agreeable to you and tlie philo-
fophic world.

The method was this : having
provided himfelf with a large
quantity of clean filings of iron,
he put them into a large tub that
was more than one-ihird filled
with clean water: he then, with
great labour, worked the tub to
and fro for many hours together,
that the fridion between the
grains of iron by this treatment
might break rff fuch fmaller parts
as would remai:i fufpendeJ in the
water fcr a tirtie. Phe obtain-
ing of thofe very fmall particles
in fufticient quantity, feemed to
him to be one of the principal de-
fidirata in the experiment.

The water being by this treat-
ment rendered m:^ .-nuddy, he

poured tbo fame into a clean
earthen vcilel, leaving the filings
behind ; and when the water had
Hood l^ng enough to become clear,
he poured it out carefully, with-
out dilturbing fuch of the iron
fcdimcnt as Itill remained, which
now appeared reduced almolt to
impalpable powder. This powder
was afterwards removed into ano-
ther vefTel, in order to dry it-;
but as he had not obtained a pro-
per quantity thereof, by this one
llep, he was obliged to repeat the
procefs many times.

Havirg at laii procured enough
of this very fine powder, the next
thing to be done was to make a
palle of it, and that with fome
vehicle which would contain a
con.'iderable quantity of the phlo-
giilic principle ; for this purpofe
he had recourfe to linfeed oil, in
preference to all other fluids.

With thefe two ingredients only
he made a fliff paile, and took
particular care to knead it well
before he moulded it into conve-
nient iTiapes.

Sometimes, whilil the paile con-
tinued in its loft ftate, he would
put the impreifion of a feai upon
the federal pieces : one of which
is in the Eritif:; Mufeum.

This palle was then put upon

wood, and fomctimes on tiles, in

order to bake or dry it before a

moderate

USEFUL PROJECTS.

moderate fire, at a foot diflance or
thereabouts.

The doctor found, that a mo-
dorate fire was moft proper, be-
caufe a greater degree of heat made

99

fieve placed over a prooer vefle/.
The water pafTes wirh the ftarch of
the potatoes; this Aarch mud be
well wafhed in fevcral waters; ic
is to be divided into fiT^all pieces.

the compofition frequently crack 2nd cxpoied to the air, in orJer to

in many places. dry it: it is of a moll exquillte

The time required for the bak- whitenefs. The fubilance which

ing or drying of this paite was remains in the {je\e is the mcit

generally five or fix hours before fibrous part ; it muil be dried af-

it attained a fufncient dcgrfce of ter all the moillure is prefied out

hardnefs. When that vvas done, of it; it may be ufed in the com-

and the feveral baked pieces were pofition of brown bread, or may

become coW, he gave them their be given in that Hare to poultry

magnetic virtue in any diredion
he pleafed, by placing them be-
tween the extreme ends of his
large magazine of artificial mag-
nets for a few feconds or mere, as
he faw occafion.

By this method the virtue they
acquired was fuch, that when any

Remarks. — One pound of po-
tatoes contains three ounces of
ftarch, two ounces of fibrous /u'b-
ftance and extradive matter, and
eleven ounces of vegetative wa-
ter. Thefe Cubflances vary ac-
cording to the nature of the foil
and the fpecics of the potatce. Ic

one of ihoTe pieces was held be- is to clear this root from the fu-

tween two of his beft ten guinea perabundance of water which ic

bars, with iis poles purpofely in- contains, and to feparate the llarch

verted, it immediately of itfelf from the other fubftances which

turned about to recover its na- Conflitute the potatoe, that the

tural diredion, which the force foregoing procefs is put in pr^c-

of thofe very powerful bars was
rot fufficient to countcrad,

I am, &c.

A Method to make Poiatoe-Bread
^without the Admixture of Flour,

by M. Parmentier, Member of . ,

the College of Pharmacy, Royal ^X ^"^^ pradice will foon clear up
Ce?ifor, tffc. of the Royal Print- ^^^^ P'^'"^
;„<r nffr^ ^f Pjrlc The ft:

tice. You may, in lieu of a rafp,
which renders the operation te-
dious, fubflitute a bread wheel
with double parallel fpokes, upon
the fame axis or axletree, fhod
with plate iron, ftampcd with holes,
inflead of bands of iron, or any
other inllrument ; befides, neceiTi-

larch extraded from po-
tatoes has this advantage ; that ic
may be kept for many years with-
out the leaft alteration, and will
ftiil fubfi.T; without corruption,
_ - - or untouched in a frozen pota-
rafp; they are thereby convert-rd toe, even v/hen animals will not
into a liquid pane, which muft cat it.

be diluted in water, and well agi- Of the Pulp. — Put the potatoes
^atcd, in order to e.Tip'.y it into a in boiling-water ; when ih-y are

H ?. boiled

ing Offi.ce at Paris.

Of the Starch.

TH E potatoes muft be well
waOied ; they mull beground
fine with the afliilance of a tin

lOO ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

boiled enough, caft away the wa- The palle being completely

ter, and peel them; and, with kneaded, it miill be dwided into

the niTillance of a wooden roller, Imall lo.ivcs : this bread requires

reduce them into a palle, which, flow preparation, and the oven

by grinding, grows ftiff and elallic. muft be equally anJ moderately

When there are no more clots or heated: it will require two hours

lumps in the whole mafs, then the
pulp is in perfe(5lion.

Remarks. — The parts which
coRlliiute the potatoe are in its
natural l1ate divided ; after boil-

baking.

The fait with which they fea-
fon Jhe bread in fome provinces
is alfo neceflary Tor this: the
quantity depends en the tal\e ;

jng, thefe parts are (o united as but half a drachm feems to be fuf-

to be but one homogeneous mafs. ficient.

The llarcjj, the fibrous fubftance Any one may enfily conceive

which floated, as one may fay, that this abflrad cannot wholiy

in the vegetative water, are in it; give an idea of the procefs, and

diflblved. that ihofe who have the fabrica-

It is from this very fit^ple ope- tion of this bread at heart, mull

ration that the whole fabrication be obliged to have recourfe to

of pocatoe-bread depends; wi:h- their o«\n experience, beeaufe no

out it, no panification : moreover, exaft account is to be expected

the potatoe muil necelTariiy be in when a new preparation is to be

that rtate vvherr we intend to mix performed,
it with any other grain^ fuch as

buck-wheat, bnrley, or oats : un
der any other form, its union with
thefe forts of grain will make, at
belt, but a coarfe bread.

Of the Bread. — Take five pound 3
cf drieJ ftarch, and five pounds of
thepulp; diflblve a fuitable quan-
tity of leaven or yt^all in warm
water the eve or night before.

Defcripiion of a mvjl effeBual Method
of fecuring Buildings agairf Fire,
in'~j?iiied hy Charles Lord Vif-
eount Mahon, F.R.S.

[From the Philofophical Tranfad^ions.}

H E new -and very fimple
method which I have difco-
The mixture being exactly made, vered of fecuring every kind of
let it lie all night in a kneading building (even though conftrufted
trough, well covered and kept of timber) againll all danger cf
warm until the next dav ; this is fire, may very properly be divided
the iecond leaven ; then add five into three parts; namely, iinder-
pounds more of ftarch, and the flooring, extra-jathing, and inter-
fame quantity of pulp, and kner.d fecuring, which particular methods
it well. The water mult be in may be applied, in part or in
propf)rtion as a fifth ptrt, that is whole, to different buildings, ac-
to fav, that upon twenty pounds cording to the various circum-
of palte there mull be five pounds fiances attending their conilruc-
of the water. You mull obferve tion, and according to the degree
that the water be ufed as hot as of accumulated fire, to which each
poliiblc. of thefe buildings maybe expofed,

froai

USEFUL PROJECTS. loi

from the different ufes to which
they are meant to be appropriat-
ed. The method of under-Jlocring
may be divided into two pans ;
njiz,. into Jingle and double under-
Jiooring.

The method oi Jin^Je under-Jioor-
z';/^ is as follows : A common lirong
lath, of about one quarter of an
inch thicic (either- of oak or fir)
I fhould be railed agaihit each fide
of ev rv jf'ilt, and of every main
timbe';, which fupoorts the floor
intended to be fecarcd. Other
iimilsr laths ougKt then to be
nailed the whole length of the
joifts with their ends butting
ag;;inft,&ich other: thefe are what
J call ^'ue f.ilets. The top of each
fiilec ought to be a.t one inch and
a half below the top of the joifts
or timbers agaitsft which they are
railed. Thele fillets will then
form, as it were, a fort of fmall
ledge on each fide of all the joifts.

Wheji the fillets are going to be
nailed, on fome of the rough plaf-
ter hereafter mentioned, mult ba
fpread with a trowel all along that
fide of each of the fillets which is
to lay next to the joilis, in order
that rhefe fillets may be well bed-
ded therein, when they are nailed
on, fo that there flioald not be
any interval between the fillets
and the joifts. A great number
of any common laths (f^ithcr of
oak or fir) muil be cut nearly to
the length of the width of the in-
tervals between the joifts. Some
of the rough plafter r. ff^rred to
above ought to be fpread with a
trowel, fucceflively upon the tojj
of all the filkts, and along the
fides of that pare of the joifts which
is between the top of the fillets
and the upper edge of the joifts.
The ihoxc pieces of common laths

juft mentioned ought (in order to
fill up the intervals between the
joifts thatfupport the finer) to be
laid in the contrary direftion to
the joifts, and clofe together in a
row, \o as to touch one another,
as much as the want of ftraitnefs
in the laths will polTibly allow,
without the I-iihs lapping over
each other; their ends.muft relt
upon the fillets fpoken of above,
and thsy ought to be well bedded
in the rough plafter. It is not
proper to ufe ary nails to faften
down either thefe ftiort pieces of
laths-, or thofe fhort pieces here-
after mentioned.

Thefe (hort pieces of laths
ought then to be covered with one
thick coat of the rough plafter
fpoken of hereafter, which fhould
be fpretd all over them, and which
fhould be brought, with a trowel,
to be about U-vel with the tops
of the joifts, but not above them.
This rough plairer in a day or
two fnoiild be trowelled all ever
clofe home to the fides of the
joifts ; but the tops of the joifts
ought not to be any ways covered
with it.

The method of double under-f cor-
ing'\s, in the firft pirt of it, e\ ■
adly the fame as the method ju;'
defcribed. The fillets and ihe
fiiort pif-ces of laths are applird
in the fame mnnner ; but the c'.: '
of rou^h pl.ifter ought to be lit-
tle m.'re th;;n half as thick .. -
the coat of rough plafter appii;' .
in the method oi Jingle under Jl'm-
ing.

\;\ the method of double unc^^r-
flooring, as fait as this coat i.'t-
roi-'2h plafter is laid on, fome more
of the Ihort pieces of laths, cut :i:
above diredlcd, muft be laid in
the in tcrvals between the jcifl> up' .

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the firft coat of rough plafter } and
each of thefe fhorc laths mull De,
one after the ciher, bedded deep
and quite found into this rough
plaiftt-r whilrt it is foft. Theie
Ihort piecfs of laths fhould be laid
alfo as clofe as poflible to e.nch
other, and in the fame direftion
as the firft layer of I'h.ort laths.

A coat of the fame kind of
rough plafler fiiould then be fpread
over this fecond layer of fhort
laths, as there was upon the firlt
layer above defcribed. This coat
of rough plafter (hould (as above
tiirPiFled for the method vi Jitjgle
vnder fiocring) be trowelled level
with the tops of the joifts, but
3t ought not to rife above iheni.
The fooner this fecond coat of
rough plafcer is fpread upon the
iecond layer of fiiort laths juit men-
tioned, the better. What follows
is common to the method of fmgle
as well as to that of double iinder-
Jleoring.

Common coarfe lime and hair
(fuch as generally ferves for the
pricking up coat in plaflering) may
be ufed for all the purpofes before
or hereafter mentioned ; but it is
confiderably cheaper, and even
much better, in all thefe cafes, to
make ufe of hay inftead of hair,
in order to prevent the plafier-
work from, cracking. The hay
ouffht to be chopped to about three
inches in length, but no fhorier.
One meafure of common rough
/and, two meafures of flacked
lime, and three meafures, but not
lefs, of chopped hay, will prove
in general, a very good propor-
tion, when fulriciently beat up to-
gether in the manner of common
::nortar. The hay mufl: be well
dragged in this kind of rough
plaller, and well intermixed wi^h

it; but the hay ought nfver to be
put in, till the two other ingre-
dients are well beat up together
with water. The rough plaller
ought never to be made thin for
any of the work mentioned ia
this paper. The IlifFer it is the
better, provided it be not too dry
to be Ipread properly upon the
lath?, if the flt<oring boards are
required to b^ laid very foon, a
fourth or a fifth part of quick
lime in powder, very well mixed
with this rough plaftcr juft before
it is ufcd, will caufs it to dry very
fail.

I have prcdifed this me;hod in
an extenfive work wit|i great ad-
vantage. In three iK-eeks this
rough plafler grow? perfeiflly dry.
The rough plafter, fo made, may
be applied at all times of the
year with the greatelt fuccefs.
The eafiefi: meth''d, by much, of
reducing quick lime to '^owdisr , is by
dropping A/mall quantity of water
on the lime-ilone, a little while
before the powder is intended to
be ufed: the lime wi'U ftill re-
tain a very fufHcient degree of
heat.

When the rough plader-work
between the joifts has got tho-
roughly dry, it ought to be ob-
jferved, whether or not there be
any fmall cracks in it, particu-
larly next to the joifls. If there
are any, they ought to be waftied
over with a brufli, wet with mortar-
HKiaJh, which will efFeftually clofe
them ; but the're will never be any
cracks £t all, if the chopped hay
and the quick lime be properly made
ufe of.

The mortar-wafl) I make ufe of
is merely this. About two mea-
fures of quick lime, and one mea-
fure of comjnosii fand, ftiould b^

USEFUL?

put Into a pnil, and flionld be
well itirred up with water, till the
water grows very thick, fo as to be
almoll of the cnnfidency of a thin
jelly. This wnfh, when ufcd, will
grow dry in a few minutes.

Before the flooring boards are
laid, a fmall quantity of vry dry
common fand fhoald be flrewed
over the rough plafter-workj but
not over the tops ofthe joifts. The
faod ihould be llruck fmooth with
an hollow rule, which ought to
be about the length of the dillance
from joift to joift, and of about
one eighth of an inch curvature ;
which rule, pauing over the fand
in the' fame direflion with the
joids, will caufe the fand to lay
rather rounding in the middle of
the inter^'al between each pair of
joills. The flooring boards may
theu be laid and faftened down in
the ufual manner ; but very par-
ticular attention muft be paid to
the rough plafter-work, and to the
fand being moft perfedly dry be-
fore the boards are laid, for fear
of the dry-rot ; of which how-
ever there is no kind of danger,
when this precriution is made ufe
of. The method of under -fiooring
J have alfo applied with the ut-
moft fuccefs, to a wooden ftair^-
cafe. It is made to follow the
fliape of the fteps, but no fand is
laid upon the rough plailer-work
in this cafe.

The method of exU-a-lathing
may be applied to cieling joifts,
to floping roof?, and to wooden
partitions. It is fimply this : as
the laths are going to be nailed
on, fome of the above-mentioned

R O J E C T S. 103

rough pi'.fter ought to be fpread
b;"t • een thefe laths and the joills
(or other timbers) againft which
thefe laths- are to b^- nailed- The
laths ought to be nailed very clofe
to each other. When either of the
ends of any of the laths lap over
other laths, it ought to be attended
to, that thefe ends b^ bedded
found in fome of the fame kind of
rough plafter. This attention is
equally necefTary for the fecond
layer of laths hercai'ter men-
tioned.

The firfl layer of laths ought
to be covered with a pretty thick
coat of the fame rough plafter
fpoken of above. A fecond layer
of laths OJght then to be nailed
on, each lath being, as it is put
on, well fqueezed and bedded
found into the foft rough plafter.
For this reafon, no more of this
fird coat of rough plalter ough: to
be laid on at a time than what
can be i.mmediately follo.ved with
the fecond layer of laths.

The laths of this fecond layer
ought to be laid as clofe to each
other as they can b", to allow of
a proper clench for - the rough
plalter. The laths of the fecond
layer* may then be plallered over
with a coat of the fame kind of
rough plafter, or it may be plaf-
tereJ over in the ufual manner.

The third method, which is that
of inter -fecuring, is very fimilar,
in moft reipedls, to th^t of under-
jicor'nig ; bat no fand is afterwards
to be laid upon ir. Inter-fccuring,
is applicable to the fame parts of
a building as the method of extra-
lathing jult delcribed ; but it is

* If a third layer of l.iihs be immediately nailed on, and be covered with a

third coat of rough plafter, I then call the method treble la thing j but this method
pt tyeble lathuig can alnioli in no cafe be required.

id[ A rot

104 ANNUAL REG I S T E R, 1779.

not often neceffary to be made
ule of.

I have mads a prodigious num-
ber of experiments upon every pari
of rhefa differcnc methods. I
caufed a wooden buildinj^ to be
conllruvfied at ClHvening in Kent y
in order to perform them in the
moft natural mjtnner. The me-
thods of extra-lathing and double
vnder-f.ooring were the only ones
made ufe of in that building.

On the 26th of September 1777,
I had the honour to repeat ibme
of my experiments before the pre-
fident and fomeof the fellow? of ths
Royal Society, the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen cf the city of Lon-
don, the committee of city lands,
feveral of the foreign minillers,
and a great number of other per-
fons.

The firft experiment was to fill
the lower room of the building
(which room was about twenty-fix
feet long by fixieen wide) full of
ihavjngs and faggots, mixed with
combuftibles, and to fet them all
on fire. The heat was fo inienfe,
that the glafs of the windows was
melted like fo much common feal-
ing wax, and run down in drops,
yet the flooring boards of that very
room were not burnt through, nor
was one of the fide timbers, rioor-
joills, or ceiling-joifts damaged in
the fmalleft degree; and the per-
fons who went into the room im-
mediately over the room filled with
fire, did not perceive any ill ef-
fects from it whatever, even the
floor of that room being perfeclly
cool during that enormous con-
flagration immediately under-
neath.

I then caufed a kind of wooden
building of full fifty feet in
length, and of three ftorics high
6

in the middle, to be erefled, quico
clofe to one end of the fccured
wooden houfe. J filled and cOr
vered this binldinjr with above
eleven hundred large kiln faggots,
and Tveral loads of dry fhavings ;
and I fet this pile on fire. 'J'he
height of the flame was no lefa
than eighty feven feet perpendi-
cular from the ground, and the
graf> upon a bank, at a hundred
and fifty feet from the fiic, was
all fcorched ; yet the ftcured
wooden building quite contiguous
to this vaft heap of fire, was not
at all damaged, except fome parts
of the outer coat of plafter-work.

This experiment was intended
to reprefent a wooden town on
fiie, and to fhow how efFeftually
even a wooden building, if fecur-
ed according to my new method,
would flop the progrefs of the
flames on that fide, without any
afliflance from fire-engines, &c.

The lafl experiment I made that
day was, the attempting to burn
a wooden flair-cafe, fecured ac-
cording to my Ample method of
under-jloorhig. The underfide of
the ilair-caie was extra-lathed. Se-
veral very large kiln faggots were
laid, and kindled, under the fiair-
cafe, round the Itairs and upon
the fieps ; this wooden ftair-cafc
notwithlfanding refilled, as if it
had been of fire-ftone, all the at-
tempts that were made to con-;
fume it. 1 have fince made five
other ftill flronger fires upon this
fame ftair-cafe, without having
repaired it, having, moreover,
filled the fmall place in which this
ftair-cafe is, entirely with fhav-
ings and large fnggots ; but the
flair-cafe is, however, flill lland-
ing, and is but ^^l« V^a*
maged.

la

USEFUL PROJECTS.

In moft houfes it is ncccuary
«nly to fecure the Jloors ; and that
according to the method of fingh
under-fworing already deicribed.
The extra expence of it (all ma-
terials included) is only about nine-
pence per Iquare yard, unlefs there
fhould be particular difficulties at-
tending the execution, in which
cafe, it will vary a little. When
quick lime is made.ufe of, the ex-
pence is a trifle/ more. Tiie extra-
expence of the method of extra-
lathing, is no more than Jlx-pence
per fquare yard for the timber,
iide-walls, and partitions ; but for
the cieling about nine-penes per
fquare yard. No extra-lathing is
neceflary in the generality of
houfes.

InJlruBlonsfor culti'vating and curing
Tobacco in England. From Mr.
Carver V Treat i/e on that Suhjeil.

THE bed ground for raifing
the plant is a warm rich foil,
not fubjeft to be over-run with
weeds ; for from thefe it muii be
totally cleared. The foil in which
Jt grows in Virginia is inclining to
fandy, confequently warm and
light ; the nearer therefore the na-
ture of the land approaches to that,
the greater probability there is of
its flourifhing here. The fituation
moll preferable for a plantation is
the fouthern declivity of a hill, or
a fpot that is (heltered from the
blighting north winds which fo
frequently blow, during the fpring
months, in this ifland. But at the
fame time the plants mud enjoy a
free current of air ; for if that be
pbltruded they will not profper.

As the tobacco plant, being an
annual, is only tO be raifed from

feed, the greatelt care in purchaf-
ing thefe is neceffary ; left by fow-
ing fuch as is not good, we Icfe,
with the evpefled crop, the feafon.
The riifFerent forts of the feeds not
being diftinguifhable from eacK
other, por the goodnefs to be af-
certained by their appearance, the
purchafer fliould applv to a perfoa
of charadler in that profefiion. la
defcribing the manner in which,
the plant ought to be raifed front
the feed, as well as in the fucceed-
ing prcgreG, I fhall confine my-
felf to the prat^ice of the northerei
colonies of America, as thefe are
more pr^rallel in their latitude to
England.

Aboiit the middle of April, or
rather fooner in a forward fpring,
fovv the feed in beds firll prepared
for the purpofe, with fome warm
rich manure. In a cold fpring,
regular hot-beds v/ould be moft
eligible for this purpofe ; and in-
deed the gardeners of this country
are perfuaded. that the Nicotania
cannot be raifed in any other way ;
but thefe are feldom to be found
in common gardens, and I am
convinced that if the weather is rot
remarkably fcvere, they might be
reared without doors. A fquare
yard of land, for which a fmall
quantity of feed is fufficient, will
prodi.ce above five hundred plants,
and allow proper fpace for their
nurture till they are fit to tranf-
plant.

Having fown the feed in the
manner direded, on the leafl: ap-
prehenfion of a froft: after the
plants appear, it will be neceffary
to fpread mats over the beds, ele-
vated from the ground by poles
Inid acrofs. Thefe however muft
be removed in the morning fooa
after the fun appears, that they

may

ic6 ANNUilL REGISTER, 1779;

may receive a? much benefit ss
poflible from its warmth, and from
the air. In this manner proceed
till t-he leaves have attained the
fize of about two inches in length,
and one in breadth, which they
will do in about a month, or near
the middle of May. One inva-
riable rule for their being able to
bear removal if, when the fourth
leaf is fprouted, and the fifth juft
aopears. Then take the opportu-
r.ity of the firll rains, or gentle
fnowers, to tranfplant them into
fuch a foil and fituation as before
defcrlbed. The land muft be
plowed, or dug up with fpades, as
mellow and light as polTible. Raife,
with the hoe, fmall hillocs at the
diRance of two feet, or a little
more, from each other, taking
care that no hard fods or lump? are
in it, and then juft indent the
middle of each, without dibbling
the holes as for fome other plants.
When your ground is th-js pre-
pared, dig up the plants in a gen-
tle manner from their native bed,
and infert a plant gently into the
center of each hilloc, prefiing the
foil around it with your fingers,
and taking the greateft care, dur-
ing the operation, that you do not
break oft any of the leaves, which
are at this time cxquifitely tender.
If the weather proves dry, jifter
they are thus cranfplanted, they muft
he watered with foft water, in the
iame manner as is'ufually done to
coleworcs, or plants of a firnilar
kind. From this time great care
moft be taken to keep the ground
foft, and free from weeds, by often
Itirring with your hoe the mould
round the roots ; and pruning off"
the dead leaves that fome'imes are
found nc2r the boitom of the Ilalk.

The difference of this climate
from that in which I have been
accuftomcd to obferve the progrefs
of this plant, will not permit me
to dircdl with certainty the time
which is moft proper to take off the
top of it, to prevent it from run-
ning to feed. This knowledge caa
only be perfedly acquired by expe-
rience. When it has rifen to up-
wards of two feet, it commonly
begins to put forth the branches on
which the flowers and feeds are
produced; but as this expanfion,
if fuffercd to take place, would
drain the nutriment from the
leaves, and thereby leffen ther
fize and efficacy, it becomes need-
ful at this &?.gz to nip off the ex-
tremity of the fialk. to prevent its
growing higher. In fome higher
climates, the top is commonly cut
off when the plant has fifteen
leaves ; if the tobacco is intended
to be a little ftronger than ufual,
this is done when it has only thir-
teen ; and fometimes, when it is
chcfen to be remarkably powerful,
eleven or twelve leaves only are
allowed to expand. On the con-
trary, if the planter is defirous to
have his crop very mild, he fuffers
it to put forth eighteen or twenty :
but in this calculation the three pr
four lower leaves next the ground
are not to be reckoned.

This is denominated ' topping
' the tobacco,' and is much better
done by the finger and thumb,
than with any infti ument ; becaufe
the former clofe, at the fame tim?,
the pores of the plants ; whereas,
when it is done with the latter,
the juices are in fome degree ex-
haulted. And though this mijrht
appear unimportant, yet every me-
thod that tends to give vigour to

the

USEFUL PROJECTS. 107

rent fign?, however, of its /matu-
rity are, that the leaves, as they
approach a ftate of ripenefs, be-
come more corrug^ated or rough;
and when fully ripe, appear mot-
tled with ycUowilh (pot5 en the
raifed parts, whilft the caviiies re-
tain'their ufual green colour. They
are, at this time, alfo thicker than
they hare before been, and are
covered with a kind of downy vel-
vet. If heavy rains happen ut this
critical period, they wiil v, adi this
excrefceni fubJlancc off, and there-
by damage the plant-;. In fuch a
cafe, if the frolly nignts are not
begun, it is proper to let tl^em
fland a f(^w days longer; when, if
the weather be more moderate,
they wiil recover this fubftance
again. But if a froft unexpededly
happens during the night, they
murt be carefully examined in the
ii;orning before the fun has any
influence on them : and thofe
whic'i are found to be covered
with frofty particles, whettier tho-
roughly ripe or not, mult be cut
up : for though they may not all
appear to be arrived at a Hate of
ma.urity, yet they cannot be far
from it, and will differ but little
in goodnefs from thofe that are
perred'y (o.

Having now given every inftruc-
tion that occurs to my memory re-
lative to the culture of the plant,
I (hall defcribe the worm that in-
fefts it. It is of the horned fpecies,
and appears to be peculiar to this
plant; (o thatin many partsof Ame-
rica it is diftinguidied by the name
of the Tobacco-worm. The firft
time it is difcernible, is when the
plants have gained about half their
height : it then appears to be near-
ly as large as a gnat; foon after
which it lengthens into a warm,

and

the leaves fho-ald be carefully pur-
fued. For the fame reafon care
mull be taken to nip off the fprouts
that will be continually fpringing
up at the junction of the leaves
with the ftalks. This is termed

* fuckering the tobacco,' and ought
to be repeated as often as occahon
requires.

The laft, and not the lead con-
cern in the cultivation of ibis plant,
is the deflrudlion of the worm that
Nature has given it for an enemy,
and which, like many other rep-
tiles, plays on its benefaftor. To
deltfoy thef?, which are the only
infefts that moleft this plant, every
leaf muft be carefully fearched.
As foon as fuch a v^-ound is dif-
covered, the caufe of it, who will
be found near it, fro.m his un-
fubitanfal texture, which I {hall
prefently defcribe; m.ay be e^fily
cruftied : but the b ft method is to
pluck it away by he horn, and
then crufh ir. Without a cottftant
attention to thefe noxious infeft;,
a whole field oT plants m?y be foon
deftroyed. Thi? is termed ' worm-

* ing the tobacco ;' and as thefe
worms are found moil predominant
the latter end of July, and the be-
ginning of Auguft, ihey muii be
particularly attended to at that
fcafon.

As I have juil obferved, that it
is impoffible, without experience,
to point out the due time for top-
ping the plant, fo it is equally as
impoflible to afcertain the time it
will take to ripen in this climate.
That can only be known by future
obfervations ; for as it is at prefent
only cultivated in England as an
ornament for the garden, no par-
ticular attention has, I beiieve,
been hitherto bellowed on the pre-
fervation of its leaver, The appa-

ic8 ANNUAL R E G I S T E R, 1779.

and by degrees jncreafes to the on the Hoor, and if the fun does
lize of a nuin's finaer. In fli:)pc not appear for feveral days, fo that
it is regular from its head to its they can be laid out again, they
tail, wichout any diminution at mult icnK^in to wilt in chat man-
either extremity : indented or rib- ner ; svhi.:n is not indeed fo de-
bed roundat equal dilUnces, nearly firable as in the inn, nor will the
a quarter of an inch from cacfi tob;icco prove ijuite fo good,
ether, and having at every one of When t!ie leaves have acquired
thefe divificns a pair of claws, by the fiexib.Iity before defer. bed, the
H'hich it fallens jtfelf to the plant, plants mu!t be laid in hecps, or
Its mouth, like that of the cater- rather in one heap, if ihe quantity
pillar, is placed under the fore- be i,ot' too great, and in abo-jt
pare of the head. On the cop of twenty-four hours ihey will be
the head, between the eye?, grows found to Iweat. B'Jt during this
a horn about half an inch in length, tirm", when they hdve lain for ^
and greatly refcnibling a thorn ; little while,. and begin to fcrnicrt,
ihc extreme part of which is brown, it is neceilary to turn them, that
of a lirm textu.-c, and fharp point- thewholc quantity niav be equally
ed. By tb's horn, as before ob- fermented. The longer they lie
ferved, it is ufaally plucked from in this fituation, thedorker colour-,
the leaf. ed the tobacco becomes. This is

When the plant is fit for gather- termed 'fwt-ating the tobacco.'

in"', on the tiril morning that pro- After they have lain in this

jnifes a fair day, befor;^ the fun is manner for three or four days, for

rifen, take a long knife, and hold- in a longer time they grow mouldy,

jng the ftalk near the top v^ith one the plants niay'be tied together in

hand, fever it from its root with pairs, and hung acrofs a pole, in

theother, aslowas poiTib'e. Having the fame covered place, a pr. per

donethisjlayitgentlyon thegrouud, interval being left between e;.ch

and there let it reanin expoft-d pair. In abf>ut a month 'hey will

10 the fun throughout the day, or be thoroughly dried, and of a proper

until the leaves are entirely wilted, temperature to be taken down.

as it is termed in America; that This ilate may be afcertained by

is, till they become lim.per, and their appearing of the fame colour

'will bend any wav without breaic- as ihoie imported from America,

ing. If, on the contrary, the rain with which few are unacquainted.

fhould continue without any in- Hut this-can be done at no other

tervals, and the plant appears to feafon than during wet weather ;

be full ripe, they mull be ci.t d<>wn for the tob.icco greatly abounding

and houfed immediately. This with fairs, it is always afi^"eded if

niuftbedone, however, witji great there is the 1 -all humidity in the

care, that the leaves, which are in atmofphere, even though it be

this ftate very brittle, m^sy not be hung in a dry place, if this rale

broken. Being placed under pro- be not obferved, but they are re-

■per (belter, either in a barn or a

covered hovel, where they cannot

be affefted by the rain or too much.

air, they mull be thinly ica.tercd

moved in dry weather, the leaves
will crumble, and a confiderabie
wafts will attend its removal.

As

USEFUL PROJECTS.

[C9

As foon as the plants are takpn
down, they mull once more be laid
in a heap, and preffed with heavy
lot^s of wood tor about a week.
This climate, however, may re-
quire a longer time. Whiill they
remain in this ibte, it will be ne-
cefi'ary to introduce your hand fre-
quenily into the heap, 10 difcover
whether the heat be not too in-
tcnfe; for in large quantities this
will fometimcs be the cafe, and
confiderable damage will accrue
from it. When the heat exceeds
a moderate glowing warmth, part
ot ihe weight by which they are
comprefied mufl: be tnken away ;
and the caufe br?ing removed, the
efieft will ceafe. This is called
ih- ' fecond or lalt fweating,' and
when completed, which it gene-
rally will be in about the time jull
mentioned, the leaves may be
llripped from the ilalks for ufe.
Many omit this laft operation, but
it takes away any remaining harfh-
nefs, and render^ the tobacco more
mellow. When the leaves are
ftripped from the (talks, they are to
be tied up in bunches and kept in
a cellar, or any other place that is
damp ; though if not handled in
d;y weather, but only during a
rainy feafon, it is of little confe-
quence in what part of the houfe
or b^rn they are laid up. At this
period the tobacco is thoroughly
cured, and equally proper for ma-
nuf.d.iring as that imported from
the colofiies. If it has been pro-
perly managed, that raw fiery talle
fo heq.iently found in the common
fale tobacco will be totally eradi-
cated ; and though it retains ail
its llrength, will be foft and pliaf-
ing in its Havour. Thole who are
curious in their tobacco in the

northern colonies of America
fprinkle it, when made up into
rolls for keeping, with fmall com-
mon white v.ines or cyder, ir.flead
of, fait water, which gives it an
inexprefllbly fine Havour.

By pnrfuing the rules which I
have endeavoured to give in as
explicit terms as poffible, country
gentleinen, and landholders in ge-
neral. Will be enabled toraife much
-better tobaccn than that which is
ufually imported from Maryland
or Virginia : for notwithftanding
there are not wanting prohibitory
laws in thofe countries, to prevent
the planters from icnding to mar-
ket any but the princi}.al leaves,
yet they "frequently, to increafe
their profit, fufFer the fprouts to
grow, and mix tlie fuialler leaves
of thei'e with the otljcrs, wliich
renders them much inferior in
gcodnefs.

The crops that T have reafon to
believe may be raifcd in England,
will greatly exceed in flavour and
efhtacy any that is imported fronx
the touthern colonies: for though
niDrthern climates require far more
care and exaftnefs to bring tobacco
to a proper liate of matuiity thaa
warmer latitudes, yet this tardinefs
of growth tends to impregnate the
plants with a greater quantity of
falts, and conlequently with that
aromatic flavour for which it is
prized, than is to be 'found in the
produce cf hotter cli.mes, where it
is brought to a ftate of perfedion,
from the feed, in half the linie
required in colder regions.

A pound of tobacco raifed in
New-England or Kova-Scotia, is
fuppofed to contain as much real
ft^ength as two pounds from Vir-
ginia; and 1 doabt not but that

near

no ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Plan by Dr. Franklin awr/ Mr. Dal-
rymple, /or bencfiiing dijlant un-
pro'vided Countries *.

near double the quantity of falts
riii^ht be exirarted from it by a
chemical procefs.

I (hall alio jull add, though the
example can only be followed in
particul ir parts of thcfe kingdoms,
that the Americans ufually chufe
for the place where they intend to
make the feedling-bed, part of a
cople, or a fpot of ground co-
vered with wood, of which they
burn down fuch a portion as they
think neceflary. Having done
this, they rake up the fubjacent
mould, and mixing it with the
aflies thus produceJ, fow therein
the feed, without adding any other
manure, or taking any other Heps.
Where this method cimnot be pur-
fued, wood-alhes may be ftrewed
over the mould in which the feed
is defigned to be fown.

To the ufes already known,
there is another to which tobacco
might be applied, that I believe
has never been thought of by Eu-
rope.'ins ; and which may render it
much more eftimable than any
other. It has been found by the
Americans to anfwer the purpofe
of tanning leather, as well, if not
better, than bark ; and was not
the latter fo plentiful in their
country, would be generally uied
by them inftead of it. 1 have
been witnefs to many experiments
wherein it has proved fuccefsful,
efpecially on the thinner forts of
hides, and can fafely pronounce
it to be, in countries where bark
is fcarce, a valuable fubllitute for
that article.

Aug. 29, 1771.

THE country called in the
maps NeiJo Zealand, has been
difcovered by the Endea^vcur, to be
two iflands, together as large as
Great Britain : thele iflands, named
Acpy-nomai.uec and To-iy-poennani'
moo, are inhabited by a brave and
generous race, who are deltitute of
corn, fO'Tvls, and all quadrupeds, ex-
cept dogs.

Thefe circumftances being men-
tioned lately in a company of men
of liberal fentiments, it was ob-
ferved that it feemed incumbent on
fuch a country as this, to commu-
nicate to all others the convenien-
cies of life which we enjoy.

Dr. Franklin, whofe life has
ever been directed to promote the
true intereft of fociety, faid, " he
'• would, with all/his heart, fub-
*' fcribe to a voyage intended to
" communicate in general thofe
" benefits which we enjoy, to
" countries deltitute of them in
" the remote parts of the globe."
This propo.Gtion being warmly
adopted by the reft of the com-
pany, Mr. Dalrymple, then pre-
lent, was induced to offer to un-
dertake the command on fuch an
expedition.

On mature refledion, this fcheme
appears the more honourable to
the national character of any which
can be conceived, as it is grounded
on the nobleft principle of be-

* Tliefe propofals were printed upon a flieet of paper fome two or -three years
ago, and dilliibuted. The parts wriiien by Dr. Franklin and Mr. Dalrymple
are cafily diftinguilhed.

ncvo-

USEFUL PROJECTS. iii

ftevolence. Good intentions are
often fruftrated by letting them
remain indigefted ; on this confi-
deration Mr. Dalrymple was in-
duced to put the outlines on paper,
which are now publifhed, -that by
an early communication there miy
be a better opportunity of colled-
ing all the hints which can con-
duce to execute cffeflually the be-
nevolent purpc^fe of the expedi-
tion, in caie it fhould meet with
general approbation.

On this fcheme being (hewn to
Dr, Franklin, he communicated
' his fentimencs, oy way of introduc-
tion, to the following efTe^t :

*' Britain is faid to have pro-
*' duccd originally nothing bat
" Jloes. What vaft advantages
*' have been communicated to her
** byjhe fruit?, feeds, root?, her-
** bag?, animal-s and arts of other
** countries ! We are by their
*' means become a wealthy and a
*' mighty nation, abounding in
■" all good things. Does not iome
" duty hence arife from us towards
*' other countries Hill remiinine
"in our former ftate ?

*' Britain is now the firH mari-
*' time power in the world. Her
*' (hips are innumerable, capable
" by their form, fize, and flrength,
'• of failing all feas. Our fea-
•* men are equally^ bold, Ikilful,
*' and hardy ; dexterous in cx-
" ploring the remoteft regions,
•• ready to engage in voyages
" to unknown countries, though
•* attended wiih the greateft dan-
*' gers. The inhabitants of thofe
*' countries, oar fello-zv men, have
•' canoes only; not knowing iron,
" they cannot build fhips ; they
** have little aftronomy, and no
** knowledge of the compafs to
** guide them : they cannot ihere-

'* fore come to us, or obtain any
" of our advantage-. From thefe
'* circumllances, does not foipe
" duty feem to arife from us to
•'• them ? Doe^ not Providence, by
*' thefe di Hi nguilh in g favours, feem
'* to call on us to do fomething;
** ourfelves for the common in-
" tereft of humanity ?

" Thofe who think it their
** duty to afk bread and other
*< blellings daily from heaven,
*' would they not think it equally
** a duty to communicate of thofe
" blelfings when they have re-
'* ceived them; and fliow their
** gratitude to their great Bene-
** faf^or by the only means ia
" their power, promoting the hao-
•< pinefs of his other children ?

" Ceres is faid to have made a
*' journey through many countries
'* to teach the ufe of corn, and
" the art of raifing it. For this
" fingle benefit the grateful na-
" tions deified her. How much
" more may 'Englilhmen deferve
" fuch honour, by communlcat-
" ing the knowledge and ufe not
" of corn only, but of all the
'« other enjoyments earth can pro-
" duce, and which they are now
" in pciunTion of. Ccmmuniter bonx
" profundere , Deum eji.

•• Many voyages have beea
•' undertaken with views of profit
•« or of plunder, or to gratify re-
" fentment; to procure fome ad-
" vantage to ourfelves, or do fome
" mifchief to others: but a voy-
*' age is now propofed to vifit a
" diilant people on the other fide
'« the globe ; not to cheat them,
** not to rob them, rot to feize
" their lands, or enflave their
" perions ; but merely to do
*' them good, and niai<e them,
*' as far as in our power lies, to

" lii'C

112 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

•* live as ccmtortably as our- *' have the arts and conveniencicfc

«* felves. ** of life, than it can be witK

« It ieems a laudable wifh, that *' naked favages. We may theiH:-

«♦ all the nations of the earth were '• fore hope in this undertaking

•< conneifted by a knowledge of •' to be of fome fervice to our

*' each other, and a mutual ex- ** country, as well as to thofe

•* chanf^e of benefits : but a *' poor people, who, however dif-

•< commercial nation particularly ** tant from us, are in truth re-

** fhould wifli for a g.^neral civi- *' lated to us, and whofe interells

«« lization of mankind, fince trade '* do, in fome degree, concern

«« is always carried vt\ to much *' every one who can fay Horn*

•« greater extent wiih people who *' fumy^ &c.

Scheme of a ^voyage by fuh/criptlon, to convey the conveniencies of life, as
fowls, hogs, goats, ca'tle. corn, iron, Sec. to thofe remote regions
which are dcHitute of them, and to bring from thence fuch produc-
tions as can be cultivated in this kingdom to the advantage of fo-
ciety, in a fhip under the command of Alexander DalrympLe.

Catt or bark, from the coal trade, of 350 tons, ellimated ^,

at about __ — — — 2,oco

Extra expences, flores, boats, &c. — — — 3,000

To be manned with 60 men at

4 per man per month

5,000

Wages and
provifions

24.0
12

2,880 per annum
3

8,640 for three years

— — 8,646

1 3,640

Cargo included, fuppofed

The expences of this expedition
are calculated for thr/e years ; but
the greateft part of the amount of
wages will not be wanted till the
fhip returns, and a great part of
the expence of provilions will be
faved by what is obtained in the
courfe of the voyage by barter or
oiherwife, though it is proper to

— — — 15,000

make provifion for contingencies.

ExtraSI of a Letter to Dr. Perciva^»
concerning the Prcvifion made in
China againji F amine %

*' I HAVE fomewhere read, that
in China an account is yearly
taken of the number of people, and

the

USEFUL PROJECTS. iij

the quantities of provifion pro-
duced. This account is tranfmit-
ted to the Emperor, whofe Mini-
fters can thence forefee a fcarcity
likely to happen in any province,
and from what province it can bell
be fupplied in good time. To fa-
cilitate the coIle£ling of this ac-
count, and prevent the neceffity
of entering houfes and fpetiding
time in afking and anfwering
queftions, each houfe i« furnlflied
with a little board to be hung
without the door, during a cer-
tain time each year ; on which
board are marked certain words,
againfl which the inhabitant is to
mark number or quantity, fome-
wha^t in this manner:

Men,
Women,
Children,
Rice or Wheat,
FleOi, &c.

All under i6 are accounted chil-
dren, and all above, men and
women. Any other particulars
which the government defires in-
formation of, are occafionally
marked on the fame boards. Thus
the officers appointed to colletfl the
accounts in each diftridl, have only
to pafs before the doors, and enter
into their book what they find
marked on the board, without
giving the iealt trouble to the fa-
mily. There is a penalty on
marking falfely, and as neigh-
bours mufl know nearly the truth
of each others account, they dare
not expcfe themfelves by a falfe
one, to each others accufation.
Perhaps iuch a regulation is fcarce-
ly pra<5licable with uj."

\0L. XXII.

Pof.tions to be Examined,

1. ALL food or fubfiftence for
mankind arife from the earth or
waters.

2. Neceflaries of life that are
not foods, and all other conve-
niencies, have their values efti«
mated by the proportion of food
confumed while we are employed
in procuring them.

3. A fmall people with a larga
territory may fubfift on the pro-
dudions of nature, with no other
labour than that of gathering the
vegetables and catching the ani-
mals.

4. A large people with a- fmall
territory finds thefe infufficient,
and to fubfift, muft labour the
earth, to make it produce greater
quantities of vegetable food, fuit-
able for the nourifhment of men,
and of the animals they intend to
eat.

5. From this labour arifes a
great increafe of vegetable and ani-
mal food, and of materials for
clothing, as flax, wool, filk, &c.
The fuperfluity of thefe is wealth.
With this wealth we pay for the
labour employed in building our
houfes, cities, &c. which are
therefore only fubfiftence thus me-
tamorphofed.

6. Manufa^uhs are only another
Jhapt into which fo much provi-

fions and fubfiftence are turned,
as were eciual in 'value to the ma-
nufaftures produced. This ap-
pears from hence, that the manu-
fafturer does not, in fa6l, obtain
from the employer, for his kbour,
more than a mere fubfiftence, in-
cluding raiment, fuel and ihelter;
all which derive their value from
the provifions confumed in pro-
curing them.

X 7. The

XI4 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

7. The produce of the earth,
thus converted into manufadlures,
may be more eafily carried to dif-
tanc markets than before fuch con-
verfior.

8. Fair commeree is, where equal
values are exchanged for equal,
the expence of tranlport included.
Thus, if it cods A in England as
much labour and charge to raifc
a bufhel of wheat, as it colts B in
France to produce four gallons of
wine, then are four gallons of
wine the fair txchan^e for a bufhel
of wheat, A and B meeting at
half dillance with their commodi-
ties to make the exchange. The
advantage of this fair commerce
is, that each party increafes the
number of his enjoyments, hav-
ing, inftead ot wheat alone, or
wine alone, the ufe of both wheat
and wine.

9. Where the labour and ex-
pence of producing both commo-
dities are known to both parties,
bargains will generally be fair and
equal. Where they are known
to cne party only, bargains will
often be unequal, knowledge tak-
ing its ndvat tagc of ignorance.

10 "J^^i he that carries icx>o
bulheis cf wheat abroad to fell,
n»jy noi ptobably obtain fo great
a profit thereon, as it he had fiift
turned the wheat into manufac-
turt's by fubfilHng therewith the
workuien jvhile producing thofe
marufcflurcs: fince there are many
expeditii.i.' ?.nd facilitating methods
of V. o.-kiujj, Hvt gf nerally known;
and llran^t-rs'to tlu- manuf.dlures,
though they know pretty wdl the
expence of raiing wheat, arc un-
acquainted with ihofc lliort m>
thodi of vvorkipg, and thence be-
ing apt tc; I'uppofe moic iabocr

employed in the manufaftures than
there really is, are more eafily im*
pofed on in their value, and in-
duced to allow more for thetn thaa
they are honeftly worth.

II. Thus the advantage of hav-
ing manufadures in a country,
does not confift, as is commonly
fuppofcd, in their highly advanc-
ing the value of rough material?,
of which they are formed ; fincc,
though fix-pennyworth of flax may
be worth twenty /hillings when
worked into lace, yet the very
caufe of its being worth twenty
fhillings is, that, befides the flax,
it has colt nineteen llullings and
fupence in fubfifleiice to the ma-
nufadurer. But the advantage
of manufactures is, that under
their fhape provifions may be more
eafily carried to a foreign market ;
and by their means our traders
may more eafily cheat ftrangers.
Few, where it is not made, arc
judges of the value of lace. The
importer may demand forty, and
perhap<= get thirty (hillings for that
which cod him but twenty.

12. Finally, there feem to be
but three ways for a nation to ac-
quire wealth. The firlt is by oviflr,
as the Remans did, in plundering
their conquered neighbours. This
is robbery.-— The kcond by ccm-
mcKcc, which if generally chccting.
— The third by cgriculturty the
only bor.efi ivay; wherein man re-
ceives a real increafe of ihe feed
thrown into the ground, in a kii.d
of continual miracle wrought by
the hand ot God in his favour, as
a reward for his innocent life, and
his virtuous induury.

B. F.

A|Kil 4, 1769.

Spici-

USEFUL PROJECTS. 115

Zptdficaticn of Dr. Higgin'/ Patent
for a neiu-in'venied Water -Csment
er Stucco,

To all ivhom thefe Prefents Jhall
come, i^c.

NO W know ye that in com-
pliance with the faid pro-
vifoe, I the faid B. H. do hereby
declare that my invention of a wa-
ter cement or llucco, for building,
repairing, and plaftering walls, and
for other purpofes, is defcribed in
the manner following (that is to
fay) drift fand, or quarry * fand,
which confills chiefly of hardquar-
tofe flat faced grains with fharp
angles ; which is the freed, or
may be moft eafjly freed by wafli-
ing, from clay, falts, and calca-
reous, gypfcous, orother grainslefs
hard and durable than quartz ;
which contains the fmalleit quan-
tity of pyrites or heavy metallic
matter infeparable by wafhing ;
and which fulFers the fmaljefl di-
minution of its bulk in wafliing in
the following manner, is to be
preferred before any oiher. And
where a coarfe and a fine fand of
this kind, and correfponding in
the fize of their grains with the
coarle and fine fands hereafter de-
fcribed, cannot be eafily procured,
let fuch fand of the forec^oing
qualify be chofen, as may be fort-
ed and cleanfed in the following
manner :

Let the fand be fifted in flream-
ing clear water, through a fieve
which fhall give paflage to all fuch
grains as do not exceed one fix-
teenth of an inch in diameter :
and let the ftream of water and
the fifting be regulated fo that all
the fa'nd, which is much finer than
the Lynn-fand commonly ufedin the
London glafs-houfes, together with
clay and every other matter fpeci-
fically lighter than fand, may be
wafhed away with the ftream,
whilft the purer and coarfer fand,
which pafles through the fieve,
fubfides in a convenient receptacle,
and whilft the coarle rubbifli and
iliingle f remain on the fieve, to
be rejeded.

Let the fand which thus fubfides
in the receptacle, be wafhed in
clean ftreaming water, through a
finer fieve, fo as to be further
cleanied and forted into two par-
cels i a coarfer, which will re-
main ill the fieve, which is to give
paffage to fuch grains of fand only
as are lefs than one thirtieth of an
inch in diameter, and which is to
be faved apart under the name of
coarfe fand ; and a finer, which
wiil pafs throDgh the fieve and fub-
fide in the water, and which is to
be faved apart under the name of
fine fand. — Let the coarfe and the
fine fand be dried feparatelyi ei-
ther in the fun, or on a clean iroa
plate fet on a convenient furnace,
in the manner of a fand heat %,

* This is commonly called pit- fand.

f I find that I have ufed this word improperly, on bad authority. The
reader is requefted to read rubbb inllead of Ihingle throughout this Ipecifica-
tion.

X The fand ought to be ftirred up continunlly until It is dried, and is then to
be taken ofFj for otherwife the evaporation will be very flow, and the fand which
lies cext the iron plate, by being overheated, will be diicoloured.

I a Let

XI4 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

7. The produce of the earth,
thus converted into manufaflures,
may be more eafily carried to dif-
tant markets than before fuch con-
verfion.

8. Fair commeree is, where equal
values are exchanged for equal,
the expence of tranfport included.
Thus, if it cods A in England as
much labour and charge to raifc
a bufhel of wheat, as it colts B in
France to produce four gallons of
wine, then are four gallons of
wine the fair exchanjje for a bulhel
cf wheat, A and B meeting at
half dillance with their commodi-
ties to make the exchange. The
advantage of this fair commerce
is, that each party increafes the
number of his enjoyments, hav-
ing, inftead of wheat alone, or
wine alone, the ufe of both wheat
and wine,

9. Where the labour and ex-
pence of producing both commo-
dities are known to both parties,
barg;.ins will generally be fair and
equal. Where they are known
to cne party only, bargains will
often be unequal, knowledge tak-
ing its advariage of ignorance.

10 'jT'hus he that carries looo
bulhels of wheat abroad to fell,
jn^y noi probably obtain fo great
a profii thereon, as if he had fiift
turned the wheat into manofac-
turcf, by fub filling therewith the
\vorkii:en jvhile producing thofe
manufr.flures: iince there are many
expediting and facilitbting methods
of v.Oi-kinj», net generally known;
anJ llrangers'to tiu.- manufiftures,
thpugh they know pretty wdl the
expence of ran ng wheat, are un-
acquainted with thofe ihort me-
thods of working, «nd thence be-
ing apt to fuppofe moic labour

employed in the manufaftures thaft
there really is, are more eafily im*
pofed on in their value, and in-
duced to allow more for them than
they are honeftly worth.

1 1, Thus the advantage of hav-
ing manufactures in a country,
does not coniiH, as is commonly
fuppofcd, in their highly advanc
ing the value of rough materials,
of which they are formed ; lince,
though fix-pennyworth of flax may
be worth twenty fhillings when
worked into lace, yet the very
caufe of its being worth twenty
ihillings is, that, befides the flax,
it has coit nineteen (liillings and
fixpence in fubfifleiice to the ma-
nufafturer. But the advantage
of manufaftures is, that under
their (hape proviiions may be more
eafily carried to a foreign market ;
and by their means our traders
may more eafily cheat ftrangers.
Few, where it is not made, arc
judges of the value of lace. The
importer may demand forty, and
pf-rhap? get thirty fnillings for that
which coft him but twenty.

12. Finally, there feem to be
but three ways for a nation to ac-
quire wealth. The firft is by *wart
as the Remans did, in plundering
their conquered neighbours. This
is robbery.— 'Tht iecond by com-
merce, which i.< generally chec.ting.
—The third by tigricultnrfy the
only honej} ivuy; wherein man re-
ceives a real increafe of the feed
thrown into the ground, in a kii.d
of continual miracle wrought by
the hand ot God in his favour, as
a reward for his innocent life, and
his virtuous induilry,

B. F.

April 4, 1769,

Sfeci-

USEFUL PROJECTS. 115

Zptcijication of Dr. Higgin'/ Patent
for a ne^w-in'vented Water-Ctment
er Stucco,

To all nvhom thefe Prefents fliall
comet i^c.

NO W know ye that in com-
pliance with the faid pro-
vifoe, I the faid B. H. do hereby
declare that my invention of a wa-
ter cement or ftucco, for building,
repairing, and plaftering walls, and
for other purpofes, is defcribed in
the manner following (that is to
fay) drift fand, or quarry * fand,
which confills chiefly of hardquar-
tofe flat faced grains with fharp
angles ; which is the freeft, or
may be moll eafily freed by wafh-
ing, from clay, falts, and calca-
reous, gypfeous, or other grains iefs
hard and durable than quartz ;
which contains the fmallelt quan-
tity of pyrites or heavy metallic
matter infeparable by wafliing ;
and which fufFers the fmaUeft di-
minution of its bulk in wafViing in
the following manner, is to be
preferred before any other. And
where a coarfe and a fine fand of
this kind, and correfponding in
the fize of their grains with the
coarle and fine fands hereafter de-
fcribed, cannot be eafily procured,
let fuch fand of the foregoing
quality be chofen, as may be fort-
ed and cleanfed in the following
manner :

Let the fand be fifted in ftream-
ing clear water, through a fieve
which fhall give pafTage to all fuch
grains as do not exceed one fix-
teenth of an inch in diameter :
and let the fiream of water and
the fifting be regulated fo that all
the fand, which is much finer than
the Lynn-fatid commonly ufedinthe
London glafs-houfes, together with
clay and every other matter fpeci-
fically lighter than fand, may be
waihed away with the ftream,
whilft the purer and coarfer fand,
which paffes through the fieve,
fubfides in a convenient receptacle,
and vvhillt the coarie rubbifli and
fhingle f remain on the fieve, to
be rejeded.

Let the fand which thus fubfides
in the receptacle, be waihed iu
clean ftreaming water, through a
finer fieve, fo as to be further
clean led and forted into two par-
cels J a coarfer, which will re-
main in the fieve, which is to give
pafTage to fuch grains of fand only
as are lefs than one thirtieth of an
inch in diameter, and which is to
be faved apart under the name of
coarfe fand ; and a finer, which
wiil pafs throngh the fieve and fub-
fide in the water, and which is to
be faved apart under the name of
fine fand. — Let the coarfe and the
fine fand be dried feparatelyi ei-
ther in the fun, or on a clean iroa
plate fet on a convenient furnace,
in the manner of a fand heat ;(.

* This is commonly called pit-fund.

f I find that I have ufed this word improperly, on bad authority. The
reader is requefted to read rubble inltead of ihingle throughout this Ipecifica*
tion.

X Tlie fand ought to be ftirred up continually until it is dried, and is then to
be taken off; for otherwife the evaporation will be very flow, and the fand which
2ic$ next the iron plate, by being overheated, will be diicoloured.

I 3 Let

ii6 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Let lime be chofen * which is by plunging it in a butt filled

flone lime, which heats the moft with (oh water and raifing it out

in flaking, and flakes the quickeft quickly, and fufFering it to heat

when duly watered ; which is the and fume, and by repeating this

frefliell n'.ade and clofeft kept; plunging and raifing alternately,

which diflblves in diftilled vine- and agitating the lime, until it

gar with the leaft efi'ervefcence, be made to pafs through the fieve

and leaves the fmalleft rcfidue in- into the water ; and let the part

foluble, and in this refidue the of the lime which does not eafily

fmalleft quantity of clay gypfum pafs through the fieve be rejected :

or martial matter. and let frefh portions of the lime be

Let the lime chofen according thus ufed, until as many J ounces
to thefe important rule?, be put of lime have pafled thro' the fieve,
in a brafs-wircd fieve to the quan- as there are quarts of water in the
tity of fourteen pounds. Let the butt. Let the water thus imprrg-
jSeve be finer than either of the nated ftand in the butt clofely co-
foregoing ; the finer, the better it vered I] until it becomes clear ;
will be: let the lime be flaked f and through wooden § cocks placed

* The preference given to ftone lime is founded on the prefent prailice in the
burning of lime, and on the eloler textuie of it, which prevents it from being ib
foon injured by expollue to the air, as the inoie fpongy chalk lime is : not on
the popular notion that Itonc lime has fomething in it whereijy it excels the bed
chalk in the cementing properties. Ths gypfum contained in lime ftone re-
mains unaltered or very little altered in the lime, after the burning ; but it is
not to be expelled that clay or martial matter fliould be found in their native
ftate, in well burned lime ; for they concrete or vitrify with a part of the cal-
careous earth, and conllitutc the hard grains or lumps, which remain undif-
folved in weak acids, or are feparable from the flaked lime by fifting it imme-
diately through a fieve.

f This method of impregnating the water with lime is not the only one
which may be adopted. It is however preferred before others, becaufe the wa-
ter clears the fooner in corfequence of its being warmed by the flaking lime,
and the gypfeoiis part of the lime does not difFule itfelf in the water ib freely in
this way, as it does when the lime is flaked to fine powder in the common nie-
tho<l, and is then blended with the water} for the gypfeous part of the lime
ilbkes, at firft, into grains, rather than into fine powder, and will remain on
the fieve, after the pure lime has paffed through, long enough to admit of the
intended feparation ; but when the lime is otherwife flaked, the gypfeous grains
have time to flake to a finer powder, an(1 pafhng through the fitvc, difiblve in
the water along with the lime. I have imagined that other advantages attended
this method of prej)aring the lime water, but I cannot yet fpeak of them with
prtcifion.

I If the water contains no more acidulous gas than is ufnally found in ri-
Tcr or rain water, a fourth part of this quantity of lime, or lefs, will be fuffi-
cient.

j! The caharemis cri:ft which forms on tlie furface of the water ought not ta
be broke, for it afTiits in excluding the air and preventing the abforption of aci-
diilous gas whereby tiie lime water is ipoiled.

«} Brafs cocks are apt to coiotir a part of the liquor.

at

USEFUL PROJECTS. 117

^t difFerent heights in the butt,
'^t the clear liquor be drawn off
as * fall: and as lo^ as the lime
fubfides, for ufe. This clear liquor
I call the cementing liquor f. The
freer the water is from faline matter,
the better will be the cementing li-
quor made with it.

Let fifty-fix pounds of the afore-
faid chofen lime be flaked, by gra-
dually fprinkiing on it, and efpe-
cially on the unilaked pieces, the
cementing liquor, in a clofe J clean
place. Let the flaked part be im-
mediately II fifted through the laft
mentioned fine brafs-wired fieve :
Let the lime which pafTes be ufed
jnftantly or kept in air-tight vef-
fels, and let the part of the lime
which does not pafs through the
fieve, be rejefted §. — This finer
richer part of the lime which paflTes

through the fieve, I call purified
lime.

Let bone-a(h be prepared in the
ufual manner by grinding the
whiteft burnt bones, but let it be
fifted to be much finer than the
bone-afli commonly fold formaking
cupels.

The moft eligible materials for
making my cement being thus pre-
pared : take fifty-fix pounds of the
coarfe fanJ and forty. two pounds
of the fine fand ; mix them on a
large plank of hard wood placed
horizontally ; then fpread the fand
fo that it may Hand to the height
of fix inches with a flat fur-
face on the plank ; wet it with
the cementing liquor ; and let any
fuperfluous quantity of the liquor,
which the land in the condition
defcribed cannot retain, flow away

• Lime water cannot be kept many days unimpaired, in any vefTels that are not
perfeftly air-dght. If the liquor be drawn off before it clears, it will contain
whiting, which is injurious ; and if it be not inftantly ufed, after it is drawn
limpid from the butt into open veflels, it will grow turbid again, and depofit the
lime changed to whiting by the gas abfoibed from the air. The calcareous mat-
ter which I'ubfides in the butt, relembles whiting the more nearly, as the lime has
been more fparingly employed ; in the contrary circumltances, it approaches to the
nature of lime ; and in the intermediate Itate, it is fit for the common compofition
of the plaifterers for inhde ftucco.

t At the time ot writing this fpecification I preferred this term before that of
lime-water, on grounds which I had not fuiHciently examined.

l The vapour which arifes in the flaking of the lime contributes greatly to
the flaking ci thefe pieces which lie in its way; and an unnecefTary wafteofthe
liquor is prevented, by applying it to the lime heaped in a pit or in a vefTel, which
may rellrain the ifl"ue of the vapour, and dueft it through the mafs. If more of
the liquor be ufed than is neceffary to flake the lime, it will create error in weighing
the flaked powder, and wiU prevent a part of it from pafllng freely through the
fieve. The liquid is tlierefore to be uled fparingly, and the lime which has efcaped
its aflion is to be fprinkled apart with frefh liquor.

H When the aggregation of the lumps of lime is thus broken, it is impaired
much Sooner than it is in the former flate, becaufe the air more freely pervades
it.

§ Bci-aufe it confifts of heterogeneous matter, or of ill burnt lime; which laft
\v\i\ flake and pafs through the fieve, if the lime be not immediately fifted after the
flaking, agreeable to the text.

I3

off

ii8 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

off the plank. To the wetted fand to be ufed when it it neceffiiry to
add fourteen pounds of the puri- moiften the cement, or when a li-
ficd lime in feveral fuccefTive por- quid is required to facilitate the
tions, mixing and beating them floating of the cement,
up together in the mean time with When fuch cement is required to
the inftruments generally ufed in beofafiner texture; take ninety,
making fine mortar : then add eight pounds of the fine fand, wet
fourteen pounds of the bone.a(h it with the cementing liquor, and
in fucceffive portions, mixing and mix it with the purified lime an4
beating altogether. The quicker the bone-afh in the quantities and
and the more perfecStly thefe ma- in the manner above defcribed,
terials are mixed and beaten to- with this difference only, that fif-
gether, and the fooner the cement teen pounds of lime, or f there-
ihus formed is ufed, the better * it abouts, are to be ufed inllead of
will be. This I call the water ce- fourteen pounds, if the greater
jnent coarfe grained, which is to part of the fand be as fine as
be applied in building, pointing, Lynn fand. This 1 call water ce-
plaftering, fliiccoing, or other work, ment fine grained. It is to be
as mortar and flucco now are; with ufed in giving the lall coating or
this difference chiefly, that as this the finifli to any work intended to
cement is fhorter than mortar or imitate the finer grained ftones or
common ftucco, and dries fooner, ftucco. But it may be applied to
it ought to be v/orked expediii- all the ufes of the v/ater cement
oufly in all cafes, and in ftuccoing coarfe grained, and' in the fame
it ought to be laid on by Aiding manner.

■the trowel upwards on it; that the When for any of the foregoing
materials ufed along with this ce- purpofes of pointing, building, Sfff.
ment in building, or the ground fuch a cement is required much
on which it is to be laid in Hue- cheaper and coarfer grained, then,
coing, ought to be well wetted much coarfer c«tan fand than the
with the cementing liquor, in the foregoing coarfe fand, or well
inlUnt of laying on the cement ; wafhed fine | {bingle, is to be pro-
and that the cementing liquor is vided. Of this coarfell fand or

+ Thefe proportions are intended for a cement made whh (harp fand, for in-
cruftntion ia cxpofed fituations, where it is ncccflary to guard agaiiUl the effe6ls of
hot weather and rain. In general h:lt this quantity of bone-afties will be found
fufficient ; and ahhough the incniftation in this latter cafe wiil not harden deeply fo
foon. It will be ultimately ftronger, provided the weather be favourable.

The injuries which lime and mortar fuftain, by expolure to the air, before the ce-
ment is^ finally placed in a quiefcent ftate, are great ; and therefore our cement is
the worfe for being long beaten, but the bettci- as it is quickly beaten until the
mixture is effe6}cd, and no longer.

f The quantity of bone-alhes is not to be increafed with that of the lime ;
but it is to be lefTened as the expofure and purpofes of the work will ad-
mit.

X Rubble,,

Ihirgle

USEFUL PROJECTS. 119

fningle • take fifty-fix pounds, of tent may be eluded by divers va

the foregoing coarfe fand twenty-
eight pounds, and of the fine fand
fourteen pounds; and after mixing
thefe and wetting them with the
cementing liquor in the foregoing
manner, add fourteen pounds, or
fomewhat Icfsof the f purified lime,
and then fourteen pounds, or fome-
what lefs, of the bone-afb, mixing
them together in the manner al-
ready delcribed. When my cement

riations which may be made in the
foregoing procefs, without produc.
ing any notable defeft in the ce-
ment: and to the end that the
principles of this art as well as the
art jtfelf of making my cement,
may be gathered from this fpecifi-
cation, and perpetuated to the pub-
lic, I (hall add the following obfer-
vations.

This my water cement, whether

is required to be white, white fand, the coarfe or fine grained, is ap-

white lime, and the whiteft bone- plicable in forming artificial ftone,

a(h are to be chofen. Grey fand by making alternate layers of the

and grey bone-a(h formed of half cement and of flint, hard ftone, or

burnt bones, are to be chofen to brick, in moulds of the figure of

make the cement grey ; and any
other colourof thecemenl is obtain-
ed,eitherbychoofing coloured fand,
or by the ad mixture of the neceffkry
quantity of coloured talc in pow-
der, or of coloured vitreous or me-
tallic powders, or other durable co-
louring ingredients commonly ufed
in paint.

To the end that fuch a water ce-
ment as r have defcribed may be
ntade as ufeful as it is poflibie in
all circumllances; and that no per-
fon may imagine that my claim
;ind right under thefe Letters Pa-

the intended Hone, and by expofing
the mafles fo formed to the open j
air to harden.

• When fuch cement is required
for water § fences, two thirds of the
prefcribed quantity of bone aflies
are to be omitted; and in the place
thereof an equal meafure of pow-
dered terras is to be ufed; and if the
fand employed be not of the coarfeft
fort, more terras muft be added, fo
that the terras fhall be by weight
one fixth part of the weight of the
land.

* Rubble.

■f Becaufe lefs lime Is necefTary, as the fund is coarfer.

X But they muft not be expoied to the rain, until they are almoft as ftrong as
ficfh PortlanJ (tone ; and even then they ought to be iheltered from it, as much as
the circumllances will admit. Thefe itones may be made very hard and beauti-
ful, with a finall expcnce of bone-a(h, by fcaking them, after they liave dried
thoroughly and harJe.-ed, in the lime-liquor, and repeating this procels tvvicc or
thrice, at dillant intervak of time. The like effeft was experienced in incrufta-
tions.

§ In my experiments, mortar made with terras powder, in the ufual method,
dots not appear to form (o llrong a cement for water iences, as that made ac-
cording to the ipecification, wit i coarfe fand ; and I fee no more reafon for avoid-
ing the ufe of fand in terras mortar, than th*ie would be for reje6\ing ftone from
the enibankmeiit. The bor.e-aihcs meant in this place are the dark grey or
black fort. I am not yet fully fatisfied about the operation of them in this in-
.Uance.

1 4 When

I20 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

When fuch a cement is required
of the finell grain * or in a fluid
form, To that it may be applied
with a brufli, flint powder, or the
powder of any quartofe or hard
earthy fubftance may be ufed in
the place of fand, but in a quantity
fmaller as the flint or other powder
is finer ; fo that the flint powder
or .other fuch powder fliaU not be
more than fix times the weight of
the lime, nor lefs than four times
its weight. The greater the quan-
tity of lime within thefe limits,
""the more will the cement be liable
to crack, by quick drying, and vice
verfa.

Where fuch fand as I prefer can-
not be conveniently procured, or
where the fand cannot be conve-
nienily wafhed and forted, that
fand which mofl refembles the mix-
ture of coarfe and fine fand above
prefcribed. may be ufpd as I have
direded, provided due attention
is paid to the quantity of the
lime, which is to be the greater
•f- as the fand is the finer, gnd ^dlcc
verfa.

Where fand cannot beeafily pro-
cured, any durable ilony body, or
baked earth grofly powdered j and
forted nearly to the fizes above pre-
fcribed for fand, may be u(ed in the
place of fand, meafure for meafure,
but not weight for weight, unlefs
fuch grols powder be as heavy fpe-
cifically as fand.

Sand may becleanfed from every
fofter, lighter, and lefs durable
matter, and from that part of the
fand which is too fine, by various
methods preferable \, in certain cir-
cumllances, to that which I have
defcribed.

Water may be found naturally
free from fixable gas, fclcnite or
clay : fuch water may, without any
notable inconvcaiince, be ufed in
the place of the cementing liquor;
and waier approaching this llate
will not require fo much lime as I
hav e ordeicfd, to make the cement-
ing liquor; and a cementing liquor
fufficiently uieful nnay be made by
vanouf. methods of mixing lime and
water in the defcribed proportions,
or nearly fo.

* The qualities and ufes of fuch fine calcareou.s cement are reccmmencled chicfiy
for the purpoi'c of fmoulhing and fiDifliing the rciunger cruitacccus works, or fur
wafiiing walls to a live!}' and uniform colour. For this laft intention, the mixture
inuft be as tliin as new cream, and laid on liiilkly with a bruih, in dry weatlier ;
and a thick and durable coat is to be made by repeated walhing, but it is not to be
attempted by ufmg a thicker liquor ; for the cop.t uiadewiih this iaft is apt to Icale,
whilil the former endures the weather much longer than any other thin calcareous
covering that has been applied in this way. Fine yellow ochre is the clieapelt colour-
ing ingredient for fuch awafti, when it is required to imitate Bath ftone, or the
warm white ftones.

f If fea fand be well waflied in frefh water, it is as good as any other round
fand.

I The cement made with thefe and the proper quantities of purified lime and
lime-water, are inferior to the hetl, as the grains of thefe powders are more peri fh a -
bie and brittle than thofe of fand. They will not therefore be employed, unlefs for
the fal^e of evafion, or for want of fand : in this latter cafe the finer powder ought
to be wafhed away.

§ This and the next paragraph is inferted with a view to evafions, as v.'ell as
to fuggeft the eafier and cheaper methods which may be adopted in certain circum-
ftances, by artifts who underltand the principles which I have endeavoured to
teach.

When

USEFUL PROJECTS. 1.21

the quantity of lime to be leflened,
and in thofe wherein the cement is
not liable to dry quickly. And
the art of remedying the defefts
of lime may be advantageoufly
pradlifed to iupply the deficiency
of bone-a(h, efpecially in building
and in making artificial flone with
this cement.

N. B. For infide work, the ad-
mixture of hair with this cement is
ufeful.

In witnefs whereof I the faid
B. H. &c.

When ftone lime cannot be pro-
cured, chalk lime or fhell lime
which befl refembles ftone lime,
in the characters above written of
lime, may be ufed in the manner
defcribed, except that fourteen
pounds and a half of chalk lime
will be required, in the place of
fourteen pounds of llone lime.
The proportion of lime which I
have prefcribed above may be in-
creafed without inconvenience
when the cement or ftucco is to be
applied where it is not liable to dry
quickly ; and in the contrary cir-
cumftance this proportion may be
diminifhed ; and the defeft of
lime in quantity or quality may be
very advantageoufly fupplied *, by
caufing a conliderabie quantity of
the cementing iiquor to foak into
the work, in fucccfTive portions and
at diftant intervals of time, fo that
the calcareous matter of the ce-
menting liquor, and the matter at-
trafted from the open air, may fill
and Itrengthen the work.

The powder of almoll every well-
dried or burnt animal fubftance
may be ufed infleaJ of bone-a(h ;
and feveral earthy powders, efpe-
cially the micaceous and the me-
tallic; and the elixated aihes of di-
vers vegetables whofe earth will not

o

burn to lime; and the allies of mi-
neral fueljwhich are of the calcare-
ous kind, but will not bum to lime,
will anfwer the ends of bone-afh in
fome degree.

The quantity of bone-a(h de-
fcribed may be lefTened without in-
juring the cement, in thofe cir-
cumftances efpecially which admit

The excellence of my cement
depends, firll, on the figure, fize
and purity of the fand ; lecondly,
on the purity of the lime, obtained
in the choice of lime-ftone, and in
the perfed burning, and fecured in
the prefervation of it from air, ix
my method of flaking, and in the
feparation of heterogeneous parts ;
thirdly, on the ufe of ftrong and
pure lime water in the place of
common water ; fourthly, on the
proportion of fandj, lime water,
and lime; fifthly, on the manner
of mixing them ; fixthly, on the
knowledge of ingredients and cir-
cumltances which are injurious or
ufeful ; feventhly, on the ufe of
bone afhes of determinace fize ;
eighthly, on the artof fuiting fome
of thefe to the feveral purpofes ; and
finally, on fo many other particu-
lars, as render it very difficult to
give a more candid fpeciiication,in
the ufual compafs, than this which
I have enrolled, or to guard other-
wife againft evafions, than by anti-
cipating them.

• This pra6\ice is noticed, as the remedy which may be ufed for the defei:l»
ai ifmg from evafive meafures, and as tlie method of giving fpungy incruflations
containing bone-aj^ts the greateft degree of hardneii.

0,1

122 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Ott the Virtues of Acorn-Coffee,

DR. Marx, an eminent German
phyfician, has publifhed, in
the Hanover Magazine, fome ex-
periments, in which he has fhewn
^he great virtues of Acorn-cofFee,
and has confirmed his experiments
by accompanying them with a mul-
titude of facts : it muft therefore
^ive you pleafure to be able to ac-
(|uaint your readers, that fuch a
common fruii is capable of being
converted to many falutary pur-
pofes.

The method of preparing the
Acorn-cciFee is at follows ;

Take found and ripe acorns,
peel off the (hell or hulk, divide the
kernels, dry them gradually, and
then road them in a clofe vefiel or
roafler, keeping them continually
ilirring; in doing ofwhich, efpecial
care muft be taken that they be not
burnt or roalled too much, both
i*hich would be hurtful.

Take of thefe ro^fted acorns
(ground like other coffee) half an
ounce every morning and evening,
alone or mixed v.ith a dr:ichm of

other coffee, and fweetened with
fugar, with or without milk.

The author fays that acorns have
always been cfteemed a wholefome,
nourifhing, and llrengthening nu-
triment for men, and that by their
medicinal qualities they have been
found to cure the flimy obftru£tions
in the vifcera, and to remove ner-
vous complaints when other medi-
cines have failed ; and although
acorns, he fays, have, by the mo-
derns as well as the ancients been
looked upon as a great allringent,
and generally applied more out-
wardly, and very fparingiy inward-
ly ; yet he is of opinion, that by the
heat of the fire they lofe their al-
tringent quality, and thence have
no more that efleft than other cofl'ee.

The author forbears all manner
of inveftigation, and contents him-
lelf folcly with the relation of cales,
which he enumerates with brevity
and without exaggeration. Many
of the cafes which accompanied this
account refpeft women, vvhofe com-
plaints arole from difordtrs peculiar
to their fex.

ANTIQUITIES.

[ 123 3

A N T I Q^U I T I E S.

A Defcription of the Alhambra, or
Palace of the Moorifh Kings of
Granada.

THIS ancient fortrefs, and
refidence of the Mahometan
monarchs of Granada, derives its
name from the red colour of the
materials that it was originally
built with, Alhambra fignifying
a red houfe. Moll of the fcve-
reigns took a deiight in adding
new buildings to the old towers,
now called Torres de la campana, or
in embellilhing what had been
joined by their predecefTors. The
pleafantnefs of the fituation, and
purity of its air, induced the Em-
peror Charles the Fifth to begin a
Hjagnificent edifice on the ruins of
the offices of the old palace, and,
it is thought, he intended to fix
his chief abode here ; but his vo-
latile temper, continual wars, and,
frequent abfences from Spain,
made him give up all thoughts of
Granada, long before he had finifh-
ed the plan. It Hands between
the rivers, on a very high hill,
that projects -into the plain, and
overlooks all the city : the road up
to it is through a narrow ftreet,
called Calle de los Gomeles, from a
ereat family among the Moors.
This brings you through a maffive
gate, built by the Emperor, into

the outward inclofure of the Al-
hambra. You then continue to
afcend by a very fteep avenue of
elms, which foon increafes to a
wood, interfered in many direc-
tions by wild negleded walks,
where ftreams of clear water, find-
ing their paflage obftrufted by the
rubbifh of their old channels,
fpread over the whole road. A
large fountain adorns the platform.
near the top of the hill. The
water, diverted from its proper
conduits, has been fufFered to run
at random for fuch a length of
time, that it has deftroyed moft of
the fculpture and embellilhments,
which were in a very good tafte.
Here you turn ihort to the left,
and come under the walls of the
inner inclofure. Its appearance is
that of an old town, exhibiting a
long range of high battlemented
walls, interrupted at regular dif-
tances by large lofty fquare towers.
Thefe have one or two arched
windows near the top, and a preci-
pitate flope from the bottom into
a dry ditch. The whole is builc
with round irregular pebbles, mix-
ed with cement and gravel. Some
parts are covered and fmoothed
over with a thick coat of plaifter ;
in other places, mortar has been
laid in between the ftones, leaving
as much of them uncovered as came

to

124 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

to the level : then the trowel has
been carefully drawn round, form-
ing about them triangles, half-
moons, &c. Juft before you, (lands
the prefent principal entrance in-
to the caille, a fquare tower built
by the king Jufaf Abuhagiagi,
in 1348, as an inicripiion informs
lis : from its being the place
where jullice was lummarily ad-
xniniltertrd, it was ftyled the Gate
of Judgment. You pafs through
it under feveral arches (each of
which is more than a full femicir-
cle, rafting upon a fmall impoft,
the ends of the bow being brought
towards each other in the form of
a horfelhoe.) On the key-ilone
of the outward arch is fculptured
the ligure of an arm, the fymbol of
llrengih and dominion : on that
of the next arch is a key embof-
fed, the armorial enfign of the
Andalofian Moors. Above it, the
wall of this partition is covered
with a beautiful blue and gold mo-
faic, in the middle oi which they
have placed an image of the Vir-
gin Mary. As this is not a pate
ever ufedior carriages, the pdi'i'^ge
■winds through ft-veral turns, full
of images, indulgences, and altars,
before you get through, out into a
narrow ftreei, between a row of
ftabby barracks on the right, and
on the left the cadie wall, fuppofed
to be built by ti.e Phoenicians. 1
examined the v/crk very narrowiy,
and found it confjlted of a layer of
cement one or two inches thick,
upon which is placed flatwife a
lione of the f,.mc tliickn<fs, chif-
feiled on the face into a kind of a
chequcied defign. Thi^ is the re-
gular method employed Iroin top
to bottom. This lane ends in the
great fquare, or Plaza dt los Ai^'t-
tci, fj n^iu.d i'rqm the iiutitut

cifterns, that undermine it froin
end to end, and are conftantly fed
by afupply of running water. The
profpeft from the parapet-wall is
wonderfully -grand, over the vale
of Dauro, the Albaycin, and down
the Vega. Gn the very brow of
the hill, hanging over the city,
ftands the toivers of the bell, a
groupe of high fqu;ire buildings,
which now ferve for prif ms. Be-
low them, on the fouth-fide, on a
flip of terrace, is the governor's
garden, a very pleafant walk, full
of fine orange and cyprefs trees,
snd myrtle hedges, but quite aban-
doned. The view it commands is
intomparabie. Two large vafes
enamelled with gold and azure fo-
liages and characters are the only
ornaments left : thefe were taken
out of the vaults under the royal
apartments. On the right hand of
the Plaza de los Algibes, is a foli-
tary gateway, formerly the entrance
into fome of the outward qua-
drangles thrown down. by Charles
the Fifth, to make room for his
fuperb palace, which Hands facing
the 7on-es de la campana. This
edifice is a perfeft fquare of two
bundled Spanifh feet; it haS two
orders of piiafters, Doric and Io-
nic, upon a ruilic ba(c. "^Fhe
whole meafures fixty-two feet from
the top of the upper eniyblement
to the ground, 'i hrceof the fronts
are free from all other building? ;
the frur:h (that to the north) is
j^^ined and connefted with the an-
cient palace of the MooriQi king^,
it was never finilhed, whch is
much to be regretted by all lovers
of the fine arts, for tlicre are few
edifices more deferving of their ad-
miration. The architedl was A7
lonzj Verruguete, a native of Pa-
j-edtb de Navas, near Valladolid.

In

A N T I CLU I T I E S.

I2i

In this work he has difcovered a
moft tranfcendent genius, grandeur
of ftyle, and elegance and chaftity
of defign. How different from all
that has been done for a century
pad in this kingdom ! The doors
are defigned in a great manner;
the bafs-reliefs, figures, feftoons,
medallions, Sec. are of excellent

The apartments never had any
other covering than the flcy ; and
nothing but the matchleis tem-
perature of the climate could
have faved this beautiful work fo
many years from total ruin. The
magnificence, the unity of thii
Uihole pile, but, above all, the ele-
gance of the circular court, quite
invention and execution ; the or- tranfported me with pleafure, on

naments of the cornices, windows,
and capitals, are delicate, and
fuitable to the general effcft. On
the pedeflals of the columns, that
fapport the entablement of the
great door, are reliefs on dark
marble, that for polilb might pafs
for bronze at a little diitance; the
Doric door in the fouth fide, called
El Zanguenete, pleafed me great-
ly, as there is fomething fimply
elegant in the talte, and new in the
ornamental part; the pediment is
filled with z fcroll thrown with
great eafe, on which is infcribed
Pill/outre, the motto of the Empe-
ror, which he never failed intro-
ducing into every public work he
undertook. You come, through
an oblong veftibule, into the court
which forms the centre of the pa-
lace. It is an exadl circle, of one
hundred and forty-four feet dia-
meter, round which runs a Doric
colonade, or portico, of ihirty-
tsvo columns, Supporting an upper
gallery of an equal number of pil-
lars, of the Ionic order. They
are all of tTiem of one entire block
of reddifh marble. The portico is
nineteen feet wide, and ferves as a
communication with the ftair-cafe,
and the intended apartments,
which are difpofed round tl e court
in various forms and proportions.
The roof of the gallery is crum-
bling away very fall, and many of
(iit columns arc much damaoed.

the firil view, and i have ever
fince found my admiration increafe
in proportion to the number of my
vifits.

Adjoining (to the north) flands
a huge heap of as ugly buildings
as can well be feen, all huddled
together, feemingly without the
leaft intention of forming one habi-
tation out of them. The walls
are entirely unornamented, all gra-
vel and pebbles, daubed over with
plailler by a very coarfe hand; yet
this is the palace of the Moorilh
kings of Granada, indifputably
the mod curious place within, that
exifts in Spain, perhaps in Europe.
In many countries, you may fee
excellent modern as well as ancient
architediire, both entire and in
ruins ; but nothing to be met with
any vv]i»re e!fe c:ui convey an idea
of this edifice, except you take it
from the decorations of an opera,
or the talcs of the Genii. I there-
fore look upon it to Hand alone in
its kind, and confequcntly think no
excufe neceffary, previous to my
entering upon the dry detail I in-
tend giving you of it.

Faffing round the corner of the
Emperor's palace, you are aJ mil-
led at a plain unornamented door
in a corner. On my firll vifit, I
confefs, I was ilruck with amaze-
ment, as I iieptover the threfliold,
to find myfelf on a fudden tranf-'
foneJ Into a foecies of fdiry-Iand.

The

ii6 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

The firil place you come to, is the
court called the communa,ox del me-
fucar, that is, the common baths : an
oblong fquare, with a deep bafon
of clear water in the middlej two
flightsof marble fleps leadingdown
to the bottom ; on each fide a par-
terre of flowers, and a row of
orange-trees. Round the court
runs a perylUle paved with marble ;
the arches bear upon very flight
pillars, in proportions and ftyle
different from all the regular or-
ders of architedure. The ceilings
and walls are incruftated with fret-
work in ftucco, fo minute and in-
tricate, that the mod patient
drau^htfrnan would find it diffi-
cult to follow it, unlefs he made
himfelf mafler of the general plan.
This would facilitate the operation
exceedingly, for all this work is
frequently and regularly repeated
at certain diftances, and has been
executed by means of fquare
moulds applied fucceifively, and
the parts joined together with the
utmoft nicety. In every divifion
are Arabic fentences of different
lengths, moft of them expreffive of
the following meanings, " There
** is no conqueror but God ;" or,
«• Obedience and honour to our
•' Lord Abouabdallah." The cei-
lings are gilt or painted, and time
has caufed no diminution in the
freQinefs of their colours, though
conftantly expofed to the air. The
IowlT part of the walls is mofaic,
difpofed in fantaftic knots and fcf-
toons. A work fo new to me, fo
•xquifitely (inifhed, and fo diffe-
rent from all I had ever feen, af-
forded me the moft agreeable fen-
fiicions, which, I afTure ycu, re-
doubled every ftep I took in this
iHigic ground. The porches at
the enda are more like grotto-work.

than any thing elfe I can compare
them to. That on the right hand
opens into an odlagon vault, under
the Emperor's palace, and forms a
perfert whifpering-gallery, meant
to be a communication between the
ofiices of both houlcs.

Oppohte to the door of the com*
muna through which you enter, is
another, leading into the ^luarto
de los hones, or apartment of the
lions, which is an oblong court,
one hundred feet in length, and
fifty in breadth, environed with a
colnnade feven feet broad on the
fides, and ten at the end. Two
porticos or cabinets, about fifteen
feet fquare, projeft into the court
at the two extremities. The
fquare is paved with coloured tiles j
the colonade with white marble.
The walls are covered five feet up
from the ground with blue and
yellow tiles, difpofed chequerwife.
Above and below is a border of
fmall efcutcheons, enamelled blue
and gold, with an Arabic motto
on a bend, fignifying, *' No con-
'* queror but God." The co-
lumns that fupport the roof and
gallery are of white marble, very
flender, and fantaftically adorned.
They are nine feet high, including
bafe and capital, and eight inches
and a half diameter. They are
very irregularly placed, fometimes
fingly, at others in groups of three,
but more frequently two together.
The width of the horfe-fhoe arches
above them is four feet two inches
for the large ones, and three for
the fmaller. The ceiling of the
portico is finifhed in a much finer
and more complicated manner,
than that of the communa, and the
ftucco laid on the walls with inJ-
rritable delicacy ; in the ceiling it
is fo artfully frofled and handled,
t A*

A N T I CLU I T I E S.

127

as to exceed belief. The capitals
are of various defigns, though each
def:gn is repeated feveral times in
the circumference of the courr,
but not the lead attention has been
paid to placing them regularly or
oppofite to each other. You will
form a much clearer idea of their
ftyie, as well as diTpofiiions, from
the drawings, than from the moft
elaborate defcription I can pen.
Not the fmalleft reprefentation of
animjl life can be difcovercd a-
midft the varieties of foliages,
grotefques, and (Irange ornaments.
About each arch is a large fquare
of arabefques, furrounded with a
rim of charafiers, that are gene-
rally quotations from the Koran.
Over the pillars is another fquare
ofdelightful HUagieework. Higher
up is a wooden rim, or kind of
cornice, as much enriched with
carving as the rtuico that covers
the part underneath. Over this
projeds a roof of red tiles, the
only thing that disfigures this
beautiful fqnare. This ugly co-
vering is modern, put on by order
of Mr. Wall, the late prime mi-
nifter, who a few years ago gave
the Alhambru a thorouj^h repair.
In Moori(h times, the building was
covered wiih large painted and
glazed tik's, of which fome fcvv
are Itill to be feen. In the center
of the court are twelve j!! .made
lions muzzled, their fore-pi»ts
fmooth, their hind-uarts rocgh,
wnich bear upon their backs j»u
enormous bafon, out of which a
lelTer rifes. While the pipes were
kept in good order, a great vo-
lume of water was thrown up, that,
falling down inco the bilbiiS, paf-

fed through the beafts, and iiTuedi
out of thsir mouths into a large
refeivoir, where it communicated
by channels with the jet d'eaus ia
the apartments. This fountain is
of while marble, embellilhed with
many fertnons, and Arabic diilichs,
thus tranflated :

•• Seellthou not how the water
** flows copioufly like the Nile ?'*

" This refembles a fea waihing
•* over its (bores, threatening (hip-
*' wreck to the mariner."

•* This water runs abundantly,
*• to give drink to the lions."

** Terrible as the lion is oar
" king in the day of battle."

" The Nile gives glory to the
" king, and the lofty mountains
*' proclaim it."

•'' This garden is fertile in de.
" lights ; God takes care that
" no noxious animal fhall ap-
•' proach it."

" The fair princefs that walks
" in this garden, covered with
" pearls, augments its beauty {a
*' much, that thou may'ft doubt
" whether it be a fountain that
" flows, or the tears of her ad-
" mirers *."

PafTing along the colonade, and
keeping on the fouth Ade, yoa
come to a circular room ufed by the
men as a place for drinking coffee
and forbets in. A fountain in the
middle refrefhed the apartment iti
fummer. The form of this hall,
the elegance of its cupola, the:
chearful diftriburicn of light froin
above, and the sxquifite man-
r.er in vvhich the Itucco is de-
f:;jned, painted, and finiflied, ex-
ceed all my p'jvvers of defcription.
H'vcry thing in it infpires the nod

* This paffige is v<'ry obfcuje in tl.c Latin frnrfl.'tion. I have endeavoured
to make iom&iiua^ oi i:, but it Itill remains & i'^iccd conceit.

picaiing.

iiS ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

pleafing, voluptuous ideas : yet in
this Avcet retreat they pretend
that Abouiibdoulah affembled the
Abencerrages, and caufed their
heads to be ftruck off into the
fountain. Our guide, with a look
expreluve of implicit faith, pointed
out to us the flains of their blood
in the white marble flabs ; which
is nothing more than the reddifh
marks of Iron-waicr in the quarry,
•r perhaps the effcd: of being long
expofed to the air. Continuing
your walk round, you are next
brought to a couple of rooms at
the head of the court, which are
fuppofed to have been tribunals,
or audience - chamber?. In the
ceiling are three hiftorical paint-
ings, executed with much Ilrength,
but great ftifFnefs in the figures
and countenances. One of them
feems to be a cavalcade ; the other
the entrance of fome princels ; and
the third a divan. When thefe
were painted, and what they are
meant to reprefenr, I could not
make out ; but our Ciceror.e natu-
rally adapted them to the hillory
of the Sultana and her four Chril-
tian knights. If they are repre-
fentatipns of that doubtful flory,
they muft have been painred in the
Emperor's time, or a little before,
for it cannot be fuppofed that A-
bouabdoulah would wifh to perpe-
tuate the memory of a tranfadion
in which he bore fo very weak and
dilhonourable a part. And b?-
fides, the anathema denounced by
the Koran againU all reprefenta-
tions of living creatures, renders
it next to impoffible tliac thefe
pieces fhould have exifted previous
to the conqueft. The lions of the
great fountain may be brought as
an argument againfl my lalt rea-
fon ; and indeed they fh?w that

the Granadine princes, as well a*
fome of the oriental caliphs, who
put their own efHgy on their coin,
ventured now and then to place
themfelves above the letter of the
law. Be this as it will, if the an-
tiquity of thefe piftures can be
proved to go as far back as the
reign of Ferdinand, or at leaft the
beginning of that of Charles,
which I take to be no very difficult
matter to make out, I (hould have
much greater refpeft for the au-
thority of Giles Peres than many
think him entitled to. It can
fcarce be fuppofed that the events
of the reign of Abouabdoulah
could be fo totally forgotten fo
foon after, that a painter fhould
dare to invent a trial and combat,
at which many ilill living in Gra-
nada might have afTilled as fpeda-
tors.

Oppofite to the Snla de los Aben-
cerrages is the entrance into the
Torre de las dos her?nanas, or the
tower of the two fillers, fo named
from two very beautiful pieces of
marble laid as flags in the pave-
ment. This gate exceeds all the
rffl in profulion of ornaments and
in beauty of profped, which it af-
fords through a range of apart-
ments, where a multitude of arches
terminate in a large window open
to the country. In a gleam of
funfhine, the variety of tints and
lights thrown upon this enfilade
are uncommonly rich. I employ-
ed much time in making an exait
drawing of ic from the fountain,
and hope it will help you to com-
preliend what I am labouring to
explain by my narrative. The
firlt hall is the concert-room, where
the women fate ; the muficians
played above in four balconies. Ipa
the middle is a jet d'eau. The
marbl^

A N T 1 CLU I T I E S. 129

marble pavement I take to be equal piet;, or at leaft imitations, of thofe

to the fined exifting, for the fize in the loggie in the Vatican. They

of the flags, and evcnnefs of the have been (hamefoUy abufed by

colour. The two fillers, which idle fcribblers ; v/hat remains rtiews

give name to the room, are flabs them to have been the work of

that meafurc fifteen feet by feven able artilb. From hence you go

and a half, without flaw or liain. through a long paflage to the hall

The walls, up to a certain height, of ambaffadors, which is magnifi-

are moiaic, and above are divided cently decorated with innumerable

into very neat compartments of
ftucco, a!) of one defign, which is
alfo followed in many of the ad*
jacent haUs and galleries. The
ceiling is a fretted cove. To pre-
ferve this vaulted roof, as well as
fome of the other principal cu-

varieties of mofaics, and the mot-
tos of all the kings of Granada.
This long narrow antichamber
opens into the communa on the left
hand, and On the right into the
great audience-hall in the tower of
Comares, a noble apartment, thirty-

polas, the outward walls of the iix feet fquare, thirty-fix high up

towers areraifed ten feet above the
lop of the dome, and fopport ano-
ther roof over all, by which means
no damage can ever be cauied by
wet weather, or exceflive he?!t and
cold. From this hall ycu pafs

to the cornice, and eighteen from
thence to the centre of the cupola.
The walls on three fides are fifteen
feet thick, on the other nine ; the
lower range of windows thirteen
feet hieh. The whole hall is in-

round the Jifctle myrtle-garden of laid with mofaic of many colours,

Lindaraxa, into an i^dditional difpofc^d in intricate knots, liars,

building made to the eaft end by and other figures. In evefy part

Charles V. The rooms are I'.nall are repeated certain Arabic fen-

and low: his dear motto. Plus tence?, the principal of which are

outre, appears on every beam.
This leads to a little tower, pro-
jefJing from the line of the north
wall, called El tccador, or the dref-
fing-room of the fultana^ It is a
Imall fquare cabinet, in the middle
of an open gallery, from which it
receives light by a door and three
windows. The look-out charming.
Xw one corner is a large marble
flag, drilled full of holej^, through
H'hich the fmcke of perfumes af.
cended from furnaces below ; and
here, it is prefumed, the INIooiilh
queen was wont to fit to fumigaie
and fweeten her perfon. The eni-

the following:

" The counfel of God and a
'• fpeedy increafe, and give joy td
*' ti ue believers. "

•* Praife to God, and to his vice-
" gere.nt Nazar, who gave this
•* empire, and to our king Abou-
** abdoulah, to whom be peace,
" elevation, and glory."

N. B. Nazar is an appellation

of eminence, and I'uppofed

to mean the famous Emir-

moumelin Jacob Almanzar.

** There is no Cod but God.'*

" Valour, fuccefs, and duration

to our king Abulhaghagh, king

^eror caufed this little pretty room " of the Moors; God, guide his

to be painted with reprefentations *• ftaie and elevate his power !"

of his wars, and a great variety cf *' Praife be to God, for I en-

grotefques, which appear to be co- ♦• liven this dwelling of princci

Vol. XXII. K *' walk

130 ANNUAL K ^ G I S T E R, 1779.

•' with my beauty, and wiih my
" crown. I ftrike firm root ; I
" have fountains of purcll water,
*' and handfome apartments ; my
'* inliabitants are lorJs of mighty
" puifl'ance. Mny God, who
** guides his people, proted me,
** for I attend to the fayings of
" the holy ! I am thus adorned
*• by the hnnd and liberality of
*' Abulhagh;igb, vvho is a bright
*' mocn that caftf forth his light
*• pvcr the face of heaven."

Thefe infcriptions, and many
others difperled over the palace,
prove that there is very little of it
/{■maining iha^t is not the work of
Abulhaghagh, or of Abouabdou-
lah.

Having thus completed the tour
of the upper apartments, which are
upon a level with the offices of ihe
new p;:!aee, you deJcend to the
lower floor, which coniined of bed-
chambers and fummer-rooms : the
back-ftairs and paflagcs, thdt faci-
litated the intercourfe between
them, are without number. The
mort remarkable room below is the
king's bedchamber, which com-
, niunicatcd, by means of a gallery,
wi;h the upper llory. The bds
were placed in two alcoves^ upon
a ri'ifed pavement of_ blue and
white tiles ; but as it has been re-
paired by Philip V. vJio psfi'cd
feme time here, I cannot fay how
it may have been in former times.
A fountain played in the middle,
to refrcfli the apar'ment in hot
weather. Behind the alcoves are
fmall docrf, that conduft you to
the ioyal baths. Thefe cohfiil in
one fmall clofet with marble cif-
lerns for vvafhing childrt'p, two
rooms for grown-up perfons, and
vaults for boilers and furnaces,
ihdt Aipplied the baths with ws-

ter, and the ftoves with vapours*
The troughs are formed of large
fl.ibs of white marble ; the walls
are beautified with party-coloured
earthen ware ; light is admitted
by holes in the coved ceiling.

Hard by is a whifpering-gal-
lery, and a kind of labyrinth,
faid to have been made for the
diverfion of the women and chil-
dren.

One of the paiTages of commu-
nication is fenced off with a llrong
iron grate, and called the prifon
of the fultana ; but it feems more
probable that it was put up to
prevent any body from climbing up
into tiie women's quarter.

Under the council-room is a
long flip, called the king's iludy ;
and adjoining to it are feveral
vaults, faid to be the place of bu-
rial of the royal family. In the
year J 574, four fepulchres were
opened ; but, as they contained
nothing but bones and afhes, were
imnipdiaiely clofed again.

1 TiVul] finifh this defcription of
the Alhambra, by obferving how
admirably every thing was planned
and calculated for rendering this
palace the moft voluptuous of all
retirements ; what plentiful fup-
plie^s of water were brought to re-
frefh it in the hot months of fum-
mer ; what a free circulation of
air v.'as contrived, by the judici-
ous difpofition of doors apd win-
dows ; V". hat fhady gardens of aro-
matic trees ; what noble views
over the beautiful hills and fertile
plains I No wonder the Moors
regretted Granada; no wonder
they ftill offer up prayers to God
every Friday for the recovery of
this city, which they efteem a ter-
reilriai paradife.

Of

A N T I Q^U I T I E S.

iji

t)f the Cathedral Church of Burgos,
and of the Origin of Gothic Ar-
chiteiiure. From the fame.

TH E cathedral is one of the
'moft magnificent ftruftures
of the Gothic kind, now exifting
in Europe ; but although ic rifes
very high, and is feen at a great
diltance, its fituatioh in a hole cue
out of the fide of the hill, is a
great difaJvantage to its general
effed. Its form is exadly the fame
as that of York minlter, which I
look upon to be the criterion ac-
cording to which the beauties or
defeds of every Gothic church are
to be eftimated. At the weilern
or principal front are two fteeples
ending in fpires, and on the cen.
lerof the edifice rifes a large fquare
tower, adorned with eight pinna-
cles ; on one fide of the call end
is a lower odagon building, with
eight fyrmids, which correfpond
exadlly to the Chapter-houfe at
York. We were llruck with the
refemblance beiween ihefe build-
ings; both were embelliflied with
a profufion of ftatues ; molt of
thofe at York were deftroyed in
the firll emotions of iconoclaftic
zeal : thofe of Burjjos are llill in
full poflcflion of the homages of
the country, and confequently en-
tire ; feveral of them are much
more delicate than one would ex-
pert, confidering the age they
were fculptured in. Santiago, the
patron of this cathedral. Hands
very confpicuous on his war-horle
among the needles of the main
lleeple; and the Virgin Mary is
feated in folemn Hate over the
great window of the weft porch.
The foliage-work, arches, pillar-s
and battlements, are executed in
ibe moft elaborate and finiftied

manner of that flylc which has
ufually been called Gothic ; of late
this appellation is exploded, and
that of Arahic fubftituted for it.
I confefs, I fee ibme reafon to
doubt of the propriety of this fe-
cond epithet. In the buildings I
have had opportunities of examin-
ing in Spain and in Sicily, which
are undoubtedly Saracenic, I have
never been able to difcover any
thing like an original defign, from
which the Gothic ornaments might
be fuppofed to be copied. The
arches ufed in our old cathedrals
are pointed ; thofe of the Sara-
cens arealmolt femi-circular, when-
ever they are not turned in the
form of an horfe-llioe. The
churches of our anceftors fhoot up
into fpires, towers, pinnacles, and
filligree work, and no fuch thing
as a cupola feems ever to have
been attempted; the mofques and
other buildings of the Arabians,
are rounded into domes and co-
ved roofs, with now and then a
flendcr fquare minaret terminating
in a ball or pine-apple ; the Ara-
bic walls fhine with painted tiles,
mofaics, and ftucQp, none of which
ever appear in our ancient edi-
fices; the pillars in the latter are
generally grouped many together,
and from a very fmall member of
an entablature fprings one or two
arches ; in the former, the co-
lumns Itand fingle, and if placed
more than one together to fupporc
fome heavy part, they never touch,
or as it were grow into each other ;
there is always a thick architrave
at Icaft to fupport the arch, and
commonly an upright piece of
wall to refill the lateral preflure.
Whenever it happens, as in the
great divifions ot the mofque at
Cordova, that four pillars are
K z joined

132 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

joined together, it is by means of which was received from Iky-light*
a fquare wall or pier, at the four and cupolas, and from the occa

angles of which are placed the co-
lumns, perfectly feparated and dif-
tinft. in all the variftics of ca-
pitals I have t.iken drawings of,
I never found one exa«5lly the
fame in defign or proportions, as
our Gothic ones in the churches
of England, or in ihofe of France,
at lead fuch as I have examined ;
viz. Saint Denis, Amiens, Rouen,
Bordeaux, Tour?, and others. The
Chrillian ilrudures are extremely
lofty, and full of long windows
with painted glafs; the porches
and doors are deep recefle?, with
feveral arches one within another,
crowded with little faints and an-
gels. Now every thing is differ-
ent in the mofque of Cordova,
the only one I have ever feen, but
which I think may be fairly deem-
ed a proper fample of Arabian fa-
cred architcfture, to eftablifli a
judgment upon ; whether we con-
fidcr its antiquity, being built be-
fore the ninth century ; its pre-
fent ftate, which, fome parts ex-
cepted, is exaftly as it was a thou-
fand years ago ; or laftiy, the
princely hands that railed ir. It
was ercflfd by Abdoulrahman the
iirll, probably upon the defigns,
and under the infpeftion of the
ableft architefls of the age, and
according to the method of diftri-
biition obfervcd in holy edifices
built in Arabia and Egypt. Here,
and I have reafon to think it is fo
in moft, if not all, mofquef, the
elevation of the roof is trifling,
not a feventeenth part of the
.length of the iles; there are no
windows of any fize, and what
there are, are covered with fili-
gree-work ia ftone, fo as never to
admit any great quantity of light,
6

fional opening of the doors : the
finking back of the arches over
the gates is fcarce perceptible, as
they are almofl: cf an equal pro-
jcftion with the wall of the build-
ing. From all thefe differential
marks, I am inclined to fufpeft
that our old ftrnflures have been,
new-named, and Mahometanifed
without fuflicient proof of their
Arabic orgin. At the fame time
I acknowledge it is difiicalt to find
t'hL'm a more fatisfadfory and ge-
nuine pedigree.

The bell age of that flyle of
conftru(ftion began in England ia
the reign of Henry the third, for
till then we built in the clumfy
manner called S^xon, deliitute of
every recommendation, but fohdi-
ty I the new tafte came in all pro-
bability from France, introduced
by fome Provencals that followed
the Queen. If you fuppofe it
imported into that kingdom by
thofe that returned from the cru-
fadoes, we muft of courfe fet it
down as an eallern invention.
The qneftion is, what part of the
eafl it came from, and whether
it was the fame as that employed
by th.c Arabians. If there were
clear proofs of its being a branch
of the Arabic architedure, it
would fl;ill appear extraordinary,
that its very firll introduftion into
Chriflendom fhould be attended
with f) great a variation from
the models it was meant to imitate ;
and that any prince or learned
pried that thought it worthy of
being employed in his country,-
fhould immediately fet about new
fafhioning it in all its points. We
may, if we pleafe to indulge our
fancy, fay that fome fublime ge-
nius

A N T I Q^U 1 T I E S.

nius ftarted out from the dufly
gloom of a monaftic library, alter-
ed and improved upon the hints
he found in books of Arabian
architefture, fubflituted bold and
ailoni(hing ideas of his own ; found
bifliops, prince% and abbots, wil-
ling to adopt them; and built
churches in a Ityle entirely new,
and apparently Original. \ye may
fuppoie him to have fortned a
fchool of other monks, the only
architedls of ihofe ages among the
Chriftians ; and that thefe pupils
gradually new modelled the pre-
cepts of their mailer, and reduc-
ed his method to certain rules ;
which afterwards ferved as guides
through all the faotartic mazes of
our ecclefiartical architedlure. Some
perfons have fufpedted it to have
been the manner pradifed by the
eatlern Chriftians, and not adopted
by the Arabs ; who might difdain
to have any thing fimilar in their
places of worfhip, with thofe of a
conquered people. Others have
been of opinion, that it comes
originally from Perfia, or further
eaft ; and feme again maintain it
to be an European invention, or
at lealt . a barbarous mode of
building brought by fome great
genius to the elegant perfedion
we behold in our cathedrals. The
argument would require a great
number of comparilons, confron-
tations, and combinations, to find
out the conneiflion between the
iwo manners; fuch a difquifition
belongs more proptrly to a trea-
tife than to a letter, of which it
has already engrGiJed too large a
{hare.

Ob/ervaticns on the earlieji Intro-
dudicn of Clocks ; by the Horicnr-

able Daines Barrington. In a

Letter to the Honourable Mr, Jvf.
lice Blackftone.

De^>r Sir,

AS I know you are fomewhat
interelled with regard to the
period when thofe ufeful meafurers
of time called clocks were firft
made, I (end you the refult of my .
inquiries on that head, after hav-
ing confulted mofl of thofe trea-
tiles which might be fuppofed to
furnifh material information.

Earlier inflances might be pro-
duced from thefe authorities of
Horologia in different parts of Eu-
rope; but this word fignifying in
thofe centuries dials as well as
clocks, nothing deciiive can be in-
ferred from fuch term, unlefs from
other circumftances, or expreflions,
it can be fiiewn to relate to a clock
rather than a dial.

Dante feems to be the firft au-
thor who hath introducfd the
mention of an or ol agio, vjhichjiruck
the hour (and confequently can-
not be a dial) in the following
lines :

" Imli come horologio die ne chiamlf
'' Ncl hora che la fpofo d'Ulio lurge,
»' Amattiiiar lo fpufo, perche rami."

Dante. Panidifo, C. .x.

Now Dante was born in 1265,
and died in 1321, aged 57 ; there-
fore ftrikjng clocks could not have
been very uncommon in Italy at
the latter end of the 13th cen-
tury, or the very beginning of
the 14th.

But the ufe of clocks was not
confined to Italy at this period ;
for v/e had one of thefe artifts in
England precifely about the fame
time, who furnilbed the famous
clock-houfe near Weltminfter-hall,
with a clock to be heard by the
K 3 count

134 ANNUAL RE

courts of law, out of a fine im-
pofcd on the Chief Juftice of the
King's Bench in the i6th year of
Edward I, or A. D. 12S8*.

You have in your Commenta-
ries f obferved, that this puniOi-
ment of Radulphus de Hengham
IS firft taken notice of in the Year
Book J during the reign of Rich-
ard III, where indeed no mention
is made of a clock's being thus
paid for; but if the circumftances
ftated in the report of thiy arecon-
fidered, it was highly unnecefTary,
and perhaps improper, to have al-
luded to this application of the
Chief Juftice's fine.

It appears by the Year Book,
that Richard III. had clofeted the
Judges in the Inner Star Chamber,
to take their opinions upon three
points of law; the fecond of which
was, ** whether a Juftice of the
«• Peace, who had inrolled an in-
•* diilmenl which had been ne-
♦* gatived by the Grand Jury,
** amongft the true bills, might be
*♦ punifhed for this abufe of his
** office."

On this queftion a diverfity of
opinion arifes amongft the Judges,
feme of which fuppofe, that a
maagiftrate cannot be profecuted
for what he may have done;
whilil others contend, that he may,
and cite the cafe of Her.gham,
who was finec 800 marks for mak-
ing an alteration in a record, by
which a poor defendant was only
to pay 6s. 2d. inftead of 13/. id^d.

GISTER, 1779.

Thus far the anfwer of the
judges to the qucllion propofed
was llri»^Iy proper ; but the ap-
plication of the fine to the build-
ing a clock-houfe || was not the
leall material ; befides that it was
pr(bahly a moll notorious fa(fl to
every lUident upon his firft attend-
ing Wellminfter-hall, as we find
Judge Souihcote fo much later, in
the early part of Qoeen Eliza-
beth's reign, not only mentioning
the tradition, but that the clock
fiill continued there, which had
been furnifhed out of the Chief
Juliice's fine §. Sir Edward Coke
likewife adds, that the 800 marks
were aflually entered upon the
roll 4-, fo that it is highly proba-
ble he had himfelf feen the re-
cord.

On the fide of New Palace-yard,
which is oppofite to Weftminfter-
ha!), and in the fecond pediment
of the new buildings from the
Thames, on the exasEl fpot, ac-
cording to Strype, where the clock-
houfe Hood, a dial is inferted with
this remarkable motto upon it,
" Difcite Jujlillam Mcniti'' which
feems molt clearly to relate to the
fine impofed on Radulphus de
Ilongham, being applied to the
paying for a clock.

Mr. Norris, Secretary of the
Society of Antiquaries, hath been
likewife fo obliging as to refer me
to the following inflance of a
very ancient clock in the fame
century.

* See Selderi in his Pref. to Ilengham, f Vol, III. p. 408.

X Mich. a. Ric. 3.

II We find that this clock was confidered during tlie reign of Henry VI. to be
of fuch confequence, that the King gave the keeping of it, with the appurte-
nances, to William Warby, Dean of St. Stephen's, together with the pay of
6d. per diem, to be received at the Exchequer.

§ 3 Inft. p. 72. 4. 4. Iiift. p. 255,

«' Anna

A N T I CLU I T I E S.

U$

*' Anno 1292, Novum Orolo-
" glum Magnum in Ecclefia (fc.
*' Cantuarienfi) pretium 30/."

I fhall now produce a proof, that
not only clocks but watches were
made in the beginning of the 14th
century.

Seven or eight years ago, fome
labourers were employed at Bruce
Ciftle in Fifefhire, where they
found a watch, together with fome
coin ; both of which they difpofed
of to a (hopkeeperof St. Andrews,
who fent the watch to his brother
in London, confiJering it as a ca-
rious piece of antiquity *. The
outer cafe is of fiiver, raifed, in
rather a handfon'.e pattern, over
a ground of blue enamel; and I
think I can dillinguilh a cypher
of R. B. at each corner of the en-
chafed work. On the dial-plate
is written, Robertus B. Rex Scot-
torum, and over it is a convex
tranfparent horn, inflead of the
glafTes which we ufe at prefent.

Now RqJDertus B. Rex Scotto-
rum can be no other King of Scot-
land than Robert Bruce, who be-
gan his reign in 1305, and died
in 1328; for the Chrillian name
of Baliol who fucceeded him was
Edward ; nor can Robertus B. be
applied to any later Scoitifh
king.

This very fingular watch is not
of a larger fize than thofe which
are now in common ufe; at which
I was much furprifed, till I had
feen feveral of the jO'.h century

in the colledlion of Sir Afljtoa
Lever, and Mr. Inghim Forfter,
which were confiderably fmaller.

As I mean to deduce the pro-
grefs of the art of dock-making
in a regular chronological furies,
the .next mention I find of Horo-
logittf is in Rym r's Foedera, where
there is a proteftion of Edward
the Third, A. D. 1368, to three
Dutchmen, who were Orlogiers.
The title of this pretention is,
*' De Hnrologiorum Artificio ex-
'• ercendo." Mr. B. remarks upoa
the following lines of Chaucer f,
when he fpeaks of a cock's crow-

*' Full fikerer was his crowing in his lege,
" As is a clock, or any abbey orloge,"

that in the 14th century, clock
was often applied to a bell, which
was rung at certain periods, de-
termined by the hour glafs or fun-
dial : but that the ahbe^ orloge X
(or clock) could not have been
uncommon when Chaucer wrote
ihefe lines.

I now pafs on to a famous aftro-
nomical clock, made by one of
our countrymen in the reign of
Richard the Second, the account
of which I have e.xtraded from
Leland.

Richard of Walingford was fon
of a fmith, who lived at that town,
and who, from his learning and
ingenuity, became abbot of St.
Alban's. Leland proceeds "cum
•* jam per amplas liccbat fortunas.

* It is row in his Majerty's pofrcfRon.

•f- Chaucer was born A. D. 1318, and died in 14.00.

\ To the time of Queen Elizabeth, clocks were often called orolojes }

" He'll watch the horologe a double fet,
" If drink rock not his cradle."

Othello, a£l ii. fc. 3.

The clock of Wells cathedral is alfo to this day called the horologt.

K 4 " volult

t36 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

«' volult illuftri aliquo opcrc, non
*« irioJo ing^nii, verum etiam eru-
*' d tionis, ac arris cxCflUntis,
*' miraculum oftenderc. Ergo ta-
*' lem hcrolcgii fabricam msgno
*• labore, majore fumptu,arte vero
*' maxima, compegic, quRlem non
** habet tota Europa mi a opinlone,
** Tecundum, five quis curium fo-
*' lis ac lun£E, feu fixa fidera no-
** tet, five iierum maris incre-
<* menta & dccrementa*."

Richard of Walingford alfo wrote
a treatife on this clock, " Ne
*' tarn infignis machina vilefceret
** errore monachorum, aut iricog-
** nito flrudurs ordine, filefce-
*' ret."

From what hath been above
Hated it appears, that this altro-
riomical clock continued to go in
Leland's time, who was born at
the latter end of Henry the Sf-
venth's reign, and who fpeaks of
a tradition, that this famous piece
of m-^chanifm was calied Albion by
the inventor.

Having now produced inftances
of feveral clocks, and even a
watch, which were made in dif-
ferent parts of the 14th century,
as alfo having endeavoured to
prove that they were not exceflivo-
ly uncompion even in the 13th,
it may be thought necefiary that
I fhould account for their not be-
ing more generally ufed during
theie periods, as, in their prefent
Hate at leall, they are fo very con-
venient. For this, it fhoold feem,
that many reafons may be afligned.
In the infancy of this new piece
of mechanifm, they were proba-
bly of a very imperfeft conftruc-
tion, perhaps never went tolera-

bly, and were foon deranged,
whilfl: there was no one within a
reafonable diftance to put them in
order.

We find, therefore, that Henry
the Sixth of England, and Charles
the Filtli of France, appointed
clock- mailers, uiih a Uipend, ,to
keep the Wertminllcr and Paris
clocks in order.

It need fcarccly be obfervcd alfo,
that as the artifts were fo few,
their work mull have been charged
accordingly, and that Kings only
could be the purchafers of what
was rather an expenfive toy, than
of any confiderable ufe. And it
may perhaps be faid, that they
continued in a great meafure to be
no better than luys till the middle
of the 17th ccntufy.

Add to this, that in the 13th
and I4lh centuries, there was fo
little commerce, intercoarfe, or
fociety, chat an hour-glafs, or the
fun, was very fujScient for the
common purpofes, which are now
more accurately fettled by clocks
of modern conftrudlion. Dials and
hour-glafies likewife wanted nq
mending.

Having now finidicd what hath
occurred to me with regard to the
firll introdudtion of clocks, I fhall
conclude by a few particulars,
which I have been enabled to pick
up, in relation to thofe more port-
able meafures of time, called
n.vatchesy the earlicft of which (ex-
cept that of Robert Bruce King of
Scotland) feems to be one in
Sir Afhton Lever's moft valua-*
ble mufeum, the date upon whicH
is 1541 f.

Derhan^

* Leland de Script. Brit.

•J- The oldeft clock we have in England that is fuppofed to go tolerablyj,

Is of the preceding year, viz. 5540, the ini:ial letters of the maker's name

'' ' beinff

A N T I Q^U I TIES. 137

Derham (in his artificial Clock- watches (of which I have feen fe-

maker, publifhcd in 1714) men- veral in the collcfiion of Sir Afhtoa

tions a watch of Henry the Eighth, Lever and Mr. Ingham Forfter) cat-

vvhich wrs Hill in order ; and Dr. gut fupplied the place of a chain,

Demainbray informs me, that he whiiit they were conimcnly of a

hath heard both Sir Ifaac New- fma'.ler fize than we ufe at prefent,

ton and Demoivre fpeak of this and often cf an cval form f.
watch *. From thefe and probably many

The Emperor Chsrles the Fifth other imperfeflions they were not

(Henry's contemporary) was fo in any degree of general requefl

much plcafed with thefe time- till the latter end of Queen Eliza-

roeafurers, that he ufed to fit after bcth's reign; accordingly in Shake-

his dinner with fevcrai of them fpeare's Twelfth Niaht Malvolio

on the table, his bottle being in fayj,

the center ; and when he retired " I frown the while, and per-

to the mon^ltery of St. Jiift, he " chance w//?^ up my ^joatch, or

continued Hill to amufe himfelf *' play with fome rich jewel."
with keeping them in order, which Again, in the firft edition of

is faid \o have produced a re- Harrington's Orlando Furidfo

fledion frotn him on the abfur- (printed in 1591), the author is

dity of his attempt to regulate the reprefented wii;h what feems to be

motions of the different powers of a watch, (though the enaraving is

Europe. by no means diftinft) on which is

Some of the watches ufed at this written,
:ime fecm to have been ftrikers ; at II tempo paffa |.

leaft we find in the Memoirs of Li- In the 3d of James the Firft a

terature, that fuch watches hav- watch wasfound upon GuvFawkes

ing been Itolen both from Charles which he and Percy had bought the

the Fifth and Lewis the Eleventh, day before," to try conciufions for

whilft they were in a croud, the •* the long and fliort burning of

thief was deteifted by their Itriking " the touchwood, with which he

the hour. *' had prepared to give fire to the

In moft of the more ancient •' train of powder."

being N. O. It is in the palace at Hampton Court. Derham's Artificial Clock-
maker.

* That dittinguiftied antiquai^ Mr.Walpolc has in his pofTeflion a clock which
appears by the inicription to have been a prefent from Henry the Eighth to Anne
Boleyn. Poyner, Bifnop of Winchelter, likevvili: gave an allronomical clock to the
fame King. Godwyn de Praelhl.

t Pancirollus informs vis, that about the end of the 15th century, watches
were made no larger than an almond, by a man whofe name was Mermecide.
Encyclop.

X In Archbi/hop Parker's will, made April 5, 1575, is the following le-
gacy :

»' Do, et lego fratri meo Ricardo epifcopo Elicnfi, baculum meum de canna
<s Indica, qui Horologium hahet in f'lnimitate."

As likewii'e in the brief cf his goods, &c. « A clock, valued at 54. /. 4. s."'

' Ia

13$ ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

In 1631 Chnrles the firft incor-
porated ihe clock-makers ; nnd the
charter prohibits c!\-ks,i^vatches, nnd
alarms, from being imported, w hich
liitiicienily proves that tnev were
now more commonly ufed.as weil as
that wehadartirts of our own, who
wrre expert in this branch of buri-
nQk.

About the raiddlc of the 17th
centurv, Huygens made his great
improvement in clock-work, which
produced many others from our
own countrymen ; the lateil of
whieh was the introduftion of re-
peating watches in^ the time of
Charles the Second, who, as J have
been informed by the late Lord Ba-
thurft, fentone of the firll of thefe
rew inventions to Lewis XIV.

The former of thefe kings was
very curious with recjard to thefe
time-meafurers ; and I have been
told by an old perfon of tiie trade,
that watch-makers (particularly
Eafi) ufed to attend whihl he was
playing at the Mall, a watch being
often the flake.

But we have a much more curious
anecdote of royal attention to
watches in Dr, Derham's Artificial
Clock- m:.ker.

Barlow had produced a patent,
in concert with the Lord Chief
Juflice AUebone, for repeaters ;
but Quare making one at the fame
time upon ideas he had entertain-
ed before the patent w?.s grant-
ed, James the Second tried both,
and giving the preference to
Quare's, it was notified in the Ga-
zette.

In the fucceeding reign, the re-
putation of the Englilh work in this
branch was fuch, that in the year
1698, an aft pafTed, obliging the
Ecaiiers to put their names on

watches, left difcreditable ores
might be fold abroad for En<yli(h.

if any of thefe pirticulars, or
anecdotes, iTiouid prove intererting
to you, it will amply rccompcnce
th- trouble [ may have had in cot-
lecling them ; being,

I).'ar Sir,

Your molt faithful

humble Servant,

Dain£s Barrington.

AcccHiit of the E 1 ll c d d fod or Sijtons

of the Eur {is and Miujiiels.

[From Pennant's Tour through Wales. J

THE particular glory of the
town of Cacy--.vxSy was the
honour it had of being the place
of the Eijleddfcd, or the feflions of
the bards and minftrels, for many
centuries. It was the refort of
thofe of a certain diflricl ; as Jlher-
fra-v in Anglefea was of thofe of that
iHand, and the neighbouring coon.,
ty ; and Mathraval oi thofe of the
land of Potvys. The reafon that
thefe places were thus diilingciifh-
ed, wa?, becaufe the two lafl were
the relidence of Princes ; and
Cacywys, on account of the royal
palace that flood below the town,
the relidence of Lltnuelyn op
GnJ^;dd.

' \ hefe Eijleddfods were the Bri-
tijh Olympics. Fired at firft with
generous emulation, our poets
crowded into the lift, and carried ofr
the prize, contented with the mere
honour of viftory. At length,
when the competitors became nu-
merous, and the country became
ocprefled with the multitude, new
regulation? of courfe took place.
The difappointed candidates weie

HO

A N T I CLU I T I E S.

'^39

no longer fufFered to torture the
ears of the principality with their
wretched compofitions. None but
bards of merit were fuffered to re-
hearfe their pieces; and minftrels
of fkill, to perform. Thefe went
through a long probation : judges
were appointed to decide on their
refpedive abilities ; and degrees
fuitable were conferred, and per-
milTions granted for exercifing their
talents, in the manner that will
be related in the following pages.
The judges were appointed by
commiflion from our Princes ; and
after the conqucft of //Wf/, by
ths Kings of England, notwith-
ftanding Edivard J. exercifed a
political cruelty over the genera-
tion of bards of his time, yet fu-
ture princes thought fit to revive
an inlHtuiion fo likely to foften
the manners of a fierce people.
The crown had the power of no-
minating the judges, who decided
not only on the merit, but the fub-
jeil of the poems ; and, like our
modern Lord Chamberlains, were
certain of lictnfing only thofe
which were agreeable to the Englijh
court.

It is highly probable, that the
bards and minllrels were under
certain regulations during the time
oi Druidi/m, but we find no proofs
of them till long after ; till the
days of Cadiualadr, laft King of
Britain, who died at Rome about
the year 688. Qf him it is faid,
that being at an afiembly of this
nature, with his nobles, there came
aminftrel, and played in a key fo
difpleafing, that he land all his
brethren were prohibited, under a
fevere penalty, from ever playing

on it any more ; but were ordered
to adopt that of Mivynen Gvcynedd,
or the fweet key of G^ynedd *,

I imagine, that prevjou.' to thifl,
there had been mufjcal regulations
Jn Britain ; for I find that a tune,
called Gnfleg yr Halen, or the Tre^
lude of the Salt, was always played
whenever the falt-feller was placed
before King Arthur'^ knights, at
his round table f .

After Cad-a:aladr, the next
Princes who undertook the re-
form of our minftrelfie, were i?/fdL
dyn ap Cynfyn and Gryffydd ap Cj-
nan. The firft was cotemporary
with the conqueror; the laft with
YJ\w.g Stephen. Thefe enafted, that
no perfon (hould follow the pro-
f ejjion oi hzrd or minftrei, but fuck
only who were admitted by the
Eijieddfod, which was held once in
three years. They were prohibit-
ed from invading one another*s
province: nor were they permitted
to degrade themfelves by following
any oZ/^fr occupation. Neither of
thefe were to demand above ten
fhillings in any article, under pain
of lofing the whole, befides being
fufpended from their profeffion for
three years J.

After the times oi the princes,
the great men, their defcendants,
took thefe people under their care
and protedion, allowing them the
liberty of circuiting their refpedive
territories thrice a year, viz. at
Chrijimas, Eajier, and Whitjuntide \
and the whole principality once in
three years.

The bards were in the higheft
repute. I cannot give a ftronger
idea of the efteem they were in,
thaa by citing from the Weljk

• North Wales,
Wallicp, 35.

f Tvlf. Morris's M§S. of ^ritilhmufic.

X Leges
laws.

f40 ANNUAL REG I S T E R, 1779.

Isws, the account of their rank in
the prince's court, mid the various
rewards and fees tlicy weie entitled
to, and the lev*. re penalties thnt
uere enafted to prefcrve their
perfcns /rem infuit. They were
fuppoied 10 be endc wed with pow-
ers equal to inlpiraiion. They
were the oral hiliorians of all pall
tranfailions, public and private.
They related the great events of
the Hate ; and, like the /(aids of
the northern nations, retained the
memory of numberle's tranfadions,
vhich other wife would have, pe-
jiftifciJ in oblivion. They were
likewife thoroughly acquainted
»vith the works of the^ three pri-
jsiary bardsj-x'/a. Myrddyn ap Vlor-
fryn, Myrddyn Enirvh, ana Ta-
iiefin ben Beirdd. But they had
another talent, which probably en-
deared them more than all the rell
to the Weljh nobility ; that of be-
ing mofl: accomplifhed genealo-
gilts, and flattering their vanity,
in finging the deeds of an an-
ceftry derived from the moft diftant
period.

The Bardd Teulo, or Court
Bard, held th6 eighth place in
the Prince's court. He pofieffed
Wi land fiee. The prince fuppiicd
bini with a horfe ano woollen rcbc,
and the princefs wi'.h lioen *. Ii'e
fat next to the governor of the
palace at the three great feilivals ;
for, at thofe Teafon?, the governor
was to deliver him his harp f.
On the fame feftiyals, he was al-
fb to have the Di/na.ns, or Rew-
ard of the houftiold's garment for
his fee.

When a fong is called for, the
Cadelr-fardd, or the bard who has
got the badge of the chair, is ndl

* Leges WtJllcXj 3£.

to fing a hymn in glory of God ;
after that, a/iothir in honour of the
prince. When thofe are over,'the
Tiulunur, or bard of the hall, is lo
fmg fome other fubjcft.

If the princefs calls for a fong
after ifie has retired from table to
her apartment, the TVa/w-wr mi'll
f:ng to her highaefs in a low voice,
lealt he rriould difturb the perforrti-
ers in the hail. John Dajydd Rhyt
fays, that the fabjed was to be on
death ; but I rather follow kVbttox,
who, inftead of angau, which fig-
nifiCS death, prefers ;he word amgen,
or "d jep.iyate juhjecl from what was
fung Jn the hall.

When the bnrd goes with the
prince's fervants on a plundering
expedition, and periorms before
them his animating compofition?,
he is to have the finell heifer of the
booty : and in cafe the detachment
was drawn up in order of battle,
he «as to fing at iheir head, the
praifiS of the Britilh morarchy.
This was to remind them of their
ancient right to the whole king-
dom ; for their inro~ads being aU
mrft always on the Enghjh territo-
ries, tl'.ey thought they did no more
than leize on their own.

The prince bellowed on him an
ivory chefs-board ; others fay a
harp : and the princefs a golden
ring. His lodging was to be with
the governor of the palace.

When he is required to fing with
other bards, by way of difVindion,
he is to have a double portion.

If the bard sfes any favour of
the prince, he mull fing one of
his compofitions : if of a noble-
man, three: if of a common per-
fon, he m.uft fing till he is fo
weary as to reft on his elbow, or

f The fame, 35", and 16,

to

A N T I Q^U r T I E S.

to fall aflcep. This, 1 fear, fhews
our bards were a very importuning
r^ce, and required a check ; yec
ftill they were in high clUmation.
Their Gnxcrth, or compeafation for
their life, was raced at cxxvi cows *,
and anv injury done them, at vi
cows and cxK pence.

The Mcrch-Gokr of his daugh-
ter, or marriage fine of his daugh-
ter, was cxx pence. Her coixyUt
argsjfreu^ or nuptial prelents, was
thiriy Ihillings ; and her portion
three pounds f. It is rema/kable,
that the PencerJd Gvvlad, or chief
of the faculty, was entitled to tha
msrch-gobr, or amobr for the daugh-
ters of all the inferiors of the fa-
culty within the diftri(^, who pay-
ed xxiv pence on their marriage ;
which not only fhews the anti-
quity, but the great authority of
thefe people.

The Pencerdd was not among
the X officers of the court : but
occalionally fat in the tenih place.
He alfo had bis land Uta ; was to
perform much in the fame manner
as the court bard, whom he feems
to have taken place of, whenever
he attended ; for, when the Pat-
cerdd was prefenr, the former fat
only in the twelfth feat. No other
was to play without licenfe from
him. His death was valued at
cxxvi cows ; and any injury done
him, at vi cows, and cxx pence.
Each of the chief mulicians was to
receive from their Lord, the ftrft,
a harp ; the fecond, a crivth ; the
third, a pipe; which, on their
deaths, were to revert to the lord |J.

The prince's harp was valued at
cxx pence, and that of Pencerdd at
the fame ; the key at xxiv pence :

I4t

a gentleman's harp wa? eftimated a€

Ix pence.

A ccmmiffion for holding an
EiJiedJfod -dX. Caer-Mys, in 1568, is
fliii in poflelfion of Sir Rogtr Mof-
tyn, together with the filvcr harp ;
which hid from time immemorial
been in the gift of his anceftors,
to beftow on the chuf of the fm^
culfy. This bsdge of hnn.;ur is
about five or. fix inches long, and
furnifli^d with Itrings equal to the
number of the mufes. The com-
mifiion is the lall of the kind which
was granted ; and is in form fol-
lowing :

By the Quene.

Elizabeth, by the grace of
God, of ExoLiridy Frauncet and
Ireland Qjcne, defender of the
fayti), iSc. to our truftie and ryght
wel beloved S"" Richard BuikUy
kni'^h:. Sir Recs Gruffiib knighc,
ElUce Price efquior. Doctor in cyvill
lawe, and one of our counfail. it*
our marches of Wales, iVdliant
Mnfiyn, Jeyan Lhyd of 7'ale, Jh^ir
Salujbury of Ruge, Rces Thomas,
Maurice Wynne, M^'ilFrn Levjts, Peres
Mojlyn, Oxven Jhn ap H 7 raughan,
"John WiL^m ap John, J h.: Le-ivis
Uzven, Moris Grujfylh, SymounJ
Thelval, Eliicr ap Wm Llcya, Roi*
Pule/ion, Hurry A parry, William
Glynne, ind Rees Hughes, eiquic/*,
and to every of them, greating.
V/heras it is to come to the k.iow-
ledge of the Lord Prefi lent and.
other o' faid counlai! in o^ marches
of Wales, that vagraunt and idle
pfons, naming themfelf? myrfl^relb.
rithmors, and barthes, ar' iatel/
growcn into fuch aa intollerable

• Leges Wallicx, 37. f Ibid 37. J Ibid 6?.

Waliicic, 68.

Q Leges-
nulti"

141 ANNUAL REGISTER, ^779.

jnuhitude v^^Hn the principalitee
ci NcrtLrjcales, that not only gen-
tlcmcn and others, by theire (hame-
les diforders, are oftentimes dif-
quieted in theire habitac-ons ; but
alfo thexpert mynllrells and mu-
cii'ions in toune and concry iher-
by much difcouraged to travail in
thexercifc and pradize of theire
knowledge ; and alfo not a little
hyndred in theire lyvings and
pferm'*. The reform ac'on wher-
of, and the putting of thefe peo-
ple in ord', the faid Lorde Prefi-
dent & counfail have thought verey
receffarye, and knowing you to
be men both of wyfdoroe and
upright dealing, and alfo of expe-
rience and good knowledge in the
fcyence, have apointed and au-
thorized you to be comilfioners
for that purpofe. And forafmuch
as o^ faid counfail of late, tra-
vayling in fome pte of the faid
principalitee, had pfedl under-
llanding or credible report, that
thaccultomed place for thexcu-
c^on of the like comiffyon, hath
bene hertofore at Caroyes in our
countie of FJlynt ; and that Wil-
liam Mofiyn efquio'', and his an-
cell" have had the gyfte and be-
ftowing of the fylver harpe app-
tayning to the cheff of that facuU
tie, and that a yeares warning at
the leaft hath been accullomed to
be geaven of thaffembly and exe-
cuc'on of the like commiflyon.
Our faid counfail have, therfore,
apoynted thexecuc'cn of this ccm-
miffyon to be at the faid towne
of Caroyest the Monday next afi""
the feaft of the blefied Try ni tee,
v.'^ Ihall be in the yeare of c'
Lorde God 1568.

Aiid therfore we require and
comand you, by the aucthoritee
of thefe pfents, act only to caufe

open pdamac'ons to be made iti
all ffayo'*, m'kette, townes, and
other places of aflembly wtt^in
our counties o^ Anglix£, Car »> von,
Meyryonnetby Denbigh, and FJlynt,
that all and ev'^y pfon and pfons
that entend to mayntcigne theire
lyvings by name or color of myn-
llrells, rithm rs, or barthes, wthin
the Talaith of Jberjicive, com-
phending the faid iy\e (hires, fhal
be and appeare before you the faid
daye and place, 10 fhewe theire
learnings accordingly: butalfothat
you, xx''^, xix"^", xviii'"", xvii^",
xvien, XV", xiiii", xiiif", xii",
xi", x'", ix, viii, vii, or vi of
you, whereof youe, S"" Richard
Bulkley, S' Rees Griffith, Ellice
Pricey and Wm Mofiyn, Efquio",
or iii^* or ii of you, to be of the
nomb*^ to repayre to the faid place
the daye aforfaid, and calling to
you fuch expert men in the faid
focuhie of the JVelJhe mufick, as to
you fhall be thought convenient
to pceade to thexecuc'on of the
pmifs*, and to admytt fuch and fo
many as by your wifdomes and
knowledges you (hall fynde wor-
thy into and und' the degrees
heretofore in femblable fort, to
ufe exercife and folovve the fcyen-
ces and facultes of theire pfef-
fyons in fuch decent ord' as (hall
apptaigne to eche of theire de-
grees, and as yo^ difCrec~ons and
wifdomes (hall picribe unto them,
geaving ftraight monyc"ons and
comaundm' in c*^ name and on 0'
behalf to the reft not worthy that
they returne to fome hcnelt labo'
and due exercife, fuch as they be
mod apte unto for mayntenaunce
of their lyvings, upon paine to be
taken as (lurdy and idle vaca-t
boundes, and to be ufed according
to the lavves and fiatutes pvided in

that

A N T 1 Q^U I T I E S.

tlrat behalf, letting you wyth*^ o^
faid couhraill L ok for advertifctrr
by due cernficatc at your handes
of yo^ doings in thcxecuc^on of
the faid pmifi*. For feeing in
any wife that upon the faid af-
fembly the peas and gool order
be obferved and kept accordingly,
afiertaynin^ you that the faid
fJ^i/lf Mjflyn hath p mi fed co fee
furnytuie and thinj^s necefl'ary
pvided for that rilembly at the
place aforfaid, Geven under o'
iignet at o^ ciiie of Chejler the
xxiii'** of OSiclcr^ the nymh yeare
of o' r ligne.

Signed her Hignps counfaill,
in the m'^ches of Wales.

In confequcnce, an EiftedJfod
was held on the 26ch of May fol-
lowing : and on this occafion fifty-
five perfons ie;eived their degrees.

Four were created chief bards of
vocal fong,

Seven primary ftudentsof vo-
cal fong.

Three. fecondary lludents of

vocal fong.

Three probationary ftudents

of vocal fong.

Instrumental Music.

Harp.

Three wrere created chief bards and

teachers of inllrumental fong.
five — — chief bards (but not

teachers) of inilrumental fcxiw.
Four primary ftudents of in-

ftrumental Tjng.

Five fecondary ditto.

Three probationary ftudents

of inilfumcntal fong.

C R w T H.
Two were created chief bards and

teachers of inftrumental fong.
Four chief bards (b.it not

teachers) of inftrumcntal fong.

143

One primary Uudent of in-

Itrumental long.
Seven fecondary fludents of

inftrumental fon".

o

Four .probationary fludents of

inllrumental fong.

It mult be obferved, that pl:'.)-
ers on crwths with three llrings,
laborers, and pipers, were reckon-
ed among the ignoble performers:
they were not allovved to fit down,
and had only a penny for their
pains,

I'he different degrees vv^re com-
prehended in this lill. There were
four in the poetical, and five ia
the muficai faculty. The lovveft,
or more properly what fnould be
called a canaidateor probationer,
was 7' Dyfcybl T/pas, or the lo^joeji-
dikiple, who WIS obliged (if a can,
didate for poetry) to underftand
the contraftion of five fpecies of
En^lyns, and to compofe them be-
fore a Pencerdd, who was to de-
clare upon his confcience, that he
was endowed with a true poetical
genius. After this he commenced

Dyfcybl Dyfcyblaidd, DifciyJut
difciplinabilis : here he become? a
graduate; but mult underftand
twelve of our different metres, and
produce fpecimens of each of his
own compofition ; and if in three
years time he does nor, by his me-
rit, acquire the next degree, he is
degraded from this, ti' he fuc-
cceds, he then proceeds to the de-
gree of

Dyftfybl Penceirddiaid ), or can-
didate for d-gree of Pencerd.!, when
he muil underftand the propriety
of expreiTions, and the diiFerenu
metres, and compofe in twenty^
one fpecies ; and if in three years
he does not attain by his own me-
rit to the next degree, he fails
b.ick into that of Dyf.yhl dyfcy.
blaidd ; othcrwife he becomes a

Penijardd

144 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Fcnbardd or Pencerdd, chief of
the faculty he was candidate in ;
when it is neceffary he fliould be
accomplifh^d in every branch of
his art. He then received the
badge of the filver harp ; or that
of a golden or filver chain, which
he wore upon his Ihoulder. He
alfo was placed with much cere-
mony on a magniiicent chair, part
of ihe /urnyrure mentioned in the
patent ; was there inverted with
his degree ; and then acquired the
honourabl.- name oiCadeirfarJd, or
B a rdd cadclria xug .

In inltrumental muiic there were
five degrees; v;hich differ nothing
from thofe in the other faculty,
except in the two lowelt : i. the
Dyfcybl yfpat heh radd, or without
a degree ; 2. Dyjcybl yfpas grad-
^u-ivl, or graduated ; 3. Dyfcybl
dsfcyblaidd ; 4. Dyfcybl ■pcnceird-
diaidd; 5. Pencerdd. Thefe, like
the others, were to be attained by
their refpeiftive merits in the
fcience<; but as their qualifications
are expreiTed in technical terms ot
Br'uijh mufic, it is.palt my fkill to
give an explanation. None but a
Pencerdd^oaXd prefume to become
an inltrudor. The chief of our
days, is that uncommon g:enius, the
blind Mr. John Parry of Rhiwabon,
who has had the kingdom for his
CyUh cUra, or muiical circuit, and
remains unrivalled.

Our Pencerdds thus qualified,
were lic^nfed to fing, or to per-
form under certain reltriftions. By
the law of our prince?, particular
regard was paid to their morals :

* They were to be no make-bates,

• no vagabonds, no ale-houfe

* haunters, no drunkards, no
« brawllers, no whore-hunters, no

• theeves, nor companions cf fuch ;

< in which things, if they ofFend,

* everie man, by the ftatute, is

* made an officer, and authorized

* to arreft and punifh them ; yea,

* and to take from them all that |

* they have about them *.'
They were prohibited from ut-
tering any fcandalous words in
fpeech or whifpers ; detraction,
mocking, fcoffing, inventing lies,
or repeating them after others,
under pain of fine and imprifon-
ment : nor were they to make a
long of any perfon without hia
confent; nor to enter any man's
houfe without forsral leave firll ob-
tained.

Every Penbardd and Penctrdd
was allowed to take in difciples
for a certain fpace of time, but
not above one at a time. A difci*
pie was not qualified to make ano-
ther. Each was to be with his
teacher during Lent, unlefs pre-
vented by ficknefs or imprifon-
ment, under pain of lofing his de*
gree. He was obliged to fhew
every compofiiion to his teacher
before it was publicly fung. They
were not to follow the praftice of
cler V domy i, e, dunghill bards and
mulicians, or any other fpecies of
vagabond minflrels. They were
enjoined a month before each fefti-
val, to fettle their routs with theif
refpeftlve teachers, leaft too many
of them fliould crowd to the fame
places ; only one being allowed to
go to a perfon who paid ten pounds
a year rent ; and two to fuch who
payed twenty pounds, and fo on in
proportion to thofe of higher ranki
and every teacher was obliged to
keep a copy of thefe rules, to fhew
and inculcate to his pupils in time
of Lent, when they ca.Tie for their
inltructions.

• Powel, J 92.

Kd

A N T I Q^U I T I E S.

145

No perfon was to mimic, mock,
or feoff at the a'^t^enyddicn on ac-
count of their mental abfence, or
when they had on them the auoen
or poeticu! furor ; from an opinion
that no bard, duly authorized,
could ever meditate on improper
fubjefls.

To whatfoever houfe they came
in the time of wakes, they muft re-
tnain there while the fealting lart-
ed ; unlefs they had leave from the
mafter cf the hcufe, or were invited
by another. If they wandered from
houfe to FioHfe, they were to be ap-
prehended as (Irollers and vaga-
bonds, and to be deprived of their
clsra* y wtiich was forfeited to the
ufe of the church. If they got in-
toxicated, they forfeited their re-
ward : but if they violated thecha-
ftity of wife or maid, they were
fined and imprifoned, and ioft their
ckra for feven yeafs.

Their fees or rewards were
!regiilated. A dyfcyhl dyfcyblaidd
was entitled to 3/. \d. for his
co^'dd,

A dyfcybl penceirddiaidd, re-
ceived for the fame fpecies of cora-
pofition 6 s. ^ d.

His teacher, or the Penctrdd,
had no more ; only the mafter of
the houfe ufoally prefcnted him
with a garment, or fome other mark
of favour.

The minlirels received thefe re-
wards ; a dyfcybl yfpas graddaivl
had only i ;. upon each of the great
feftivals.

A dyfcyhle dyfcyblaidd, at the
fame feafons 2 s. and a dyfcybl pen-
ceirddiaidd 5 J. 4 </.

A pencerdd the fame, befides a
voluntary gratuity. He was alfo
entitled to fees at royal and other

weddings ; and upon their cyUh
chra, which was permitted only
once in three years. But befides
thefe fees, in order to encourage
the clerv^yr to keep up the language
and the memory of the exploits
^d pedigrees of the Britons, they
were allowed a penny out of every
ploughlaiid, and a halfpenny out
of every half ploughland of their
diftria.

The Penbardd and Pencsrdd, ia
their circuity, frequented only the
houfes of the gentry ; but if he
degraded hPrnfelf by vifiting the
commonalty, he was only to ex-
pert the fee of a common clcrivr,
whofe province it was to vific the
pltbiian houTes. The followinji^
were the perfons who were allotted
to entertain the vulgar ears.

A perfon labouring under any
infirmity ; fuch as blindnefs, lame-
nefs, tfff. a dyfcybl yfpas, a dyfcybl
dyfcybl aiddfind dyfcybl peticeirddiaidd.
The firJl regulation v.'as founded ort
humanity.

No public feilivity, great feaf^,
or wedding could be duly folem-
nized without the prefence of the
bards and minfirels. A glorious
emulation arofe among them ; and
prizes were bellowed on the moft
worthy. In 11 76, the Lord R/ys
Prince of Scuth IVaUs, made a
great feafl f at Chrijimas, on a-c-
count of lh« finifhing his new caf-
tle at Aberteifi; of which he pro-
claimed notice through all Britain
a year and a day before ; great
was the refort of ftrangers, who
were nobly entertained ; fo that
none departed unfatisfied. Among
deeds of arms, and variety oi I'pec-
ta-les, Rhys invited aii the bards
of (Vales, and provided chairs for

• Or tlicir pay. Sometimes it fignifies the aft of iheii" perambulation.
■f- Powcl, 237.

Vol. XXII. L

them.

14^ ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

them, which were placed in his
hr.ll, where they fat and difputed,
and fang, to {hew their fkill in
their relpedlive faculties, and be-
ftowed great rewards, and rich
gifts on the vidors. The bards
of North VVaUi won the prizes ;
but the minllrels of Rhyi's houfe-
hold excelled in their faculty.
On ihii occafion the Braixdnxr
Lljs, or Judge of the court, and
officer fifth in rank, dtclared aloud
the vidlor, and received from the
bard, for his fee, a mighty drink-
ing-horn, made of the horn of an
ox ; a golden ring, and the culhon
on which he fat in his chair of dig-
nity *.

The bards of thofe times often
accompanied their voices with the
;harp, as they were wont of old,
in the manner defcribed by Am-
mianut Marcdlinvi f . There was
alio another fpecies of mufician,
of an inferior kind, called Dutcei-
fiiad, who accompanied the mufi-
cal inrtrunients of others with his
V fong. He was inferior to both
bard and minftrel ; yet it was re-
quifite he Hiould be poffefled of a
confiderable degree of knowledge
■^in both fciences : he ought to be
able to tune the harp and crivth :
to (hew his flcill in playing feve-
ral notes and keys, and to be per-
fed^Iy converfanc in what are called
the twenty-four meafures of in •
Itrumental fong; and to be able
to fing with judgment and melody.
He was likewile to h^ mafler of
reading juftly, and writing correct-
ly. He was not only to under-
itand the twenty-four modes of
metrical compoGtions ; but to ex-
hibit fpecimens of his o.vn, at leaft
ia three of them ; and if he met

with any old fong faultily trafl-
fcribed, he was to reftify it. He
was alfo to carry with him a harp
or crivth in a white cafe. He was
further required, not only to be
a ready waiter at table, but to be
an expert carver of every fpecies
of fowl. At the weddings of any
of the royal family, his o£5ce was
to wait on the bride.

On thofe occafions, I am re*
minded of another cuf^om in which
the bards were concerned. After
their nuptial feaft, a Pencerdd
was conftituted CyffCler, or pil-
lar of the clery and feated in a
chair furrounded by the other
bards Handing, who made him the
fubjeff of their merry and ludicrous
compofitions, to raife mirth in the
company. He was that day to
make no reply ; but on the next,
he was to divert the hall at the ex-
pence of the inferior bards ; and
was alfo to compofe a poem upon a
fubjedl given him fuitable to his
dignity.

The moft inferioFof the mufical
tribe was fometimes admitted.
This was the Datce'tniad penpaji'wn,
or he that fung to the found of his
club; being ignorant of every
other kind of inftrument. When
he was permitted to be introduced,
he was obliged to ftand in the mid-
dle of the hall, and fing his coivydd,
or atodly beating time, and play-
ing the fymphony with \).\a pajl^-wn
or club ; but if there was a pro-
fefTor of mufic prefent,. his leave
muft be firft obtained before he
prefumed to entertain the com-
pany with this fpecies of melody.
Wherever he came he muft aft as
a menial fervant to the bard or
mufician.

* Leges Wallicae, %%,

X Lib, XV. 9.

M I S C E L-

C «47 ]

Miscellaneous Essays,

On Genius and Tajie. From Rey-
nold's Academical Di/cour/es.

IT has been the fate of arts to
be inveloped in myilerious and
incomprehenfible language, as if
it was thought neceffary that even
the terms (hould correfpond to the
idea entertained of the inftability
and uncertainty of the rules which
they exprefied.

To fpeak of genius and tafte, as
any way cohnefted with reafon or
tommon fenfe, would be, in the
opinion of feme towering talkers,
to fpeak like a man who polTefTed
lieither, who had never felt that
enthufiafm, or, to ufe their own in-
flated language, was never warmed
by that Promethean fire, which ani-
mates the canvas and vivifies the
marble.

If, in order to be intelligible, I
appear to degrade art by bringing
het" down from her vilionary fitua-
tion in the clouds, it is only to
give her a more fulid manlion upon
the earthk It is necefTiry that at
fome time or other we fliould fee
things as they really are, and not
impofe on ourfelves by that falfe
magnitude with which objefts ap-
pear when viewed indiftindly as
through a mill.

We will allow a poet to exprefs
his meaning, when his meaning
is not well known to himfdf, with

a certain degree of obfcurity, as it
is one fource of the fublime. But
when, in plain profe, we gravely
talk of courting the mufe in Ihady
bowers ; waiting the call and in-
fpiration of Genius, finding out
where he inhabits, and where he
is to be invoked with the greateft
fuccefs ; of attending to times and
feafons when the imaginatioa
Ihoots with the greateft vigour,
whether at the fummer folftice or
the equinox ; fagacioufly obferving
how much the wild freedom and
liberty of imagination is cramped
by attention to eftablilbed rules ;
and how this fame imagination be-
gins to grow dim in advanced age,
fmothered and deadened by too
much judgment. When we talk
fuch language, or entertain fucb
fentiments as thefe, we generally
reft contented with mere words, or
at beft entertain notions not only
groundlefs, but pernicious.

If all this means what it is very
poflible was originally intended
only to be meant, that in order to
cultivate an art, a man fecludes
himfelf from the commerce of the
world, and retires into the country
at particular feafons ; or that at
one time of the year his body is in
better health, and confequently
his mind fitter for the bufmcfs of
hard thinking than at another
time; or that the mind may be
L 2 fatigued

14S ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

fatigued and grow confufcd by
long and unremitted application ;
this I can underlland. I can liice-
wife believe, that a man eminent
when young for poflefling poetical
imagination, mjy, from having
taken another road, fo negUft
its cultivation, as to fliew lefs of
its powers in his latter life. But
I am perfuaded, that fcarce a poet
is to be found, from Homer down
to Dryden, who preferved a found
mind in a found body, and conti-
nued praftil^ng his profeflion to the
very laft, whofe later works are not
as replete with the fire of imagina-
tion, us thofe which were produced
in his more youthful days.

To underliind literally thefe
metaphors or ideas exprefTed in
poetical language, feems to be
equally abfurd as to conclude, that
bscaufe painters fometimes repre-
fent poets writing from the dictates
of a little winged boy or genius,
that this fame genius did really in-
form him in a whifperwhat he was
to write; and that he is himfelf but
a mere machine, unconfcious of the
operations of his own mind.

Opinions generally received and
floating in the wcrlJ, whether true
or falfe, we naturally adopt and
make cur own ; they may be con-
iidered as a kind of inheritance to
which we fucceed and are tenants
for life, and which we leave to our
pofterity very near in the condition
in which we received it ; not much
being in any one man's power either
to impair or improve it.

The greateft part of thefe opi-
nions, like current coin in its cir-
cula'.ion, we are obliged to take
without weighing or examining ;
but by this inevitable inattention,
manv adulterated pieces are re-
ceived, which, when we ferioufiy

cftimate our wealth, we muft
throw away. So the colleftor of
popular opinions, when he embo-
dies his knowledge, and forms a
fyftem, muft feparate thofe which
are true from thofe which are oaly
plaufible. But it becomes fnore
peculiarly a duty to the profefTors
of art not to let any opinions re-
lating to that art pafs unexamined.
The caution and circumfpedion
required in fuch examination we
fhall prefently have an opportunity
of explaining.

Genius and tafte, in their com-
mon acceptation, appear to be very
nearly related ; the difference lies
only in this, that genius has fuper-
added to it a habit or power of
execation. Or we may fay, that
tafte, when this power is added,
changes its name, and is called
genius. They both, in the popu-
lar opinion, pretend to an intire
exempticn from the reflraint of
rules. It is fupp.ofed that their
powers are intuitive ; that under
the name of genius great works
are produced, and under the name
of taile an exa<fi judgment is given,
without our knowing why, and
without being under the le.ift ob-
ligation to reafon, precept, or ex-
perience.

One can fcarce ftate thefe opinions
without expofing their abfurdity ;
yet they are conftantly in the
mouths of men, and particularly
ofartills. They who have thought
ferioufly on this fubjedl, do not
carry the point fo far ; yet I am
pjrluaded, that even among thofe
few who may be called thinker?,
the prevalent opinion gives lefs
than it ought t;o the powers of
reafon ; and confiJers the princi-
ples of tafte, which give all their
authority to the rules of art, as

more

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS. 149

We may lefs pafs thofe things

wore fluctuating, and as having
lefs foHd foundation?, than we fhiall
find, upon examination, ihey really
have.

The common faying, that tajles
are not to be difputed, owes its in-
fluence, and its general reception,
to the fame error which leads us
to imagine it of too high original
to fubmit to the authority of an
earthly tribunal. It will likewife
correfpond with the notions of thofe
who confider it as a mere phantom
of the imagination, fo devoid of
fubllanceas to elude all criticifm.

We often appear to differ in fen-
timents from each other, merely
from the inaccuracy of terms, as
we are not obliged to fpeak always
with critical exaftnefs. Something
of this too may arife from want of
words in the language to exprefs
the more nice difcriminations which
a deep inveftigation difcovers. A
great deal however of this differ-
ence vanifhes, when each opinion
is tolerably explained and under-
itood by conftTncy and precifion in
the ufe of terms.

We apply the term tafte to that
a£t of the mind by which we like or
dillike, whatever be the fubjeft.
Our judgment upon an airy no-
thing, a fancy which has no foun-
dation, is called by the fame name
which we give to our determination
concerning thofe truths which refer
to the moil general and mofl unal-
terable principles of human nature,
to works which are only to be pro-
duced by the greaielt efforts ot the
human underltanding. However
inconvenient this may be, we are
obliged to take words as we find
them ; all we can do is to diftin-
guilh the thbigi to which the/ are
applied.

which are at once fubjedls of
tafte and fenfe, and whicti havirig
as much certainty as the fenfes
them(e!ves, give no occafion to en-
quiry or difpute. The natural
appe.tite, or lalle of the human
minJ, is for trw.h ; whether that
truth refults from the real agree-
ment or equality of original ideas
among themfelves ; from the a-
greement of the rcprefentation of
any objedl with the thing repre-
fented ; or from the correfpon-
dence of the feveral parts of any
arrangement with each other. It is
the very fame tafte which reliflies
a demonftration in geometry, that
is pieafed with the refemblance
of a picture to an original, and
touched with the harmonv of ma-
fic.

All thefe hive unalterable and
fixed foundations in nature, and
arc therefore equally inveftigated
by reafon, and known by ftudy ;
fome with more, fome with lefs
clearneff, but all exactly in the
fame way. A pidure thit is un-
like, is falfe, Difproportionate
ordonnance of parts is not right;
becaufe it cannot be true, until it
ceafes to be a contradidion to af-
fert, that the parts have no rela-
tion to the whole. Colouring is
true where it is naturally ad.^ptcd
to the eye, from brightnefs, from
foftnefs, from harmi ny, from re-
femblance; becaufe thefe agree
•with their objeft na/ure, ^nd there-
fore are true j as true as mathe-
matical demonrtration ; but known
to be true only to thofe who ftudy
thefe things.

But befides rra/, there is alfo
apparent truth, or opinion, or pre-
judice. With j-egard to real tr^th,

i- 3 whcri

150 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

when it is known, the tafte which
conforms to it, is, and mufl, be,
uniform. With regard to the le-
cond fort of truth, which mny be
called truth upon fufterancp, or
truth by courtefy, itisnot fixed, but
variable. However, whilll thefe
opinions and prejudices, on which
it is founded, continue, they ope-
jate as truth ; and the art, whofe
office it is to pleafe the mind, as
well as inftruft it, mufl direct iifelf
according to cpinioji, or it will not
attain its end.

In proportion as thefe prejudices
are known to be generally difFufed,
or long received, the tafte which
conforms tothem approaches nearer
to certainty, and to a fort of refem-
blance to real fcience, even where
opinions are found to be no better
than prejudices. And (ince they
deferve, on account of their dura-
tion and extent, to beconfidered as
jeally true, they become capable of
no fmall degree of (lability and de-
termination by their permanentand
uniform nature.

I fhall now fay fomething on
that part oitajle, vyhich, as I have
hinted to you before, does not be-
long fo much to the external form
of things, but is addrefled to the
mind, and depends on its original
franje, or, to ufe the expreffion,
the organization of the foul ; I
mean the imagination and the paf-
iions. The principles of thefe are
as invariable as the former, and are
to be known and reafoned upon in
the fame manner, by an appeal to
common fenfe deciding upon the
common feelings of mankind.
This fenfe, and thefe feelings, ap-
pear to me of equal authority, and
e<]^aally conclufive.

Now this appeal implies a ge-
neral uniformity and agreement irt
the minds of men. It would be
elfe an idle and vain endeavour to
eftabli(h rules of art ; it would be
purfuing a phantom to attempt to
move affcdlions with which we
were entirely unacquainted. We
have no reafon to fufpedl there is
a greater difference between our
minds than between our forms, of
which, though there are no two
alike, yet there is a general fimi-
litude that goes through the whole
race of mankind ; and thofe who
have cultivated their talle can dif-
tinguilli what is beautiful or de-
formed, or, in other words, what
agrees or what deviates from the
general idea of nature, in one cafe,
as well as in the other.

The internal fabric of our mind,
as well as the external form of our
bodies, being nearly uniform ; it
feems then to follow of courfe,
that as the imagination is incapa-
ble of producing any thing origi-
nally of itlelf, and can only vary
and combine thefe ideas with which
it is furni(hed by means of the
fenfes, there will be of courfe an
agreement in the imaginations as
in the fenfes of men. There being
this agreement, it follows, that in
all cafes, in our lighteft amufe-
ments, as well as in our moft feri-
ous aftions and engagements of life,
we mud regulate our afFeftions
of every kind by that of others.
The well-difciplinrdmind acknow-
ledges this authority, and fubmits
its own opinion to the public
voice.

It is from knowing what are the

general feelings and paflions of

mankind, that we acquire a true

idea of what imagination is ;

S though

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

15«

though It appears as if we had no- This fubmiflion to others is a de-
thing to do but to confult our own ference which we owe, and indeed
particular fenfationsj and ibefe were are forced involuntarily to pay. In
fufficient to enfure us from ali error fa(^, we are never fatisfied with,
and miftake. • our opinions till they are ratified

A knowledge of the difpofition and confirmed by the fuftVages of

and charafter of the human mind the. reft of mankind. We difpute

can be acquired only by experi- and wrangle for ever ; we endea-

ence : a great deal will be learned, vonr to get men to come to us.when

I admit, by a habit of examining we do not go to them,

what pafles in our bofoms, what He therefore who is acquainted

are our own motives of aftion, and with the works which have pleafed

of what kind of fentiments we are different ages and different coun-

confcious on any occafion. We tries, and has formed his opinion

may fuppofe an uniformity, and on them, has more materials, and

conclude that the fame effect will more means of knowing what is

be produced by the fame caufe in analogous to the mind of man,

the minds of others. This exami- than he who is converfant ocly

nation will contribute to fuggeft to with the works of his own age or

us matters of enquiry J but we can country. What has pleafed, and

never be fure that our own fenfa- continues to pleafe, is likely to

tions are true and right, till they pleafe again : hence are derived

are confirmed by more extenfive the rules of art, and on this im-

obfervation. movable foundation they muft ever

One man oppofing another de- ftand:

terminus nothing ; but a general This fearch and l^udy of the

union of minds, like a general com- hiftory of the mind ought not to

bination of the forces of all man- be confined to one art only. It is by

kind, makes a ftrength that is irre- the analogy that one art bears to

fiflible. In fadt, as he who does not another, that many things are af.

know himfelf does not knowothers, certained, which either were but

fo it may be faid with equal truth, faintly fcen, or perhaps, would

that he who does not know others, not have been difcovered at all,

knows himfelf but very imper- if the inventor had not received

fetlly. the firft hints from the pradlices of

A man who thinks he is guard- a (ifter art on a fimilar occafion *,

ing himfelf againll prejudices by The frequent allufions which every

refifting the authority of others, man who treats of any arc is oblig-

leaves open every avenue to fingu- ed to draw from others in order to

larity, vanity, felf-conceit, obfti- illuflrate and confirm his princi-

nacy, and many other vices, all pies, fufiiciently fhew their near

tending to warp the judgment, and connexion and infeparable reU-

prevent the natural operation of his tion,
faculties.

♦ Nulla ars, non alterius artis, aut mater, aut proplnqua eft.

Tertull. as cited by Junius.

L +

All

152 ANNUAL RE

All arts having the fame general
end, which is to pleafe, and ad-
dreiiing themfelves to the fame fa-
culties through the medium of the
fenfes, it follows that their rules
and principles muft have as great
affinity as the different materials
and the different organs or vehicles
by which they pafs to the mind,
will permit them to retain *.

We may therefore conclude, that
the real fubllance, as it may be
called, of what goes under the
name of ta(le, is fixed and efta-
blifhed in the nature of things ;
that there are certain and regular
caufes by which the imagination
aq^d paffions of men are alFefted ;
and that the knowledge of thcfe
caufes is acquired by a laborious
and diligent inveftigation of na-
ture, and by the fame flow pro-
grefs as wifdcm or knowledge of
every kind, however inftantaneous
Htsoperationsmay appear when thus
acquired.

It has been often obferved, that
the good and virtuous man alone
can acquire this true or juft relifh
even of works of art. This opinion
will not appear entirely without
foundation, when we confider that
the fame habit of mind which is
acquired by our fearch after truth
in the more ferious duties of life, is
only transferred to the purfuit of
lighter amufements. The fame
difpofition, the fame defire to find
fomething fleady, fubflantial and
durable, on which the mind can
lean, as it v/ere, and reft with fafe-
%y. The fubje^ only is changed.
We purfue the fame method in our

GISTER, 1779.

fearch after the idea of beauty and
perfedion in each ; of virtue, by
looking forward beyond ourfelves
to fociety, and to the whole ; of
arts, by extending our views in
the fame manner to all ages and all
times.

Every art, like our own, has in
its compofition fiuduating as well
as fixed principles. It is an atten-
tive enquiry into their difference
that will enable us to determine
how far we are influenced by cuf-
tom and habit, and what is fixed in
the nature of things.

To dillinguifli how much has
folid foundation, we may have re-
courfe to the fame proof by which
fome hold wit ought to be tiied ;
whether it preferves itfelf when
tranflated. That wit is falfe which
can fubfill only in one language ;
and that piflure which pleafes only
one age or one nation, owes its re^^
ception to fome local or accidental
aflbciation of ideas.

We may apply this to every
cuftom and habit of life. Thus
the general principles of urbanity,
politenefs, or civility, have been
ever the fame in all nations ; but
the mode in which they are dref-
fed is continually varying. The
general idea of {hewing refpedl is
by making yourfelf lefs ; but the
manner, whether by bowing the
body, kneeling, proflration, pul-
ling off the upper part of our
drefs, or taking away the lower f ,
is a matter of habit. It would be
unjuft to conclude that all orna-
ments, becaufe they Vv-ere at firft
arbitrarily contrived, are therefore

* Omnes artes qus ad humanitatem pertinent, habent quoddam commune
\'inculum, et quafi cognatione inter fe continentur. C1CER9.

-j- Put off thy fhoes from off thy feet ; for the place whereon thou llandeft is
holy ground. , ExOPUS, chap. iii. 5.

undeferving

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS. 155

Ijndeferving of our attention ; on
the contrary, he who negledls the
cultivation of thofe ornaments, adts
ccntrarily to nature and reafon.
As life would be impcrfed without
its higheft ornaments the Arts, fo
thefe arts themfelves would be im-
perfect without t/jeir ornaments.

Though we by no means ought
to rank ihefs with, pofuive and
fubftaniial beauties, yet it muft be
allowed that a knowledge of both
is effentially requifite towards for-
ming a complete, whole, and per-
fedl tafte. It is in reality from
the ornaments that arts receive
their peculiar charnfter and com-
plexion ; we may add, that in
them we find the charadleriftical
mark of a national tafle, as by
throwing up a feather in the air,
vve know which way the wind
blows, better than by a more heavy
matter.

The ftriking diflindion between
the works of the Roman, Bolog-
uian and Venetian fchools, confifts
more in that general effedt which
is produced by colours, than in
the more profound excellencies of
the art ; at leart it is from thence
that each is diftinguilhcd and
known at firft fight. As it is the
ornaments, rather than the pro-
portions of archite£lure, which at
the firil glance diftinguifli the dif-
ferent orders fiom each other;
the Doric is known by its triglyphs,
the Ionic by its volutes, and the
Corinthian by its acanthus,

Tafte in drefs is certainly one
of the loweil fubjedls to which this
word is applied; yet there is a
right even here, however narrow
jts foundation refpeding the fa-
Ihion of any particular nation.
But we have ftill more flender
means of determining, in regard

to the different cuftoms of diffe-
rent ages or countries, to which to
give the preference, fince they
feem to be all equally removed
from nature.

If an European, when he has
cut off his beard, and put falfc
hair on his head, or bound up his
own natural hair in regular knots,
as unlike nature as he can poffibly
make it ; and having rendered
them immoveable by the help of
the fat of hogs, has covered the
whole with flour, laid on by a
machine with the utmoft regula-
rity ; if, when thus attired he if-
fues forth, he meets a Cherokee
Indian, who has beflowed as much,
time at his toilet, and laid on with
equal csre and attention his yellow
and red oker on particular parts of
his forehead or cheeks, as he
judges moil becoming; whoever
defpifes the other for this atten-
tion to the fafhu n of his country ;
which ever of thefe two firft feelj
himfelf provoked to laogh, is the
barbarian.

All thefe fa(}:ions are very inno-
cent, neither worth difquifition,nor
any endeavour to alter them, as
the change would, in all probabi-
lity, be equally dillant from na-
ture. The only circumftances
againft which indignation may
reafonably be moved, is where the
operation is painful or deftrudive
of health, fuch as is pradifed at
Otahaiti, and the ftrait lacing of
the Englifh ladies ; of the lafl of
which, how deftruclive it muft be
to health and long life, the profef-
for of anatomy took an opportu-
nity of proving a few days fince in
this Academy.

It is in drefs as in things of
greater conffquence. Fafniong
originate from ihofe only who have

the

154 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

the high and powerful advantages
of rank, birth, and fortune. As
many of the ornaments of art,
thofe at leaft for which no reafon
can be given, are tranfmitted to
us, are adopted, and acquire their
confequence from the company in
which we have been ufed to fee
them. As Greece and Rome arc
»he fountains from whence have
flowed all kinds of excellence, to
that veneration which they have a
right to claim for the pleafure and
knowledge which they have af-
forded us, v;e voluntarily add our
approbation of every ornament
and every cudom that belonged to
them, even to the fafhion of their
drefs. For it may be obferyed
that, not fatisfied with them in
their own place, we make no dif-
ficulty of drefiing ftatues of modern
ieroes or fenaiors in the falhion of
the Roman armour or peaceful
robe, we go fo far as hardly to bear
;a ftatue in any other drapery.

The figures of the great men of
thofe nations have come down to
us in fculpture. In fculpture re-
main almoft all the excellent fpe-
cimens of ancient art. We have
fo far aflbciated perfonal dignity
to the perfons thus reprefented,
^nd the truth of art to their man-
ner of reprefentation, that it is not
in our power any longer to feparate
them. This is not fo in painting ;
becaufe having no excellent antient
portraits, that connexion wasnever
formed. Indeed we could no more
venture to paint a general officer
jn a Roman military habit, than
v/e could make a ftatue in the pre-
fent uniform. But fince v/e have
no ancient portraits, to ihew how
ready we are to adopt thofe kind
pf prejudices, we make the beft
authprity among the moderns ferve

the fame purpofe. The great va-
riety of excellent portraits with
which Vandyke has enriched thii
nation, we are not content to ad-
mire for their real excellence, but
extend our approbation even to
the drefs which happened to be
the fafhion of that age. We all
very well remember how common
it was a few years ago for portraits
to be drawn in thjs Gothic drefs,
and this cullom is not yet entirely
laid afide. By this means it muft
be acknowledged very ordinary
pidlures acquired fomething of the
air and effed of the works of Van-
dyke, and appeared therefore at
firft fight to be better pictures than
they really were; they appeared
fo, however, to thofe only who
had the means of making this af-
fociation, for when made, it was
irrefiftible. But this aflociation is
nature, and refers to that fecon-
dary truth that comes froiji con-
formity to general prejudice and
opinion J it is therefore not merely
fantallical. Befides the prejudice
which we have in favour of antient
dreffes, there may be likewife other
reaibns, amongil which we may
juflly rank the fimplicity of them,
confining of little more than one
fingle piece of drapery, without
thofe whimfical capricious forms
by which all other drefles are cm.
barrafled.

Thus, though it is from the
prejudice we have in favour of the
antients, who have taught us ar-
chitefture, that we have adopted
likewife their ornaments ; and
though we are fatisfied that neither
nature nor reafon are the founda-
tion of thofe beauties which wo
imagine we fee in that art, yet if
any one perfuaded of this troth
ftiould therefore invent new orders

of

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

iSS

^f equal beauty, which we will
fuppofe to be poflible, yet they
would not pleafe, nor ought he to
complain, fince the old has that
great advantage of having cuftom
and prejudice on its fide. In this
cafe we leav^ what has every pre-
judice in its favour, to take that
which will have no advantage over
what we have left, but novelty,
which foon deftroys itfelf, and at
any rate is but a weak antagoniil
againft cuftom.

Thefe ornaments having the
right of pofleflion, ought not to
be removed, but to make room for
not only what haj higher preten-
fions, but fuch pretenfions as will
balance the evil and confufion
which innovation always brings
with it.

To this we may add, even the
durability of the materials will of-
ten contribute to give a fuperiority
to one objeft over another. Orna-
ments in buildings, with which
tafte is principally concerned, are
compofed of materials which laft
longer than thofe of which drefs
is compofed; it therefore makes
higher pretenfions to our favour
and prejudice.

Some attention is furely required
to what we can no more get rid of
than we can go out of ourfelvcs.
We are creatures of prejudice ;
we neither can nor ought to eradi-
cate it; we mull only regulate it
by reafon, which regulation by
reafon is indeed little more than
obliging the lefier, the local and
temporary prejudices, to give way
to thofe which are more durable
and lading.

He therefore who in his practice
of portrait painting wifhes to dig-
nify his fubjeft which we will
fuppofe to be a Lady, will not

paint her in the modern drefs, the
familiarity of which alone is fuf-
ficient to deftroy all dignity. He
takes care that his work Ihall cor-
refpond to thofe ideas and that
imagination which he knows will
regulate the judgment of others;
and therefore drefTes his figure
fomething with the general air of
the antique for the fake of dig-
nity, and preferves fomething of
the modern for the fake of like-
nefs. By this conducl his works
correfpond with thofe prejudices
which we have in favour of what
we continually fee ; and the relilh
of the antiqije fimplicity corre-
fponds with what we may call the
more learned and fcientific preju-
dice.

There was a ftatue made not
long fince of Voltaire, which the
fculptor, not having that refpetl
for the prejudices of mankind
which he ought to have, has made
entirely naked, and as meagre
and emaciated as the original is
faid to be. The confequence is
what might be expedled ; it has
remained in the fculptor's (hop,
though it was intended as a pub-
lic ornament and a public honour
to Voltaire, as it was procured at
the expence of his cotemporary
wits and admirers.

Whoever would reform a na-
tion, fuppofing a bad tafte to pre-
vail in it, will not accomplifti his
purpofe by going direftly agiinft
the ftream of their prejudices.
Men's minds muft be prepared to
receive what is new to them. Re-
formation is a work of time. A
national tafte, however wrong it
may be, cannot be totally chang-
ed at once ; we muft yield a little
to the prepofleftion which has
taken hold on the mind, and we

may

*5^ ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

jnay then bring people to adopt for any of them. If indeed any
vb;it would cffcnd ihem, if en- government is fo imprudent, as to
deavoured to be introduced by lay its hands on imported corrv,
fiorm. When Baltifto Franco forbid its exportation, or compel
was employed, in conjunction its fale ^t limited prices ; there
with Titian, Paul Veront-fe and the people may fufftr fome famine
Tintorec, to adorn the library of from merthants avoiding their
St. Mark, his work, Vafari fays, ports. But wherever commerce is
gave iefs fatisfaclion than any of known to be always free, and the
the others : the dry manner of the merchant abfolute mafler of his
Roman fchool was very ill calcu- commodity, as in Holland, there
lated to pleafe eyes that had been will always be a reafonable iupply.
accullomed to the luxuriancy. When an exportation of cora
fplendcr and richnefs of Vene- takes place, occafioned by a
tian colouring. Had the Ro^ higher price in fome foreign
mans been the judges of this work, countries, it is common to raife a
probably the determination would clamour, on the fuppofiiion that
iave been juft contrary; for in the we fhall thereby produce a domef-
more noble parts of the art. Bat- tic famine. Then follows a prohi-
fifto Franco was perhaps not infe- bition, founded on the imagi-
rior to any of his rivals. nary diftrefs of the poor. The

poor, to be fure, if in diftrefs,
~~ fhould be relieved ; but if the far-

Thoughts on Commercial SubjeBs. nier could have a high price for
From Dr. Franklin'j Political his com from the foreign demand^
Frazmetiis. tnn^ he by a prohibition of expor-

tation be compelled to take a lo'w
C/Emhargoes upon Corn, and of the P^ce, not of the poor only, but
Poor. of every one that e.its bread, even

the richeft ? the duty of relieving

IN inland high countries, remote the poor is incumbent on the rich ;
from the fej, and whofe rivers but by this operation the whole
are fmall, running from the coun- burden of it is laid on the farmer,
try, and not to it, as is the cafe of who is to relieve the rich at the
Switzerland ; great diftrefs may fame time, Of the poor too,
arife from a courfe of bad harvefts, thofe v/ho are maintained by the
if public granaries are not provid- parifhes have no right to claim
ed, and kept well ftored. An- this facrifice of the farmer; as,
ciently too, before navigation was while they have their allowance,
fo general, ftiips fo plenty, and it makes no difference to them,
commercial connedions fo well whether bread be cheap or dear.
cftablilhed ; even maritime coun- Tliofe working poor, who now
tries might be occafionally diftref- mind bufinefs only Ji^e or four
fed by bad crops, Butfuch is now days in the week, if bread ftiould
the facility of communication be- be (o dear as to oblige them to
tween thofe countries, that an un- work the wholey£r required by the
reftrained commerce can fcarce commandment, do not feem to be
ever fail of procuring a fufEciency aggrieved^ fo ^s to have a right

tQ

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

^57

to public redrefs. There will then
remain, comparatively, only a
f€«f families in every diltridl, who,
from ficknefs or a great number
of children, will be fo diftreffed by
a high price of corn, as to need
relief; and thefe fhould be taken
care of by particular benefaflions,
without rellraining the farmer's
profit.

Thofe who fear, that exporta-
tion mny fo far drain the country
of corn, as to ftarve ourfelves, fear
what never did, nor ever can hap-
pen. They may as well, when
they view the tide ebbing towards
the fea, fear that all the water
will leave the river. The price
of corn, like water, wil! find its
own level. The m re we export,
the dearer it becomes at home ;
the more is received abroad, the
cheaper it becomes there ; and, as
foon as thefe prices are equal, the
exportation Hops of couife. As
the feafons vary in different coun-
tries, the calamity of a bad har-
veft is never univt^rfal. If then,
all ports were always open, and
all commerce free ; every ma-
ritime country would generally
eat bread at the medium price,
or average of all the harvelh ;
which would probably be more
equal than we can make it by our
artificiai regulations, and therefore
a more llpadv encouragement to
agriculture. The nation would
all have bread at this middle
price; and that nation, which at
any time inhumanly refutes to re-
lieve the diflrclies of another na-
tion, deferves no compaffion when
in diftxefs iifclf.

O/" the Epa of Dearne/s of Provt-
Jions upon IVorhng, and upon Ma-
nufaSurts^

THE common people do not
work for pleafure generally, but
from neceflity. Cheapnefs of pro-
vilions makes them more idle;
lefs work is then done, it is thea
more in demand proportionally,
and of courfe the price rifes.
Dearnefs oi provifions obliges the
manufailurer to work more day*
and more hours ; thus more work
is done than equals the ufual de-
mand ; of courie it becomes chea-
per, and the manufaclures in con-
lequence.

Of an open Trade.

PERHAPS, in general, itwouia
be better if government meddled
no farther with trade, than to pro-
teft it, and let it take its courfe.
Moft of the fhtutes or atf^s, eoids,
arrets and placarts of parliaments,
princes, and flates, for regulatirfg,
direding, or rtllraining of trade,
have, we think, been either poli-
tical blunders, or jobs obtained by
artful men for private advantage
under pretence of public good.
When Colburt aiTcmbled Ibme wife
old merchants of France, and de-
fired their advice and opinion ho'.v
he could belt ferve and promote
commerce ; their anfwer, after
confiiltacion, w.s in three words
only, Laijjiz nous f aire \ ' Let us
aloie.' — It is faid by a very folid
writer of the fame nation, that he
is well advanced in the fcicnce of
politics, who knows the full force
of that maxim, P^s trcp gouvcrmr,
* nottogovern too much;' which,
perh ips, wuiJ be oi more ufe
when applied to tiade, than ia
any other public concern. It
were therefore to be wifhed, that
commerce were as free betwcea
aU the nations of the world, as ic

is

15^ ANNUAL RE

is between the feveral counties of
England ; fo would all, by mu-
tual communication, obtain more
enjoyments. Thofe counties do
not ruin each other by trade, nei-
ther would the nations. No na-
tion was ever ruined by trade,
even, feemingly, the moft difad-
vantageous.

Wherever defirable fuperfluities
are imported, induftry is excited,
and thereby plenty is produced*
Were only neceflaries permitted to
be purchafed, men would work no
more than was neceffary for that
purpofe.

Of Prohibitions ivith re'pefi to the
Exportation of Gold and Silver.

COULD Spain and Portugal
have fucceeded in executing their
foolifh laws for hedging in the
cncko^jjy as Locke calls it, and
have kept at home all their gold
and filver, thofe metals would by
this time have been of little more
value than fo much lead or iron.
Their plenty would have lefTened
their value. We fee the folly of
thefe edifts: but are not our own
prohibitory and reftriftive laws,
that are profefledly made with in-
tention to bring a balance in our
favour from our trade with foreign
nations to be paid in money, and
laws to prevent the neceffity of
exporting that money, which if
they could be thoroughly execut-
ed, would make money as plenty,
and of as little value; I fay, are
not fuch laws akin to thofe Spanifh
cdi<5ls; follies of the fame fa-
mily?

Of the Returns for foreign Articles.

I N faft, the produce of other
countries caa hardly be obtained.

GlSTER, 1779,

unlefs by fraud and rapine, witli-
out giving the produce of our land
or our indvjiry in exchange for
them. If we have mines of gold
and filver, gold and filver may
then be called the produce of our
land : if we have not, we can
only fairly obtain thofe metals by
giving for them the produce of
our land or induftry. When we
have them, they are then only
that produce or induRry in another
Ihape ; which we may give, if
the trade requires it, and our other
produce will not fuit, in exchange
for the produce of fome other
country that furnillies v/hat w6
have more occafion for, or more
defire. When we have, to an in-
convenient degree, parted with
our gold and filver, our induftry
is ftimulated afrefh to procure
more; that, by its means, we
may contrive to procure the fame
advantage*

Of Rejlraints upon Commerce in Timt
of War.

WHEN princes make war by
prohibiting commerce, each may
hurt himfelf as much as his ene*
my. Traders, who by their bu-
finefs are promoting the common,
good of mankind, as well as far-
mers and fiftiermen who labour
for the fubfiftence of all, flTiould
never be interrupted, or molefted
in their bufinefs ; but enjoy the
protefiion of all in the time of
war, as well as in time of peace.

This policy, thofe we are pleaf-
ed to call Barbarians, have, in a
great meafure, adopted ; for the
trading fubjefts of any power,
with whom the Emperor of Mo-
rocco may be at war, are not li-
able to capture, when within light

of

Miscellaneous essays. 359

of his land, going or coming;
and have otherwife free liberty to
trade and refide in his dominions.
As a maritime power, we pre-
fume it is not thought right, that
Great Britain (hould grant fuCh
freedom, except partially ; as in
the cafe of war with France,
when tobacco is allowed to be
fent thither under the fanftion of
paflports.

Exchanges in Trade may he gainful
ts each Party.

IN tranfaftions of trade, it is
not tobefuppofed,that, likegame-
ing, what one p^ny gains the other
muft neceffarily lo/e. The gain to
each may be equal. If A has more
corn than he can confume, but
wants cattle; and B has more
cattle, but wants corn, exchange
is gain to each : hereby the com-
mon ftock of comforts in life, is
increafed.

0/ Paper Credit,

IT is impoflible for government
to circumfcribe, or fix the extent
of paper credit, which muft of
courfe flu£luate. Government may
as well pretend to lay down rules
for the operations, or the confi-
dence of every individual in the
courfe of his trade. Any feem-
ing temporary evil arifing, muft
naturally work, its own cure.

Rules for a Club formerly ejlahlijhed
in Pliiladelphia *. Prom tht
fame.

Prenjious ^eflion, to be Anfiuertd
at every Meeting,

HAVE you read over thefe
queries this morning, in or-
der to confider what you might
have to offer the Junto touching
any one of them ? via.

*• I. Have you met with any
thing in the author you laft read,
remarkable, or fuitable to be com-
municated to the Junto? particu-
larly in hiftory, morality, poetry,
phylic, travels, mechanic arts, or
other parts of knowledge.

2. What new Itory have yoa
lately heard agreeable for telling
in converfation ?

3. Hath any citizen in your
knowledge failed in his bufinefs
lately, and what have you heard
of the caufe ?

4. Have you lately heard of any
citizen's thriving well, and b/
what means ?

5. Have you lately heard how
any prefent rich man, here or
elfewhere, got his eitite?

6. Do you know of any fellow-
citizen, who has lately done a
worthy aftion, deferving praife
and imitation ? or who has com-
mitted an error proper for us to be
warned againft and avoid ?

7. What unhappy eftefts of in-
temperance have you lately ob-

• This was an early performance ; and carries along with it an air of fingu-
larlty, accompanied with I'uch operative good fenie and philantlirophy, ns cha-
raftenzes it for Dr. Franklin's. We are informed by the editor, th:it the c!;ib
for which it was written, was held in Philadelphia ; .ind was coinpoled of men
confiderable for their influence and difcretion ; for though the cliief meai'urcs of
Penlylvania ulually received their firit formation in this club, it exilted for jo
years without the nature of its inrtitnion being publicly kn»wn»

ierved

i6o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ferved or heard ? of imprudence ?
of paffion ? or of any cher vice
or folly ?

8. What happy efFefls of tem-
perance ? of prudence? of mode-
ration ? or of any other virtue ?

9. Have you or any of your
acquaintance been ]ately fick or
wounded ? If fo, what remedies
were ufed, and what were their
effeas ?

10. Who do you know that^re
ihortly going voyages or journies,
if one fhould have occafion to fend
by them ?

11. Do you think of any thing
at prefent, in which the Junto may
be ferviceable to mankind? to their
country, to their friends, or to
themfelves ?

12. Hath any deferving ftranger
arrived in town fince laft meeting,
that you heard of? and what have
you heard or obferved of his 'cha-
rafler or merits ? and whether,
think you, it lies ir> the power of
the junto to oblige him, or en-
courage him as he deferves ?

13. Do you know of any de-
ferving young beginner lately fet
up, whom it lies in the power of
the Junto any way to encourage ?

14. Have you lately obferved
any defeft in the laws of your
country, [of] which it would be
proper to move the legiflature for
an amendment? or do you know
of any beneficial law that is want-
ing ?

15. Have you lately obferved
any encroachment on the juftliber-
ties of the people ?

16. Hath any body attacked
your reputation lately ? and what
can the Junto do towards fecur-
ing it?

17. Is there any man whofe
friendlhjp you want, and which

the Junto, or any of them, cafJ
procure for you ?

18. Have you lately heard any
ihember's charadler attacked, and
how have you defended it ?

19. Hath any man injured yotJ,
from whom it is in the power of
the Junto to procure redrefs ?

20. In what manner can the
Junto, or any of them, aflift you
in any of your honourable defigns ?

21. Have you any weighty af-
fair in hand, in which you think
the advice of the Junto may be
of fervice ?

22. What benefits have you
lately received from any man not
prefent?

23. Is there any difficulty in
matters of opinion, of juftice, and
injullice, which you would gladly
have difcuffed at this time?

24. Do you fee any thing amifs
in the prefent cuftoms or proceed-
ings of the Junto, which might
be amended ?

Any perfon to be qualified, io
ftand up, and lay his hand on
his breaft, and be alked thefe
queflions; viz.

1. Have you any particular dif-
refpeifl to any prefent members ?-=-
Anfwer. I have not.

2. Do you fincerely declare that
you love mankind in general ; of
what profeflion or religion foever ?
— Jnjhv. I do.

3. Do you think any perfon
ought to be harmed in his body,
name, or goods, for mere fpecula-
tive opinions, or his external way
of worfhip ^-—Anfvo. No.

4. Do you love truth for truth's
fake, and will you endeavour im-
partially to find and receive it
yourfelf, and communicate it to
others \-^Anfvj. Yes,

Ohferva*

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

i6t

Ol>/ervatic»s on Patriarchal Cujioms
and Manners -y by the Hm. Daines
Barrington.

HAVING read the book of
Genefis lat !y with atten-
tion, I have formed a Ihort (k'^rch
of the patriarchal cuftoais and
manners, fome of which, and more
particularly what relates to their
marriages, I nsver could at all
comprehend from the perufal of
detached chapters ; it need fcarce-
\y be obferved alfo that fuch cuf-
toms snd ir.anners mull: in many
refpefts differ from thofe of their
defcendanis, when they became a
conllderable nation, and lived in
cities.

A patriarch pitched his tents
where the ground was unoccupied
by others ; or, if occupied, where
he was permitted to purchafe ; as
in the inltance of J.^cob's procur-
ing land fiom the children of Ha-
mor, for an huadred pieces of mo-
ney.

As the firft of thefe patriarchs
(Abraham) had 318 trained fer-
vants, when he afiilled his nephevv
Lot ; if wc multiply 318 by 5,
according to the common rule for
giving the number oi fouls, there
were probably 1590 in this p:i-
triarchal family: hfau alfo niceis
Jacob with 400 men.

Their cattle ccnfitled of camels,
cows, affes, lliecp, and goats ; but
I do not fir.d any mention of the
horfe in the book of Genefis, ex-
cept of the horfemen which came
from Egypt with jofeph, when he
is to bury Jjc b ; and, indeed,
this quadruped confumed too much
provender, to be cafily furnilhcd
in fuch a cojntry as the land of
Canaan ; belides the camel svas a

Vol. XXH.

much more convenient bead of
burthen, in their flow journie»
over traft^ of fuliry deferts.

The diftance to which they re-
moved mnil have depended upon
thei-^ finJing proper fubfidenca for
themfelves and their ca*'.!e, ■-vhilll
the firft thing neceffary, when they
had fixed their fettlement, was to
dig wells; which act of labour efta-
blifhed their property in the land
that was contiguous.

Thefe wells were of difTi-rent
kinds, and were moft valuable if
an ebullition of the water ap-
peared, when they are delcribed
as li"jing njcaien; as leaft fuch
is the expretTion in the Scptua-
gint, though not in oar ver-
fton.

Some of thefe wells had fleps to
go down into them, and hid be-
lides a trough to receive the water
when brought up in the pitchers;
as, otherwifei there would noc
have been a fufiicient quantity for
the larger cattle, and particularly
the camels: it Should ie; m alfo,
that this labour was im poled upon
the women, who chofe the cool
of the evening for this purpofe,
and carried their pitchers on their
flioul oers.

Other wells were covered with
a large ftone, which requireJ foire
Ibength to leoove it, and pre-
vented the fand or ord-re from
being blown into th" we.'!, as alfa
accidents t^ the cattle, or the eva-
poration of this fo precious an
ekm-nt in fo parched a country.
Oth r wells agaio ha>' a vv;i!l round
them, to which they planted vines.
Thefe weih b; ing \o valuable,
foinetimes cccalionjd contenticns
between the herdfm'n, in which
it d^cs not appear v^hat arms

M wrr-^

i64 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

dcr apprehenfions that he fhnll
not be well received, whilH he is
preceded by other pares of his
train, whofe lives are not fo pre-
cious to him.

It IhouIJ feem, indeed, thst there
was fome foit of diflin(fiion be-
tween the two forts of marrijge,
as far as related to the mothers,
though not as to tlie children, for
it Was a general law in all the
countries aujacent to the promifed
land, that adultery with tiie wife
of the more folemn marriage,
fhould be punifhed with death.
But if the woman was not under
fach a contraft, the princes of the
Ea!l often placed her in their fera-
glio. By this I would allude to
the inftances of Sarah and Rebecca
whilfl in Egypt and Gerar; but
the book of Genefis does not fur-
nifh an example of its being aa
equal crime to commit adultery
with the wife's hindntaiJ, after
fhe had been given in marriage
to the hufband. On the contrary,
Keuben lay with Bilhah, his mo-
ther Rachel's handn;)aid, which
fhe had given in marriage to

Jacob; nor does any puniih-
inent or reproof immediately fol-
low, though the Septuagint adds

this cenfure, >;«; Trcr/i^o* t^ai/*)

To avoid, however, this offence
of adultery with the wife of the
more folemn marriage, if the pa-
triarch removed to the dominions
of a foreign prince, it feems to
have not been uncommon to mur-
der him, (for which th-s punilh-
ment was not probably fo fevere in
the cafe of a ftranger) as the wo-
man was then become a widow
and not a wife; by which mcH
horrid evafion, the letter of the
la.v feems to have been fausfied.

Murder had indeed been forbid
in the time of Noah ; but this
precept did not probably reach to
countries which were not inha-
bited by his more immediate de-
fccndants ; lor when Abraham ap-
prehends being murdered in Abi-
melech's kingdom on acrount of
his wife Sarah, he gives it as a
reaicn, " that the fear of God was
•• not in this place;" by which I
underftand that the divine law
againft murder prcmu'ged to Noah
had not been heard of, or at leaff
was not cbfcrved in Abimelech's
country, though it is very clear
rhat adultery with Sarah (whilff
fhe was wife of Abrahani) would
have been punifhed with death j
and from another fimilar indance,
that the fame law prevailed ia
Egypt. Kence alfo Abimelech,
when he is informed that Ifaac
is the hufband of Rebecca, if-
fues a proclamation for his pro-
tection.

As a wife was only refpe£led for
the number of children with which-
fhe or her handmaids increafed th3
patriarchal family, the greateft
injury (he could receive, was the
preventing her having the earlieft
opportunity of bearing legitimate
children. Hence the daughter be-
ing at the father's difpofal, Laban
informs Jacob that he muit not
complain cf Leah being impofed
upon him inftead of Rachel, be-
caufe Leah was the elder filler,
and therefore was not to lofe a
year of child-bearing; of which
fhe was capable before her younger
filler.

When a wife was once removed
from the family of one patriarch
to another, fhe could not be re-
turned without mach trouble and
iiiconvenience : befiues which, as

1 have

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

i6i

I have obferved before, (he war,
in rea'ity purchalod tor the purpofe
of bearincr chiidren, and confe-
quently whilll ftie was of a prcper
age, no time was to be loft in pro-
viding h.'r with another hufoind
(upon the death of the firft) from
the fame family which h d made
the purchafe ; the next brother in
fucceffion being fixed upon for the
fecond huiband.

This appears moft ftrongly in
what is mentioned with regard to
Tamar, who was firll married to
Er, the eldeft of three brothers,
then to Onan the fecond, and af-
terwards betrothed to Sclah the
third when he fliould be fuiiy
grown. When this happens, Ta-
mar thinks herfelf molt highly in-
jured by his not being immediately
jnore folemnly married to her,
which is the occaficn of her lofjng
the firft opportunity of bearing
children, and therefore fhe com-
mits inceft with her father-in-law,
who acknowledges afterwards that
he had been guilty of a greater fin
in not completing the marriage
beween Tamar and Selah, than
ftie had l)y adultery; for which
otherwife he had ordered her to
have been burnt. A difappoint-
ment of the fame lort occafioncd
the death of her fecond hufb nd
Onan, who feems to have declin-
ed having children by her, be-
caufe he conceived at leaft, that
Tamar W3s already pregnant by
his elder brother Er.

But a ftill rtronger inftance of
thisfuppofed duty of bearing chil-
dren, appears in the condud of
the two daughters of Lot, who
comfnit infej} with their father
from the lame motives, nor do
they incur any blame when the
deceit is difcovered ; and i am in-

fo med by an able orientalift,
that tiie name of one of the fons,
^viz. Moah, fignifie?, of or by my
Father ; and of the other, iiiz,
Ammon or Ben-am.T.i, the fon of my
nearejl Idn ; from w!\ich ii is very
clear that they meant to perpe-
tuate an honour, and not a dif-
grace to themfelves or t .eir chil-
dren. Befides this, the two daugh-
ters concert a deliberate plan with
each other for this purpofe, aflign-
ing it as a reafon that their father
nuas grown oldy and it cannot there-
fore be fuppofed to have arif:fa
from the common inducements to
incontinence. I cannot conclude
what I have ftaied with regard to
the patriarchal marriages, v^ithout
obierving, that though (o.Tie of
their ufages in this refpeft may
appear fo very fingular, and per-
haps blamable according to our
own inititutions, yet it mull be
recollected, that no pofitive law of
divine revelation was promulged
till the decalogue, except the Jor-
bidding of murder in the time of
Noah, and the covenant of cir-
CLimcifion. The patriarchs there-
fore accommodated their laws to
their own very particular fitu;.tion.

A patriarch feems to have had
the highell powers over his chil-
dren and family ; at lealt Lot of-
fers his daughters to the Sodo-
mites, and Abraham obliges his
fon '* Ilhmae!, togpthe, with all
♦' the men of his houfe, born in
" the houfc, and bought with
" money of the ftranger," to be
circumcilcd. Reuben moreover
offers to deliver up his two fors to
be flain, if he does not bring back
Benjamin.

T!)is parental authority was
much enforced by the father's be-
ing believed to have it in h-i

M 3 pcuer

i66 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

povvif to confer either hap^sincfs as pcllible by the funeral honours
or n.if,^ry by his b effii.Gs Or curfcs, paid to the dfceafed patriarch,
wn:ch were then fore deferred t'll and the place of his burial. The
cvfenie old age, ihe eyes of both firfl purchafe th«t we Iicarof tliere-
Daac and Jaccb be:ng (o Jim thit fore in the Oid 'I'eftamt-nt, is that
they cannot ciHinguifh objecls, of the cave of Macpelah, in the
when thev prr^nounce their bief- val'ey of Mamre, which Abra-
Jings en their children. Tlie mo- ham bought from the fens of lieth
ther, hvowever, di cs not appear to (who were otherwife willing to
}iave had any fuch pouer, nrr accommodate him in the buryingj
do we find any inltance of a of Sarah), that it might be (ecured
daughter being either bkii'ed cr to him and his defcendants.
cnrifd. The conveyance therefore is
Tlie rcfpecl to the father during made to Abraham with all polhble
liis life was fuch, that it ihouid foiemnitic-s and accuracy, in regard
feein the child was not perrnitad to ihc br-uodaries, which were de-
to fit in his prefencc, from a very livereti down to his grand-fon fa-
particular excufe which R ichel cob, who teminis his children of
in; k?s on the occafion ; whilll them when he is dying, and re-
Jncob fvvears by the f ear of his quells to be interred in the cave
father Ifaac, i. e. by the fear he which h::d been purchafed by his
was under of his father's dilple^- grandfather.

fine. £fau alfo declares that he When the pntriarch dies, the
will kill Jaccb, when Ifaac dies, exprtffi.jn ufed i?, that he was
liiid jolrph's brethren apprehend gathered unto his people, \v\i\\. \\iV\c\\
he will revenge himfelf on the Mimtanui' literal ve'rfion from the
death of Jacob. G^n. x.xxi. 42. Hebrew agree,', being colhcHus eji
and L. 15. ad prpulos fuos. As I mull own
The bleiling or curfe pronounc- th.it 1 d^ not undo: Hand the mean-
ed by the fa;her, was a prophetic ing of either the Engliih or Latin
vi'lon of whs: was to happen, and tranfl .tion ; I have. therefore con-
therefore could nor be revoked or fultrd the Septuagint, where the
filtered ; f;T Ifaac cannot change wr>rds are ir^i^auiifi we&; toi/ A«o»
wiiat he hath givm Jacob reafon a^ly, which 1 tranllate, '• the corps
to expert when hi? deceit is dif- " ivis produced hefo>e his people,'"
covt-rcd ; nor can J?.cob be pre- and wnich is the firil fenle that
vaiieJ upon by Jo!eph to put his Stephens gives to this verb, ci;ing
right hand upon his fon JVLmaflch, Uerodian with regari to the fune-
becaufe greater bielfings were to ra! cf Severus : niCiocy.oiJ.iil^v^a e\oc
come upon his younger 'broiher ir,; n^a^ oh, n; h tvj ct.^x.ct.istv
F-phrairn. It appears alfo from czyn^an Tr^oliOsan. L. iv. in princ.
whit hath been ilntcd, that the Dio .jilb cenfures Tiberius for his
bleiTmg w is given by the fa.h r's negled of Livia, s/]j vavairai.)! m-i.?-
putting his right hind upon the xz'ttctxIo, iris a7ro6a»i;c-ai' at-lo? wpo-
head of the fun y.'i>o was to re- c-ilfica. Dio.L. Iviii. in ^s'v.\c. fxC'.a.
ceive it. 'ra-Sict h . . . ri'pwb-ja-^ti
The p.-rentnl su'hority v^a= en- {{' . th- corpfe) tcs? ^.'-aioi? ai^Sscrt,
dtavourtd 10 be f^p^jrorted as lorg w^Si-.d ificct ^.ap.TTfi;; w/Apitfavl-;-

Lucidnus

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

167

Lucianus de Lu6lu, p. 807, Ed.
Bourdelot.

" Nee tua funera, mater,
«« FroJuxi" Aen. xi. 486.

where the poet literally tranfls'es
the Greek term ufed in the above
citations wiih regard to funerals.
Thus Jikewife Stacius,

" Et puerile feretrum
«« Produxi,'* L. li. S. I,

To this it may be added, that the
expreffion of Seing gathered to bis
fecple, is only applied to the death
ot Abrahim, Ifaac and Jacob;
from whence it may be fairly in-
ferred, tha: the honour of produc-
ing th: body, and weeping over
it in public, was paid only to the
head of the patriarchal family.
Perhaps Abriham might have in-
trodacpd thefe funt-ral foleinnities
after he had i:ieen in Egypt.

llh nael indeed is laid to have
been gathered to his people, in our
verfion of Gen. xxv. 17 ; but the
Septua^^int runs tt^; to yivoii and
not ircioq ro»- \uov avla ; and ic
ftioulJ feem, therefore, that his
corpfe was only lamented over by
hii relations. If we conlider, how-
ever, the term ys^-o; to be ufed in
as extenfivc a fenfe as Xao,-, it malt
be rccolledled that Ilhmael, on the
death of Abraham, was the head
of the patriarchal family.

I fhall now endeavour to ftisw
that this is the true fcnfe of the
text from the particulars which
are dated both as to Sarah and
Jacob's funeral ; for as to thofe ef
Abraham and Ifaac, it is only
inentioned that they were gathered
unto their people, and were buried.

I Ihill begin, however, with the
lad initancc, viz. that of Jacob,

becaufe the ceremonies ufed in the
burial of Sarah, will then be bet.er
underftood.

Jacob, in his laft agonies, is fai'd
to raife his feet upon the bed, and
therefore lay in fuch an attitude
that his corpfe might be produced
to- his people (according to my
tranflation of the pafi'age) ; imn:e-
diately after which Jofeph falls
upon his father's face, weeping
and killing it; which, with other
public lamentations, continued (as
I apprehend) till the ccrpfe was
buried.

This laft particular i?, I think,
fairly to be inferred from different
pafl'igcs which relate to the funeral
of Sarah.

Sarah died at fome diflance from
where Abraham happened to be,
who thereloie comes to mourn and
weep for her before (lie is interred ;
and addrefles the Tons of Heth,
ih? hody of his luife lying before
him% " and Abraham itood up
" from before his dead and fpake
" unto the fons cf Heth." — In
the next verfe he fays, " give me
" a burying place that I may bury
" my dead cut cf my fght :" and
the fame expreffion is again re-
peated in the 8th verfe.

I have already obferved how
material a purchafe the cave of
Macp°Iah was confidered both by
Abraham and his defccndants, it
being deftined to receive their re-
mains, and Dr. Shaw informs us,
that ic continues to be fhewn by
the Mahometans; he forgets, how-
ever, to mention whether it is a
dcuhle en: according to the Septua-
gint, and the literal verfion from
the Hebreu, as fuch a Itpar.ition
nuift Hill continue if the cave docs.

I cnnnot here but obferve, that
it is much to be vvifhcd the travd-

M 4 lers

^68 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

lers into the Prom led Land would in longitude and latitude is ra-

look out for many patriarchal an- q lircd ; but ciicjmftances are not

tiquities. if they happen not to be wanting to fix 'he fuu:'tion of ixioll

of a perifli'ble nature. Thus Dr. of them, fo ;is greatly to illuUrate

Shuw hath given ii an engraving the book of Gc '.fis.
of the rock of Meribah ; i or do I Another obj.ftion m^y be per-

{cc g-eatet difficulties in difcovcr- h ips made from the infecuri-y.io

jng the cave near Zoar, in which the travclltr, and the ignoranc- of

Lot and his daughters lived, than the prefent inhabitants of the Pro-

the cave of MnCpelah. mife.; Laid. With regard to the

Four different pillars are faid to firfl of ihefe circumllances, I have

have been ereitod by Jacob in corn- little doubt but that if application

jT.emoration of particular events. v\ as made through our miniiltr at

As it cannot probably have an- Conflantinop'e, a proper guard

iwered any purpofe to deftroy might i e procured; but even this

them, and, on the contrary, both would fignify little, unlefs the per-

Jews and MahonT^tans profefs an fon who undertakes fuch a journey

equal veneration for the memory can readily fpeak the language of

pf the patriarch*, I do not fee why the country himfelf, or is attended

lome remains of fuch antiquities by an able interpreter, who may

may not ilill continue. I ihould a(k fuch queftions as are necelTary,

foppofe likewife, that the twelve and which require no great faga-

floijes which Jotliua ordered to be ciiy of knowledge in the perfon who

picceJ where the Ifraelites ihould is to give the anfwer.
tr.camp af'er the parage of the Daines Barrington.

Jordan, may be Hill found out by

an inquifitive and perfevering ira- *j^* It is much to be wilhed,

veller. likewife, for the illuftration of the

A map of the complete courfe Greek and Rom;)n Claffics, that a

of this river i? alfo much wanted, miflionary of lafte and a landfcape-

as well as of all the llations men- painter were fent with the fame

ticned in the patriarchal times, advantages into poetical Thrace,

nctwilhftanding the labours of Re- How little do we know of the river

land. Dr. Wells, and others, who Strywon, Mount iEmus, <Sjc. — As

have rather taken notice of the for antieni Greece, it hath lately

places which occur in the later been very thoroughly examined,

books of the Old Teftament. and the republic of letters are

If it be faid that it is impoflible much obTujed to the Society of the

to fettle them with any precifion, i)/7f//«?;//' fr the lait voyage under-

I admit the objcdion if accuracy taken for this laudable purpofe.

POETRY.

[ i69 ]

POETRY.

OT>Y. for the NEW YE A R, 1779.
Written by W. Whitehead, Efq^. P. L.

TO arm?, to arms, ye fons of might.
And hail, wich founds of war, the new-born yearl
Britannia, from her rocky height.
Points to the Gallic coad, and lifts her fpear.
THe immortal hatred, which by turns.
Wakes and fleeps, with fury burns :
N^w caufe of juft cffence has Albion found.
And lO ! it bleeds afrelh the eternal wound !

Tho' great in war, of fltill pofTeft,
Tho' native courage fire their bread
With ardour for the public weal,
One want, at leall, our rivals feci.
The want of freedom damp? each gen'rous aim ;
Whoe'er the lord they ferve, th' opprciFion is the fame.

Power defpotic rarely knows.
Rarely heeds a fubjeft's woes.
By force it claims, with grafping hand,
Whate'er ambition dares demand.
The ravag'd merchant, plunder'd fwain,
May pour their weak complaints in vain;
Thfir private forrows are their own,
A tyrant feels not, tho' a people groan.

O happier far the vvell-mix'd (late.
Which blends the Monarch's with the Subjeft's fate.
And links the fceptre to the fpade.
The (troke which wounds the lowliell clown.
Is iofuli to the Britilh crown.
And he attacks our rights who dares the throne invade.

One common flame, one aftive foul
Pervade?, and animates the whole;
One heart, one hand, direfts the blow,
And hurls the vollied vengeance on the foe.

ODE

J70 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ODE for His MAJESTY'S Birth -Day.
By the fame.

LE T Gallia mourn ! th' infulting foe.
Who dar'd to aim the treach'rous blow.
When left, (he thought, in deep difmay.
Forlorn, dillrefs'd Britannia lay.

Dfcms fhe misfortune e'er can tame.
The gen'rous inborn Britifh flame?

Is Agincourt fo little known,
Muft frefh conviflion curb her pride.
Etch age new annals be fupply'd,

Of Gallia's fhame and our renown ?

What though a while the tempeft flirouds
Her fummits, and a night of clouds

Each rock and mountain wears ;
Yet foon returns the flitting bieeze,
i\nd brighter o'er her fubj ;d feas

The Queen of Ifles appears.

Let Gallia mourn ! th' infulting foe.
Who fees by all the winds that blow.
Her treafures wafted to the coaft.
She infolently deem'd was loft.

Yon fun that with meridian ray
Now gilds the confecraied day.

When Britain breathes her annual vow
For him, the guardian of her laws,
J^or him, who in her facred caufe

Bids the red bolt of vengeance glow:

That very fun, when Ganges' ftream
Redden'd beneaih his riling beam.

Saw Britiiin's banners wave
In Eafiern air, wiih hoiieft pride.
O'er vanquifh'd forts, which Gallia tried.

But tried in vain to fave.

That very fuq, e'er evening dew
Has dimm'd his radiant orb, will view
Where Lucia's mountains low'r on high.
And feem to prop the weftcrn fky.
That oft contcrfted ifland own
Allegiance to the Britifh throne.

Like

POETRY. 171

Like her own oak, the forcft's king.

The' Britain feels the blows around ;
Ev'n from the Heel's infliclive fling
New forci' Die gains, new fcyons fpring, i

And fiounfli {rum the wound.

ELEGY to Ml/s DASH W O O D.

By Mr. Hammond.

^his Elegy has not yet found a pK.ce in his Works, In Dodfley's
ColIeCbon there is an Anfvver to it; which, though generally afcrib-
ed to Lord Hervey, was more probably written by Lady Mary
Wortley Montague.

Say, thou dear pofn^/Tjr of my bread:,
Wnere's now my boailed liberty and reft !
Where the gay moments which I once have known !
O, where that heart I f -ntily thought my own !
From place to place I folitary roam.
Abroad uneafy, nor content at home.
I (corn the beauties common eyes adore;
The more I view tlicra, feel thy worth .he more j
Unmov'd I hear them fpeak, or fee them fair.
And only think on thee, who art not there.
In vain would books their formal fuccour lend.
Nor wit nor wifdom can relieve their friend ;
Wit can't deceive the pnn I now endure,
Aad wifdom fh'ws the ill without the cure.
When from thy fight Y walte the tedious day,
A thoufand fchemes I form, and things to fay;
But when thy prefence gives the time I feek.
My heart's fo full, I wifh, but cannot fpeak.

And could I fpeak with eloquence and eafe.
Till now not ftudious of the art to pleale,
Could I, at woman who fo oft exclaim,
Expofe (nor blufh) thy triumph and my fliame.
Abjure thofe maxims I fo lately priz'd.
And court that ft'x I fooliflily defpis'd.
Own thou h.ft foften'd my obdurate mind.
And thoa reveng'd the wrongs of womankind;
Li ft were my words, and fruitlefs all my pain.
In vain to tell thee, all I wri:e in vain ;
My humble fighs ftiall only reach thy cars.
And ail my eloquence ftiail be my teats.

And now (for more I never muft pretend)
Hear me not ab thy lover, but thy friend j

Thoufands

172 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Thoufands will fain thy little heart enfnare.
For without danger none like thee are fair j
But wifely chor-le who bell defer ves thy flame.
So fliall the choice icfelf become thy fame ;
Nor yet defpife, though void of winning arc.
The plain and honell courtfiiip of the heart:
The fkilful tongue in love's perfuafive lore.
Though lefs it feels, will pleafe and rlaiter more.
And, meanly learned in that guilty trade,
Can long abufe a fand, unihinking rnaid.
And fince their lip-s fo knowing to deceive.
Thy unexperienc'd youth might foon believe;
And fin'ce their tears, in falfe fubmiflion drell.
Might thaw the icy coldncfs of thy bread ;
O ! fhut thine eyes to futh deceitful woe:
Caught by the beauty of thy outward (how.
Like rne they do not love, whate'er they feem.
Like me — with paflion founded on elleem.

Yerfes to ihs Memory of Mr. Boscawen, a Son of the late Admiral,
ciuho ivas unfortunately dro-Mned, as he was hatbing in a Pond belonging
to Sir Charles Price of Jamaica.

Written near his Gra-ve by Dr. Wolcot.

FORLORN, from fhade to (hade I rove.
By friendfhip's facred fpirit led.
Where horror wraps the twilight grove.
That glooming feems to mourn the dead.

Dear youth ! tho' hence I wander far.
Thy face will cloud each rifing morn ;

And lo ! wiih evening's dewy ftar.
My tears fhall bathe thy diftant urn.

Remembrance often, with a figh.
Shall view the fpoc where many a maid.

And many a fwain, with fwimming eye.
The tender rite of iorrovv paid.

Remembrance often ftiall impart
The fmile of blifs on Albion's brow.

When kindling in thy youthful heart.
She faw che beam of valour glow.

Yes— Albion's genius with amaze
Did oft thy warrior looks devour ;

Proud to behold thy eagle gaze.
High fix'd on glory's ilar-dad tower !

How

•-el'.. ^-Ii/h.^ix

P O E T R t. 173

How few the fighs of Virtue mourn !
For few, alas ! the friends (he knows — ■

Yet, here (he moves a Pilgrim Ijin,
To bid her fon in peace repofe.

With Sculpturei let the Marble groan.
Where Flattery mocks the lifelefs ear- —

How nobler far thy namely fione,
Embalm'd by Pity's fimplc tear !

On her Majejiy''s rebuilding the Lodgings of the Black Prince, and Henrf V;
at Queen's College, Oxford,

By Mr. TiCKEL. (Net printed in his Works.)

HERE bold nnd graceful foars, fecure of fame.
The pile, now worthy great Philippa's name,

Mark that old ruin, Gothic and uncouth.

Where the Black Edward pafs'd his beardlefs youth ;

And the fifth Henry, for his fird renown,

Out-ftripp'd each rival, in a (Indent's gown.
In that coarfe age, were Princes fond to dwell

With meagre monks, and haunt the filent cell:

Sent from the Monarch's to the Mufe's court.

Their meals were frugal, and their fleeps were (hort;

To couch at curfeu-time they thought no fcorn.

And froze at matins every wintcr-mcrn ;

They read, an early book, tlie itarry frame.

And lifp'd each conilellaiion by its ftnme ;

Art, after art, iHIl dawning to their view.

And their mind opening, as their llaturc grew.
Yet, whofc ripe manhood fpread our f<:ma fo far,'

Sages in peace, and d;;mi-gods in. war!

Who, (lern in fight, made echoing Crcfli ring.

And, mild in conqueft, fcrv'd his captive King?

Who gain'd, at Agincourt, \h.i viftor's bays,

Nor took himfeif, but gave good Heaven the praife?

Thy nurfelings, ancient dome! to virtue I'orm'u;

To mercy lillening, whilft in fields they Uorm'd ;
Fierce to the fierce; and warm ih' oppreft to fave ;

Through life rever'd, nnd worfhip'd ni the grave.

In tenfold pride their mouldering rocfs (hall (hine.
The (lately work of bounteous Carolire;
And bled Philipr»a, with uncavioiis eyes.
From Heaven behold her rival's fabric rife.
If Hill, bright faint, this fpot defervcs thy c:irc.
Incline thee to th' ambitious Mufs's pray'r:

O, cculd'lV

174 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

O, could'ft thou win young William's bloom to grace
His mother's walls, and fiil thy Edward's place.
How would that geniu?, whole propitioi/s wings
Have here twice hover'd o'er the Tons of Kings,
Defcend triumphant to his ancient feat.
And take in charge a third Plantagenet I

JUPITER and MERCURY; a Fable. Written fomc Time after
Dr. Goldsmith's /'c^m o/" Retaliation,

By David Garrick, E/q.

HERE, Hermes, fays Jove, who with nedar was mellow.
Go fetch me Tome clay, V W make an odd fellow ;
Right and wrong fh.iH be jumbled, much gold and fome drofs ;
Without caufe be he pleafed, without caufe be he crofs.
Be fure, as I work, to throw in contradiftions ;
A great love of truth, yet a mind turn'd to fit^ions :
Now mix thefe ingredients, which, v/arm'd in the baking.
Turn to learning and gaming, religion and raking.
With the love of a wench, let his writings be charte ;
Tip his tongue with ftrange matter, his pen with fine talle :
That the Rake and the Poet o'er all may prevail.
Set fire to the head, and fet fire to the tail:
For the joy of each fex, on the world I'll beftow jr.
This fcholar, rake, chrilFian, dupe, gameller, and poet;
Though a mixture fo odd, he (hall merit great fame.
And, amongfl: other mortals, hi. Goldfmith his name !
When on earth this P.range meteor no more lliall appear.
You, Hermes, fhail fetch him— to make us fport here.

LINES occafioned hy the intended Demolitioti of Friar Bacon's' Study

in Oxford.

Iy OGER! if with thy magic gla/Tes
\^ Running, thou fee'ft below what paflesi
A^ when on earth thou did ft defcry
With them the wonders of the fky—
Look down on yon devoted walls !
Oh ! fave them — ere thy Study falls !
Or to thy votaries quick impart
The fecret of thy myfic art :
Teach us, ere Learning's quite forfaken.
To honour thee, and — fave cur Bacon!

VERSES

POETRY. 175

VERSES hy Henry Fox, Efq. aftervjards Lard Holland, ^•ji
Lady, <u!ith an artificial Rofe,

FAIR copy of the faired flower.
Thy colours equal Nature's power;
Thou haft the Rofe's blufhing hue.
Art full as pleafing to the view :
Go, then, to Chloe's lovely breaft,
Whofe fweetnefs can give all the reft.
But if at firft thy artful make
Her bafty judgment Ihould miftake.
And fhe grow peevifti at the cheat.
Urge 'twas an innocent deceit.
And fafely too thou may'ft aver.
The firft I ever us'd to her.
Then bid her mark, that, as to view.
The Rofe has nothing more than you ;
That fo, if to the eye alone
Her wondrous beauty {he made known j
That, if (he never will difpaafe
A trial to fome fweeter fenfe ;
Nature no longer we prefer.
Her very picture equals her.
Then whifper gently in her ear.
Say, foftly, if the blulhing fair
Shoiild to fuch good advice incline.
How much 1 wilh that trial mine.

The First of No v e m b e r ; or, the Winter's W a l t^
By Dr. John-son.

BEHOLD, my fair, where'er we rove.
What dreary profpeifls roand us rife !
The naked hill, the leaflefs grove.
The hoary ground, the frowning ikies !

Nor only through the wafted plain.
Stern Winter, is thy force confefs'd ;

Still wider fpreads thy horrid reign ;
I feel thy power ufurp my breaft.

Enliv'ning Hope and fond Defirc
Refign the heart to Spleen and Care ;

Scarce frighted Love maintains her fir:.
And Rapture faddcns to defpair.

la

176 ANNUAL REGISTER, 177^;

In groundlefs hope, and caufelefs fear,
Uiil»ai.)py m n 1 bfhold thy doom

Still changini-^ with the changel'ul year.
The flave of fun-lhine and of gloom.

Tir'd with vain joys and falfe alaraisi
With nr.ental and corporeal Ihife^

Snatch me, my SttlL, to thy arms.
And fcreen nie fiom the ills ol lite.

Extract from a Monodt to the Mfvcry cf Mr. GarricK; by Aff-,
S H E R 1 D A N . spoken at D rury-Lane Theatre.

AMID the arts which fetk ingenuous fame,
J \ Our toil attempts the molt precarious claim I
To him, whofe mimic pencil wins the pr;ze.
Obedient Fame immortal wreaths fupplies :
Whate'er of wonder Ileynolds now may raife,
Raphael ftill boafts cotemporary pfaife:
Each dazzling light, and gaudier bloom fubdu'di
With undiminiQi'd awe his works are view'd :
E'en Ii:'auty's portrait wears a fofter prim?,
Tcuch'd by the tender hand of mellowing Time.

The patient Sculptor owns an humbler part,
A ruder toil, snd more mechanic art ;
Content with flew and timorous flroke to trace
The lingering line, and mould the tardy grace :
But once atchiev'd — tho' b:.rbarous wreck o'erthro;?
The facred Fane, and lav iis glories lew.
Vet fhill the fculptur'd Ruin rife to-day,
Gr<ic'd by defedj and worlliip'd in decay ;
Th' enduring record bears the artift's name,
X)''mar.ds his honours, anc' afferts his fame,

Superior hopes the poet's bofom iirr-i-
O proud dillindicn of the facred lyre ! —
Wide as th' inTpiring Phoebus darts his ray^
Diffufive fpir^ndor gilds his votary's lay.
VvMiefher the fong heroic woes rchcarfe.
With epic grandeur, and the pomp of vcrfe ;
Or, fondly gay, with unambitious guiie
Attempt no prize but favouring Beauty's fmile j
Or bear dejected to the lonely grove
The foft defpair of unprevailing love, —
Whatt'er the theme — thro' every age and clirr.e
Congenial paiFinns meet th' according rhyme ;
The pride cf glory — Pity's figh fincerc—
Youth's earljeil blufti— anJ Beaut) 's virgin tear.

7 Suck

POETRY. 177

Such is their meed — their honours thus fecurp,
Whofe arts yield obj'd'-, and xxhofe works endure.
The j'lSJor only, fhrinks from times award;
FeeWe tradicion is //// Mcinory'5 guard ;
hy whofe faint breath iiis merits mull abid^,
Ur.vouchM bv proof— to faliftaiice unallied !
Ev'n matcHlefs Garrick's art, to Heav'n reHgn'd,
No fijrM cffctJt, no inodel leaves behind !

T^^- Grace of Aciicn — the acapted Mi:n
Fiivl'ful 'S Nutire to the varied fcene ;
Th' exprejjive Glance — whoff fubtle comment draws
Entraiic'u attention, a^d a mute applaufe ;
Gefiure that marks, wi;h force and feeling fraught,
A fenle in filence, and a wiM in thought ;
Harmonious Speech, whofe pure and liquid tone
Gives verfe a mufic, Icarce confefs'd its own ;
Ai lig^t from gems affum"? a brighter ray.
And cloathed with orient hues, tranfcends the day !—
FaJJlon s wild break — and Frc^n that awes the fenfe.
And every Charm of gentler Eloquence—
All perilhable ! — like the ele(!:lr:c fire
But ftiike the frame— and as they llrike expire ;
Incenfe too pure a bodied flame to bear,
It's fragrance c-harms the fenle, and blends with air.

We are obliged to the Writer of the Elegy on the Marchionefs of Ta-
villock*, for the following original Pieces.

DITTY.

^he Meafure adapted to an old mournful Tune.

WHILST the children of fortune with int'refted praife.
To the joys in poflefTion llill tune their fond lays ;—
The fon of affliction, unbrib'd, will deplore
Thofe joys, and thofe charms, which now are no more.
For the fweetelt of maid? was my Betty ;—
And the j'jy of all hearts was my Betty.

Her looks were more pleafing than the bloom of fweet May,
And her eyes were the lun that enlightened my day ;
Her accents could toVtuie, or paflion beguile;
Bui who'll fing the rapture that hung on her fraile ?
For, &c.

* See Ann. Reg. for 1768, vol. XI. Poetical Article, p. 24.?.
Vol. XXII. N All

178 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779^

jMl nature around me is joyful and gay,—
The trees flioot their buds, and the flovv'rs deck their May ;
No void in creation's bright fpace is defcried.
Save that, which the life of my foul once fupplied.
For, &c.

But the fundvine of life now for ever is flown ;
Unpitied my grief, and unhleft is my moan ;
In forrow, and darknefs, I pafs the long day,
Whilft anguifh new tunes the fad voice of each lay.
For, &c.

Thus, difcolour'd, and jaundic'd, all objefts appear ;,
He hates joy in others, who's loft all that's dear.
Like the (hades of the haplefs, I feek the ftill night.
And haunt in the gloom each paft fcene of delight.

For the fweetell of maids was my Betty ;

And the joy of all hearts was my Betty.

IMPROMPTU.

BEYOND all climates, far above all fkies.
The foul that once inform'd my Silvia flies :
May guardian angels ftill point out its way.
Through all the regions of eternal day ;
May heavenly love ftill blefs that tender mind.
Which ever v/as with love and truth combin'd.
And that her joys unmix'd with care may flow^
Conceal, kind heaven, from her my heart-felt woe^.

EXPOSTULATION.

POOR, throbbing heart ! a while refrain !
I fink beneath thy woe ;
O 1 grant a fhort recefs from pain.
For Ihort the fpace we go.

No fortune can our fate reprieve,
So wretched is our ftrife ;
For you can only live to grieve,.
And grief cuts ine from life.

Aec&uftT

t 179 3

Account of Books for 1779-

prefaces, Biographical and Critical,
to the IVorks o/"/^^ Engliih Poets j-
by Samuel Johnfon, 41/5/. \zmo.

TK E many and efiential be-
nefits, that Englifh literature
hath already derived from the la-
bours of Doflor Samuel Johnfon,
have long been fubjcdls of general
obfervation and experience. The
merit of having given precifion
and liability to our language be-
longs almoft exclufively to him.
Like virtue, it 13 a merit that
will be its own reward. In guard-
ing our tongue againft the innova-
tions of time, he has provided
the bell fecurity for his own fame,
and, as it were, connetled his re-
putation with the very exilrence
of our language. It remained, to
form the judgment and talle of
the nation on the fame folid bafis,
on which he had eftablifhed its
vocabulary. This talk he has
performed with his ufoal ability
in the work now before us; in
which he hath undertaken to
write criticiims on that clafs of our
writers, which affords the mod
confpicuous, as well as the moft
numerous inllances of beauties and
of faults of every fort.

Criticifm has been very juftljf
coDfideredasthelaftfruitof literary

experience. An early acquaintance
with authors of eftablifhed reputa-
tion, a frequent intercourfe with
the men of genius of our own
times, and a competent (hare of
natural abilities, are fufficient to
form thofe habits of difcrimination,
which enable, what is ufually called
a man of tafie, to pronounce with
great accuracy on the merits of li-
terary produftions. On the other
hand, the philofopher, by maxims
drawn from the nature of things,
the ftruflure of the human mind,
and the operation of the paffions,
may arrive at an equal degree of
certainty in tracing out the effedls
of art, and laying down rules for
producing them. But the bufinefs
ofcriticifm does not end her^. To
trace the gradual progrefs and im-
provement of our tafte, and point
out the caufes that have tended to
retard or promote it ; to compre-
hend as it were in one view the
whole circle of <he arts and
fciences, to fee their mutual con-
nexions and dependencies, and to
inveftigate the effeds which at va-
rious times they have produced on
each other, are objefts oi general
criticifm, important in thcinlelves,
and which require an inuirate
knowledge of the feveral fubjcds
on which they depend. In occa-
N z fitmal

l8o ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779,

ftmal critictfm, extenfive cxpf-
rience is iHll more efleiitially ne-
ccfliary. — In art, as in moraruy,
great excellence is always nearly
allied to fonie kindred fault. The
beauties and defeds of compofition
are not only conneded with, but
freqijently arilV out of each other.
The abfurd conceits and extra-
v.igant fancief, which difgiilt or
fhocic the reader in the juvenile
poems of our bell poets, were the
true feeds and germs, which after-
wards ripened, by proper culture,
into the moll luxuriant harvefts.
But this chemical procefs, if we
may be allowed the expreffion, of
genius, \\\ which, ftill preferving
ibme analogy to its priftine form,
it is tranfmuted into a fubftance of
a more valuable kind, is not eafily
to be purfued, except by thofc,
whofe o'vvn experience hath ad-
mitted them into the fecrets of the
art. Such an adept wc may fairly
fuppofe our learned critic to be.
Our readers have had fufficicnt
proofs of it, in the extracls we have
already infertcd. The following
charsdiers of Waller and Dryden
sre in the fame maflerly llyle.

" As much of Waller's reputa-
tion was owed to the foftncfs and
fmoothnefs of his numbers; it is
proper to con fid er thofe minute
particulars to which a verfifyer mufl
attend.

«' He certainly very mtich excel-
led in fmoothnefs moil of the writers
who were living when his poetry
commenced. The poets of Eliza-
beth had attained an art of modu-
lation, v/hich was afterwards neg-
Jefled or forgotten. Fairfax was
acknowledged by him ar his mo-
del ; and he might l":'.ve iludied
with advantage the poem of Da-
vies, which, though merely phiio-

fophical, yet feldom leaves the car
ungratified.

" But he was rather fmooth thaa
ftrong ; of the full refounding linst
which Pope attributes to Dryden,
he has given very few examples.
The criiicai decilion has given tha
praife of Hrength to Dcnham, and
of fwcetnefs to Waller.

" His excellence of verfification
has fome abatements. He ufes the
expletive do very frequently ; and
though he lived to fee it almolt uni-
verfally ejedlcd, was not more
careful to avoid it in his laft com-
pofitions than in his firll. Praife
had given him confidence; and
finding the world fatisfied, he fa-
tisBed himfelf.

" His rhymes are fometimes weak
words : J'o is found to make the
rhyme twice in ten lines, and oc-
curs often as a rhyme through his
book.

** His double rhymes in heroic
vcrfe have been cenfured by Mrs.
Phillips, who was his rival in the
tranflation of Corneille's Pompey ;
and more faults might be found,
were not the enquiry below atten-
tion.

*' He fometimes ufes the obfolete
termination of verbs, as ivaxeth,
c^tMeih ; and fometimes retains
the final fyllable of the preterite,
as atna^ed^ fuppo/ed -y of which I
know not whether it is not to the
detriment of our language that we
have totally rejefied them.

" Of triplets he is fparing ; but
he did not wholly forbear them : of
an Alexandrine he has given no
example.

*' The general charadler of his
poetry is elegance and gaiety. He
is never pathetic, and very rarely
fublime. He feems neither to have
had a mind much elevated by na-
ture.

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. i8i

tnre, nor amplified by learning.
His thoughts are fuch as liberal
converfatioii and large acquaint-
ance with life would ealily fup-
ply. They had however, then
perhaps, that grace of novelty,
which they are now often fuppoftd
to want by ihofe who, having al-
ready fof.nd them in later books,
do not know or enquire who pro-
duced ihein fiill. I'his treatment
is unjuit. Let not the original
author iole by his imitators.

" Praiie however fhoulJ be due
before it is given. The author of
Waller's Life afcribes to him tlie
lirft praiTlice, of what Erythraeus
and fome late critics cill Allitera-
tion, of ufing in the fdme verfe
many words beginning with the
fame letter. But this knack, what-
ever be its value, was fo frequent
among our early writers, that Gaf-
coign, a writer of the fixteenth
century, warns the young poet
againd aiFeding.it; and Shake-
foeare in the Midjiimmer Night'' s
Dnam is fuppofed lo ridicule it.

'• He borrows too many of his
fen ti men t sand i 11 u ft rat ions from the
old Mythology, for which it is
vain to plead the example of the
ancient poets : the deities which
they introduced fo frequently, were
confidered as realities, {o far as to
be received by the imagination,
whatever fober reaibn might even
then determine. But of ihefe
images time has tarnifhed the fplen-
dor. A fitSion, not only detected
but dejpifed, can never afford a
folid balis lo any pofition, though
fometimes it may furnifh a trans-
lieni allufion, or llight illuftration.
No modern monarch can be much
exalted by hearing that, as Her-
cules had had his dub, he has his

'•' But of the praife of Waller,
though much may be taken away,
much will remain ; for it cannot
be denied that he added fome:hing
to our elegance of ditfiion, and
fomething to our propriety of
thought ; and to him may be ap-
plied whnt Taffo faid, with equal
ipirit and juftice, of himfelf and
Guarini, when, having pcrufed the
pallor Fido, he cried out, " If he
** had not read Aminta, he had
" not excelled it."

From the Preface to Milton's
works vve have already given our
readers a large eAtradl. The poet
who follows next in the feries, is
the celebrated author of Hudibraj's,
The original idea of this poem is,
he thinks, undoubtedly to be found
in the hiftory cf Don Quixotte.
" Cervantes, he obkrvcs, Ihews
a man who having by the incef-
fant perufal of incredible tales,
fubjedted his underllanding to his
imagination, and familiarifed his
mind by pertinacious meditation
to think of incredible events, and
fcenes of irnpoflible exiftenc?, goes
out in the pride of knighthood to
redrefs wrongs and defend virgins,
to refcue captive piinccfles and
tumble ufurpers from theirthrones ;
attended by a 'fqiiire, whofe cun-
ning, too low for the fulpicion of
a generous mind, enables him of-
ten to cheat his mailer.

" The hero of Butler, is a Pref-
hyterian juftice, who in the confi-
dence of legal authority, and the
rage of zealous ignorance, ranges
the country to reprefs fupcrftition,
and correal abules, accompanied
by an Independant clerk, di(puta-
tious and obllinate, with whom
he often debates, but never con-
quers him.

N 3 *' Cer*

i82 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

" Cervantes had l"o much kiiid-
nefs for Don Quixott?, that, how-
ever he embarralles him with ab-
furd dillreff'-s. he gives him fo
much fenfe and virtue as may pre-
ferve our eit^ em ; wherever he is,
or whatever he does, he is made
by matchlefs dexterity commonly
ridiculous, but never contempti-
ble.

" But for poor Hud,ibrafs, his
poet had no tendernefs ; he chufes
not that any pity Ihuuld be fliewn,
or relpeft paid him ; he gives him
up at once to laughter and con-
tempt, without any (Quality that
can dignify or proiedi.

*• In forming the charafler of
Hudibrafs, and defcribing his per-
fon and habiliment?, the author
feera^ to labour wiih a tumultuous
confufion of d-fiimilar ideas. He
had read the hillory of the mock
knight-errant; he knew the no-
tions and manner of a Preftyterian
ITiagirtrfite, and tried to unite the
abfurdities of both, however dif^
tant, in one perfonage. — Thus he
gave him that pedantic oftentation
of knowledge which has no rela-
tion to chivalry ; and loads him
with martial incumbrances that
can add nothing to his civil dig-
nity. He fends him out a colo-
tiellingt and yet never brings him
within fight of war."

Dryden follows Butler, and our
learned critic has paid him the am-
ple and liberal atteniion he fo well
deferves. It is not eafy to make
feledlions from an author, who
writes with fo much judgment as
Dr. Johnfon, without doing great
injiiftice to the parts. The two
following extracts, which contain
his opinion on the proie and poe-
tical language of Dryden, are

3

written with great fpirit, learning,
and penetration,

•• Crit^citm, either didaftic or
defenfive, occupies almort ail his
proie, except thofe pages which he
has devoted to hi= patron^ ; but
none of his prt^faces were ever
thouj;ht tedious. They have not
the formality of a fettled rtyle, in
which the firft half of the fentence
betrays the other. The claufej
are nevt-r balanced, nor the periods
modelled ; every word lefiiis to
drop by chance, though it falls
into its proper place Nothing is
cold cr languid j the whole i.s airy,
animated, and vigorous ; what is
little, is gay; v.hat is great, is
fplendid. He may be thoi.ght to
mention himfcU too frequently;
but while he forces himfelf upon
our etleem, we cannot refufe him
to Hand high in his own. Every
thing is excufed by the play of
images and the fprightlinels of ex-
prelfion. Though all is eaTy, no-s
thing is feeble; though all feems
carelefs, there is nothing harfh ;
and though, fince his earlier works,
more than a century has pafled,
they have nothing yet uncouth or
obiolete.

" He who writes much, will not
eafily efcape a manner, fuch a re-
currence of particular modes as may
be eafily noted. Dryden is always
another and the fame, he does not
exhibit a fecond time the fame
elegancies in the fame form, nor
appears to have any art other than
that of exprelfing with clearnefs
what he thinks with vigour. His
ftyle could not eafily be imitated,
ei.her lerioufly or ludicroufly, for
being always equable and always
varied, it has no prominent or dif-
Criniioauve charaflers, Tiff beauty

vhQ

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

183

•who is totally free from difpropor-
tion of parts and features cannot
be ridiculed by an overcharged re-
femblance."

From his prof?, however, as
Dr. Johnfon properly remarks,
Drydeii derives only his accidental
and fecondary praife ; " the vene-
ration, continues he, uith which
his name is pronounced by tvtry
cultivator of Englifti literature, is
paid to him as he refined the lan-
guage, improved the fentiments,
and tuned the numbers of Englifh
poetry.

** After about half a century of
forced thoughts, and rugged metre,
fome advances towards nature and
harmony had "been already made
by Waller and Denham : they had
ihewn that long difcourfes in rhy/ne
grew more pleafing when they were
broken into couplets, and that
verfe confifted not only in the
number but the arrangement of
fylUbles.

" Bat though they did much,
who can deny that they left much
to do? Their works were not
many, nor were their minds of very
ample coniprehenfion. More ex-
amples of more moJcs ofcompofi-
tion were neceffary for theeUablilh-
ment of regularity, and the intro-
duftion of propriety ia word and
thought.

*• Every language of a learned
nation nectflfirily divides itfelf into
didion fcholailic and popular, grave
and familiar, elegant and grofs ;
and from a nice dillindion of thefe
different parts, arifes a great part
of the beauty of llyle. But if we
except a few minds, the favourites
of nature, to whom their own ori-
ginal reclitude was in the place of
rales, this delicacy of feledion was
littlfi known to our authors ; our

fpeech lay before them in a heap
of confufion, and every man took
forevery purpofewhat chance might
offer him.

" There was iher -fore before the
time of Dryden no poetical dic-
tion, no fyftem of words at once
refined from the groffnefs of do-
mellic ufe, and free from the harfh-
nefs of terms appropriated to par-
ticular arts. Words too familiar,
or too remote, defeat the purpofe
of a poet. From thofe founds
which we hear on fmall or on
coarfe occafions, we do not eafily
receive ftrong imprelTions, or de-
lightful images, and words to which
we are nearly llrangers, whenever
they occur, draw that attention oa
themfelves which they fhould con-
vey to things.

" Thofe happy combinations of
words which diltinguiOi poetry
from profe, had been rarely at-
tempted; we had few elegancies or
flowers of fpeech, the rofes had
not yet been plucked from the
bramble, or different colours had
not been joined to enliven one
another.

" It may be doubted whether
Waller and Denham could have
overborn the prejudices which had
long prevailed, and which evea
then were fheltereJ by the protec-
tion of Cowley. The new verfifi-
cation, as it was called, may be
confidered as owing its eftablifli-
ment to Dryden ; from v^hofetime
it is apparent that English poetry
has had no tendency to relapfe to
its former favagenefs."

The minor poets that follow
Dryden, from Derham down to
Hughes, occupy each a fmall but
well - proportioned (hare of the
author's attention. The d:llin-
guiihing features antl the charac-

N 4. teriUic

i84 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

teriftic faults and merits of each,
are always marked with greatjudg-
ment and precifion.

Before we difniifs this article, it
will be necelTiry to tike feme no-
lice of the hillorical part of th.^fe
prefaces. — The great reputation
which DoCior Johnfon has already
acquired as a moral and biogra-
phical vvritT, wi.l not fuifer any
diminu'ioo frcni his prefent fuc-
cer-^ful atteinpt to give (a» be him-
felf" wel; exprelle-s ir) ufcful flea fur e.
— Grtat care appears to have been
taken in feleding the moll au-
thentic mat- rials : the erro-s, into
wii;s,h partiality, prejmiice, or
want of difcernmenr, have led any
of his precleceffors, are judicioiifly
correded ; and every part is inter-
fperfsd with thofe beaiuiful effu-
fions of moral fentiment, and re-
inarkson the manners of mankind,
whiuh diftinguifh him beyond any
writer in the Engiifh language. — .
But whilfl. we do him juftice in this
refped, it is impoffible not to ob-

{tr\c that many parts of his worlc
be;,r (Irong marks of thofe politi-
cal prejudices, under the influence
of which it is well kno.vn his mind
unfortunately labour?. It is for
his own fake we wi(h that he had,
on the present occafion, ropreffed
an uf'lel's zeal. Wc Ihould be forry
to think, with him, that 'virulence
and maU-volence really belong to
any party : — he has taught us that
they certainly do not belong to
one alone. — If fall ion, (i. e. the
party «e oppofe) fAdiun, as he
lays, haves a man hone Jl , honve-'oer-
it might find him, how will the
jealous dignity of Doftor Johnfon's
charafter brook the fufpicions of,
perhaps, the grea-er part of his
readers ? The bad men of both
fides, who have an iniereft in the
delirudion of all charad.cr, will be
glad to mai<.e ule of his authority ;
and he cannot comp ain if thofe of
the adverfe party bring his own
example as one proof of his rule *.

AHif.

* The part which Milton took in \he public tranfattions of the times he lived
in, feems to have made him paiticularly obnoxious lo our learned critic. Wo
fhail theiefore fubmit to cur I'eaders fome of the milit-prelcntiitions of which lie
is accufed, together with the anfweis that have been siven to them. " / (7/?4
*' ojhamed, fays Dr. Johnfon, to relate n/jhat lam afraid is too true, that Mil-
*' ta: njjas the laji Jludent in either uni'verfity that fuffered the public indignity of
*' corporal punijhment.^' —T\\.z only evidence of MlUon's having luffered this
indignity refts on tne following lines, taken from his venes to Deodati.

Nee duri libet ufque minas peiferre m?.giliri, ,

Cateraque ingenio ncn lubeunda meo —
The fomething elfe, he contends, mull: be corporal corrcaion ; for he adds,
nvhat nvas more than threats, luas evidently funifnmer.t . To this it is aniwer-
ed, that by rendering i\-itera in the fingular xwymhty, fomething elfe; he has
made the application pnticidnr, which in the original is general. — He has at-
tempted lo pervert the Icnfe ftill farther, by .explaining catera, fomething more
than threats; — whereas it means in general the many infults, befi.les threats,
to which academical fuboidination might make him liable. But however
this may be, he is certainly not the laft Itudent in either univerfity that fuf-
fered this indignity. At Oxford, both in the public and private ilatutes, the
injunaion of infliaing corporal punilliment on boys under fi;aeen remains
in force at this day j and at fome col'eges, where the foundation fcholars are
■ ' ■ elefled

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

185

A Hijiory cf the Military Tran/ac
tions of the Rritilh Nation in In-
doftan. rd. II.

TH E firft volume of this hif-
tory was publifhed in the
year 1763 *, and ccntains an ac-
count jf the affairs of India, down
to the commencement of the war
between the Englifh and French
in 1756. To the continuation now
before us is prefixed an enquiry
into the rile and progrefs of the
Englifli commerce in the province
of Bengal.

It app.ars that the trade of this
country was opened to the Englilh,
by means of a furgeon named
Boughton, who, in 1636, was fent
from Surat to Agra, to attend a
daughter of the Emperor Shaw
lehan. His endeavours for the
Gureof the lady proving fuccefsful,
the Emperor, belides oiher fa-
vours, granted, him the privilege
of a free trade throughout his do-
minions. Having obtained this
indulgence, Boughion immediately
proceeded to Bengal, where he in-
tended to purchafe goods, and to
carry them by Tea to Surat. He
had no fooner arrived in the for-
mer of thofe place;, than he was
employed to cure a f;ivourite wo-
man belonging to the Nab-^b (>f
the province; which having efieft-
ed, the latter prevailed upon him

to remam in the country ; giving
him at the fame time a handfome
ftipcnd, and confirming the privi-
lege that had been granted by the
Emperor, with a promife to extend
it to all others of the Englifh na-
ticjn who Ihould come to Bengal.
Boughton fent an account of his
fuccefs to the Englilb governor of
Surat, by whofe advice the com-
pany in \6d^o fent two fhips from
England to Bengal, the agents of
which being introduced to the Na-
bob by Boughton, were kindly
received, and affiiled in their mer-
cantile tranfadionf.

For fome years the Englifh car-
ried on their trade in this province
without any moleftation, but af-
terwards the government, either
difavowing the patents that had
been granted to Bcu^-h;on, or anni-
hilating their operation by the nar-
row conftrurtion whi^h they now
put upon them, the lettlers were
obliged to pay the fame duties with
other merchants. Nor was this
the only infraction of former ftipu-
lations that they began to expe-
rience. Tnc Nrbob henceforth
afTiimed a more arbitrary condufl
towards them, and their commerce
was frequently interrupted by un-
ufual exertions of dpfpotifm.

Againll thefe evils our author
obfei\es, that there were only two
remedies, nanieiy, war or retreat.

elefled very young, it was commonly prat^ifcd down to the beginning of tfce
prefcnt century. In another place he aflerts, that *' Milton emirely omitted
♦* all prayer, either in his family, or in private."' Widi regard to the latter
part of the charge, it is anlwered, tliat it dellroys itfclf, for foiilary prayer
could only be known to God and himlelf. — .^s to family prayer, it appears to
be a calumny drawn from an expreffion of Tolamfs, who iayi, «' that in the
f latter part of his life, he frequented none cf the aflcnihlies of any particidar
" I'ett of Chrifti:ins, nor made ufe of their peculiar rites in his family."" Biftiop
Newton has altered this, invo his ml ufing any religious rites in his jamily. And
from the bilhop, as a Itory never loles in the telling, Dr. Jolmfya roundly
concludes that he neiitr ufed prayer in his family,
* Sec Ann. Kcir. Vol. VII. fur 1764.

cither

i86 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

ekher cf which could not fail of
proving detrimental to the com-
pany, considering that the Bengal
trade, notwithllanding the various
rellraints impofcd by the Nabob,
was IHII very lucrative. For forty
years therefore the Englilh com-
pany attempted no military re-
fiftance.

But the peaceable acquiefcence of
the FngHOi rather increafed than
riiminiftied the exaftions impofed
by the governors of the province ;
befides, that the adls ofoppreflion
exercifed by thofe inferior defpots
were abetted by the Emperor at
Delhi. Determined therefore to
try theeffeftof arms, the company,
in the year 1685, with the ap-
probation of King James II. fitted.
out two fleets , one of which was
ordered to cruife at the bar of Su-
rat, on all vefTels belonging to the
Mogul's fubjeds, and the other
defigned not only to commit hofli-
lities by fea at the mouth of the
Ganges, but likewife carried fix
hundied regular troops, in order
to attack the Nabob of Bengal by
land.

The conduft cf this war was en-
trufted to Job Charnock, the com-
pany's principal agent at Hugh-
lev, a man of courage, but void of
military experience. He defeated
the forces of the Nabob in two
different adlions; but pitching
his camp in an unhealthy part
of the province, in the fpace
of three months he loft by fick-
Hefs three hundred Europeans,
which was two thirds of his whole
force.

The misfortune attending the
army was ccmpenfated by the
foccefs of the fleet that had been
fent cut to Surar- which greatly
diftreffcd the trade of the Mogul's
fubjeds, and took from them

prizes to the amount of a million
llerling money. The clamour
raifed by the merchants in confe-
quence of this difaller, induced the
Emperor to fend one of his officers
from Delhi, with orders to hear
the complaints of the Er.glifh, and
to mitigate the tppreflions which
they had fuftered. Hoftilities fooa
after ceafed ; and by a treaty fign-
ed in Auguft, 1687, it was ftipu-
lated that the Englifh (hould not
only be permitted to return to all
their fadories in the province, but
might likewife ereft docks and
magazines at Ulabarca, a village
fituated on the weftern bank, about
fifty miles from the mouth of the
river.

This treaty was no fooner rati-
fied than the war at Surat broke
out afrelh, and the Nabob of Ben-
gal not only gave up the Englifh
trade to the rapine of his officers,
but demanded a very large fum,
as an indemnification for the lofs
which the country had fuftained by
the late hoftilities. In confequence
of fome unexpected events, how-
ever, an accommodation again took
place between the contending par-
lies without this requifition being
granted J and the company receiv-
ed a patent from the Emperor, al-
lowing them to trade free of cuf-
toms, on condition of paying an-
nually the fum of three thoufand
roupees.

In 1696, an infarreftion was com-
menced by the rajah? on the wcHern
fide of the river Hughley, within
whofe jurifdidion were fituated the
principalfettlementsof the Englifh,
French, and Dutch, all which im-
mediately augmenting their refpec-
tive forces, declared for the Na-
bob; of whom they at the fame
time requefted pernuffion to put
their factories into a ftate of de-
fence.

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. 187

fence. The Nabob ordered them
in general terms to defend rhem-
felves ; and they, confidering this
order as implying a grant of their
requefl, proceeded with all expedi-
tion to raife walls and ballions
round 'heir fadories ; of which
that of the Engli(h was at Cal-
cutta, where they, had built their
principal magazines. Such was
the origin of the three European
forts in the province of Bengal, the
firlt that ever were fuftered to be
ereifled by foreigners within the
Mogul empire.

In 1698, they obtained from
Azim-al-Shah, the grandfon of
Aurengzebe, permiffion to purchafe
from the Zemindar or Indian pro-
prietor, the town of Soola-kuuy,
Calcutta, and Govind-pore, wicd
their dilhifts, the prince reierving
an annual fine. About this time,
the union of the two companies,
by augmenting the ftock, iiicreafed
the trade, and enlarged the views
of the diredlion. The commerce
of Bengal more efpecially became
the objed of their attention. The
fubordinate fadories of Coffimbu-
zar, Dacca, and BallLifore, were
relettled : the exports and imports
were doubled in value and quan-
tity, and the garrifon of Calcutta
was augmented to 300 men : ail
which the government of Bengal,
contrary to its ufual maxims, be-
held without repugnance, and even
without demanding money as the
price of its forbearance and favour.
The increafing importance of the
colony induced the company, in
1707, to withdraw the fettlemen;s
in ii from their former dependence
on Madrafs, and to declare Cal-
cutta a prefjdency accountable only
;o the direftion in England.
[' The tranquillity which the

company now enjoyed was in a
(hort time difturbed by the Nabob
J iffier Khan, at this time appointed
G 3vernor of Bengal, and who was
better enabled to take cognizance
of their affairs by having remov-
ed the feat of government from
Dacca to Muxadavad, in the centre
of the province. Mixing policy
with oppreffion, he greatly rellrain-
ed the freedom of their commerce,
without openly violating the pri-
vileges which they had obtained
from Aurengzebe and Azim-al-
Shah. In order to obtain a redrefs
of their grievances, the prefidency
of Calcutta, in the year 17 13, pro-
pofed to the company in England
the fending an embafly, fupported
by a valuable prefent, to the Great
Megul. The expedient was accord-
ingly adopted ; and after various
delays occafioned by the intrigues
of the viz'r, they at length ob-
tained the principal objedls of their
million. One of thofe was, that
the company fhould be allowed to
purchafe thirty-feven towns in Ben.
gal, which would give them a dif-
tri£t extending ten miles fouth of
Calcutta along the banks of the
river Hughley, the pafTage of which
might be eafily commanded by the
eredion of batteries or redoubt? ;
and what added to the value of the
acquiliiion was, that the revenue
of the territory would be fufEcient
to defray the charge of its protec-
tion. The confequences of fo ad-
vantageous a gram were beheld
with indignation by the Nabob
Jaffier, who had endeavoured from
the beginning to counterad the
purpolc of the embafly ; but not
daring openly to difpute the Mo-
gul's orders, he prevailed, by fe-
cret intrigues, with the holders of
the laad, not to part with it to the
company

i8S

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

company upon any terms which in the language and forms of ex-
might be offered. J.iffier however preflion there appear frequent
admitted the immunity of the marks of hafle and inattention,
company's trade, which no longer they may readily be pardoned in a
paid any cultoms in the province. work of fuch extent and labour.

•* In the mean tiaic, the fettle-
Kientof Calcutta had attrafted fuch ~

a number of inhabitants, as excit-
rd the jealoufy of the Governor of
Hughley, who, pretending that he
fhould be punifhed for fuffering fo
many of the Mogul's fubjedts to
withdraw themfelves from his ju-
lifdidlicn, threatened to fend a
cadi, or Mahomedan judge, and

Ifaiah ; a neiv Tranjl^ition, luiih a
preliminary DiJ/ertation, and Notes
critical, philological, and expla-
natory. By Robert Lowth, T), D.
F. R. S. S. Lond. and Gouing.
Lord Bijhop of London, d^to.

THE verfions that have hither-
to appeared of the pro-

jultice amongll the natives living phccies of Ifaiah, both in ancient

under the Englifh flag. The mea- and modern langu ;gcs, having

fure would have renewed the fame been made on a miitaken opinion

inconvenienciej, which had forced of the nature of thofe compofitions;

the Englilli to quit Hughley : it was it is not to be wondered that they

iherefere countera<^ed by a bribe have failed in giving a jiril and

given to Azim-al-Shah, who for- expreflive refemb'ance of -he ori-

bad the Governor of Hughley from ginal. " It has, I think, fays the

proceeding in his intentions. By learned prelate, been univerfally

this conftant attention to money, underllood, that the prophecies of

Azim-al-Shah in three years amaf- Ifaiah are written in profe. The

fed three millions of pounds fter- ftyle, the thoughts, the images,

ling, which he carried with him the expreflions, have been allowed

cut of the province : but he left to be poetical, snd that in the

behind him his fon Furruk(hir to higheft degree : but that they are

get more ; who, in I713, gained written in \tx{^, in meafure, or

the throne, after his father had rhythm, or whatever ir is that dif-

perifhed in difputing it with his tiguifhes, as poetry, the compofi-

brothers." tion of thofe books of thb Old Tef-

From this time, the Englifh tament, which are allowed to be

company continued to reap the poetical, fuch as Job, the Pfalm?,

fruits of their commercial privi- and the Proverbs, from the hiftori-

lecres till the year 1756, when, by cal books, as mere profe ; this has

the rupture between Great Britain never been fuppofed, at leift has

and France, and by the intelline not been at any time the prevail-

divifions in India, it neceffarily ing opinion. The opinions of the

became involved in all the calami- learned concerning Hebrew verfe

ties of war. The military tran- have been various: their iduas of

faiftions of this period, are related the nature of it vague, obfcure, and

with the fame precifion and accu- imperfed ; yet ftill there has been

racy which diHinguifhed the for- a general perfuafion, that fome

Rier volume of this hiftory; and if books of the Old Teftament are

wrii'.en

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

written in verfe ; but that the
writings of the prophets are not
of" that number."

The defign of the preliminary
diflertation is to refute this erro-
neous opinion ; to fhcw thar there
is a manifert conformity between
the prophetical rtylc and that of
the books fuppofed to be metrical ;
a conformity in every known part
of the poetical charafter, which
equally difcriminates the propheti-
cal and the metrical books, from
thofe acknowledged to be profe.
This fubjcdl, which the learned
author had before treated in his
eighteenth and nine:centh Prelec-
tionf, is here more fully and mi-
nutely difcuffed.

** The firil, he fays, and moll
manifeft indication of verfe in the
Hebrew poetical books, prefentsit-
felf in the acrofiick or alphabetical
poems, of which there happily re-
main many examples, and thofe of
various kinds. The nature, or
rather the form, of thefe poems is
this : the pnem con fills of twenty-
two lines, or of twenty-two fyftems
of line?, or periods, or llanzas, ac-
cording to the number of the let-
ters of the Hebrew .-.Iphabet; and
every line, or every itanza, begins
with each letter in its order, as it
ilandb in the alphabet; that is, the
firfc line, or firll ftanza, begins
with aleph, the fecoud with beth,
and fo on. Tiiere are Hill extant
in the books of the Old Telta-
ment, twelve * of tliefe poems ;
reckoning the four firll chapters of
the Lamentations of Jeremiah as
fo many diilinft poems ; three f of
them perfcdtly alphabetical : in

1S9

which every line is marked by its
initial letter ; the other nine lef«
perfedly alphabetical, in whick
every ilanza only is fo diftin-
guifhed."

After examining fome remark-
able circumftances in thefe cnmpo-
fuions,. he concludes, th:.c •' both
thefe Jpeciescf alphabetical poems
con fill of verfes oroperly fo called ;
of verfes regul red by fome ob-
fervaticn of harmony or cad»nce-
of mealure, numbers, or rhythm.
For it is not at all probslk in ths
nature of the thing, or from <:x~
amples of the like irind in other
languages, that a portion or mere
profe, in 'vhich numbers and har-
mony are totally difregarded, ihocli
be laid out according to a icale of
divifion, which carries with it fuck
evident marks of Iludyand labour,
of art in the contrivance, and ex-
aflnefs in the execution. And ia
general, that the reft of the poems
of the Hebrews, bearing evidently
the fame marks and charaderirtics
of compofiticn with the alphaiae-
tical poems in other refpcds, aud
falling into regular lines often into
regular ilanzas, according to the
paufes of the fentenccs, which ilan-
zas and lines have a certain parity
or proportion to one another, thefe
likewife confill of verfe mcafarcd
by the ear, and regulated accord-
ing to fome general laws of metre,
rhythm, harmony, or cadence."

The attempt to difcover the laws
of the Hebrew metre, or rhvthm,
he confiders as vain and impoffible:
but he conceives that there are
other circumllances which i'uffi-
ciently difcriminate the parts of the

• Pfal. XXV, xxxiv, xxxvii, cxi, cxii, cxix, cxiv.
Lam. i, ii, iii, iv.

t Piid. cxi, cxii. Lam. iii.

rov. XXXI. V. 10 — ■51.

H.-brcw

190 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

Hebrew Tcriptures that are written
in verCe, from thofe that are writ-
ten in profe. The firft and princi-
pal ot thefe, is the correfpondence
of one vcrfe, or line, with another,
which he calls paraUelifm. When
a propnfiti^n is delivered, and a
fecond is fubjoined to it, or drawn
under it, equivalent, or contrafted
with it, in fenle, or fimilar to it in
the form of grammatical condruc-
tion, thefe he calls p;:raliel lines,
and the words or phrafes anfvvering
one to another in the correfponding
lines, parallel terms.

Parallel lines he reduces to three
forts : parnllels Jyncnymous, paral-
lels anlhhetici and parallels Jyn-
thetic. Of each of thefe he gives
a variety of examples, in order to
ihew the various forms, under
•which they appear : firft from the
books univerfaily acknowledged to
be poetical ; then correfpondent
examples from the prophet Ifaiah ;
and fometimes alfo from the other
prophets ; to fhew, that the form
and charaiflerof the compofition is
in all the fame.

Firft, of parallel \\x\^sJynonymous :
that is, which correfpond one to
another by expreffing the fame
fenfe in different but equivalent
terms. As in the following ex-
amples :

* O-JehoTah, in - thy - ftrength the - king

fhall-rejoice ;
And-in-thy falvation how greatly Ihall-he-

exult !
The-defire of-his-lieart thou-haft-granted

unto hin; ;
And the requeft of-his-lips thou-haft-not-

dcnied.' PJ. xxi.

* Becaufe I-called, and-ye-refufed ;

I - firetched - out my - hand, and-no-one
regarde;i, &c. Pr(w. i. 24.

Seck-ye Jthovah, while-he-may-be-found }
Call-je-upon-him, whJk-he-is-near,' &c.
ija, Iv. 6.

The author produces many othet
examples, from the prophets, in
which, he obferve?, the parallel
lines fometimes conhft of three or
more fynonymous terms ; fome*
times of wvo ; which is generally
the cafe, when the verb, or the no-
minative cafe of the firif fentPnce is
to be carried on to the fecond, or
undcrftood there; and fometimes of
one only.

The terms in Engllfh, confifting
of feveral words, are hitherto dif-
tinguifhf'd by marks of connection ;
to Ih w, that they anfwer to fingle
woids in Hebrew.

Sometimes, he obferves, the lines
confift, each of double members,
or two propofitions.

* Bow thy heaven, O Jehovah, and de-

fcend }
Touch the mountains, and they fliall

fmoke," &c. Pf. cxiv. 5.

' And they fhall build houfes, and /hall

inhabit them ;
And they fliall plant vineyards, and fliall

eat the truit thereof, &c.' Ija Ixv. 21.

Sometimes they are formed by a
repetition of part of the firft fen-
tence.

' My voice is unto Cod, and I cry aloud ;
My voice unto God, and he will hearken
unto me.'

The waters Taw thee, O God ;
The waters law thee ; they were feized
with anguifli.' Pf. Ixxvii. i, 16.

< For he hath humbled thofe that dwell on

high ; _
The lofty city, he hath brought her down ;
He hath brought her down to the ground j
He hath levelled her with the duft.
The foot (hall trample upon her;
The feet oi' the poer, the fteps of th*

needy.' Ija. xxvi. 5, 6.

There are parallel triplets, when
three lines correfpond together, and
form a kind of ftanza ; of which
however only two commonly are
fynonymous.

« The

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

191

* The wicked fliall fee It, and it fhall grieve

him ;
He (hall gnaih his teeth, and pine away ;
The defire of the wicked fliall perifli.'

Ff. cxii. 10.

* And he fliall fnatch on the right, and yet

be hungry ;
And he fhall devour on the left, and not

be fatlsficJ J
Xvery man fliall devour the flcfli of his

neighbour.' Jfa. ix. 20.

There are likewife parallels con-
fifting of four lines : two dillichs
being fo conneded together by the
fenfe and the conftruflion, as to
make one ftanza. Such is the
form of the thirty-feventh Pfalm,
which is evidently laid out by the
initial letters in llanzasof four lines.

* Be not moved with indignation againil

the evil doers j

Nor with zeal againil the workers of ini-
quity :

For like the grafs they fljall foon be cut otr';

And like the green herb they fliall wither.'
Pf. xxxvii. I, 2.

* The ox knoweth his pofTeflbr j
And the afs the crib of his lord :
But Ifrael doth not know Me;

Neither doth my. people confider.' Ifa. i. 3.

In ftanzas of four lines fometimes
the parallel lines anfwer to one
another alternately; the firft to
the third, and the fecond to the
fourth :

* As the heavens are high above the earth ;

So high is his goodnefs over them that
fear him :
As remote as the eaft is from the wef> ;

So far hath he rcmoveii from us our
tranfgrefllonsk' P/cili. 11, 12.

* And ye faid : Nay, but on horfes will

we flee ;
Therefore fhall ye be put to flight :
And on fwift courfers will we ride ;

Therefore fliall they be fwift, that
puiluc you.' Jj'a. xxx. 16.

He next proceeds to the fecond
fort of parallels, viz. the ant it i/etic;
of which kind are the following :

* A wife fon rejoiceth his father :

But a foolifli fon is the grief of his m.-
ther.' Prtv, x, i.

Where ev«ry word hath its oppo-
fite : for the terms yii/^^r and mo-
ther are, as the logicians fay, re-
latively oppofite.

* The memory of the jufl: is a ble/Cng }
But the name of the wicked fliall rot."

Prov. X. 7,

Here are only two antithetic
terms : for memory and name are fy-
nonymous.

' There is that fcattereth, and ftill en-

creafetli j
And that is unreafonably fparing, yet

growcth poor.' Pro-v. xi. 24.

Here is a kind of double antithefis ;
one between the two lines them-
felves, and likewife a fubordinate
oppofition between the two parts
of each.

This form, he obferves, is pecu-
liarly adapted to adages, aphorlfms,
and detached fentences, and that
we are not therefore to expefl: fre-
quent inliances of ic in the other
poems of the Old Teftament; efpe-
cially thofe that are elevated in
the ftyle, and more connefted ini
the parts. The author however
adds a few examples from the higher
poetry.

* Thefe in chariots, and thofe in horfes ;
But we in the name of Jehovah our God

will be ftrong.
They ate bowed down, and fallen ;
But we are rifen, and maintain ourfeJves

film.' Pj. XX. 7, 2.

The biicks are fallen, but we will build

with hewn ftone :
The fycamores are cut down, but we wiil

replace them with cedars. IJa.'w. ic.

The third fort of parallels the
author calls j^VK/Z'i/'rV, or conilruc-
tive, where the parallelifm confills
onlyin the limilar form of conilruc-
tion : in which word does trot an-
fwer to word, and fentence to fen-
tence, as equivalent or oppofite;
but there is a correfpondence and
equality between diffeient p.opo-
fiiions in refpei^ of the (hape and

tura

192 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1779.

turn v-)f the whole fentence, and cf
the contlrufllve parts ; inch as noun
anfvvering to noun, verb to verb,
member to member, negative to
negative, interiogative to interro-
gadve.

* Praife yc Jehovah, ye of the earth ;
Ye lea-monfters, and all deeps :
Fire and hail, fnow and vapour, &c.

PJ. cxlviil. 7.

* Is f'jch then the faft which I choofe ?
That 3 nian ftiould afflidt his Ibul tor_a

day ?
Is it, that he fiiould bow down his head

like a bulrufh ;
And fpread fackcloth and afhes for his

co'jch, Jtc. Jfa- Iwii. 5, 6.

In thefe inflances it is to be ob-
ferved, that though there are per-
haps no two lines correfponding
one with another as equivalent or
oppofite in terms ; yet there is a
parallelifm equally apparent, and
alir.oft as ftriking, v/hich arilesfrom
the fimilar form and equality of the
lines, from the correfpondence of
the members and the conilruftion ;
the ccnft-guence of which i? a har-
jnonv and rhythm little inferior in
efFedi to that of the two kinds pre-
ceding.

«' Of the three different forts of
parallels, as above explained, every
one hath its peculiar character and
proper effeft : and therefore they
are differently employed on dif-
ferent cccafions . . . Synonymous
parallels have the appearance of
?.rc and concinnity, and a ftudied
elegance. Th^y prevail chieliy in
iliorter pcems ; in many of the
Pfalms; in Balaam's prophecies;
frequently in thofe cf Ilaian, which
are moft of them diftindl poems of
no great length. The antithetic
parallelifm gives an acutenefs and
force to adages and moral fen-
tences ; and therefore abounds in
Solomon's proverbs, and elfevi'here

i« not often to be met with. The
poem of Job, being on a large
plan, and in a high tragic ftyle,
though vi ry e\a£t in the divifion of
the lines, and in the pp.rallelifm,
and affording many fine examples
of the fynonymous kind, yet con-
fifls chictly of the conflruitive. A
happy mixture of the feveral forts
gives an agreeable variety ; and
tbey ferve mutually to recommend
and fet off one another."

He next confi<lers the diftin£lion
o( Hebrew verfes into longer and
fhorter, founded alfo on the au-
thority of the alphiibetic poems;
one third of the whole number
being manifeftly of the larger fort
of verfe, the reft of the fliorter.
He does not attempt exadlly 10 de-
fine, by the number of fyllables,
the limit which feparates one fori
of verfe from the other ; all that
he affi.ms is this; that one of the
three poems pe, feclly alphabetical,
and iheiefore infallibly divided
into its verfes ; and three of the
nine other alphabetical poems, di-
vided into their verfes, after the
manner of the perfeftly alphabe-
tical, with the greatell degree of
probability ; that thefe four poems,
being the four firlt Lamentations 0/
Jeremiah, fall into verfes about
one third longer, taking them one
with another, than thofe of the
other eight alphabetical poems. —
Example of ihefe long verfes from
a poem perfedlly alphabetical :

< I am the man, that hath fecn afflidion,

by the rod of his anger :
Ke hath led me, and made me walk in

darknefs, and not in light.' Sec.

Lam. iii. 1—4.

Examples of the fame fort of
verfe, where the limits of the verfes
are to be collefted only from the
po-itical conftrudion of the fen-

tences :

*The

ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

193

• The law of Jehovah is perfedl, reftor-

ing the foul:
The teltlmooy of Jehovah is fn re, making
wife the fimpie,' &c. P/. xix. 7.

* A found of a multitude in the moun-

tains, a of many people}
A found Of the tumult of kingdoms, of
nations gathered together," i/a. xiii. 4.

The learned prelate having cfta-
blifhed, on the grounds we have
already mentioned, his opinion con-
cerning the compc-iicion of the pro-
phetical writings, proceeds to point
out the very important advantaj^es
which are to be derived from this
fource, both to the tranflator and
interpreter of the fciptures.

Fiatnefs, he obierves, and infi-
pidity, will gene-ally be the con-
iequences of a deviation fiom the
native manner of an original,
which has a real merit and a pe-
culiar force of its own. Toexprefs
therefore the form and fafhion of
the compofition becomes as nectf-
fary in a tranflation, as to give the
author's fenfe with fidelity and ex-
aftnefs : but with what fuccefs can
this be attempted, when the tranf-
lator himfelf has an inadequate or

even falfe idea of the real charader
of the author, as a writer ; of the
general nature and of the peculiar
form of the compofition ?

He next proves, in a number of
examples, that this attention to
the peculiar turn and cafi of the
original, may be of ftill greater ufe
to the interpreter, by leading him
into the meaning of obfcure words
and phrafes, and by fuggefting the
true reading where the text is cor-
rupted.

With regard to the fidelity of the
tranflation now offered to the
public^ the excellent author has
entered very largely into the prin-
ciples of criticifm, and the method
of interpretation, on which he has
proceeded. It would be impolfible
to do juiHce to this part of his dif-
fertation without tranfcribing the
whole ; we fhail therefore content
ourfelves with faying, that the-
print'pal objedls of his invaluable
obfervations are, the Maforetic
punfluation, the ftate of the He-
brew text, and the ancient verfions
of the Old Teftament.

*^* The articli ffom our' i^ery reJpeHahie correfpondent at Liverpool*
fffiaSf Ify fomt accident i mijlaid\ but Jhall be infer ted in tht next 'Volume.

IToL. XXIL

T II E

V

THE.

CONTENTS.
HISTORY QF EUROPE.

., y /.....». ^.. w.,w of American affairs in the year 1778. Uxpediiion ft
Bedford, Fair Haven ; flK^/ to Martha' s Vineyard, jidmiral Montague

CHAP. I.

RetrcfpeSii-ve vie-w 0,

Hedford , t air tia-u^n , miu lu j.tj.mi ivu j /■ mcjui u. jiumn ui i.v±uriiuvue
difprjffejfes the French of the ijlands of St. Pitrre, and Miquelon. Lord
Coniivallis, and Gen, Knyphaufen, advance into the enemy^s country, on
both fides of the North Riicr. Surprize if Baylor'' s light hcrfe. Succefs
of the expedition to Egg Harbour. Surprize of Pulafi's legion. Cruel
depredations by Butler, Brandt, and the fa'vages, en the back frontiers.
Dejlruclion of the nenx' feitlement at Wyotning, attended ivith circumftances
of fengular cruelty and barbarity. ^ Col. Clarke's expedition from Vir-
ginia, for the reduLiion of the Canadian toivns ani fettletnents in the llli-
nois country. Confequences of Clarke' s fuccefs. Expedition from Schoharit
to the Upper Sufquebanna. Dejiru^ien of the Unadilla and Anaquagt
fettlemenls, P- [l

CHAP. n. ,

Revieiv of conciliatory meafures purfucd by the ccmtnijjioners for refloring
peace in America. Attempt to open ar.d jmooth the ^Mi^y to a ncgociation by
private communicatins and correjpondence, fails in ihe^efjiii, and is highly
refenled by the Cofigrifs. Refoluiicns by that Lody againjl holding any
communication or intercourfe nuith one cf the con.mjjinners. Gentleman in
quejiion declines aSling any longer in the cim/i.ffijn, and puhlijhes a
declaration in anjauer to the Congrefs, Declaration from the remaining
iommiffioners in anjivir Jo that body. Final manifejio and proclamation

h

CONTENTS.

iy the commiffioners. Cautionary meajures recommtnded hy the Congre/f
io the people ; follovj^.d hy a counter jnanifcjio, threatening reialjution.
Singular letter from the Marquis de la Fayette, to the Earl of Car life,
jimcriiian expedition for the reductio7i cf ihc Britfhjittlements i« the cou7itry
of the Natches, on the bordas of the Mi£ijifpi. Expedition from Netxt-
Tor.k, under the c^/idud of Co.nmodcre Parker and CoLnel Ca),i.i>bcll,for
the reduction of the pro-vmce of Georgia, Landing made goodj and the
rebels defcuted^ Toiun ot Savannah taken, and the province in general
reduced. Major-Ge/ieral Fre-vj/l arrives from the feu! h^wttrdj takes the
ioian and fort cf S anbury ^ and ajjumes the principal command. [iS

CHAP. III.

Ifland of Dominica taken hy the. Marquis de Bouillef gcvernor of Mariinic^.
State of the French feet at Bcjicn. Riot betnucen the French and inhabi-
tants. Defperate rict betnveen the Fr^,ich and American failors, in the city
and port of Charlejlouon. M. D^ E ft aing fails from Bojlon for the Wejl-
Indies : ha'ving frji iffucd a declaration addrefjedto the French Canadians,
Admiral Byron s feet d'ri'ven o^' Jrom the coaft of Neiv-England by a vio-
lent hurricane, ixhich awarded an opportunity for the departure of tht
French fquadron. Britip fleet detained at Rhode-jj^and, to repair the da-
mages jujlained in the tempefl. Reinforcement fent from Ncnxj-Tork to the
IVeJt-lndies, under the conduct of Commodore iiotham, and Major-General
Grant : narroivly mfs falling in 'with the French fleet : join Admiral
Barrington at Barbadoes, and proceed together to the reduttion of the ifland
of St. Lucia: troops land, take the French pofls in the neighbourhood of
the Grand Cul de Sac : proceed to Morne Fortune and the Fiergie. M,
D^Eflaing appears in fight, njoith a itafl fuperiority both of land and marine

force: attacks the B'ltifl? fquadron in the Grand Cul de Sac, and is
bravely repidfd by Admiral Barrington, tivice in the fame day. French land
their troops in Choc Bay : attack General Meadowus three times in the Vier-
gie; are repulfed every time, and at length defeated ifjith great lojs. Great
glory obtained by the Britifl: forces, both by fea and land, in tbefefe'veral en-
counters. M. D'Eflaing, after ten days longer flay, aband:ns the ifland of
St. Lucia, ivithout any farther attempt for its recovery. The Chevalier de
Micoud, a.vith the principal inhabitants, capitulate before the French fleet is
tutofflght, [36'

CHAP. IV.

%tate of public affairs during the recefs of parliament. Addrefs and petition
from the city of London. Milttia embodied. Camps formed. Admiral
Keppel appointed to the command of the grand fleet for the home fer-vict.
Peculiar fltuation cf that conifnander. Fleet fails fnm St. He liens.
Licorne, French frigate, flopt and detained. Blamtuhle iOiid. 3 cf thi
Captain, in flritig unexpttledly into the America man tf war. Dcjpcrate

O 2 e-'igagimcnt

CONTENTS..

tn^agcment hetiueen the Arethufa, and the Bell Poule. frigates. Frincit
fchooiur, bravely taken by the Alert cutter. Another French frigate falls
in luitb the feet ; and is, luith the Licorne and fchooner, brought f
ingland. Fleet retitrns to Portfmouth for a reinforcement. R 'ivards
And bounty of the French King, to the ffficers and creiv of the Bell Poule.
Admiral Keppel fails again from Portj >.outh. Falls i,2 ixjith the French
fett under tr:e Count d'Orvdliersi and after a cha^e of five days, brings
them at length to aSion, Account of the engagement on the z-jth ofjfuly.
Vieiu cf thofe circ.ivtjlances ixihich tioere Ju^pifed to ha^oe prevented that
ail inn from being decijive. French feet efcaje in the night, and returK
to Breji. Prudent and temperate conau^ objerved by the Admiral, Re-
turns to I'lyniduth to refit. Proceeds again to fea, but cannot meet the
French feet. [50

C H A P. V.

Speech from the throne. Amendment monjed to the /iddrefs in the Houfe ef
Commons. Great Debates. Amendmen: rej:£t d upon a di-vifon. Qp~
pojition to the aadrefs in general t in the Houfe of Lords, but no amendment
propofed, Addrefs carried upon a di-vifon. Motion to addrefs the Croxun^
in the Houfe of Commons, for a difavotval cf certain pcfages in the late
tnanifeflo iffued by the Commijfioners at Ne'zu Yotk. The ?nvtion, after
long debates, rejeSied upon a di'vifion . Similar motion by the Marquis of
Rockingham, lik:ivife caufes much debate, and is rej'iled upon ^a divijion,
Protefl, Circitnijlances, luhicb tended to the rendering the late a^ion
Djf Brefi, a fubjeSl of parliarnr.ntary dijctifjton. Admiral Keppel, being
called upon, gi'ues fome account of that bufeueh in the Houfe of Commons.
Anf'wered by Sir Hugh Pallifer. Reply. Court martial ordered for the
trial cf Admiral Keppel. Conduii of the admiralty ceniured and fup-
ported : ^jiefiiou, relative to the difcrttionary pO'zvers if that board,
much agitated. B:ll brought in and p<iffed, for the holding of the trial
of Admiral Keppel on fjore, (in conf deration of his ill fate of health)
infiead of its being held a board jhip, as before prefcribed by the la^v.
Recefs. [75

CHAP. VI.

Debaiei arifng en quefiions of fupply, pre^vious to the recefs. Augmenta-
tion cf 14,000 me i to the lanti feruice. Trial at Pcrtfrncuth. Ad-
miral Keppel bomurably ticquitted. Receives the thanks of both Houjes.
Vice- Admiral of the blue reftgns his e?nploy.v:en:s, and 'va,.ates bis feat
in the Houfe of CoHmcns. Memorial f^ned by tnjijel-ve Aimirals, pre-
fented. Great dijconlents in the nwvy. Rcjoluticn of cenfurc t/wved
by Mr. Fox, en the conduct of the admiralty. Motion, after long de-
bates, rejeded upon a aivijion. Second jnction, of a hmilar nature,
by Mr. Fox, rejected uprni a di'vifion. Ttjoo great nwval commanders,
(feelere again/} ading under the prefent fffem. Rcftgnation of na-val

ojicers.

CONTENTS.

pff.cers. Sir P. J. Chrke brings in a hill againfl the controMorsi
Jirji queftion carried upon a di'vifion ; but the bill rejeQed upon another.
Bill in fauour of Dtjfenters brought in and pajjed. Affairs cf Ire-
la7id. Various attempts and propofals for affording commercial tdief /»
ihat country^ pro-ve at length ineffeclual. ['^S

CHAP. VII.

Debates on the army extraordniaries. Motion for printing the ejlimates re-
jeSled upon a divifton. Committee on Eaji India affairs. Rejolutiont
moved for and carried, relati've to the -violence committed on the late Lord
JPigot in his government. Motion for prof cut ing certain members of ths
late council at Madrafs, agreed to. Mr. Fox^s motion, for the removal
of the firji lord cf the admiralty from that department , is, after long
debates, rejected upon a divifon. Committee of enquiry into the condutl
of the American nvar. Amendment moved to the motion for the examinu'
t ion of Earl Cornvjallis, by the minifer, and carried upon a divifion iu
the committee. Amended ^notion then put, and rejed<.d upon a divijion,
Third motion rejeSled. Tranfaciions in the committee, dijcuffed in the
Houfe, and refcmded. Committee revived. Earl Cornvjallis, and other
vcitneffes examined, in behaf of Lord and Sir fVilliam Hoiue. Counter
evidence propofed, and agreed to. In the interim. General Burgoyne^s
evidence brought forvcard and examined. Counter evidence txujnined.
Committee fuddenly dijfolved. ['29

CHAP. VIII. ^

Tovo enquiries in the Hoife of Lords, tending to the fume objecl, and carried
on through the greater part of the feffion. Enquiry into the Jiate of the
navy, and the cunduS of the admiralty, injiituted by the Earl of BrifoL
Motions for naval papers, bring out much debate, and are rejeSed up:.n a
divifion. Motion by the Earl of Brijiol, fr the re?r.oval of the frjl Lord
cf the admiralty from his employment. Great debates. Motion rejciiei
upon a divi/ion. Frotcjls. Enquiry into the government and management
cf Grecnvjtch Hofpital, conducted by the Duke cf iLichmo\d. Moves for
a com^enjationta Captain Baiilte, late Lieuttn nt Goutrnor of Creenixiclr
Hofpital, Motion rejected upon, a dtvifoi. Minority Lords quit the Hqufe.
Rfoluticns in vmdtcation cf the Earl of Sandv.'ich. Hard cai'e of Cuptain
Baiilie. Marquis oj Rcckingham endeavours to bring jorvjard an enquiry
into the ajairs cf Ireland. After fever al inefeilual alt.mpis, a k.jtd of
comprcmiji takes place, referring the huji.efs vf th.At country to the en/uing
fejjion. Mr. To-.vnjhend' s moiion to aejer .be prorj^a.ion of parlta.nent ,
rejeSled upon a divifion. Spanijh viantjejio. Ajdrejs from the i..ummon,.
Second addrcfs moved by Lord fohn CavenJijb. Mcn^n of aJjournmcitt
carried upon a divijton. Amendment to the ad.ire/s cf tit Lords ^ Kcved by

CONTENTS.

ike Earl of Abingdon, and rejecied upon a di-vijioti. Second cunendnuni
frvpaj'ed by the Duke of Richmond ; rejecied upon a din>ifion, after conjider-
nble debate. Bill brought in by tbe ininijler for doubling the miliiia, after
Kuch debate and propofed amendment , paffed by the Commons. Indemnity
hill likevtiife pafed. Militia bill me. ts 'with great oppofition in the Houfe
ef Lords. Indetnnity bill much oppofed ; but carried through, Protejls.
Militia bill deprinjcd of its principal effe&iie p'-.'wers, and returned to the
Carnmom. Debate on a point of pri'uilege. Bill paffed. Speech frotn the
tbrctti, [ i 5 3

CHAP. IX.

Hcfilities in the Eajl Indies. Ssa- fight hetiveen Sir Ednnard Vernon and
M. de Tronjolly. French fquadron abandon the coaji of Corcmandel.

,Siige of Pondicherry. Gallant defnce by M. de BelUcombe, Capitu-
lation. State of affairs in Georgia and the Carolinas. Loyalijis de-

feated in North Carolina, American General, Lincoln, arri'ves in South
Carolina' to oppofe Major General Pre-voji. ^ Rebels defeated at Briar
Creek. General Pre-ucfi pafj'es the Savannah, and penetrates into South
Carolina ; ad'uances to Charles T'otxn ; retires, Adion at Stcno Ferry,
General Pre-voji takes poffejjlon of the ifland of Port Royal. Expedition

from Ne-iv 7'ork to Chcj'apeak Bay, under the conduS of Sir George Col-
iier and Major General Matthenu. Great damage done to the Americans
in the neighbourhood of Hampton and Norfolk. Expedition up the North
Ri-jer; Utoney Point and Verplanks taken. Expedition to ConneSiicut,
under Sir George Col.ier and Gcuernor Tryon. Surprize of Stcney
Point by General Wayne. Reccuery of that pofi. Attack upon Paulus
Hook. Lieutenant Colonel Muclane befegcd by an armed force from Bojhn,
Relieved by Sir George Collier y nvho defrays the <whole rebel marine in
tbe Penobfcoi. \M ^

C- H A P. X. ,

JLImiral Byron fakes the command in the Weji Indies. Endeavours t*
draiu M. D''Efaing to an engagefnent ijoithout effeS. Mortality at St.
Lucia. Mr. Byron con-jo^'s the Ijome'ward- bound trade, Lofs of the
ifland of St, Vincent'' s, during the ahfence of the fleet. French fleet re-
inforced by the arri'val of M. de la Motte : proceeds to the redudion of
the Granades. Lands a body cf forces, ivhich invefl the Hofpital Hill
in the ifland cf Granada. Attack the ivorks by night, and carry them
/y form. Lord Macartney prcpofes to capitulate ; but the terms offered
i:s D'Ejlaing being deemed inadmijjible, jurrenders the fort and fjland at
dfcrciion. Admiral Byron rjinrus to St. Lucia ; proceeds ivith the
fleet and army for the reco'very of St. Vincent'' s, Recei-ves intelligence
at J} a- of the attack upon Granada, and being ignorant of the great Ju'
pcriorify cf thi French fleet, changes his courfe in order io fuccour that

ifland*

CONTENTS.

ijland. Different vienus and conduSi of the bcjiile ccmman'deYS, En»
gagement. Extraordinary aSls of gallantry. Vice-admiral Barringtca
ivounded. French perfe'vere in their refolution of not ccming to a clofe
aSlion. Vie-ivi of the Sritijh commanders totally changed, upon difcO^
'veri7ig that the 4jland ivas already lojl , as they had no force capable of
attempting its recovery . Tranfports and dijabled Jhips fcnt cjf to St.
Chrijiopher^s in the evening. Folloixed nsXt day iy the fect\ the
enemy having returned to Granada in the night. Prodigious lofs of tnen
on the French fide ■ accounted for. Claim a viQory ; and upon v^hat
ground. M. D^Ejlaing directs his operations to the northward. Firji
object the reduSlion .of Georgia.— -Secondt an attack upon Neiu I'eri,
in C9HJun£lion miith General Wajhington. Arrives upon the ccaji cf
Carolina ; takes the Experiment man cf ivar, and Jome frigates.
Anchors off Tyhee. Lands his troaps, and invrjis the tovan of Sa-
■ 'vannah. Summons General Prevoji. Is joined by General Liiuoln,
and Count Polajki. Attacks the Britijh lines, and is repufed ivitb
great Jlaughter. F.rench retire to their Jhips, and totally abandon the
coajls of America, [**99

CHRONICLE. [193 to [240

Births for the year I'j'jg — — — 243

Marriages — — — — 24 1

Principal Promotions — — — — 243

Deaths — — — — — 245

Prices of Jlocks for the year \']'j(^ — — — 250

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE.

AhJlraS of the late A3 for altering the duty on houfes and ferv ants 251

i — of an Ad for extending the pro-vifions of the \zth cfGco. I. tHtitkJ,

an Ail to prevent frivolous and vexatious arrejls — 25 i

— of the late As pafjedjo prevent fmuggling — — 25 z

— of an Act for laying a duty upon pcji-hcr/es, ISc, — 2'^'^

— — — cf an ASi for recruiting his Majejiy^s land and fea forces 254

Proceedings at the trial of Admiral Keppel — ~ 254

Charge againjl him for mifcnndud and KCglcci of duty — 257

His fpeech before the court martial, en opening his defence — 25!$

Copies of letters betvucen the Hon. Admiral Keppel, the Secretary to the Ad-
miralty, the fudge Advocate, and Sir Hugh Pallifer — 2S6
Totes of thanks of the tvoo Houfes of Parliament, and of the City of London,
to the Hen. Admiral Augujlus Keppel — •— 294.
Extrcd of a letter from Lieut. Gen. Burgryne to his c:nj!ituents, upon his
late rejignation ; v:ith the correfpondence betv.een him and tt.e Secretaries
at War, relative to his return to America — — 297
Copy of a letter from Capt. Pearfon, tf his Majejly'^s jh p Strapis, to Mr.
Stephens, containing an account of his engagement vjith^ and being cap-
tured by. Captain Paul f:ies — — _ ^09

Co/y

CONTENTS.

Copy of a Letter fr^m Lieut. GeorgCt of the Rambler Cutter^ to Sir Charier
Hardy, giving an account of an engagement hetaveen his Majtjly^s Jhip the
^^ebec and a Fiench Trigate of A^o guns — — 312

Account of the trial of Mr. Strattcn, and the other memhers of the Council of
Madrafs, ^vho depojed and imprijoned their governor y the late Lord Pigot

3H

Copy of the challe^tge fcnt hy the Marquis de la Fayeitey to the Earl of Car-
hfu ; and the Earl's anfvuer — — -t- 3^7

S»me account of Mathiefon, lately executed for forging the notes of the hapk.

318

Account of the quantities of all corn and grain exported from and imported
into England and Scotland, ^duith the bounties and dra-ivhacks paid, and
the duties received thereon, for one year elided ^th Jan. 1 780 [3^3

Supplies granted hy Parliament, for the year lyjg * ~ [325

Ways and means for raifing the above fupplies —— — l33<3

STATE PAPERS.

His Majejly^s mojl gracious fpeech to lo.h Houfes of Parliament, Nov. 7^th,
■ .77S ■— • — - — • — — . [336

7'he humble addrefs of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament a£em~
bled; ivith his Majej}y''s atyhver — — L337

^he humble addrefs cf the HoUj e of Commons to the King — [338

Prctefis of the Lords — — — [339>345

Meffage lent b)i the. King to both Houfes cf P arliament , jfune i-jth [344-

fThe humble addrefs of the Rivht Hon. the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, rn
Parliament ufftmhUd — - — — [345

.Amendment propcfed to the above addrefs — — \ibid.

Prct:fls of the Lords — — • ' — [^46,348

His Majejly's fpeech to both Houfes cf Parliament, at the clgfe of the feffion,
Julyid,\jjg —-_ — __ [351

^'he fpeech of his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Irelaijid to both Houfes of
Parliament of that kingdom — — — [35 2

^hc humble addrefs of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Leland to his
Ex:ehency the-Lord Lieutenant ; vjith his Excellency's an/zvei- [353

Tranfation of the King of Fiance's declaration of <xuar at Martinico [355
Declaration of the King of France, addreffed to all the ancient French in
Canada t and every other part of North America — — \^ibid.

ywo letters 'of the French Kmg to the Admiral of France — [35^

Copy cf a paper delivered to Lord Vifcount W^eytnoutb by the Marquis d'Al-
madovar, on tha \6thjune, lyjg — — [359

Orders for reprifals, hy the Court cf London — — [361

Proclamation relative to an invafn, dated the C)th fuly, 1 779 [j^z

Tranftation cf the tivo Royal Shedules of the King of Spain [363, 364

Tianjlation of the Spanijh manfejlo, declaring the motives ivhich have in-
duced his Catholic Majejiy to ail hoflily againfl England \.1)^1> 3^^
Copy of the anf-joer iranfmitted to the Marquis d^ Aimadovar by Lord Vif-
count Weymouth, daie'i the \lthofjfuly, 1/79 ""■ '"' [3^^

Manifejim

2

CONTENTS.

Mani/eJJo puhlijhed at Pa>is, dijplaying the motives and conduSl of his mojf
Chr'ijiian Majejiy tcwards England. — — [39^

I'he juftifying memorial of the King of Great Britain t it an/iuer to the ex-
f(fition,i£c. of the Court of France. ■ — — [397 — 4*2

Three memorials of the Dutch merchants to the States General, prejcnted Sept.
12th, 177S. — — — [412,417,41s

J memorial delivered by Sir Jofeph Torke, 'to the deputies of the States Ge-
neral, on the Zid of No-vember, 1778. — — [4^^

A memorial prefented by the Duke de Vauguyon, Ainkaffador of France to the
States General of the United Provinces, dated Dec. 8, 1 778. [422

Order of the French King's Council of State, relative to "jeffels belonging to
the fubjeas of the States General of the United Provinces. — [423-

Memorial prefented by Sir Jofph 7'orke to the States General of the United
Provinces, dated Jpril (), \-jjg. — — — [4^5

Ordinance cf the French King's Council of State, refpecling the Jhips of the
Province of Hcllcrnd exclujjvely. — — — [4^7

Memorial prefented by Sir J feph Torke, to their High Mightinejfes the States
General of the United Pro-vmces of the Loiv Countries, on the zzd of Juhy
X'j'jQ, claiming the fucccurs fiipulated by treaty. — , — [4^8

Refolutions of their High Mightinejfes, relative to Paul Jones's fjundron and
prizes. — — — — [4^9

Memorial prefented by Sir Jofeph Torke to their High Mightineffes, rcqucfling
the delivering up the Strap is and Count efs of Scarborough, taken by Paul
Jones. — — ■* — — [430

Jnothcr Memorial prefented by Sir Jofeph Torke to tL'ir High Might inejjes,
relative to the fuccours fiipulated by treaty. — *— 143*

Treaty of Fricndjnp and Commerce betvjecn the French King and the United
States (f North America. — — — [43 2

Manifejlo of the Congrefs of the United States cf North America. — [44 1

CHARACTERS.

Account of Michael Schjppach, the Mountain Doctor. — — 1

Account of the Confiituticn and Governnunt cf Geneva. — — 4

RefieSiions upon the general fi ate of the thirteen Svjfs Cant'^ns. — I3

Afketch cf an hifoiical panegyric on the Marpal of Berv:ick. — 1 7

Of the Metaphfical Poets ; from Johnfns Life of Covjley. — 27

Stritflures on Paradife Lojl, and Paradife Regained. _ — — 29

Of the Cuftoms and Churailers of It'omen in the Erf. — — 39

Biographical Anecdotes of the late Mr. Garriek. — — 47

lift of Mr. Garrick's Writings. — — — 59

NATURAL HISTORY.

Account cf the cure of St. Vitus' s Dance b-: Eh'Ciricits. — — ^'Z

Account of a remarkable Iniperftelion of S.ght. — — "3

Accounfcfthe Ifandof St. Miguel. — — — ^4

Account of the Figure and Formation of the Earth — Of lubterran.o s !~i —

Of the Deluge"— Of the Origin cf Mountains, (Jc.ilfT.: —

Vol. XXll. P

CONTENTS.

Jcmmnt efixa InfatU Mufician ; hi Dr. Butruy^ F.R.S- — 75

Ok thi Groivth of Ctdwrs in England. — — — S6

AccoHMt a/ the f^aJJ/ui, and ofiU Goitret attJ IdltU of that Cotuttry. 89

Acecui^t of the Ghukrs of Sa'voyt and of 'Mont. Blanc. — 94.

USEFUL PROJECTS.

Aecoottt of the late Dr. Knight'' i methad of making artifcial Isadfiones. 98
Method to make Potatoe Bread -wjithout the admixture of Flour. — 99

Defcriptica of a moji effc3uid method offecurit:g Buildings again/} Fire, 1 00
Itijirudictzs for cultiiialij^g and curing Tobacco in England. -— I05

Plan, by Dr. FrankVtK and Mr. D<diymple,for benefiting diji ant and unpro-

<vided coutttries. —— «— . — <■— 110

Sfecificatien of Dr. Higgim^s Patent for a tietW' invented Water-cement, or

Stucco. — — — ..11^

On the i^ir tu.es of AcorK Coffee. — — — 1 22

A N T I Q^U I T I E S.

A DefcriptioK of the Alh>inthra, or Palace of the Mcorifo Kings of Gra-
nada. ■— — — — 123

Of the Cathedrcd Church of Burgos, and Origin of the Gothic Archi-
teSiim. — — _ _ 1^1

Ohfer-vations on the earliejl IntroduSion of Clocks. — *"" * 3 3

Account of the Eifeddford, ar Sejpons, of the Bards and Minjlrels. — 13^

MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.

Ok Genius and Tajie ; from Reynolds'* s Academic Difcourfes. — 1 47

Thoughts on Commercial SubjeSs ; from Dr. Franklin* s Political Fragments.

156
Rules fir a Club formerly ejlablijhed in Philadelphia \ from the fame. 1 59

Obferi'ations on Patriarchal Cujloms and Manners. — — 1 6 1

POETRY.

^dtfor the NewYerir, 1779. » — — — 1 69

Ode for his Majejly^s Birth-Day — — — 17O

Elegy to Mifs Dajhiuood; by Mr. Hammond. — — 17I

Virfes to the memory of Mr, Bofca^wen, a fan of the late Admiral, 'who luas

unfortunately droioned at Jamaica, as he nvas bathing. —— 1 72

On her Majejly's rebuilding the Lod_gings of the Black Prince, and Henry V.

at ^een's College, Oxford; by Mr. Ticket I. — — '73

Jupiter and Mercury, a Fable', <voritten fome time after Dr. Goldfmith*s poem

ofKtt.&\\mOT\,byDa'vidGarrick,Efq. —■ — 174

Lines occafioned by the inte?ided Demolition of Friar Bacon's Study in Ox-
ford. •-••■,__-.— ibid.

Verfts

CONTENTS.

T^erfts hy H€*ry F«x, E/q', afterwards Lord HoUandt to a Ladj^ *iuith am

artificial Rojt. — — — — . i^j

The firji of November ; or the Winter's Walk ; hy Dr. John/on. — ibid.

Extrad/rem a MonoJy to tin memory o/Mr. Garrici. — — — 176

Ditty — — — — . I7J

Impromptu. — r —' — • — • 178

EfepoJiKlatio*. — . — — ibid.

Account of BOOKS for 1779.

Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, to the Works «f the Englifo Poets ; ly
Samuel Johnjon. 4 t/o/. \zmo. •^ — - — 170

The Hijiory of the IVliiitary Tranfadious of the Britijh Nation in Indofian.
JToill. — — — 185

Jfaiah; a nenv Trat.flatiou, ivith a preliminary DijffirtatioHy and Notes
critical, philological, and explanatory. By Robert Lonntb^ D,D. F.R.S,
Lond. aad Gotting. Lord Bifpop of London, j^o* .-> «« 188

THE END.