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heartfelt fatisfaction, that part which thanked his Majefty for fuch an exertion of bis prerogative as had produced a general appeal to the people. The refult of that appeal was as flattering to the heft of Sovereigns, as it was grateful to all the genuine lovers of their country. It recalled the attention of the public to thofe fundamental principles on which the united fabric of the Conftitution rested, and encouraged the Servants of the Crown to proceed in the public businefs with every profpect of affiftance and difpatch. For his own part, he profeffed the fulleft confidence in the abilities, the vigour, and the virtues of his Majefty's fervants. They were the men, in his opinion, of all others, moft likely to accomplish the feveral great objects which the beft of Kings had fo much at heart. For this reafon it be came their Lordships to afford the executive power all their influence in carrying forward fuch measures as were deemed most urgent and effential, under the prefent critical fituation of public affairs. It was confequently his opinion, their Lordships could not commence their parliamentary duty HOUSE

OF

TUESDAY, MAY 18. ABOUT half an hour paft three o'clock, the Gentleman Ufher of the Black Rod appeared in the Houfe, and gave notice, that his Majefty commanded the attendance of his Commons in the Houfe of Peers. Upon this the Clerk repaired to the Houfe of Peers instead of the Speaker; and as foon as he had returned, and taken the chair,

The Marquis of Graham rose to fay a few words on a fubject in which every gentleman prefent was concern ed; the appointment of a Speaker for that honourable Houfe. The perfon whom he was to name was the hon. Charles Wolfran Cornwall. To thofe who had fat in that Houfe in former Seffions of Parliament, there was no need of faying any thing in fupport of the propriety of chufing a Speaker who had the advantage of experience in his office; but to fuch as were ftrangers to parliamentary proceedings it was proper to obferve, that much depended on the qualifications of the perfon whom they were to place in the chair. With him it lay, to moderate the warmth of violent speakers, and to EUROP. Mag.

in a manner more becoming their dignity, than by voting the Addrefs which, with fo much propriety, had been juft moved by the noble Lord who spoke before him. It certainly, as it well merited, had his full concurrence, and he trufted it would pafs with their Lordships' unanimous approbation. The Addrefs was then read.

Earl Fitzwilliam did not rife to op. pofe the motion for an Address. He wished only to remark on a circumftance contained in it. It was replete with fentiments of gratitude to his Majefty for the late diffolution of Parlia ment. This was a point to which he could by no means give his concurrence. He thought his Majefty's exercife of the prerogative repofed in him at the period of diffolution, unneceffary and unwarrantable. And though he would not directly oppofe the motion for an Addrefs on that particular ground, yet he could not refrain expreffing his fentiments of disapprobation of the measure, and on his legs publicly protesting against it.

The motion for an Address was then read and carried.

Adjourned to the 28th. COMMON S. correct the wanderings of fuch as fhould be irregular. For thefe impor tant purposes he knew not of a more eligible perfon than he whom he had mentioned. He was poffeffed of coolnefs, good sense, learning, and dignity. And what was of much more confequence than all these qualifications, he was impartial, and well verfed in par liamentary hiftory. His Lordship read in the countenances of all prefent, that the choice which he had made was the choice of the Houfe; he therefore moved, That the hon. Charles Wolfran Cornwall do take the chair as Speaker.

Sir George Howard feconded the motion with great cordiality. He knew of no man who was better qualified than he who had been proposed by the noble Marquis, for filling with dignity the important office to which he had been nominated. There was none who could fo well inftruct those who might be ignorant of the forms of the House, of thofe things in which they might be deficient and there was none better calculated to moderate the heat of thofe who were wont to fuffer party confiderations to lead them into extra vagancies. He therefore felt a plea3 D

fure

fure in feconding the motion of the noble Marquis.

Mr.Cornwall acknowledged the high respect and honour which the noble Marquis and the hon. Gentleman who had feconded the motion, had proposed to confer on him; and fo long as he fhould live, he certainly would always reflect on it as one of the moft diftin guished circumstances in his life; but he was diffident of his abilities, and therefore wished they would chufe fome more able perfon.

thought of the officer who could prevent the return of the perfon, whom every gentleman prefent was defirous to appoint as their Speaker? They furely would have afcribed much cri minality to him: and the conduct of the returning officer of the city in which they were then fitting, was precifely the fame. It was his intention, though it would come more opportunely from another quarter, to inftitute an inquiry into the reason why no Member had been returned for Westminster.

Here Mr. Whitbread called him to order. He said it was improper and unufual to enter upon fuch fubjects, while no Speaker was in the Chair; and hoped that he would not have the affurance to take up the attention of the Houfe any longer with a business fo foreign to that which ought to engage their attention.

Mr. Fox concurred with the greatest cheerfulnels in the motion of the noble Lord. He commended the choice he had made, and trufted that the Houfe would reap the good effects of it. The uncommon qualities of the hon. Gentleman who had been named, were undoubtedly a strong recommendation to him: but there was another cir-, cumftance refpecting him, which was Mr. Fox refumed his obfervations on alfo of very great moment-that hon. the iniquitous treatment which he Gentleman had fat in the very chair in thought he had received, and wifhed which the House now proposed to feat to fee the conduct of the Returning him, in the former Parliament; a Par- Officer of Westminster speedily inliament the moft virtuous and wife quired into. He concluded with joinwhich had been known in this age ating heartily in the motion of the noble leaft. In that Parliament he had feen Lord opposite to him. many changes, and had witneffed fuch a variety of business, that he could not but deferve the preference to every other gentleman. The choice which had been made gave him pleasure, becaufe he confidered it as an happy omen, that the fame gentleman who had been preferred by the late virtuous Parlia ment, fhould also be the object of the preference with the prefent. Should they go on as they had begun, he had hopes that the nation might yet profper. He then called the attention of the Houfe to the bafe means that had been employed to influence his intereft and confequence in the city of Weftminster. In the proceeding that had taken place against him, the moft daring invafion of the rights of the Houfe of Commons, which ever had been heard of in the moft profligate age, by the most abandoned officer, had obtained. He wished to fee the Houfe take that fubject into consideration. It was of the last importance to their honour and confequence in the conftiturion. What, he asked, would have been the fentiments of the Houfe, had the Member for Rye been treated as he had been? What would they have

The Chancellor of the Exchequer declared a perfect concurrence of opinion with the noble Marquis, and the right hon. Gentleman, refpecting the merits of the perfon who had been nominated for the Chair. From the apparent unanimity of the Houfe in this particular, he drew, as well as the right hon. Member oppofite to him, the most favourable omen of future concord. He moft anxioully and fincerely hoped, that all measures that fhould be proposed would be difpaffionately canvaffed, without any private or perfonal confideration. The general advantage of the community at large, he hoped, as it had ever been his object, it would be that of every Member of the honourable Houfe. As to the affair of the Weftminfter Election, he thought the confideration of it, however important, fhould yield to one infinitely more fo, the choice of a Speaker, to moderate and direct their proceedings. It was, he urged, a moft improper time for the return to be read, though he was equally defirous with the Right hon Gentleman, that any matter concerns ing the privileges of the House, might

receive,

receive, confiftently with propriety, he was feated. He then rofe, and re

the moft minute and early investigation.

After the Chancellor of the Exchequer had fat down, the Marquis of Graham and Sir George Howard led Mr. Cornwall to the Chair; in which

turned thanks to the House for the honour conferred on him.

Mr. Fox gave notice, that he should on Monday next bring forward the bufinefs of the Westminster Election. The Houfe adjourned.

MONTHLY

FOREIGN

Bonn, April 15.

CHRONICLE.

INTELLIGENCE.

enjoining fuch perfons as are defirous of

IS Serene Highnefs the Elector of Co- making any experiments of that nature, to

a fhort illness.

Copenhagen, April 17. The King of Denmark has been pleafed to make a new arrangement in his Council of State, in which the Prince Royal took his feat on the 14th. That Council now confifts of his Royal Highness, with Prince Frederick, the King's brother, and the following Members: Count Thott, Monf. de Rofencrantz, Monf. de Schack Rathlow, Count de Bernstorff, General Huth, and Monf. de Stampe.

Paris, May 2. Notice is given to the fuperintendants of the Minifterial offices in the different provinces of this kingdom, that his Majefty forbids the fabrication, or the fending up of any aeroftatic machine, under pain of imprisonment; his Majefty strictly

F

DOMESTIC

for pur

pole, which he referves to himself to grant or refufe, as he thinks proper. A decree of police, dated the 23d of April, and publifhed yesterday, prohibits the conftructing or railing of any balloon to which are hung lamps of fpirits of wine, or any other com buftible matter. The above ordinance alfo for bids the raifing of any other balloon, without previous permillion. The reafons for thefe prohibitions, are the dangers which are likely to follow from the falling of these machines upon thatched houses, hay-ftacks, or other inflammable materials. Thefe precautions are not intended, however, to let this fublime difcovery fall into neglect, but only that the experiments should be confined to the direction of intelligent perfons.

OCCURRENCE S.

APRIL 27. IVE prifoners were convicted at the Old Bailey, viz. John Boyle, for perfonating John Frazier, late a feaman belonging to his Majefty's fhip Le Hector; Simon Young, for felonioufly perfonating Robert Saltmarth, a feaman, late belonging to his Majesty's fhip Swallow; Charles Crefwell, for felonoully perfonating one Charles Crefwell, late a marine belonging to his Majefty's fhip Lizard; Peter Haflet, alias Edward Verily, for feloniously perfonating James Howard, a feaman late belonging to his Majefty's fhip Pallas; and John Mofeley, for feloniously perfonating Amos Anderfon, late a feaman belonging to his Majesty's fhip Loyalift, in order to receive their wages, &c. 28. Seven prifoners were capitally convifted, viz. William Smith and Ifaac Torres, for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling of Thomas Barber, and tealing a muflin apron, a cap, and feveral other things; Patrick Burn and Charles Barton, for burglariously breaking and entering the

dwelling-houfe of Mr. Delport, in Staininglane, and ftealing five filver tea-spoons, &c. James Davis, for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-houfe of Meff. Gardner and Wilfon, in Cloth-fair, Smithfield, and ftealing 20 certain quantities of printed cotton, value 201. Jofeph Hawes and James Hawkins, for feloniously affaulting Samuel Weft on the highway, Caftle-street, Hound f ditch, putting him in fear of his life, and robbing him of a metal watch, with a chain and feal.

Thurfday, April 29. Chriftopher Atkinson, Efq. after having abfconded for fome time fince he was convicted of Perjury, went into the Court of King's Bench, and voluntarily furrendered himself to the Juftice of his Country. The Court did not then pass judgment upon him, for Mr. Bearcroft moved an Arreft of it: the grounds on which he argued that Judgment fhould be stayed, were two-one, that at Common Law, the Juftices of Seffions had no jurisdiction in cafes of Per jury; and that where they have that jurif

3 D 2

diction

now,

diction it is given to them by exprefs terms in ftatutes made on particular occafions, that have nothing in common with Mr. Atkinfon's cafe; which not being within any of thefe ftatutes, was confequently out of the jurifdiction of the Juftices (the indictment was found at Hicks's Hall). The fecond ground was, that when by Certiorari the Indictment was brought into the Court of King's-Bench, the names of the Jurors who found it, ought to have been returned with it, that the Court might have an opportunity to try whether they were boni et legales homines-a point of the utmost confequence to the fubject, as without such a return and trial, a man might be deprived of his liberty, property, or even life, by outlaws, felons, or any other defcription of men difqualified by law from fitting in judgment on any one. The Court took time to confider on the fubject, and for the prefent committed Mr. Atkinson to the cuftody of the Marfhal of the King's Bench.

Friday, April 30. The feflions for the High Court of Admiralty was held at the Old Bailey, when only one prifoner was tried, viz. the mafter of a certain veffel or cutter, of about 35 tons burthen, of which he was part owner, bound from London to Oftend, for feloniously and wilfully finking the faid veffel on the high feas, about three miles from Margate, with intent to defraud the underwriters of a policy of insurance for 300l. He was acquitted.

Same day Mrs. Wells played IfabelJa in Southerne's Tragedy of THE FATAL MARRIAGE. Her appearance in that character was prefaced by the following address, written for the purpose very kindly by Mr., Topham.

Shall I, unpractis'd in the melting mood,
Who late your Comic candidate have stood,
To that old laughing intereft long allied,
Now mount the huftings on the other fide?
Canvas this critic Corporation thorough,
In hopes to reprefent a tragic Borough?
Shall I, all tears, for votes and intereft teaze
you,

(you-
Anxious not how to live, but die, to please
Beg that you'll be of my last moments heed-
ful,
(needful?
And when I'm dead request your poll-if
Say, will no kind good-natur'd freeman

trace

Thro' bowls and daggers fimple Cowflip's face?
No learned LINGO of this lower ichool

[The Pit. "Decline my parts, and think me out of rule ?i high, Then when the forms of paffion fwell moft When I fhall rave and weep, run mad and die,

Will not fome voter on yon upper floor

[The Gall. Just as I'm falling, wish I'd ftand no more, And in blunt, ftrong election language tell us, Cowflip for ever, d--n your Ifabellas ?"

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Tho' bold the attempt by dying thus to live,
Still your indulgence might the att forgive;
Still might the paradox be understood,
'Tis for her benefit, if not, her good.-
But oh! what stronger fears my mind affail,
When juft comparison mutt fink the fcale;
For memory traces in this awful part,
The beft, and nobleft effort of the art.
Here the first excellence of genius rofe,
For SIDDONS pictures Isabella's woes,
In every gesture, movement, look divine!-
Nature has ftamp'd her worth in every line.
Hard then My talk to follow powers like

thefe,

And feparate confidence from wish to please ;
On your indulgence muft my merits reft,
And foothe the terrors of an anxious breaft.

Tuesday, May 4. At eleven o'clock the Sheriffs, Mr. Sawbridge, his Scrutineers, and Counfel, Mr. Watson, and several of the Livery, attended in the Council Chamber, when the books were examined, the rejected votes caft up, and the numbers finally adjusted. At twelve the Sheriffs, &c. adjourned to the Huftings, when Sir Barnard Turner declared the numbers following: Brook Watson, Efq. 4776; Sir Watkin Lewes 4541; Nathaniel Newnham, Efq. 4441; Johs Sawbridge, Efq. 2812; Ri chard Atkinson, Efq. 2803; William Smith, Efq. 277; Right Hon William Pitt, 56.

Upon which the Sheriffs declared that the majority of legal votes upon the Scrutiny appeared in favour of Brook Watfon, Efq. Sir Watkin Lewes, Kt. Nathaniel Newn ham, Efq. and John Sawbridge, Efq. The Court was then adjourned till next day at the faid time and place, when thofe gentlemen were declared duly elected, and the return figned.

10. At the clofe of the poll this day, a violent affray happened in Covent-Garden, in confequence of which Nicholas Caffon, a Peace Officer, received feveral wounds, which occafioned his death. The Coroner's Inquest have brought in their verdia Wilful Murder against persons unknown.

Eaft India Hufe, May 13, 1784. By letters received from Bombay, by nis Majefty's frigate the Crocodile, dated the 30th of December, and 9th and 10th of January lall, the Court of Directors received intelligence that fome boats with feapoys having been wrecked near Cannanore, about 200 of them were feized and detained by the Bibby, notwithstanding repeated applica tions made for their releafe; and the Cannanore Government being on all occations inimical to the Company, Gen. Macleod, in order to take fatisfaction for those inju ries, made a capture of the place, in the attack and reduction of which, and its depen dencies, the King's and Company's troops merited and received the warmeft prailes from the Commander in Chief.

That the Select Committee at Bombay had just received a letter from the Peshwa

* A Princess,

or Chicf of the Marattas, wherein he expreffes his full acquiefcence in the treaty, and his readiness to join with the English in offensive measures against Tippoo Saib, fhould he fail in performing the condiThe advices tions required from him. however fay, that the General of Tippoo Saib's army in the Carnatic was in full march to the Changama pafs, accompanied by Meffrs. Sadlier and Staunton, who were appointed by Lord Macartney, &c. to fettle the treaty with Tippoo; and that their arrival is mentioned by Tippoo in his letter to General Macleod, as an event that will bring with it a certainty of peace. Even after the capture of Cannanore, the Bibby of which was claimed by Tippoo as his ally, General Macleod advifes, that Tippoo had made no oppofition to his again revictualling Mangalore and Onore.

Intelligence had been received at Bombay, on which there was every reason to depend, that Ragonaut Row, or Ragobah, the Peshwa's uncle, died on the 11th of December.

13. Was held the anniversary meeting of the Sons of the Clergy. The Sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Carr, D. D. from 1 John iii. 17. "But whofo hath this world's good, and feeth his brother have need, and fhutteth up his bowels of compaffion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?"

£. s. d.

Collection at St. Paul's, on Tuef-
day the 11th instant,
Ditto, on Thursday the 13th,
Ditto, at Merchant Taylors-Hall 548 3 8

175 10 0 280 6 4

£.1004 0

A bill has been lately paffed by the Irish Parliament, to difqualify Viscount Strangford from voting either by proxy or other ways in the Houfe of Peers there. The caufe of this extraordinary proceeding, we conceive, will be a matter of proper intelligence to our readers. We have it from an Irish correfpondent on whom we can rely. The great Ely caufe, on which there appeared an equal division of sentiment, gave the noble Peer above-mentioned an idea of ferving himfelf, without doing a violence to the truth of his opinion; and therefore he imprudently wrote a letter to one of the parties, that if they would give him a certain fum of money, he would give his vote on that fide of the queftion. The letter was inftantly laid before the Houfe of Peers, and the confequences were the bill abovementioned. The Viscount is a very old man, of flender fortune, a clergyman, and has a large family. He refides within a few miles of Dublin.

14. The sheriffs of Middlefex met purfuant to adjournment, and declared they were ready to begin a fcrutiny. The firit perfon

whofe vote was objected to, they found not affelfed in the land-tax, and Mr. Erikine, in behalf of Mr. Byng, contended he should be ftruck off the lift; which Mr. Cowper, on behalf of the Sheriffs, objected to. Upon this Mr. Byng faid, he did not wish to har rafs the freeholders one hour to no purpose, and as this question was very material, he would bring the matter into the House of Commons. Mr. Cowper faid, he was very glad to find both parties were dillatisfied with his conduct, and took his leave of them in his judicial capacity.

The fame day a court of common council was held at Guildhall, when Mr. Alderman Sanderfon renewed his former opposition to the receipt tax. He fpoke freely on the bill to explain and amend the first act, which he avowed to be vexatious, partial, and oppreffive he moved, "That the Court do, at the meeting of Parliament, address for a repeal; the fame was feconded by Mr. Dornford, and carried.

17. At three o'clock the poll closed for the city of Westminster, after being kept open from the first day of April laft. The num bers appeared to be,

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As foon as the High Bailiff had declared the numbers, a fcrutiny was demanded on behalf of Sir Cecil Wray, which the High Bailiff declared it was his intention to comply with.

18. His Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales gave a public breakfast at CarletonHoufe. About 600 of the most distinguished perfons in the kingdom aflembled in his beautiful gardens about two o'clock. The preparations on the occafion were full of magnificence. Covers were laid under nine extenfive marquees for 250 perfons, and the entertainment confifted of the finest fruits of the feason, confectionaries, ices, creams, and emblematical designs, ornamented with mottos and other devices in honour of the triumph which they were to celebrate. Four bands of inftruments were placed at different parts of the garden, and the company were entertained with various novelties of a comic kind.

After they had taken refreshments, they rofe to dance. A beautiful level in the umbrage of a groupe of trees was the fpot which his Royal Highness felected for their ball, and he led down the country dances, first with the Duchefs of Devonhire, and afterwards with one of the Lady Waldegraves. The company frequently changed their partners, and at times grouped off into cotillons. The Duchefs of Portland danced with Mr. Greville, Lady Jerfey with Lord Carlisle, Lady Ann Pawlett with Lord Berner, Lady Duncannon with Sir Peter Burrell, Mifs Keppel with Mr. St. John, Lady Beauchamp

with

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