cipal inhabitants, there were thirty three unanimously of opinion to capitulate. Inclosed is a return of their ftrength, and of the number of veffels employed by them. I beg your Lordship will fufpend any unfavourable opinion of my conduct, until it is properly investigated, which I have in my power to accelerate, virtue of the laft article of the capitulation, which, though I did not expect, yet, as it had been granted at St Kitt's, the General handfomely inferted it. I have the honour to be, &c.

The confiderable fea and land forces with which I find myself before this place, and the fall refource that your Excellency has both for garrison and defence, induces me, for the fake of humanity, to manifeft to you, that I am come, by order of the King my mafter, and in his royal name, to take poffeffion of this and the other Bahama iflands; and finding myself in a condition of making immediate ufe of them for its reduction and speedy dispatch of this business, a delay that exceeds the time of twelve hours for confultation is not in my power to grant you.

I am ready to grant a capitulation that can be determined upon in that space of time; if not, the individuals that are involved in the difafter muft fubmit to the difcretion and mercy of the conquerors. God protect your Excellency many years, &c.

JUAN MANUEL DE CAXIGALLY. On board of the fhip South] Carolina, under fail before New Providence, one of the Bahama islands, May6.) 6 o'clock, P. M.

Bahama, Providence, May 6. SIR, Four o'clock, P. M. I have dispatched Capt. Hunt to inform Your Excellency I am attacked by two American frigates, one large one, fome ow gallies and forty fail of tranfports from the Havannah, with troops on Soard. Three British frigates would reI am in hafte.

ieve me.

JOHN MAXWELL,

To the Rt Hon, Lt Gen.] Leslie, or officer commanding Charlestown.

By the articles of capitulation, all the Bahama iflands in the poffeffion of the roops of his Britannic Majefty are to be elivered up to the arms of Spain. The

VOL. XLIV.

garrifon to march out with the honours of war, and to be conveyed to Great Britain, Bermuda, or any of the British Weft India islands, Jamaica excepted; and they are not to ferve against any of the powers prefently at war with Great Britain till regularly exchanged. Private property to be preserved. No more taxes than what were formerly paid to his Britannic Majefty, to be impofed upon the inhabitants during the war: they are likewife to have the free exercise of their religion during the war. Out of respect to Gov. Maxwell's difpofition for defence, and his humanity to the unfortunate prifoners, he is not to be confidered a prifoner of war longer than until he is landed with his troops at a British port.

There were 255 regulars in Fort Naffau, and 140 militia.

The force of the enemy confifted of one fhip of 40 guns, (twenty-fix of which were Swedish 36 pounders) five of 12 guns, two of ro guns, one of 8, and one of 4 guns, American; and thirty-feven Spanish tranfports, with several other small veffels, in all 63 fail. The whole men on board, including failors, amounted to about 5000.

ENGLAND.

Lord Howe failed from St Helens about the beginning of July, with twenty one fail of the line, and fome frigates; in going down the Channel he was joined by fome fhips from Plymouth, The combined fleet of France and Spain, which failed from Cadiz, was about this time cruifing in the mouth of the Channel. Lord Howe paffed them, and went towards the Irish coaft, that he might fall in with a fleet expected from Jamaica, and prevent them from running into the track of the enemy's fleet. The combined fleet having been joined by a fquadron from Breft, confifted of near forty fail of the line; and Lord Howe's, notwithstanding ships were fent out to join him as they could be got ready, did not amount to thirty. Whilft the two fleets were in this fituation, two of the fhips fent out to join Lord Howe fell in with a fleet of 140 fail of merchantmen from St Domingo, fteering for Breft, under convoy of four ships of the line. These two fhips it is faid captured a number of the enemy's fleet; but upon the convoy bearing down, they were obliged to abandon their capture; and they had the mortification to fee them all get clear off without the lofs of a fingle ship. The 3 C

protection

protection of this valuable fleet was probably more the object of our enemies than the capture of our Jamaica fleet, which we are now happy to announce are likewife arrived at their different ports, under convoy of the Sandwich, Ruffel, and Intrepid. They had not feen Lord Howe's fleet, but they were within three leagues of the enemy's, undiscovered, owing to a thick fog..

The death of the Marquis of Rocking ham has occafioned confiderable alterations in the ministry. It was faid that Mr Fox expected to be called upon by the Sovereign to fill the poft of Prime Minifter. Some time however elapfing without this expectation being gratified, he fummoned à fecret council at his house in Grafton-street, of the Cavendifhes, with Lord Keppel, Mr Burke, the Duke of Richmond, Mr T. Townfhend, &c. when he concisely told them, that unless they all united firmly to oppose such a meafure, the Earl of Shelburne would be appointed Minister! On this it was unanimously agreed, that the Duke of Portland would be a proper perfon for Prime Minifter, under their auf pices, and that Mr Fox fhould immediately wait upon the King, with a trong recommendation of his Grace by this majority of his cabinet. Mr Fox reached the royal clofet only time enough to learn, that Lord Shelburne had juft gone out with the appointment of First Lord of the Treafury. Mr Fox, expreffing great aftonishment on hearing this, afked his Majefty, “If under this circumftance, he had any objection to his (Mr Fox's) naming the new Secretary of State?" To this his Majefty replied, "That, Sir, is already done.' On which Mr Fox rejoined, "Then I truft your Majefty can dispense with my services." The anfwer to which was, " Certainly, Sir, if you feel them the leaft irkfome." On which Mr Fox, bowing, retired, and the next day had a further audience only to deliver up his feals of office.

On the 11th of July, whilft the Houfe of Commons were engaged in a warm debate upon the late change in the mini, ftry, they were interrupted by the arrival of the gentleman uther of the Black Rod, who delivered a meffage from his Majefty commanding their attendance in the House of Peers.

The Houfe having immediately attended, his Majefty delivered the following moft gracious fpeech from the throne.

My Lords, and Gentlemen, The unwearied affiduity with which you have perfevered in the discharge of your duty in parliament during fo long a feffion, bears the most honourable tefti mony to your zeal and industry in the fervice of the public; for which you have provided with the cleareft difcernment of its true interefts; anxiously o pening every channel for the return of peace; and furnishing with no less vigi. lance the means of carrying on the war, if that measure should be unavoidable.

The extenfive powers with which I find myself invefted to treat for recon ciliation and amity with the colonies which have taken arms in North Ame rica, I fhall continue to employ in the manner moft conducive to the attainment of thofe objects, and with an earnestness suitable to their importance.

The zeal which my fubjects in Ireland have expreffed for the public fervice, fhews that the liberality of your proceeds ing towards them is felt there as it ought and has engaged their affections, equally with their duty and intereft, in the com mon caufe.

The diligence and ardour with which you have entered upon the confideration of the British interefts in the East Indies, are worthy of your wisdom, juftice, and humanity.-To protect the perfon and fortunes of millions in those diftant regions, and to combine our profperity with their happiness, are objects which amply repay the utmost labour and ex ertion.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons I return you my particular thanks for the very liberal fupplies which you have granted with fo much chearfulness and zeal for the fervice of the current year, I reflect with extreme regret upon the heavy expence which the circumftances of public affairs unavoidably call for. I fhall be my care to hufband your means to the best advantage, and, as far as de pends on me, to apply that œconom which I have endeavoured to fet on foot in my civil eftablishment, to those more extenfive branches of public expenditure, in which still more important advantages may be expected.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

The important fucceffes, which, under the favour of Divine Providence, the valour of my fleet in the Weft Indies hath obtained, promise a favourable iffue to our operations in that quarter. The

events of war in the Eaft Indies have alfo been profperous. Nothing however can be more repugnant to my feelings, than the long continuance of fo complicated a

war.

"My ardent defire of peace has induced me to take every meafure which promifed the fpeedieft accomplishment of my wishes; and I will continue to exert my beft endeavours for that purpofe, But if, for want of a corresponding difpofition in our enemies, I fhould be difappointed in the hope I entertain of a fpeedy termination of the calamities of war, I rely on the fpirit, affection, and unanimity of my parliament and people to fupport the honour of my crown, and the interefts of my kingdoms; not doubting that the bleffing of Heaven, which I devoutly implore upon our arms, employed as they are in our juft and neteffary defence, will enable me to obtain fair and reafonable terms of pacification. The moft triumphant career of victory would not excite me to aim at more; and I have the fatisfaction to be able to add, that I fee no reason which fhould induce me to think of accepting lefs." On the sth of July came on, at the Old Bailey, the trial of the Rev. Bennet Allen, clerk, and Robert Morris, Efq; indicted for the murder of Lloyd Dulany, Efq; by mortally wounding him, with leaden bullet, hot out of a piftol, on the 18th of June laft.

The origin of this matter was an anoymous paper published three years ago by Mr Allen, injurious to the character of Mr Dulany's brother. Mr Dulany called upon the author to disclose himself. Mr Allen had at that time private reafons For concealing his name; but as foon thefe were removed, he made himself known. On the 18th of June the two gentlemen fought a duel in Hyde Park, in which Mr Dulany was mortally wounded, and died two days after. Mr Morris was Mr Allen's fecond. When the evidence on both fides was clofed, the judge in addreffing the jury obferved, that if the fact appeared to have been premeditated, or done deliberately, they muft find it murder; but if done in the heat of blood, it was only manslaughter. The jury returned a verdict finding Allen guilty of manslaughter, and acquitting Morris. The Recorder paffed fentence on Mr Allen of one fhilling fine and fix months imprisonment. He was not burnt in the hand, on account of his being

a clergyman, the church having that privilege as well as Peers.

On the 17th of July a motion came on before the Lord Chancellor, for an infant to be delivered to her guardian. It appeared by the affidavits, that the mo ther, with affiftance, had taken the infant away from her guardian by force, and had in many respects behaved in a very improper manner; for which the Lord Chancellor gave her and her attorney, who were both in court, a very fevere reprimand. After his Lordship had made the order for the infant, who was in court, to be delivered to her guardian, fhe ran out of the court, as faft as her legs could carry her, down Chancery-lane, the guardian, solicitor, and his clerks after her, and a mob of people after them. After a long chace fhe was at laft overtaken and put into a coach.

SCOTLAND.

The following advertisement by Archibald Cockburn, Efq; fheriff-depute of the county of Mid Lothian, was inferted in the Edinburgh papers of June 10.

"The following heads of a plan for augmenting the domeftic force of this country, was tranfmitted in a letter to the fheriff, from the Rt Hon. the Earl of Shelburne; and, as the communication of it by the fheriff was intended for the inhabitants of fuch towns and places within his jurifdiction as had no magi ftrates, and may think themfelves in danger in cafe of an invafion, he has adopted this mode of making it public, as the moft proper for collecting the fentiments of all concerned. A poffible difpatch in the confideration of this matter being particularly recommended by the Earl of Shelburne, the sheriff intreats the inhabitants of fuch towns or places as have any proposals to make, or who wish to converfe with him upon the subject, will take an opportunity of doing fo on or before Wednesday the 19th current, in order that he may be enabled to return an anfwer to his Lordship.

1. The principal towns in Scotland to furnish a certain number of companies each, in proportion to their fize and number of inhabitants.

2. The officers to be appointed from the inhabitants of the faid towns, by commiffion from his Majefty, upon the recommendation of the chief magiftrate of the town in which the corps are raised. 3. They are to be poffeffed of fome 3 C 2 certain

certain eftate in land or money, in proportion to their rank.

4. An adjutant or town-major in each town to be appointed by his Majefty, upon recommendation of the chief magiftrate.

5. A proper number of ferjeants and corporals from the army to be appointed for the corps in each town, in proportion to their numbers.

6. The faid ferjeants and corporals, as well as the adjutant or town-major, to be in the government's pay.

7. The men to exercife frequently upon fuch days, and at fuch hours, as the chief magiftrate fhall appoint.

8. Arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, to be furnished at the expence of government, if required.

9. Proper magazines or ftorehouses to be chofen or erected in each town, for keeping the faid arms, &c.

10. The adjutant, or town-major, to be always prefent at exercise, and to fee that the men afterwards march regularly, and lodge their arms in the ftorehoufes when required.

11. Proper penalties to be inflicted by the magiftrates on fuch as abfent themfelves from exercife; as alfo for difobedience of orders, infolence to their officers, or other diforderly behaviour.

12. The above corps not to be obliged, on any account, or by any authority whatever, to move from their respective towns or the neighbourhood thereof, except with their own free will or content. 13. They are on all occafions, when acting in conjunction with his Majefty's regular forces, to be under the command of fuch general officers as his Majefty shall think proper tó appoint.

14. Both officers and men to receive full pay as his Majefty's other regiments of foot, from the day of their march, and as long as they fhall continue on fervice out of their towns.

15. All officers who fhall be difabled in actual fervice, to be intitled to half pay; and all non-commiffioned officers and private men difabled, to receive the benefit of Chelsea Hopital.

16. The widows of officers killed in the fervice, to have a penfion for life.

The fame plan has been fent by his Lordship to most of the fheriffs and magiftrates in Scotland. [p. 275.]

On Friday June 14. the Court of Seffion adjourned to the Tuesday following, deveral of the Lords being abfent, and fo

many of them affected with the influ enza [p. 324.] that there was no probability of a fufficient number of their Lordships being able to attend next day to conftitute a quorum. An in. ftance of an adjournment of the Court of Seffion by themselves, has not happened in the memory of man, if ever any fuch event took place. From a curious manuscript in the poffeffion of James Bofwell Efq; Advocate, it appears that in the month of June 1545, the Court of Seffion was not only adjourned but removed to Linlithgow, on account of a peftilence which then threatened Edinburgh. This, however, was done in confequence of an order from the Queen Regent and Privy Council. In February 1746 an act of parliament was paffed adjourning the Court of Seffion from Nov. 1. 1745, to June 1. 1746. [See vol. 8. p. 72.]The re bellion which broke out in Scotland in 1745, had prevented the Court from meeting on the 1ft of November, the ufual time of beginning the winter-feffion; and an act of parliament it seems was ne ceffary to empower the court to fit again.

The Commiffioners of Supply of the county of Inverness, at a general meet ing held upon the 30th of April laft, "having taken into their ferious confideration the alarming abufes which prevail in this part of the united kingdom, in creating qualifications for electors of members of parliament, by means of fplitting fuperiorities, and feparating them from the property of lands, were unanis mously of opinion, that fuch nominal qualifications are unconftitutional, and fubverfive of the freedom of elections; and have refolved to concur with other counties in Scotland in every legal mea fure for obtaining a correction of the abuses, and for putting the rights of clec tors upon a proper and conftitutional" footing."

Similar refolutions have been published by the counties of Moray and Caithness.

June 25. the House of Lords reversed a decree of the Commiffaries of Edin burgh, and Court of Seffion in Scotland, declaring a marriage between Alexander More of Aberdeen and Mrs Janet Minnes. The cafe was this: There had been an intrigue between the parties for a confiderable time, the confequence of which was the pregnancy of the lady, She was a widow, in her 37th year, and he a young man, in his 24th year. As

the