The Magistrates and Sheriff are determined to use every exertion to suppress such commotions in future, and have issued a proclamation to warn the perpetrators against the practice of such proceedings in future, Yesterday morning a duel took place at the back of the Meadow, between two Gentlemen, Lieutenant W- and Mr. M both parties fired, and both were wounded; the former gentleman slightly on one hand, the latter had a ball lodged i one of his thighs, which has not yet been extracted DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. March 26. About six o'clock, as Mr. Taylor, Manager of the King's Theatre, was passing over Hounslow Heath, he was attacked by two highwaymen, well mounted. One of them, with a silk handkerchief over his face, demanded his money; Mr. Taylor said, that what he had about him was not worth a moment's hesitation but that as he was armed, he would not submit to personal ill treatment. The fellow instantly advanced close up to the chaise window, and swore he would have his life, upon which Mr. Taylor fired and missed him: one highwayman fired, but the ball went through the two windows, and broke the glass of each; the other at the same time coming up fired into the chaise, and the ball stuck in the back pannel. They demanded of him if he would deliver his money; Mr. Taylor told them that he had never regarded the money, and after separating from his cash some small keys, he threw out thirteen or fourteen guineas. The first man, however, still persisted in the most dreadful menaces, that he would have his life on account of his resistance, and coming up to the chaise, clubbed his pistol and aimed a blow at Mr. Taylor, Mr. T. fired his second pistol, and the ball entered the highwayman's belly. He fell on his horse's neck and gallopped off, followed by his companion. On entering Bedfont, Mr. Taylor overtook a gentleman on horseback, who returned to the place, and found nine of the guineas which had been flung out of the chaise. Some labourers saw the highwayman immediately afterwards going towards Cranford Bridge, seemingly unable to sit his horse much longer, and with great difficulty prevailed upon by his companion to proceed. The same night, about eleven o'clock, an alarming and most dreadful fire broke out in the house of Mr. Nun, the keeper of the Brown Bear public-house, corner of Bro kers Row, Moorfields, which burnt with such rapidity, that in the course of half an hour the house was entirely consumed; and, shocking to relate, Mr. Nun, his wife, their two children, the servant-maid, pot-boy, and a man lodger, fell victims to its rage. ! Three men lodgers jumped out of a two pair of stairs window, one of whom hadi his thigh broken, and his companions were so much bruised, as to leave very little hopes of their recovery, Mrs. Nun was seven months gone with child, and was observed at the window with one child under her arm; but it was supposed the shrieks of the other, left behind, was the cause of her sudden disappearance, as she was never seen; after-s wards. af 27. Several prisoners in the King's Bench prison had concerted for some time past plan to effect their escape from thence by means of a ladder of a most ingenious contrivance. This ladder is the invention of a Frenchman, and could be folded up in the compass of a few feet, but when unfolded it was high enough to reach the top of the lofty walls of the prison. It was on this ladder the prisoners had projected to effect their escape, by getting up to the top of the walls, and letting themselves down terwards on the outside, by a sliding-rope. By the activity of the Marshal, who is answerable by law for the debts of the prisoners in case they should escape his custody, the combination was fortunately discovered last Sunday afternoon, before an attempt Had been made to put it in execution. The prisoners concerned were all secured in the strong room. 1 adril 3. A Court of Common Council was held at Guildhall, when, amongst other business, a report from the Committee appointed to enquire into the state of the free quays was received, which set forth, that they had waited on Mr. Pitt, and stated to him the inconvenience which commerce sustains by the great number of holidays kept at the Custom-house and Excise, and the limited hours of attendance of the officers; that the Minister had expressed his approbation of the manner in which the Court had taken up the business, and was of opinion that, by the accession of some of the French Islands, a great increase would take place, consequently a further extension of the quays must be made; that several plans had been laid before him, but that no proceedings should be had without a previous communication to the corporation. A Grand Concert will be performed at St. Margaret's Church, in May next, towards increasing the Fund of the Royal Society of Musicians; and Mr. Glanvill has received orders to fit up the Church for the reception of their Majestics, who again intend honouring the Society with their presence. 5. About two o'clock, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, accompanied by a select Committee of the Corporation of London, proceeded from the Mansion House to New Burlington-street, the residence of the Most Noble Marquis Cornwallis, attend, ed by the City Marshals on horseback, music, and colours, to present that Nobleman with the Freedom of the City of London, elegantly embellished with emblematical ornaments, and curiously wrought by Mr. Tomkins, inclosed in a gold box of one hundred guineas value, agreeably to the Order of the Common Council some months back. On their return they were honoured with the company of the Noble Marquis, some of his select friends, the Cabinet Ministers, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and several of the Nobility, foreign Ministers, &c. to the Mansion-House, where a magnificent entertainment was provided by the LordMayor. In the evening the front of the Mansion-House was elegantly illuminated with a large historical painting of the delivery of the sons of the Sultan as hostages to the Noble Marquis. The populace took the horses from his carriage in Piccadilly, and drew him from thence to the Mansion-house, where he arrived at five o'clock. くす 14. The trial of Mr. Perry, which has been so long the subject of conversation, came on before the Recorder of Bristol; he had been long in custody, arrived there on Friday last, and was committed to Newgate, under the custody of the Sheriff. Mr. Erskine was down, and appeared as his principal Counsel. After many witnesses were examined on the part of the prosecution, Mrs. Perry was called, which was opposed by Mr. Bond, on the part of the prosecution, because on that evidence the whole trial would turn. Mr. Erskine replied, he would sit in Court till the day of resurrection, unless they would allow Mrs. Perry's evidence. This matter of right was at length referred to the Recorder, who in a very sensible speech observed, that under all the circumstances of the case, the parties having lived three years together, a child born, and another in the womb, he recommended that the evidence should be admitted. Mrs. Perry then declared, it was her own will and act to go off with Mr. Perry that she contrived it, for she liked his person and address; and that he made her a very affectionate husband. After this evidence, the Jury brought in a verdict of Not Guilty. Mr. Perry was then conducted to the Bush Inn, where a very elegant dinner was prepared. The mob chaired him, and drew the coach along. 7 This day the Roebuck Packet arrived at Falmouth, with dispatches from Martinique, which were dated on the 16th ult. The Roebuck left that island on the 17th. The whole island was in possession of our forces, with the exception of Fort Royal and Fort Republique (Bourbon). Sir Charles Crey was with his army before the latter place, which he expected to be master of by the 20th of March. The numbers within the fort had been considerably reduced--provisions were very scarce, and the position of the British troops such as rendered an attack upon it certain. The French had failed in every sortie which they had made; and Belgarde, the Mu Jatto Chief, with three hundred and twenty men, had been taken prisoners, and sent out of the island. Rochambeau, who commanded in Fort Republique, had manifested a wish to capitulate, but not upon such terms as it was thought advisable to accede to.. The he advantageous position of the forces under the command of Sir Charles Grey, had put Fort Royal completely in his power, which place he might destroy at any time, but which he had not attempted, nor did he mean to attempt, unless the refusal of Fort Republique to surrender should force him to that measure. The troops were in the highest spirits when these accounts came away, notwithstanding the heavy rains which had fallen, and the fatigue they had endured. The number of troops is 7000, besides a great number of sailors from the squadron, from whom the most essential services had been derived. The whole loss of the British had not exceeded seventy men, while the loss of the enemy amounted to several hundreds. The French chief engineer had been killed. Sir Charles Grey had completed his second parallel against Fort Bourbon or Republique, and some of the batteries had been opened, which completely enfiladed the fort. One shell had burst the aqueduct. In the harbour of Fort Royal several merchant ships were blocked up, which would of course, fall into the hands of the British, upon the surrender of that place. 18. A Court of Common Council was held at Guildhall, present the Lord Mayor, 14 Aldermen, and a very considerable number of Commoners. After some usual busi ness of receiving petitions and sealing leases was done, the Lord Mayor informed the Court in a very animated speech of his motives for calling them together, "To consider if any, and what, steps are necessary for the defence of the City at this present moment, and in case of any emergency." Mr. Deputy Nichols, after a short prefatory speech, moved, "That it is the indispensable duty of this Corporation at all times, and more especially at this important crisis, to manifest in the strongest man ner their zeal for the Constitution, by the most vigorous exertions in defence of their King and Country." Mr. Parish seconded the motion, and it was agreed to unanimously. Mr. Deputy Nichols then moved, "That a subscription be immediately opened for the purpose of raising and disciplining one regiment of infantry and another of cavalry (this was altered to troop) for the defence of this city, to act as the necessi→ ties of the country may require, and when called upon by the Sovereign to enter into the pay of Government, and be subject to martial law, agreeably to the Act now pending in Parliament for raising Volunteer Corps, &c. and to be called The Loyal London Volunteers." This occasioned very warm debates, it being contended that the City Militia were the proper defence of the City, and that it was capable of being made serviceable. Debates continued for some hours. An amendment was proposed by Mr. Goodbehere, by leaving out all the words of the motion except " That," and substituting, "The Militia of this City being its constitutional defence, this Court do request the Court of Lieutenancy to use their best endeavours to put the same on a plan essential to the safety and security of the metropolis, to be ready in case of any emergency; and that they be further requested to report their determination to this Court." At about six o'clock the question was put, when there appeared for the amendment 4 Aldermen, and 52 Commoners; against it 7 Aldermen, and 54 Com2 moners; on which it was negatived by a majority of 5 votes. The question, as moved by Mr. Deputy Nichols, was then put, and some objections being started, a motion was made to adjourn it, which was agreed to. A Committee of all the Aldermen, and a Commoner out of each ward, was appointed to take the purport for which the Court was called into consideration, and to report the best plan to answer every purpose. 21. Intelligence was received, and detailed in an Extraordinary Gazette, of the complete conquest of the Island of Martinique by the British forces under Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis. Tythes. At Kingston assizes a cause was tried before a special jury, of great importance to farmers in general, wherein Mr. Nash, a farmer of Elsted, Surrey, was plaintiff, and the Rev. Thomas Mantell, proprietor of the tythes of that parish, (and of two adjoining parishes) was defendant This was an action brought for not taking away the tythe of some upland grass, which was clearly proved to have been fairly set out by the plaintiff and his servants for the defendant, but which he obstinately refused to take away, and thereby deprived the farmer of the benefit of depasturing and ploughing His land in a course of husbandry. Upon the merits of the cause it appeared, that no notice was necessary from the farmer of his intention to set out his tythes, unless the custom of the country was to give notice thereof; therefore, as no such custom could have been proved in this case, it seemed that the plaintiff had done more than was necessary in giving such notice. After a very able argument by Mr. Garrow on the part of the plaintiff, the Jury, to the great satisfaction of a very crowded Court, gave a verdict for the farmer, with ample damages for the injury he had sustained, and which of course entitles him to costs. The following singular instance of animal adoption occurred a short time since, at the seat of J. Spurling, Esq. at Dyne's Hall, in Essex: a favourite Spanish bitch, remarkable as a hare finder, having her puppies drowned, went out one morning into the plantations, and soon after returned with a young leveret, about a week old, in het mouth, to which she gave suck, and has affectionarely continued so to do for more than ten days, to the astonishment of all the sportsmen in the neighbourhood. The Act of the present Session of Parliament repealing the Stamp Duty on Gloves, does not take place until the 1st of August next; and the Act repealing the duties on the registry of burials, &c. not until the 1st of October following. A plan is prepared to turn Tower-hill into a grand Crescent, for the dwellings of merchants. There is to be a wide footway, carriage-way, and an elegant promenade planted with trees. The terminations of the crescent are to open to the Thames. The avenues to it are to be extensive, wide, and convenient. The minister has made his bargain for a Lottery for the ensuing year: Messrs. Robarts and Co. were the purchasers. The terms are 50,000 tickets, at 141. 169. 3d. Beacons, or signal posts, are about to be erected along the coast of Sussex, to give an alarm in case of any attempt of the enemy. The Spitfire sloop of war is to superintend the erection of signal posts from Sussex to the Lizard. A dreadful instrument of destruction, contrived to throw ten bombs in a minute, has been lately invented by a foreigner; a model of which has been shewn and proved before the Prince of Wales and several other persons of distinction. A public subscrip tion, patronized by his Royal Highness and the Duke of York, is begun, for construcging one upon a scale sufficient to throw bombs of very large dimensions. It appears that Prussia is no longer to act as a principal in the war; but that her troops are to be engaged and paid for by the other Powers, of which, it is said, this country is to contribute 800,cool. Holland 400,cool. and the Court of Vienna, or the different Circles of Germany, the remainder. Agreeably to the negociations concluded between Great Britain and Prussia, the latter is to send into the field against France 90,000 men. Of this number 31,00Q men will join the army of his Royal Highness the Duke of York in the Netherlands. and 20,000 are to be in the pay of the Emperor, to begin from the 1st day of April. The latter are to act with the rest of the Prussians on the Upper Rhine. Those regi. ments which quit the environs of Mentz will immediately be replaced by others. Mr. Dunkerley, Provincial Grand Master of Masonry in several Counties of England, has given notice, that in case of an invasion, he shall offer his services to Government, and will require such Masons as are Knights Templars to unite with the officers of the military corps in their respective counties, to take the name of "Prince Edward's Royal Volunteers," and to wear their uniforms, the Order of the Knights Templars, on a black ribband, between two button-holes of their waistcoat. BANKRUPTS. ILLIAM Bayliss, of New Brentford, Middlesex, Innholder. Daniel Stephens, W of Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, and William Parish, of Birmingham, horse-dealers. George Mullins, of Walcot, Somersetshire, mason. Daniel Birkett, late of Liverpool, joiner. James Stephens, of Wood-street, Cheapside, wholesale hosier and factor Bates Bye, of Mile End, Middlesex, salesman. Thomas Mauld, of Surrey-place, Kent road, Southwark, merchant. Richard Woodward, of Whitecross-street, Middlesex, victualler. Benjamin Mellows Hadden, of Clifford's Inn, scrivener. Thomas Aspinwall, of Manchester, watchmaker. Thomas Paddison, of Marsh Chapel, jobber. James Somerfield, of Bilston, Staffordshire, victualler. Jonathan White, of the Strand, hatter. John Parker, of Brampton in Cumberland, shopkeeper. James Woollen, of Sheffield in the county of York, ironmonger. John Cockle, late of the city of Lincoln, tanner. Thomas Ormson, of Stockport, in the county of Chester, innkeeper. Thomas Brookholding, of the city of Worcester, scrivener. [The remainder of the LISTS are unavoidably deferred till our next.] |