Jan. 1762.

HISTORY.

ON the 5th of January, about two o'clock after noon, died, at Petersburg, Elifabeth, Emprefs of Ruflia, aged 51. Her Majefty retained her fenses to the laft; took her leave of the Great Duke and Duchefs in a very tender manner; and thewed great prefence of mind and refignation. The day preceding her laft, fhe directed the remitting of all fines, the fetting at liberty 40,000 prifoners, and the abatement of the falt-duties, to the amount of a million and a half of rubles. She was, on the 20th of May 1727, contracted in marriage to Charles Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, Bishop of Lubeck; but he dying eleven days after, fhe pafled her Life in celibacy. She afcended the Ruffian throne on the 5th of December 1741, N. S. [iii. 562.].-Immediately after her Majefty's death, Charles Peter Ulrick the Great Duke was proclaimed Emperor, by the ftyle and title of PETER III. The prefent Emperor is fon of the late Duke of Holftein-Gottorp, by the Princess Anne, eldest fister of the late Emprefs. He has neither brother nor fifter, his mother dying foon after his birth, which happened the 21st of February 1728. On the 11th of July 1744 [vi. 388.], he was married to the Princefs Catherine Alexiewna, of Anhalt-Zerbst; by whom he has iffue a fon, named Paul Petrowitz, born Oct. 1. 1754 [xvi. 499.], now Great Duke of Rutia.

This being the inactive feason, not much of importance has happened in GERMANY fince what we formerly gave accounts of. We had occafion to oblerve, that Gen. Platen, with most of the corps he brought into Pomerania from Pr. Henry of Pruthia's army, retired, after the ferrender of Colberg, to Berlin, in the end of last year. He fet out from thence the ad of January, and arrived the 8th in the neighbourhood of Leipfick, to be again under Pr. Henry's directions. That general was immediately fent upon an expedition, one confequence of which was, that the Prullians took pofleflion of Naumberg and Zeitz on the 13th, and obliged the Auftrians and troops of the Empire, to retire from Altenberg and Gera; by which means the former not only enlarged their quarters, but picked up a great many prifoners of the latter. Some time before that, Pr. Henry of Pruffia had a lorg interview with Pr. Albert of Saxony; when a convention of neutrality VOL. XXIV.

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was agreed on for the cities of Berlin and Drefden, against which, on account of their being royal refidences, no further attempt is to be made during the war.

According to advices from Silefia, fuch motions were made by his Pruffian Majefty's troops there, as obliged M. Laudohn, who had just arrived at Vienna, to return to the Auftrian army. What these motions were, has not been diftinctly told us. Some advices bear, that the King of Pruflia's whole forces in that country were on march; but leave the cafe very much in the dark. An article from Gorlitz in Upper Lufatia, of Jan. 19. is in thefe terms. "Several corps of the Pruffian troops are in motion, and feem to direct their views this way. Fifteen fquadrons, under Major Schmettau, have already penetrated by Spremberg into the Lower Lufatia; and another corps, under Gen. Seidlitz, is marched to the neighbourhood of Leipfick."

With refpect to the Raffians, we shall give only the two following articles.

"Brandenburg, Jan. 7. As the Ruffian parties extend themfelves more and more in the New Marche, the King has order ed Gen. Schmettau to go thither from Glogau, and form a line with Tadden's corps from the frontiers of Silefia to Stettin. The Ruffians in Pomerania observe the ftricteft discipline; fo that the inhabitants, instead of complaining of them, commend them exceedingly."

"London, Jan. 28. The confequences of the taking of Colberg are already felt. A body of Ruthians is ordered to return from Poland into Pomerania: by which means two points are gained; first, that of relieving the Polanders, who complain of the inconvenience of winterquarters; and, fecondly, that of cutting off all communication with Stettin by the right of the Oder, which will greatly fa cilitate the fiege of that place, which the Ruffians are going to undertake."

Upon the Pr. of Wurtemberg's having entered the duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, with about 4000 Pruflians, the Duke returned to Lubeck, and ordered his mint to be transported to Eutin, in ducal Hol ftein. A letter from the Pr. of Wurtemberg's headquarters at Guftrow, of Jan. 7. runs thus. "The 2d inftant we had advice, that a Swedish detachment, faid to be not above 1oco ftrong, was approaching Dargun; upon which Col. Belling took only part of his huffars, with 600 foot-foldiers, in order to oblerve their

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motions;

motions; but he found they were 4000 ftrong on this fide of Nienkahlen; where, notwithstanding, as he was posted on a hill, he attacked them on every fide. In this affair the enemy had about 600 men killed and wounded. Our lofs, including the ftrayed or mitfing, amounts to near 280 men, and two pieces of cannon, which we could not bring off, because the horfes that belonged to them were killed. The 3d we took poft between Stavenhagen and Cummerow. The enemy had affembled 8000 men in the neighbourhood of Dargun and Melchin. We marched the 5th to Tetcrow, and next day to Guftrow, in order to fall upon their rear. This obliged them to abandon Tetcrow and Dargun the 5th, and march off to Swedish Pomerania."

Another from Hamburg, of Jan. 22. is in thefe terms. "Nothing has paffed for fome days between the Pruilians and the Swedes: the former are quiet in Mecklenburg, and the latter in Swedish Pomerania: hence it is fuppofed there is a convention for the fecurity of their refpective winter-quarters. This is mentioned in letters from Schwerin of the 15th inft. and reprefented as already figned." Mr Yorke, the British ambaflador at the Hague, lately prefented a memorial to the STATES-GENERAI, grievously complaining of the manifeft partiality of their fubjects in favour of the French, by continuing, notwithstanding their profellions of neutrality, to fupply them with all neceffaries for building and fit ting out hips, which enabled them to prolong the war, though peace was fo much defired, and fo neceflary to Eu rope; and therefore requiring their High Mightineffes to forbid all their fubjects, under fevere penalties, to continue a traffick fo prejudicial to the British, and of which they themselves might one day, though late, have juft realon to repent. This was foon after followed by a memorial prefented by the Count d'Affry, the French ambaffador, importing, That the King his master, being informed of the partiality of the republic's subjects to his enemies, by furnishing them with provifions and forage, many hundred waggons having been even openly loaded, and fent to the Allied army lait campaign; his Maje fty could not but be highly irritated by fuch behaviour; and that he, the ambassador, was commanded to declare, that the King would have fatisfaction at a proper time. A very long reprefentation of grievances

made by the Dutch Eaft-India company, against that of G. Britain, was lately prefented to the court of London. An article from the Hague, of Jan. 15. is as follows. "We hear that the StatesGeneral have just received from London an anfwer to the reprefentations made there by our ambaffador; the fubftance of which is, That his Britannic Majefty heard with displeasure, that his fubjects at Bengal had given their High Mightineffes occafion to complain of their conduct towards the Dutch company; that this monarch would forthwith fend exprefs and pofitive orders to the agents of the English company, to abstain from extortions and vexations, and throw no more obstacles in the way of the Dutch company's agents, but live in perfect harmony with them: That his Britannic Majefty would make a ftrict inquiry into all the grievances mentioned in the reprefentations of their High Mightineffes; that he was refolved to make a rigorous example of all that thould be found guilty, and would give the republic all proper fatisfaction; and that his intention has always been, and ftill is, to maintain the friendship and good harmony that fubfifts between the two nations; and that he would, on every occafion, give their High Mightineffes inconteftable proofs thereof."It is pofitively afferted, that the States-General have agreed to augment their land forces with 20,000 men; and that orders are given to the feveral admiralties, to repair and fit out all the fhips of war that can be made able to put to sea.

With refpect to FRANCE, there are repeated advices, that 7 men of war of the line, with 4 frigates, having 2000 landforces on board, which had been long waiting at Breft for an opportunity to get out, failed from thence the 23d of January, with a fair wind. Commodore Keppel, who had been driven from his station off that port by hard gales of wind, came before it again next day. This French fquadron was afterward feen by some Britifh frigates, at fuch a distance, and steering fuch a course, as feemed plainly to indicate, that it was destined for the West Indies.

On the 18th of January war was proclaimed at MADRID, against G. Britain. -The following is the declaration. THE KING.

Although I have already taken for a declaration of war by England against

Spain, the inconfiderate step of Lord Brifel, the Britannic King's ambaffador at my court, when he demanded of Don Richard Wall, my minister of state, what engagements I had contracted with France, making this the condition of his demand, or rather adding this threat, That if he did not receive a categorical anfwer [xxiii. 665.], he would leave my court, and take the denial for an aggreffron and although, before this provoca tion was received, my patience was tired out with fuffering and beholding, on many occafions, that the English government minded no other law, but the aggrandizement of their nation by land, and univerfal defpotifm by fea: I was nevertheless defirous to fee, whether this me nace would be carried into execution; or whether the court of England, sensible of the inefficacy of such methods towards my dignity and that of my crown, would not employ others that thould be more luita ble to me, and make me overlook all thofe infults. But the haughtiness of the Englifh was fo far from containing itself within due bounds, that I have just learnt, that on the 2d instant a refolution was taken by the Britannic King in council, to declare war against Spain [xxiii. 668. ]. Thus feeing myself under the hard neceffity of following this example, which I would never have given, because it is fo horrible, and fo contrary to humanity, I have ordered, by a decree of the 15th inftant, that war fhould likewife be immediately declared, on my part, against the King of England, his kingdoms, estates, and subjects; and that, in confequence thereof, proper orders fhould be fent to all parts of my dominions, where it fhould be necessary, for their defence, and that of my subjects, as well as for acting offenfively against the enemy.

For this end, I order my council of war to take the requifite measures that this declaration of war may be published at my court, and in my kingdoms, with the formalities ufual upon fuch occafions; and that in confequence all kinds of hoftilities may be exercifed towards the English; that those of them who are not naturalized in Spain may leave my kingdoms; that they may carry on no trade there; and that only thofe who are employed as artifans may be fuffered to remain: That, for the future, my fubjects may have no dealings with thofe of England, nor with the eftates of that crown, for any of their productions or fifheries, particularly cod,

or their manufactures or merchandise; fo that the inhibition of this trade may be understood to be, and may be in fact, abfolute and effective, and ftamp a vicious quality and a prohibition of fale on the aforefaid effects, productions, fisheries, cod, merchandise, and manufactures of the dominions of England: That no veffels whatsoever, with the above-mentioned effects on board, may be admitted into my harbours, and that they may not be permitted to be brought in by land, being illicit and prohibited in my kingdoms, though they may have been brought or depofited in buildings, baggage, warehoufes, fhops, or houfes of merchants or other private persons, my subjects or vasfals, or subjects or vassals of provinces and ftates with whom I am in peace or alliance, or have a free trade; whom, nevertheless, I intend not to hurt, or to infringe the peace, the liberty, and privilege which thev enjoy, by treaty, of carrying on a legal trade in my kingdoms with their fhips, and the proper and peculiar productions of their lands, provinces, and conquefts, or the produce of their manufactories.

I also command," that all merchants, who fhall have in their poffeilion any cod, or other fish, or produce of the dominions of England, fhall, in the space of fifteen days from the date of this declaration, declare the fame, and deliver an account thereof, either at my court or elsewhere, to the officers who fhall be appointed by the Marquis de Squilace, fuperintendant general of my revenues, that the whole may be forthcoming; and fuch of the faid effects, of which a lift thall not be fo delivered in the space of fifteen days, fhall be immediately confifcated; two months, and no more, being allowed for the confumption of thofe which fhall be declared after which time the merchant shall be obliged to carry the faid effects to the cuftomhoufes, and, where there is no cuftomhoufes, to the houfes that ferve inftead thereof, that they may be publicly fold, by an officer or officers nominated for that end, or, if none fhould be appointed, by the judges, who fhall give the produce of the fale to the proprietors; but none of the faid merchandifes prohibited in the manner just prescribed, fhall return to their warehoufes or fhops.

I have given a feparate commiffion, with all the neceflary powers, to the Marquis de Squilace, fuperintendant-general of my revenues, that in that quality he may fee that this prohibited trade be not fuf

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fered,

fered, and that he may immediately iffue fuch orders and inftructions as he fhall think neceffary for this important end; taking cognisance in the first instance, in person, and by his fubdelegates, of the disputes which fhall arife on occafion of this contraband, with an appeal to the council of finances in the hall of juftice; except, however, what relates to contraband military stores, arms, and other effects belonging to war, particularifed in treaties of peace; the cognifance of difputes on these articles belonging to the council of war and the military tribunals. And I command, that all that is above be obferved, executed, and accomplished, under the heavy penalties contained in the laws, pragmatiques, and royal fchedules iflued on like occafions in times past, which are to extend alfo to all my fubjects, and the inhabitants of my kingdoms and eftates, without any exception, and notwithstanding any privileges; my will being, that this declaration of war fhould come as foon as pollible to the knowledge of my fubjects, as well that they may guard their perfons and effects from the infults of the English, as that they may labour to moleft them, by naval armaments, and by other methods authorised by the law of arms.

Given at Buen Retiro, Jan. 16. 1762.
[i. 603.]
I THE KING.

As to affairs in the WEST INDIES, letters from the British fquadron, under the command of Adm. Rodney and Sir James Douglas, off Martinico, dated Dec. 11. bring advice, that the fhips of war had invested the ifland; but that the landforces were not then arrived. It is added, however, that the fleet was in daily expectation of them. Some accounts are pofitive, that the Spaniards have by this time in thofe feas at leaft 20 fhips of the line, 15 of which failed from Old Spain Dec. 14. The British fleet fent against Martinico has been reckoned at 19 fhips of the line, 12 frigates, and 4 floops. What reinforcement the court of London may have ordered thither fince the rupture with Spain, and how feasonably they may arrive, time muft difcover.

ENGLAND.

On the meeting of the parliament, Jan. 19. after the recefs on account of the Christmas holidays, the King went to the houfe of Peers, and made the following fpeech to both houses,

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

I Have fo often affured you of my fincere difpofition to put an end to the calamities of war, and to restore the public tranquillity on folid and lasting foundations, that no impartial perfon, either at home or abroad, can fufpect me of unneceffarily kindling a war in Europe. But it is with concern I acquaint you, that, fince your recefs, I have found myself indifpenfably obliged to declare war against Spain. The caufes are fet forth in my public declaration on this occa on; and therefore I fhall not detain you with the repetition of them. My own conduct, fince my acceflion to the throne, as well as that of the late King, my royal grandfather, towards Spain, has been fo full of good-will and friendship, fo averse to the laying hold of several just grounds of complaint which might have been alledged, and fo attentive to the advantages of the Catholic King and his family, that it was matter of the greatest surprise to me, to find, that engagements had, in this conjuncture, been entered into between that crown and France, and a treaty made to unite all the branches of the houfe of Bourbon, in the most ambitious and dangerous defigns against the commerce and independency of the rest of Europe, and particularly of my king

doms.

Whatever colours may be endeavoured to be put upon thefe injurious proceedings of the court of Madrid, I have nothing to reproach myself with: and though I have left nothing untried that could have prevented this rupture, I have thought it neceflary to prepare against every event. I therefore rely on the divine bletting on the juftnefs of my caule, the zealous and powerful assistance of my faithful fubjects, and the concurrence of my allies, who must find themfelves involved in the pernicious and extenfive projects of my enemies.

I leave thefe confiderations with you, full of the jufteft confidence, that the honour of my crown, and the interefts of my kingdoms, are fafe in your hands.

In answer to this fpeech, loyal addreffes were prefented, by the Lords on the 20th, and by the Commons on the 21ft; to which his Majefty returned gracious anfwers.

By an advertisement, dated, General Poft-office, Jan. 15. public notice was given, that no more letters would be received, or forwarded from that office, di

rected

rected to any part of Spain, during the prefent war. [xxiii. 668.]

The Queen's birth-day is the 16th of May, which falling near to that of the King, June 4. her Majefty's was by appointment kept on the 18th of January, all over G. Britain and Ireland.

On the 25th arrived at a houfe taken for him in Pall-Mall, London, the Prince of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen's brother; and next day his Highness was introduced to their Majesties.

The Count de Fuentes, the Spanish ambassador, let out from London, with his family [xxiii. 668.], on the 1st of January, and failed from Dover for Calais on the 5th.

On the 31st of January the Portland man of war arrived at Spithead from Lif. bon. She landed Lord Bristol at Falmouth. In digging lately below the foundation of a malt-house at Kingston upon Thames, there were found three leaden coffins: in the first was the body of a man, in the fecond the skeleton of a horfe, and in the third that of a greyhound.

DUNK HALIFAX.

I Have it in command from his Majefty to inform this house, that after the moft conciliatory efforts which his Majefty's moderation could dictate, or his royal dignity permit, affairs have been brought to an unhappy, though on his fide in evitable rupture with the court of Spain. In confequence of this event, and of the dangers to which this kingdom may thereby be particularly expofed, his Majefty has directed me to inform this house, that he has thought it neceflary to make an immediate augmentation of five battalions to his forces on this eftablish

ment.

I have it likewife particularly in command from his Majefty to affure this house, that after the liberal grants which the parliament of Ireland has made in the course of this feffion, it is with much regret he finds himself under the unavoid able neceflity of making any application for further fupplies: but his Majefty having, in all exigencies, the most full and firm reliance on the experienced affection and loyalty of his faithful Proteftant fub.

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jects of Ireland, entertains no doubt that this house will concur, with their usual unanimity and chearfulness, in thefe measures which the prefent war has rendered fo indifpenfably neceffary for the defence of his Majefty's crown, and ot the religion, laws, and liberties of this kingdom.

I have directed estimates to be laid before you, of the charge that will be incurred by the propofed augmentation, with as much exactness as it can be now computed; and this houfe may be affured, that fuch fums as fhall be granted will be applied with the strictest econo

my.

I am fenfible how unneceffary it would be for me to add any thing, on my part, in regard to a measure that comes fo ftrongly inforced by the recommendation of the crown, by the fituation of affairs, and which is fo effential to the fafety of this country: yet, as I look up. on this fervice to be of the utmost moment to the fecurity and preservation of this kingdom, I fhall confider your proceeding in it with alacrity and dispatch, as the highest honour that can be conferred on my administration. D. H.

In answer to this meffage, it was refolved, nem. con. that an address fhould be prefented to the King, "to affure his Majefty," inter alia, "that his faithful Commons would chearfully provide for

this additional expence, being ready, to the utmost of their abilities, to concur in fuch meafures as this unavoidable war has rendered indifpenfably neceffary for the defence of the kingdom." It was likewife refolved, nem. con. that an addrefs fhould be prefented to the Lord Lieutenant, to affure his Excellency of the entire fatisfaction which they had received from his prudent and just administration.

SCOTLAND.

The act 30' Geo. II. establishing a militia in England, is but temporary, and expires at the end of the enfuing feffion of parliament [xix. 354.]; but it was' known, that a bill would be moved for in this fellion, to continue and amend the English militia-laws. This revived the defire of many perfons in this part of the kingdom to have a fimilar establishment in Scotland. A meeting of noblemen, freeholders, and others, was held at E dinburgh on the 20th of January; and by their order, another meeting was advertifed to be held that day fe'ennight,