1

fon gaol, and the other to the Bridewell of that town, for further examination by the juftices on Saturday. What is very remarkable, the eldest of the two fellows is not 18, the other not 17 years of age.

Thursday, Feb. 2. The dead body of an ancient woman was taken out of the ruins of the houses that fell down near the Play-house paffage in Drury-lane the day before, occafioned by a mob affembling and pulling down and carrying off the timbers of the faid houfes, which were uninhabtied; for which felony feveral are sent to prifon.

Friday, Feb. 3. The house of commons fat from twelve o'clock on Thursday noon, till four o'clock this morning, met again about noon, and fat late.

Mr. Wilkes's behaviour, on a folemn occafion, was acknowledged even by his opponents, to be firm, manly, decent; revering, but not crouching.

The following paragraph may be depended upon as an authentic extract from a letter of a great man abroad, to a man of diftinction here in England :---" I am here a voluntary exile for the quiet of my k---g; would it not have been better if my virulent opponent had continued fo too, for the quiet of his country."

Their royal highnesses the dukes of Gloucefter and Cumberland attended at the house of commons, in the gallery, till two o'clock on Thursday morning, in order to hear the debates.

About nine o'clock, Capt. Allen, (who appeared as one of the witneffes at the late trial of the chairmen) was committed to Newgate, for a challenge given to a certain baronet.

Saturday, Feb. 4. This morning, at three o'clock, a celebrated patriot loft his feat by a majority of about 80, but we do not hear that he is yet difqualified.

A new writ is iffued for a member for Middlefex in the room of John Wilkes, Efq;

Monday, Feb. 6. Both houfes of convocacation, preceeded by his grace the archbishop of Canterbury, waited on his majefty, at St. James's with their address.

Tuesday, Feb. 7. There was a very full court of aldemen at Guildhall, when the admiffion of Mr. Wilkes as a member of that court was taken into confideration, but they came to no determination, and the affair was poftponed to a farther hearing.

The opinion of Mr. ferjeant Leigh and Mr. ferjeant Glynn, are ordered to be taken on fome points of law ftated yesterday, refpecting the obligation of admitting Mr. Wilkes as an alderman.

Wednesday, Feb. 8. Mr. Pain, a constable, having received a letter that a man who had committed feveral robberies would yesterday

be in Guildhall, defcribing his perfon and drefs, and that he would have a brace of loaded piftols in his pocket; Mr. Paine went thither, and foon faw a man answering the defcription in the letter; whereupon he feized him, and found an unloaded piftol in his pocket. He was fent to the Poultry compter for examination; and this day was examined before the lord Mayor, who afterwards fent him for further examination to Sir John Fielding, by whom he was committed to prifon. The piftol found on him, which the day before was fuppofed to be unloaded, was, on further inspection, difcovered to be charged with powder, and a ball made of pewter.

Thursday, Feb. 9. We are told that the next morning after Mr. Wilkes had caused a quantity of pork, peas, &c. to be diftributed among the prifoners in the King's bench, one of them feeing that gentleman walking towards the garden, returned him his hearty thanks, and added, "It is a pity but there was fuch a genteleman as you in every gaol of the kingdom.”

We are informed that Mr. Bingley will not be admitted any more to bail, unless he will give bail to answer to interrogatories; and as he apprehends that it is against the law of this land to compel a man to answer and convict himself, he is determined never to anfwer fuch interrogatories, and therefore must, if no fuperior power interpofes, lie in prison for life.

Friday, Feb. 10. Came on before the chancellor of London, a caufe at Doctor's Commons between the hon. Miss C--------- (one of the maids of h------r to a great perfonage) and the hon. A------ H-----, a captain in the royal navy, on a fuppofed marriage; but the captain not being able to prove his marriage with the faid lady, he was by the judge of the court declared to be free from matrimonial contract with the faid gentleman.

At the fame time came on, before the fame judge at Doctor's Commons, a cause between the d--- of G------ and his d------ ; when the d--- was proved to have had C-------1 c---nv------n with lord O-----and the d--- of G------ was divorced from his d------

A common-hall of the livery of this city was held at Guildhall, when Mr. Clavey, an eminent linen-draper, and of the common-council of Farringdon ward within, was appointed chairman. Soon after which, the livery being informed, that Mr. alderman Beckford was in the council chamber, fome of the gentlemen were deputed to wait on him to defire his prefence, with which he complied with his ufual readiness, whenever the livery of London have requefted his affiftance, Mr. Beckford then entered the

hall,

ball, amidst the greateft acclamations, and afcending the huftings, addrefied himself to the livery to the following purpot:

"I am informed, gentlemen, that you intend to inftruct your reprefentatives. This refolution of your's is perfectly right, for it is conftitutional. If any inftructions fhould be given to me, which may be inconfiftent with my own fentiments, 1 fhall always take the liberty, with decency and humility, to fay, that, in my opinion, they are improper; But far be it from me to, oppofe my own judgment to that of 6000 of my fellow citizens. That giving inftructions is according to law, and the cuftoms of parliament, we have the authority of that great oracle of the law, lord Coke. [4th Inftitute, page 14.] It must be in the nature of things; for formerly seprefentatives were paid wages by their conftituents, but in fome late houses of parli ament (I beg I may not be understood here as meaning to caft the leaft reflection upou the prefent, which is the most incorrupt I ever knew, all the world know them to be gentlemen of indifputable integrity) but in fome Tate houses of parliament the reprefentatives have rather chofen to receive pay and penfions from minifters than from their conftituents." He concluded with advifing the livery, in their instructions, to attend to meafures and not men, which he declared he himself had always done; and that he never would accept of place, penfion, title, or any emolument what foever.

A fet of inftructions were then read twice over, when fome additions were propofed, and they were afterwards put up by the chairman, article by article, and the fenfe of the livery taken on each, and all unanimously agreed to. They are as follows:

GUILDHALL, Feb. 10, 1769. To Sir ROBERT LADEROKE, Knt. WILLIAM BECKFORD, Efq; The Right Hon. THOMAS HARLEY, Efq; and BARLOW TRECOTHICK, Efq; Aldermen, the Reprefentatives in Parliament for the City of London.

Gentlemen, WE, your conftituents, affembled in the Guildhall of London, fully fenfible of the value of the laws and conftitutions, tranfmitted to us by our ancestors, and firmly refolved to preferve this inheritance entire, as we have received it, think it our indifpenfable duty at this time, as well as our undoubted right, to instruct you, our representatives in parliament, as follows:

1. We recommend, that you exert your utmoft endeavours, that the proceedings in the cafe of libels, and all other criminal matters, may be confined to the known rules of Jaw, and not rendered dangerous to the fubject by forced conftructions, new modes of

enquiry, unconstitutional tribunals or new and unufual punishments, tending to take away or diminish the benefit of trials by juries.

2. That you carefully watch over the great bulwark of our liberties, the Habeas Corpus act; and that you enquire into, and cenfure any attempt to elude, or enervate the force of that law.

3. That you preferve equally inviolate the priviledge of parliament, and the rights of the electors in the choice of their reprefentatives.

4. That you do not difcourage petitions, by felecting fuch parts thereof as may tend not to relieve, but to criminate the petitioner, fo as to prevent all approach to your house, by which means the most effential articles of the declaration of rights may be eluded, or rendered of the lefs effect.

5. That you endeavour to prevent all application of the publick money to influence elections of members to ferve in parliament.

6. That you give no countenance to the dangerous doctrine of constructive treasons, or to the application of doubtful or uncertain laws to this interefting object, nor suffer minifters to be invefted with a vague and difcretionary power of judging on, or profecuting this offence, and that you will vigorously oppofe any measures tending to introduce modes and circumftances of trial, which may render it difficult or impoffible for the party accufed to obtain full and equal justice.

7. That you will, as the reprefentatives of this great commercial city, be particularly attentive to the intereft of the manufactures, and the trade of this kingdom in all parts of the world, and more efpecially in the British American colonies, the only profitable trade this kingdom enjoys unrivaled by other nations; for which purpose we recommend your utmoft endeavours to reconcile the unhappy differences fubfifting between the mother country and the colonies, the fatal effects of which have, in part, been severely felt by the manufacturer, and the commercial part of this kingdon.

8. That you will, at this time particularly, attend to the prefervation of publick faith, the fole foundation of publick credit; and that you do not, upon any pretence of publick good whatfoever, concur in any meafure that shall tend to weaken or destroy that faith.

9. That you use your utmost endeavours that the civil magiftracy of this kingdom be put on a respectable footing, and thereby remove the pretence of calling in a millitary force, and preferve this nation from a calamity which has already been fatal to the liberties of every kingdom round us, and which we at this day are beginning to feel.

10. That you promote a strict enquiry into the ufe which has lately been made of mili

tary

13. That you will promote a bill for limiting the number of placemen and penfioners in the house of commons, for preventing the peers of Great Britain from interfereing in elections for members of parliament, and that an oath to prevent bribery and corruption be taken not only by the electors, but also by the candidates, at the opening of the poll.

14. That you use your utmost endeavours to obtain an act to fhorten the duration of Parliaments; and lastly, we submit to your confideration, whether a change in the prefent mode of election, to that of ballot, would not be the most likely method of procuring a return of members on the genuine and uncorrupt fenfe of the people. (Signed)

CHARLES CLAVEY, Chairman of the Common Hall. Mr. Beckford, when one of the inftructions, relating to the short duration of parliaments, was propofed, teok occafion to fay, "that the triennial parliament, which voted themfelves to fit for seven years, had just as much right to vote themselves for forty, or any other number; but he thought annual parliaments would be beft." However he recommended rhat no ftipulated time fhould be mentioned.

There never was a more refpectable appearance of the livery, and the whole meeting was conducted with the utmost order and decorum.

Saturday, Feb. 12. A young gentleman from Ireland, who was heir to a good eftate, a few days ago was found dead in his bed at his apartments in Westminster; it is fuppofed he had taken opium, the night before, as a fmall quantity of that drug was found on his table; on which alfo lay a paper, containing these words, in his own hand-writing, "I defire my effects may be given to those who want them moft, the poor."

Monday, Feb. 13. Some members of an auguft affembly, on a vifit to a certain captain confined in Newgate for a breach of privilege, the gates as ufual happened to be faut

79

between two and four, which detaining them longer than they intended, the captain politely made an excufe, and explained to them the reafon of it, at the fame time hoping it was no breach of privilege.

Tuesday, Feb. 14. At a very numerous meet ing of the freeholders of the county of Middlefex at the Mile-end affembly room, it was unanimously refolved to confirm their former choice, by re-electing John Wilkes, Efq; thens reprefentative in parliament.

George Bellas, Efq; was called to the chair. James Townsend, Efq; member of parliament for Wetlooe in Cornwal, recommended the re-election of Mr. Wilkes in a very elegant and animated fpeech; in which he obferved, that he had never feen nor spoken to Mr. Wilkes before his late expulfion; that he regarded his caufe folely as the cause of the people, divefted of every perfonal confideration or connection; that the oppreffion and injuries which Mr. Wilkes had fufferedwere fufficient to roufe the indignation of every man that had one generous fentiment in his breaft, or the leaft fense of freedom and regard for the conftitution; and that he would affert the right of the freeholders to the choice of their reprefentatives, by going to give his vote for Mr. Wilkes, in cafe of future expulfions, as long as he should have a fhilling left, or one leg to hop down to Brentford.

John Sawbridge, Efq; member for Hithe iu Kent, feconded this motion with great fpirit, concluding with the words of Mr. Wilkes's addrefs, ---That if once the miniftry shall be permitted to fay whom the freeholders fhall not chufe, the next ftep will be to tell them whom they shall chufe.

Mr. Horne, Samuel Vaughan, Efq, Sir Francis Blake Delaval, Eyre, Efq;Jones, Efq; and many other gentlemen of property and character, spoke to the fame effect.

Wednesday, Feb. 15. The Englishmen noblemen and gentlemen now refiding at Florence, lately raifed, by fubfcription, a fum of gool. which they fent to Gen. Paoli, who fignified his thankful acceptance of it by a moft polite letter.

Thursday, Feb. 16. This day came on again at Brentford, the election of a knight of the fhire for the county of Middlefex, when John Wilkes, Efq; being put in nomination by James Townsend, Efq; member for WestLooe in Cornwall, and feconded by John Sawbridge, Efq; member for Hithe, the freeholders were unanimous in their approbation of the gentleman nominated, and accordingly Mr. Wilkes was returned without oppofition.

Mr. Townsend and Mr. Sawbridge both made very elegant fpceches on the occafion,

and

and the former was chaired for Mr. Wilkes. The concourse of freeholders was prodigious, and the acclamations with which they received the declaration of the Sheriff, fuch as teftified the greatest joy at the election of their former member. Mr. alderman Hallifax was the only Sheriff who attended on this occafion, Mr. Shakespeare, it is faid, being ill.

Friday, Feb. 17. The report was made to his majesty of the convicts under fentence of death in Newgate, when the following were ordered for, execution on Wednesday next, viz. John Burrow, for robbing Robert Elliot in the Green-park; Robert Davis, alias David Roberts, who pleaded guilty to five indictments for felonies; John Cafey, alias Clark, for returning from tranfportation before the expiration of his time; Jasper Webb aad Edward Williams, for robbing James Dorfe of a great coat and snuff-box, on the highway near Kentish-town.

The following were refpited; viz. James Cooper and Charles Wilks, for burglaries; and Ann Perkins, convicted in December feffions, for returning from transportation before her time.

Balfe and M'Quirk are postponed till farther enquiry.

Saturday, Feb. 18. Mr. Wilkes's fecond expulfion is now reported to be founded on the fame principles with, and confirmed by precedent of Sir Robert Walpole's cafe; to wit, that the expulfion of a member in one feffions, renders him incapable of fitting the whole courfe of that parliament.

Monday, Feb. 20. Drefden, Feb. 5. The new emprefs arrived here on Sunday laft precifely at twelve o'clock, and was received by the electoral family with the greateft demonftrations of joy and cordiality. The marriage ceremony was performed the fame evening by the elector of Triers, at an altar erected for the purpose in the hall of the palace, into which none were admitted but the foreign minifters and principal nobility.

Tuesday, Feb. 21. The huftings at Brentford for the re-election of Mr. Wilkes were remarkably fmall: Whilft they were erecting, an agent of Sir W. B. P. afked the carpenter if he was building a pulpit for the parfon: "No, Sir, (faid the carpenter) -a flaughter-house for Sir William.

BANKRUPT S.

William Hardeman, late of Allder was, in Staffordshire, now of St. Mary le Bonne, Middlefex, dealer. Benjamin Harrifon, of Friday-street, London, tobacconist. William Cooper, late of the Hermitage, in the parifh of St. John, Wapping, Middlesex, flopfeller.

Cor

Matthew Coates, of the parish of St. Paul, Shadwell, Middlesex, biscuit-maker. nelius Moon, of the parish of Lifcard, in Cornwall, yarn jobber or trader, and dealer in woollen yarn. Thomas Charlton, now or late of Rochdale, in Lancashire, fhopkeeper. Nathaniel Allway Beadles, late of Woodchefter, in Gloucefter, fhopkeeper. Thomas Gilhart, late of London, merchant. Chriftopher Elliott, late of Methley in Yorkshire, mariner. Matthew Terry, late of Bucklersbury, London, warehouseman. Samuel Cook, of Seaford, in Suffex, grocer. Andrew Bell' and Alexander Strachan, now or late of London, merchants and partners. John Swetnam, late of the parish of St. Pencras, Middlefex, carpenter. Benjamin Alexander, of London, merchant. Samuel Sedgley, William Hillhouse, and Samuel Berry, of Bristol, merchants and partners. Edmund Johnson, of the borough of Leicester, dealer. Charles Mullar, now or late of Bafinghall-street, London, merchant. John Matthews, of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Middlefex, hardwareman. Ames Avery, of the Poultry, London, watch-maker. Highman Palatine, late of Lincoln, but now of RedLion-ftreet, Whitechapel, Middlefex, filverfmith. John England, late of Cornhill, London, hofier. Gabriel Anthony Ernft, of London, merchant. James Fortune, of lower Eaft-Smithfield, taylor. William Prentice, of St. George the Martyr, dealer. John Clapp, of Dockhead, mariner. Jofeph Hanbury, of Kidderminster, ftuff-weaver. James Bannatine, late of Brimingham, Warwickfhire, dealer. Edward Newton, of the borough and parish of Leominster, Herefordfhire, taylor. Richard Leeming, of the parish of St. Edmund the King, London, victualler. Raphael Waytin, late of Broad ftreet, Carnaby-market, Weftminster, mattrass-maker. Jacob Roberts, of London, factor. John Risbrough and Thomas Rifbrough, of Hoxton in the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Middlefex, partners and bricklayers. Henry Ellis, of Holborn, in the parish of St. Andrew, Middlefex, wine-merchant. William Brocklehurst, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, button merchant. George Sammes, of Patteswick, Effex, miller.

DEATHS.

At her house in Hanover-fquare, Lady Dowager Litchfield, mother of the present earl.---At his feat at Dillonftown, in the county of Louth, in Ireland, in the 86th year of his age, Thomas Fortescue, Efq;--At his houfe at Stanmore in Middlefex, in the 82d year of his age, Andrew Drummond, Efq; banker at Charing-cross.

1769.

ΤΗ

HE year 1684 ferved to fet the character of lord chief juftice Jefferies in a more confpicuous light. This year abounds with court profecutions and penalties, the furrendry of charters, and every inftance of minifterial tyranny and oppreffion. Moft cities knowing it impracticable to wrestle with the power of the court, or the iniquity of the judges, furrendered their charters voluntarily. Those who had more attachment for their liberties were obliged to fubmit, as the courtiers were employed either to cajole them by promifes, or extort a furrendry by menaces. Lord chief juftice Jefferies figured greatly in this employment, and in his progrefs on the midland circuit made it his fole, at leaft his chief, bufinefs to terrify the corporations, he paffed through, into a compliance. At his return, he waited on his majesty at Windfor, with the charters of the city of London, and other places within his circuit, as a teftimony of his own loyalty, and a trophy of his triumph over the liberties of the nation.

The struggle which the people had made in defence of their liberties, during the reign of Charles II. did not prove more fuccefsful in that of his fucceffor. The minifters and judges who had favoured the deVOL. II.

fpotic views of the former reign, were retained in order to purfue the fame measures in the reign of James II. We need not therefore wonder that Jefferies was in as great favour with this king as he had been with his brother. The maxim that power is retained by the fame artifices by which it was firft acquired, holds good of every degree of favouritifm, and was confirmed by the conduct of Jefferies, who, with refpect to iniquity, was a confiftent character.

They who had been inftrumental to the punishment of Papifts in the former reign, were marked out as facrifices in this. The most active and celebrated person who had appeared againft the Papifts was one Titus Oates, and he was brought to his trial for perjury on May 19, 1685. The chief evidences against him were Papifts; wherefore Oates appealed to the court, "Whether a Papift, in a cafe of religion, might be believed and received as a good witnefs?" To this he was anfwered, "He might"-and was afked by chief juftice Jefferies, "Whether he came there to preach ?" The prifoner then infifted upon it as his right, and demanded to be heard by council; but he was ftill over-ruled by lord chief juftice Jefferies. Upon this, Oates L

appealed