their Hulls and rigging. The Fortitude India. the execution. The difficulty lay in conducting Inan was diftinguished by the extraordinary bra- the furprize in fuch a manner, as fhould prevent very of her defence; and when he was at length, after much fire, boarded, Captain Jenkinlon, who, with his company of the 98th regiment were paffengers, most gallantly cleared the deck and the rigging of the enemy; and the victors had afterwards the fatisfaction of taking up and faving fome of those whom they had compelled to jump overboard. The fleet failed from Port Praya in the beginning of May, and towards the May 2d. middle of June the commodore difpatched Captain Pigot, with three or four of the beft failing frigates and cutters, to proceed towards the fouthern extremity of Africa, in or der, if poffible, to obtain fome intelligence of the ftate of the enemy in that quarter; with inftructions to rejoin the fleet, at a given point of latitude and longitude. Captain Pigot had the fortune to fall in with and take a large Dutch Eaft-India fhip of 1200 tons burthen, which had newly failed from Saldanha Bay near the Cape; the was laden with ftores and provifions, befides 40,000l. in bullion, for the island of Ceylon, but the intelligence the afforded was of ftill greater value than the cargo.

From this it appeared, that M. de Suffrein, with five fail of the line, most of his tranfports, and a confiderable body of troops, had arrived at Falle Bay, on the 21st of June; and that feveral Dutch Eaft-India fhips (homeward bound, but afraid to proceed) were then at anchor in Saldanha Bay, which lies about fourteen leagues to the northward of the Cape town and fort. To explain the caule of their lying at fo great a diftance from their principal fettlement and defence, it may be neceflary to obferve, that the Table Bay, upon which thefe lie, is not only much smaller, and let's convenient than that of Saldanha, but is exceedingly dangerous to shipping during the winds that blow in our fummer months. Thele bad properties attending Table Bay, was the motive of M. de Suffrein's anchoring in Falle Bay, which lies at the back of that very long and narrow neck of land, running far out into the fea, the mountain at whole head forms what is properly called the Cape. The bottom of this bay lies within about three leagues by land of the Cape town (which is fituated a little higher up on the oppofite coaft than the junction of the continent with the peninfula) although the paffage by fea round the neck is long, difficult, and cangerous.

The timely arrival of the French fquadron and troops was what preferved the Cape and its dependent fettlements to Holland; for neither their troops nor their fortifications were at all capable of refifting the land and the naval force, under General Meadows and Commodore Johnftone. The frigates having rejoined the feet, with their prize and intelligence, pretty car ly in July, and the commander finding that their views on the Cape were entirely fruftrated, Mr. Johnstone determined to profit of what was yet within reach, by an attempt upon the Dutch fhips in the bay of Saldanha.

This fcheme was ably and fuccefsfully conducted. The perfect knowledge which our feamco had of that bay, as well as of the whole coaft, afforded them the greatest advantages in

the enemy from having time to deftroy the hipping, to facilitate this purpofe, the commodore took the charge of pilotage upon himself: and running in under the fhore in the night, and judging his distance only by the lead, he was enabled by traverses to turn into Saldanha Bay betimes in the morning; and was to alert and rapid in his movements, that though the enemy were apprehenfive of their danger, and had kep their fore-top-fails bent in preparation, yet they had fcarcely time from the ditcovery to the coming up of the British ships, to loose them, to cut their cables, and to run the veffels on fhore. The boats being inftantly manned, the feamen with their ufual alacrity boarded the fhips, which were already fet on fire by the enemy, and had the fortune to extinguish the flames, and to fave four large ships, from 1000 to 1100 tons each; but the fire raged with fuch fury in the Middleburgh, of equal burthen, that all their efforts to fave her were ineffectual, and fhe blew up in lefs than ten minutes after the boats had abandoned her, but by a most extraordinary exertion of labour and courage, they towed her out ftern foremoft, and thereby faved the other prizes from deftruction. It was a matter of fome curiofity, to fee General Meadows perfonally affifting in this dangerons fervice, which was fo entirely foreign to his profeffional line of action.

A remarkable inftance here occurred, of the mileries to which royalty, as well as the reft of mankind, is at times liable, and of the ruin which generally attends all intimate connections between weak ftates and the more powerful; which becomes ftill more inevitable, and the calamity infinitely more grievous, if the ftronger i, under any pretence, admitted to gain a hold and footing in the country of the weaker.

A boat was feen rowing from the shore to the commodore's thip, filled with people in the eartern garb, who, while yet at a diftance, made the most humiliating figns of fupplication. Thele were no less than the two kings of Ter nate and Tidore (two of the valuable fpice inland) with the princes of their respective families, who had been long expiating, in the extreme of mifery, thofe bleflings of nature, which had rendered their countries the objects of foreign ambition and avarice. There unhappy princes having, upon fome jealoufy or fufpicion, been depofed by the Dutch, had, according to the harth and cruel maxims which have ever difgraced their government in the East, for several years been confined within the limits of a parched and detolate ifland near this place, which ferves as a common prifon and receptacle for malefactors and craninals, of all degrees and countries, from their various fettlements in India; where thefe royal perfonages, with their families, were, without regard to fex or quality, obliged to herd upon equal terms with the most profigate and abandoned of the human race. It seems they had been lately removed upon fome occafion from the inland to the continent; and feizing the opportunity which the prefent moment of terror and confufion afforded to escape from bondage, they flew for refuge and protection to the English iquadron.

(To be continued.)

WE

WE have received letters from feveral of our readers, which mention, that the portion of our magazine which is allotted for the parliamentary intelligence of Great Britain and Ireland, will not admit our keeping up with the prefent occurrences, but oblige us to be long in arrear with both kingdoms. Alfo that many debates and accounts of proceedings not only come very late, but are quite unimpor tant. We acknowledge the force of these objections; and, as we are willing always to accommodate ourselves to the opinion of the public, we thankfully receive their hints, and fhall adopt the mode recommended by our correfpondents. Our future plan therefore will be, to copy nothing from the British debates, but what hath an immediate relation to Ireland; and to give only fuch proceedings of the Irish parliament, as are of general im portance. In conformity with this plan, we fhall now begin the proceedings at large in both kingdoins, on the most important matter that hath been difcuffed during this century, namely, the final adjustment of commerce between Great Britain and Ireland.

Proceedings in the Irifb Parliament, on the Propofitions for a final Adjustment of Commercial Interefts between Great Britain and Ireland.

Ο

Thursday, January 20, 1785.

N this day, the Lord Lieutenant opened the feffions with a speech, in which were the following words.

"I am to recommend, in the King's name, to your earnest investigation, thote objects of trade and commerce between Great Britain and Ireland which have not yet received their com plete adjustment. In framing a plan, with a view to a final fettlement, you will be fenfible that the interests of Great Britain and Ireland ought to be for ever united and infeparable; and his Majefty relies on your liberality and wildom for adopting fuch an equitable fyftem, for the joint benefit of both countries, and the fupport of the common intereft, as will fecure mutual fatisfaction and permanency.”

To this was answered in the addrefs of the houfe to his Majelty:

"We return your Majesty our fincere thanks for graciously recommending to our diligent attention the final adjustment of commercial objects with our fifter kingdom. Deeply penetrated with your Majefty's paternal regard, manifefting an equal intereft in the profperity of your people, we shall confider the advantages of every part of the empire as the true basis of such an adjustment; and as a fettlement arranged upon thefe equitable principles must give univerfal fatisfaction, and its advantages, in order to be fubftantial must be lafting, we shall exert ourselves to secure its permanence with the fame earnest nefs that we hail feek its accomplishment.'

And in the addrefs to the Lord Lieutenant was this fentence:

"From the gracious manner in which his Majefty has condefcended to recommend a final Gent. Mag. May, 1785.

fettlement of trade and commerce between Great Britain and Ireland, we have ample reafon to be convinced of the good effects of your Grace's reprefentations, and the weight of your interpofition; in particular we acknowledge your Grace's' wildom, which, difdaining the ufe of temporary expedients, has adopted the nobler work of a complete and final fettlement.

"We shall eagerly pursue the wife principles which your Grace has pointed out for this arrangement, and endeavour to form a fyftem on' fuch a bafis as may fecure its permanence."

22.] Ordered, on the motion of Mr. Foster, that the houfe do, on Monday fe'nnight, proceed to take into confideration the fpeech from the throne.

He followed this by another motion, viz."that the houfe do, on Tuesday fe'nnight, refolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to take into confideration that part of the Lord Lieutenant's speech which relates to an adjustment of the trade and commerce between Great Britain and Ireland."

Right Hon. Luke Gardiner. I think these are great objects, and of the firft confequence; but as, perhaps, fome difference of opinion may arise in the profecution of this bufinets, I with the gentlemen in the confidence of government would, as foon as poffible, inform this house what are the particular objects they mean to bring forward; or what is the fyftem on which they intend to proceed in an affair of such magnitude, that time may be had to confider it.

Right Hon. Thomas Orde. A fubject of so great a nature is not to be taken up in an hurry, nor is it intended fo to do; but as the adminiftration of both kingdoms has, after the matureft deliberation, agreed upon the outline, I thail on the day mentioned by my right hon. friend ftate the general fyftem of commercial ad juftment between the two countries.

Richard Griffith, Eiq. As we are, I understand, to have a recefs for fome days, I entreat the right hon. fecretary to give us the outline of this adjustment now; that by turning it in our minds for fome time, we may come the better prepared to meet it on that day.

Travers Hartley, Efq. I think we cannot be too foon informed of this bufinefs, nor have too much time given to confider an adjustment which we are told is to be final.

Right Hon. John Hely Hutchinfon (Secretary of State.) I cannot help being furprized that gentlemen who are advocates for thole commercial regulations fhould wish to precipitate the bufinefs, by bringing it forward before the geatlemen have time to arrive in town from the country, as it is neceffary fo ferious a matter fhould be investigated in the fullest house."

31.] Mr. Secretary Orde. On a former day I gave notice that would, as of to-morrow, bring forward the final commercial adjustment between this country and Great Britain. I da not think it would be decent or refpectful in me towards the house to exhibit any thing in a crude or indigefted manner. I have not as yet been able to arrange and methodize all the papers and materials which I have collected for that purpofe, but I hope I fhall very shortly be able to prepare them for the confideration of the memLI

confequence to our manufactures, and to the whole nation, that it ought not to be delayed, especially as the right hon. gentleman is more than able to supply the place of any member in the house.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer thanked him for his good opinion, but begged to be excused; and added, that to his certain knowledge adminiftration were as eager as poffible to communi. cate to the public the propofed plan,

The order for the house going into a commit tee on that bufinels was postponed 'till Monday. 7 A motion was made, that the houfe do refolve itself into a committee of the whole houfe, to take into confideration that part of his grace the Lord Lieutenant's fpeech which relates to an adjustment of trade and commerce between Great Britain and Ireland, which being carried, and the Solicitor General having taken the chair,

important & fubject, upon a fyftem of general benefit, in which the interests of Ireland have been confidered with an affectionate liberality.

In my particular fituation, Sir, however I would wish to avoid obtruding myself upon the house, yet I think it neceffary to lay a word for my former referve, which arofe merely from a fear of offering any thing not fully confidered, and reduced to order. I feel a duty and attach ment to both countries-to the country from whence I came--and to this in which I have the honour of an oftensible situation; and I declare, that while I remain here, I hope to prove mylelf as carneft, as anxious, as determinedly zealous an advocate for the fair pretenfions of Ireland, as any Irish citizen whomfoever.

I addrefs myself earnestly to this committee, which has, I am fore, decided upon the halis that should fupport the fabric, facred to concilia tion and reciprocity of interefts.. I call confidently upon you to affift in cementing those materials which appear best suited to give strength and folidity to all the parts, and to work over it a covering of perpetual shelter against the ca pricious guits of jealouly and interestedness, while the united labours of both nations thall be employed in compleating the execution. We now ftand at the door of the temple of commercial concord-let us then caft afide all narrow and ungenerous prejudices, and carry into it only the offering of harmony and affectionLet our prayer be for mutual fuccefs, and our hope of reward be the general profperity.

From my heart I can never believe that there can be now any inaufpicious croakings of individual intereft, or even of national partiality, diftinct from the welfare of the empire.

This is not the feafon to portend a principle fo injurious to the character and good fente of this country, as that the welfare of Ireland is to be fought for only in partial attention and exclusive provisions for her own mistaken encouragement; The will now cherish the generous object of promoting the strength and profperity of the empire upon the ground of mutual benefits. Coinciding thus with the withes of Great Britain, who, I am free to declare, and forward to affert, does not defire to receive or give any conceffion or accommodation that shall not be for the real in tereft and advantage of both countries.The event, I truft, will prove the best refutation of the feditious papers in which not only Great Britain, but this houfe, was calumniated and mifieprefented; they were indeed calculated to impole upon popular credulity, and to answer the purpoles of men who are alike enemies to England and to Ireland. But the hour of delufron being past, we may proceed without danger of mifreprefentation

Give me leave, Sir, here to advert to the expreflions of this houfe in that addrefs which received an unanimous approbation at the clofe of laft teffion, and which recommend " a plan for a liberal arrangement of commercial intercourfe between Great Britain and Ireland, formed up on the broad bafts of reciprocal advantage, as the most effectual means of ftrengthening the empire at large, and cherishing the common interest and brotherly affection of both kingdoms.' I defire that part of the addrefs from this houfe

may be read. It was then read to the above purport.] I defired this part of the address to be read, as it is a foundation for the propofitions which I fhall offer to the houfe. In the investi gation of this important and complicated fubje&t, thofe principles have been our guide, and we have fought to adapt them a well to the detail of the great outline of the adjustment. Where, mutual zeal and good will animate the endeavours on both fides to obtain the fame object, the fimpleft line is that which may be chofen with greatest safety and fuccefs; and I truft it will appear that as Ireland gave her word for cherishing the common intereft and brotherly affection of both kingdoms, his Majesty's fervants have ftudied fo to frame the propofitions as to meet the general fenfe, confident that the fame fpirit will induce the British parliament to adopt the like views.

His Majesty has to both countries spoken the same gracious language, and as the antwers of both have breathed the fame fpirit of concord and affection, we have now only to attend to the fuccef-ful accomplishment of the general with. And firft we are to provide for the freedom of intercourie, and the unfettered commɩ❤ nication of merchandize, between both courtries. I addrefs myself to an assembly, the reprefentatives of a nation warm with generous feelings, and diverted of narrow partialities; I call upon them to recollect and give indulgence to the force of long-accustomed enjoyment.They will, however interested in the change of policy, make allowance for the conttant folicitude with which Great Britain has guarded for herfelf a preference in the laws of navigation; they will attend to the very early period at which this period was formed, and by what steps it has fince gathered ftrength; they will form a judg ment of the expence of blood and treasure with which the had fettled her colonies, and how naturally the might look with anxiety to them as objects of her peculiar care. They will then delcend to a period very little removed from the prefent, when in the greatest need of every polfible fource of affistance and support, the liftened to their requests, relaxed the principle of inte refted jealousy, and imparted to Ireland a participation of this exclufive trade. This houfe received the gift with due acknowledgment, and july greeted the omen, the happy prefage of that victory which affection has fince obtained over felf-intereft and prejudice.

The moment I truft is come when that victory will be made complete, when the refervation even of a just preference will be given up, in addition to the conceffions already granted, and thereby every obstacle will be removed, to the full interchange of the commodities of the world. It is not my purpose to attempt in this place a detail of the advantages to be derived from the adoption of this propofition; you will measure them by your anxiety for obtaining them; and the fame principle which, on the part of Great Britain, induced the facrifice of ■ partial intereft to the great object, a generous reciprocity, will influence your estimation and acknowledgment of her unequivocal liberality, a liberality highly worthy of imitation, by which the gives up her old partiality to the navigations Lia

laws, thofe laws for the maintenance of which fhe has lavished so much blood and treasure.

The next confideration which presents itself is the adjustment of duties upon the commodities of the two countries, for their communication of a mutual fupply: Thofe equitable principles of commerce were formerly not well understood impofts have been laid upon goods in their pallage from one diftrict of the fame country to another; partial reftrictions have been tried as the means of giving fuccefs to partial favour; but local partialities have by experience been found to occafion general diftrefs and impoverishment, with advantage only to a few interested monopolifts. Wifer have been those fpeculations, and more fortunate for the public has been the practice, where a community of interests has encouraged a competition of induftry; and it might even be doubted whether be tween rival states there is not more of political prejudice than commercial wisdom, in fuppofing the ftrength of the one to be the confequent weakness of the other, which have introduced maxims of mutual prohibition and exclufion.

It will be readily admitted here, that in what ever relates to general profperity, Great Britain and Ireland fhould be confidered as one country; the ftrength and wealth of the one is the strength and wealth of the other; I am confident, therefere, that in propofing upon this part of the fubject an adjustment, which by the destruction of unequal feififh preferences may fet up a lyf tem of equal intercourse, I fhall be juftified in my idea, both of the wishes and real interefts of this kingdom.

I venture again to repeat my firm belief that Great Britain will be difpofed to loofen her reftraints, and to remove her diftinctions, however Strongly, from the ttate of internal burdens, he may fill be fenfible of the neceffity which has made her adhere, with an apparent pertinacity, to the plan of exclufive encouragement to fome of her manufactures, and with cordial fentiments of affection and confidence she will be ready to facrifice the benefits in her feparate poffeffion to the more enlarged defire of participating them with a fifter kingdom. I form only a true fentiment of the mutual fenfe of attachment in this nation, when I prefume to rely upon your generous confideration, as well of her difficulties as of her liberality. It will therefore, be unneceffary for me to dwell upon those objects of apprehenfion which, in the eyes of a lefs liberal nation might be magnified, instead of removed, upon the view of opening a free participation of ade upon equal principle, while he is aware of the preferable commercial fituation of Ireland, of the comparative cheapness of its necef. faries, and the confequent diminished price of its labour, alarming heretofore to every British merchant and manufacturer; nor can the confider as advantage of long duration to her the prefent difference refulting from fuperior capital, and perhaps fuperior habits of industry and invention, There are circumftances which will diminish every year, which may even be transferred to this country, which I might almost venture to fay you yourfelves may command, by a mere endeavour to take a true advantage of your fituation by infpiring fentiments of industry, trangoods from the place of their growth by this

quillity and contentment through the country; by banishing tumult and diffention through the land; by pointing out the true fources of happinefs and importance to every individual, and by fubjecting the frenzy of political, to the wisdom of commercial, regulation.

The first refolution that I fhall take the liberty of fubmitting is a general one, declaratory of the principle upon which the plan of adjustment is to be formed it is this,

"Refolved, ift, That it is the opinion of this committee, that it is highly important to the general interest of the British empire that the trade between Great Britain and Ireland be encouraged and extended as much as poffible; and for that purpose that the intercourfe and commerce be finally fettled and regulated on permanent and equitable principles, for the mutual benefit of both countries."

This is meant only as an introductory propofition; but before I enter into the reft I beg leave to fay this, with regard to the foreign and domeftic trade, Great Britain and Ireland shall have the fame advantages, and be fubjected to the lame duties; that lụch a bond of affection may fubfift between the two countries as, I hope, will be indissoluble.

The fecond refolution that I fhall offer, and which is in fact the first of regulation, is this, "Refolved, zdly, That towards carrying into full effect to defirable a fettlement, it is fit and proper that all articles, not the growth or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, fhould be imported into each kingdom from the other reciprocally, under the fame regulations, and at the fame duties, if fubject to duties, to which they are liable when imported directly from the place of their growth, product or manufacture; and that all duties originally paid on importation into either country refpectively, fhall be fully drawn back on exportation to the other."

I hope this will meet the entire approbation of the house, and that there cannot poffibly be one diffentient voice.

The committee will perceive that this for ever abolishes the unfavourable conftruction of the navigation act. The British market is now open to the fubjects of Ireland, and they may fupply it on the fame terms that it is fupplied by the British merchants themselves; there will no longer be any restraint on ipeculation, that powerful flimulative to commercial vigour. Ireland, from her happy fituation, may become an emporium of trade, and even Great Britain may fupply herself from her markets. It will open a large field for fpeculation, and give it encouragement. Your coafts will be open to fhips from foreign ports, and you will have an extenfive demand for home confumption: And we should take into confideration the great degree of credit which this meature will give this country, by bonding all duties to the time of fale.'-This, Sir, will give Ireland the advantage of a more extenfive credit,-and her merchants, by bonding the duties on direct im portation, may be the better enabled to accommodate their customers in time.

Great Britain had formerly the advantage of an abatement of one-half custom on plantation goods, and one-third more of custom on foreign

goods