FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS. breaking through the narrow policy of an exclufive commerce, are actually employed in digefting a plan for opening a trade between the -western coast of South America and foreign nations, by conftituting therein three free ports. We hear the plan has already gone fo far, that thefe ports are actually named; viz. Baldicia in Chili, Bonaventure Bay in New Granada, and Cinale in New Mexico. All this, it is faid, has been effected by an application lately made by the British Minifter, at the inftance of fome merchants of London, for a partial renewal of the Affiento Treaty,-by which a British fhip was annually permitted to trade with the Spanish dominions in the South Seas: How that trade was dropped by the South Sea Company is well known. They have allo, after the example of France eftablished a new Eaft India Company: the ordinance relative thereto is dated the 28th of April. The amount of their capital is to be 30 millions of livres, of which the Caracas Company, which is re-united to it, is to furnish nine, the King five, the Bank of Madrid three, and the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands a fimilar fum. The remaining 10,000.000 are to be divided into shares of 1000 livres each. The company will be charged with the equipment of the merchant ships deftined for Spanish America, where they will carry the merchandize neceffary for that country, and receive in exchange piafters, corn, and fruits, which they are to carry to the Philippines, where they will purchase the goods of India and China. The King permits to all nations the free entrance into all the ports of the Philippines. The company will have there a Council of Administration; and there is to be another established at Manilla, and one at Madrid, with which the other two are to correlpond. The Emprefs of Ruffia has ordered a new expedition, to be undertaken, in order to extend the dif'coveries already made by different navigators of the Empire. Lieutenant Colonel Bleumer is to have the command, and will take with him several perfons skilled in different arts: they will embark at the mouth of the river Anadir, and will fail from thence to those parts where former navigators have difcovered inhabited inlands, advantageously fituated about the 64th degree of latitude, and with whom a fur trade is already established. The Colonel will double the cape of Tifchurky, and coming down the ftraits which feparate Siberia from America, will purfue his voyage as far as the 74th degree of latitude, or farther, if he finds it practicable. The Emperor appears equally attentive to promote the trade and manufactures of his fubjects, and to extend their commerce; but this monarch feems to be unfortunate in his commercial schemes. Not to mention the failure of the Afiatic Company of Oftend, the trade undertaken by the way of the Danube to the Black Sea, far from turning to advantage, has been attended with confiderable lofs. His Imperial Majefty is, notwithstanding, indefatigable in his July, 1785. lef than twenty-four new manufactures eftablifhed in his hereditary dominions, befides a new hofpital erected in Vienna, to which all beggars are fent to work; befides workshops in the fuburbs, where all who are able and willing to work may had employment, Eaft India Advices. Letters lately received from the Eaft Indies deserve attention: among others, one from Bombay, which, when compared with that from Governor Haftings, written from Lucknow, will not appear deftitute of probability. It is as follows; an event has lately taken place among the Country Powers, which may be productive of confequences to the Eaft India Company, of which no man can foretell the iffue, as it has thrown power into the hands of Mata jee Scindia, a friend of the English. Hearing that two of the Chiefs, or Princes, under the King of Delhi, had quarrelled, he joined one of them, and it was agreed between him and one Chief, that they should attack the other in the morning but the evening preceding the intended attack, the Chief which Scindia had joined, was alfaffinated in his tent, of course the attack was poftponed. Scindia had addrefs enough to prevail upon the officers belonging to the affaffinated Chief to conti-⚫ nue with him, though it was fupposed that he had been the cause of the death; and in a few days he obliged the other party to lay down their arms, and furrender to him, by which means he has got poffeffion of one of the largest countries in the East, and reduced the King of Delhi to a mere cypher: and thould he now take a part a gainft the Eaft India Company, he will be a moft formidable enemy. Add to the above, the following mysterious advices from India, by the way of France: "We cannot yet rightly underftand what paffed in India laft Autumn. We are affured, that Trinquemale is in the poffeffion of the French, whose squadron ftill anchors in the road of that factory, and that M. de Pennus, menacing the English forces, has obliged them to retire. The latter, it is faid, are gone to Pondicherry, where they have landed their troops, under the orders of General Macartney, who has entered that city, and is settled there He has not made any prifoners, and feems to hare with Comte de Buffy the rights of govern ment, and the power of receiving the subsidies. M. de Buffy hath committed no acts of violence, knowing that the greatest part of the inhabitants are devoted to the English policy. He hath fent a frigate to France; and his complaints, having reached the court, have been commu nicated to the Duke of Doriet: the Court of London, it is faid, have difavowed the proceedings of a certain gentleman, and has recalled him, that an enquiry may be made into his conduct." This certain gentleman is now are rived, and no doubt will explain the above as well as many other mysterious particulars with which the public has long been amofed. thing, however, has yet transpired, but much may be expected. Ccc No Amerion 2 INTELLIGENCE. Ta meeting of the Merchants Company at Edinburgh, it was unanimously refolved, That the tax upon fhops was a bad tax; and to request the Lord Provoft and Magiftrates to inftruct their Members to oppose it.. A loop from Fifefhire, loaded with limefhells for Carron, funk a few weeks ago in Leith-roads. The lime getting water, fwelled to fuch a degree as to burft the veffel, and the went down directly. The man and two boys that navigated her, were faved by a velel in Light. LONDON, Wednesday, June r. This day, John Adams, efq. minifter plenipotentiary from the United States of America, had a private audience of his majesty, to deliver his credentials. Same day, Colonel Smith, (late aid-de-camp to Gen. Washington) arrived, in character of feeretary to his excellency John Adams, efq. ambaffador and plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the court of Great Bri tain. 31 A grand musical concert from Handel's works, was performed in Weftminster Abbey to a moft brilliant audience of more than 2000 perfons, many of them of the highest rank, and patronized by the royal family. The inftrumental performers amounted to 6co. This day, Sir Edward Vernon, Major Money, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Lockwood, took their de parture in a balloon from Tottenham-court road, about one o'clock, and about four were fet down near Higham Farm, in Effex, where Mr. Blake jumped out. The balloon was no fooner lightened than it was again loft in the clouds; and after having failed about 36 miles farther, the voyagers opened the valve, and carne down on a heath near Colchetter. Major Money and Mr. Blake, in their way to London, dined with Lord Orford at High Beach, on Epping Foreft, where they found Mr. Pilatre de Rofter and his friend already feated. The fame day, Colonel Thornton mounted in another balloon from South Lambeth, and tak ing a dog with him by way of experiment, precipitated him in a parachute, a fort of umbrella, which defcended to the earth with great velocity, and broke the poor dog's bones to pieces. Mr. Blanchard afterwards afcended in the fame balloon (the Colonel's weight being found too heavy for it), and took a cat with him, which he likewife threw out in a like vehicle, which defcended gradually, and lighted on a tree, where the cat has fince been found, inclofed in a net. He himself defcended near Woolwich. diftinguished with every proof of refpect and ef teem. The ufual folemnities were attended to, and the Ode performed with good effect, before their Majefties, feveral of their illuftrious ofspring, and a numerous meeting of the nobility. The drawing-room displayed great brilliancy. The great Officers of State, the Minifters from the different Courts on the Continent, and many of the most diftinguished nobility appeared in the prefence. The King was in a plain fuit, of a milk che colate colour, and appeared in charming fpirits. Her Majefty was fuperbly dreffed in blue and Glver. The petticoat was entirely covered with a rich filver embroidered crape. Her jewels were dilpofed with uncommon tafte, and railed to such advantage on a black ground in stripes, as made the most perfect and brilliant appearance; and we never remember to have feen her the Majefty in better fpirits than fhe was whole day, both in the drawing-room and ball room. The Prince of Wales was in a royal purple velvet, richly embroidered with filver, and made a most elegant appearance. The Princess Royal's dress was lilac and filver, embellished with a beautiful filver embroidered crape, of superior work and perfection; reprefenting various devices in wreathes, knots, and fmall bouquets of natural flowers. flower baskets, interfperfed wish a variety of Her royal Highness wore an elegant bouquet at her stomacher, her head dress confifted of a neat panacées with a green wreath and diamons. Her filters appeared in caps fimilar to the one aforementi oned. The Princess Elizabeth made her appearance in a moft elegant fuit of cloaths of lilac and filfifter's, the Princess Royal. The bouquets which ver, the very refemblance and counterpart of her ornamented her drefs were chiefly of jonquils and myrtles. Her Highnefs differed from her fifters by wearing no bouquet in her bofom. equal to any we remember on the occafion.— The drawing-room, in point of fplendor, was of feathers, difpofed with neatnefs, artificial The head-drets of the ladies principally confifled flowers and diamonds. A few new carriages appeared. The one moft deferving notice was a new coach belonging to 4.] His Majesty's birth-day was on Saturday the Prince of Wales. The body of the carriage was of pearl colour, edged with a fanciful border in green and gold; the hammer cloth was ve ry fuperb. The illuminations were numerous, in many places magnificent; their Majefties tradesmen, those of the Prince of Wales, and other branches of the Royal Family, emulated in fuch inftances of loyalty. The ball-room was vifited in the evening by a brilliant company. Lord Salisbury being ablent by indifpofition, the rod of office defcended to a deputy. The Prince of Wales entered a little before nine, and fhortly after their Majesties, the Princefs Royal, Princess Augufta, and Princess Elizabeth. Before the Royal Family were feated, the King addreffed with the utmost courtesy every lady within the circle of the dancers, and continued in converfation for fome minutes with each of them; her Majefty displayed a like af fability and grace; after which the minuets commenced. The Prince of Wales opened the ball with the Princess Royal, and afterwards danced with the Princefs Augufta. The Princess Elizabeth, who vifited the Court Ball for the first time, walked the next minuet. Lord Rochford was honoured with her Highness's hand upon this occafion. The other minuet dancers were Lord Moreton, Lord Galway, Lord St. Afaph, Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Phipps, &c. Lady Catharine Powlett, Countefs of Salisbury, Lady Sutherland, Hon. Mifs Thynne, Mifs Gideon, &c." The minuets ended about half paft ten, and the country dances began. Eight couple ftood up, but the pace was too confined to admit of their dancing in the beft order. Six couple were as follow: Prince of Wales Rord Rochford Lord Moreton Mr. Phipps Mr. Bouverie Capt. Stopford Princess Royal Princess Augufta Princess Elizabeth Lady C. Powlett Lady Salisbury CountersSutherland. The ball ended a few minutes before twelve, in confequence of its being Saturday night. Their Majesties and Princeffes withdrew foon after. The Prince remained fome time in converfation with the ladies, and upon his retiring, the ball room was foon cleared. 8] Prince Edward, who disembarked at Stade on the 23d ult. was met there by his two Royal brothers, the Prince Bishop of Ofnaburgh, and Prince William Henry, who waited his arrival at that place for fome days. The next day they went to Lunenbourgh, where they flept, and from thence proceeded to Hanover, where they all arrived in perfect health. 10] Wednelday morning Mr. Kaerdent, one of the German messengers, arrived at the Foreign Secretary of State's office at St. James's, with dilpatches from Hanover; which befides the letter from the Lords of the Regency, conzained private letters for the Royal family from the Bishop of Oinaburgh, and the Princes Henry and Edward, which lalt arrived fafe in that city on Sunday the 29th of last month, and in perfect health. The Bishop is now the third in commiffion of the Lords of the Regency for managing the affairs of the Electorate of Hanover; and as the older members die off, his Royal Highness will be at the head of it, as the Prefident and Manager of affairs. As the Bishop has chofen to refide generally in Germany (his Bishoprick joining his Electorate) this appointment is both afeful and profitable; and it is faid to be the inten tion to nominate Prince Edward, who is lately gane abroad, to a poft in the Electorate, advance ing him hy degrees into the commiffion. The falary to the Prefident of the Electorate is 2000l. per annum, and 1100l. per annum to each of the other four Commiffioners, who have a Seqretary at 6ool. per annum, and the other officers fubordinate. The whole expence of the government of the Electorate in falaries to civil officers is about 20,000l. per annum. 15. This morning the Purfer of the Barrington East-Indiaman, Captain Johnfon, came to the Eaft-India Houle, with the news of the above fhip being fafe arrived off Plymouth. The following gentlemen are come over paffengers in the above fhip, viz. Mr. Haltings, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hare, Lieutenant Colonel Toone, Major Sands, Captain Scott, and Lady Francis The Barrington failed from Bengal the 29th of February, and from St. Helena the 20th of April; left the Vanfittart, Europa, B-fborough, Foulis, and Middlesex. The Hillsborough failed from Bengal with the Barrington. On a calculation, lately made, it appears, that the feveral powers of Europe employ in the trade to the Oriental Continent, about 160 fail of fhips, carrying from 14,000 to 15,000 feamen. Of thefe 65 fhips, or thereabouts, return to Europe from India annually. The British Company employ 54 fhips, and about fixteen return each year. The Dutch Company about 40 ships, of which thirteen return annually. The Danes 11, of which five return. The Swedes 11, of which four return. The Portuguese 8, of which four return. The Imperial Company 7, of which three or four return. Pruffia 5, of which two have returned. The Italian Powers 12, of which five return. Spain returns two every year, and France fince the peace 14, of which feven have returned. The Americans have had one ship arrived at New York fince their independence. This is a pretty accurate state of the European Commerce to India. Shocking Fate of M. Pilatre du Rafiere. Wednesday the 15th, a balloon was launched from Boulogne, in France, which took up Monf. Pilatre du Rofiere, and another gentleman; when they were at an amazing height, the balloon took fire, burnt the cords by which the car was fufpended, and the above gentlemen were dafhed to pieces, in a manner too fhocking to mention. Extract of a Letter to Mr. Fedor at Dover, dated Boulogne, June 15, 1785. "As you will naturally be defirous to know the particulars of the unhappy fate of our two Aeronauts, who perifhed this morning, you may depend on the following, of which witness. was an eye left, towards Portée; then 1 contrary directi- remember the fate of Icarus and Phaeton, but on, and at about three quarters of a mile's more fo the real fall of Pilatre de Rofiere height the whole was in flames, from the fire of the Montgolfier, and fell with incredible veloci ty on Huitmille Warren, where the two unfortunate adventurers were found, inftantly on their fall: Pilatre with his thighs both broken, and a violent contufion on his breaft; he was dead before his defcent, apparently. Romain had both his legs broken, and most of his limbs disjointed, but breathed for fome moments, and attered the exclamation, O Jefu! and inftantly expired. Excufe me; the subject has so affected me, that I can say no more. There were faggots and staves all round the gallery, and the fire actually blew about the gallery at the moment of their afcenfion. The whole fcene lafted about fifty minutes." Amidit the ambient air display'd; When from Death's ftore a cruel dart was fent, his better itars that he has efcaped this horrible difaster, A monument has been erected by the King of France's order, on the fpot where M. Rofiere defcended in his first expedition, and we hear, another monument is to be erected at Bou logne, in memory of this too cruel catastrophe M. Pilatre de Rofiere was in England a for The unfortunate M. Pilatre de Rofiere was night ago, and dined at Lord Orford', at Blackthe perfon that ventured first to fail through the heath, in company with Mr. Blanchard on the unexplored fields of air, in company with Monf. King's birth-day, and he left. London with the D'Arlande at Paris; it is a mistaken notion that Marquis de la Maifonfort, whom he had promif M. Montgolfier first afcended with a balloon; ed fhould accompany him in his expedition atrue it is, that he invented, but did not truft crofs the channel, but on his arrival at Boulogne, himself with one off terra firma. About three M. Romaín infuited on a prior promile of afcendmonths ago, a new Museum was opened at Paing with him, and thus the Marquis may thank ris, under the fanction of the Royal Family and Nobility of France, called Rohere's Museum, for independent of his skill in aeroftation, he was a man of extraordinary knowledge and fcience; and his love and ardent defire of improving aero station may be faid to have been the caufe of his death; his machine, a Carolo Montgolfier, was conftructed in the following method, in order to try a new experiment, he made a fmall balloon, filled with inflaminable air, which he fixed top moft, fufpended to which was an enormous Montgolfier, (z balloon of rarified air) to fupply which, he was obliged to carry up a fire fufpend ed to that as well as the gallery, which was the cruel cause of the very melancholy difafter; the whole apparatus was above feventy feet high, and formed in its afcension an astonishing fpec tacle. い It feems agreed that they came down to the ground alive, notwithstanding the altitude, and the received opinion of the probability of the contrary, for they fell in a perpendicular pofition, as it proved in the dreadful fractures of their legs, from the violent concuffion on the ground. Be fides a man who was working in a field, heard Monfieur de Romain fay fomething in his defcent through a fpeaking trumpet, but what, he could not tell. In the hiftory of human calamities and tragical events, one can scarcely be produced more truly fhocking, more awfully impreffive than this.-Rofiere's fate is lamented by every one here, as he conciliated the affections of all, by the urbanity and elegance of his manners; he was à fcholar and a scientific character, and high in favour with the King of France. His mutilated remains, with thofe of his companion, were interred a few hours after the accident, at a vil lage near which they loft their lives.--A doctrinal leffon in their fate is held out to those who may in future be tempted to fuch ulclefs archieve ments of no benefit to mankind or themselves. Let fach, when they conceive the idea of navigating an element, never intended to be so by man M. Platre de Rofiere afcended with different balloons in the presence of the Kings of France and Sweden, Emperor of Germany, and Prince Honry of Pruffia, and it was his intention on his arrival in England, after croffing the sea, to have made several experiments in London. He was a gentleman of confiderable fortune, and was very much esteemed by the fcientific all over Europe. M. Pilatre de Rofiere was born in Franche Compte. He was placed as an apprentice to an apothecary, from whom he foon ran away to Pa ris, finding his genius fuperior to fo retired a fi tuation. He commenced the study of natural philofophy and phyfic, and, having acquired re putation, became an object of Royal attention, and was honoured by the King's commands to make the first afcent in a Montgolfier, conftruc ted by the order, and at the expence of his Ma jefty. He fucceeded to his wifh, and obtained a very handsome pension, and leveral honourable and lucrative employments. The King having fuggelled a wish that he should crois the Channel from Boulogne'; he repaired to that place in the Winter, and conftructed a balloon at his Majefty's expence. He had waited at that place feveral months for a favourable wind, and there fell in love with a young lady (a Mifs Dyer, s great tortune in Yorkshire) fent from England, to learn the French language, and very lately returned home. His apprehenfion that her charms might produce the fame effect in England, induced him immediately to follow her, and he obe gained the approbation of her friends, who on enquiry finding the connection would be advantageous and honourable, consented it should take place immediately on his return to England. Every tender mind must partake of the diftreffes this poor young lady will feel from fo horrid a catastrophe, when it comes to her knowledge. The unfortunate Pilatre de Rofiere, a few days previous to his late departure for France, fat for his portrait to Ruffell, by which circumitance a very triking likeness is preferved of that celebrated Philofopher. 26.] A murder, attended with most uncommon circumstances of barbarity, was perpetrated in Charlotte-street, Rathbone-place. Mr. Or. rell, an attorney in that ftreet, and his wife, went out at three o'clock, leaving their fervant maid in the house. They returned within the hour, when the fervant not answering the door, they concluded that she had stepped out; and they went away again for a fhort time. Upon their fecond return, the fame difficulty occurring, it was determined to enter the back part of the house, by getting over a wall; when the girl was difcovered upon the kitchen-floor, weltering in her blood, a most horrid fpectacle. From the vari ous marks of violence, the must have made a Strong refiftance. Her head appeared to have been ftruck at with a poker; her throat effectually cut through the wind pipe; two fingers nearly cut off; a deep gash on one breaft, and otherways dreadfully mangled. She was yet alive, and made figns, but was unable to speak; and was conveyed to the Middlefex Hofpital, where fhe expired about one in the morning. The houfe was found to be robbed of (poons, and fome other plate, and the fufpicion falls upon a man who had vifited the girl as a fweetheart on two or three preceding Sundays. June 4. Mit Richmond, Heiress of the Nte Seymour R. Efq.-May 10. At Lisbon, the hon. Robert Walpole, envoy extraordinary and minifter pleni potentiary to the court of Portugal, to Mifs Stert, dau. of Richard S. Efq. merchant, of Lifbon-30. Peter Nugent, Efq. of Donore to Mrs. Hodges, dau. of the late Sir James H. -June 1. At St. Clement Danes, aged 85, Mr. John Hopkins, of Millbank-street, Westminster, fenior officer of his majesty's palace-court, to Mrs. Mary Johnfon, a widow lady, of Carey ftreet, aged 90.-9. Sir James Graham, bart. of Netherby, co. Cumberland, to the right hon. lady Catherine Stewart, eldest daughter of the Earl of Galloway.-14. Hon. Richard Howard, fecretary to her majefty, and brother to the Earl of Eflingham, to Mifs March, dau. of John M. Efq. of Horfley Park, Huntingdonshire. May DE AT H S. 28. the fingularities of the world, few have occurred more extraordinary than fome circumstances in the death and will of this gentleman. Though his eldest daughter was esteemed the favourite, he has omitted her entirely in his will, leaving only 2000l. each to her younger chil dren, in cate the should have any. To his wife, he has bequeathed 1000l. with the fame fum an nually; and to his youngest daughter of whom he took little notice during his life, the bulk of his fortune, provided the agrees to marry any one of four gentlemen whom he has named, who is to change his name for that of Lowe. If the fails in this, the is to have only,10,000l. and the refidue of his property devolves to a distant rela fon.-6. Here- tion.-June At Mr. BIRTHS. LADY, Mahou a fon. Lady Mait- of the late Mayor of that city, who had been laud, a ton. MR t interred but a few days before, was thrown from his whiskey, and killed on the fpot; and his brother who was with him, had his arm broke, gentlemen was burnt to death a few years ago, and an elder fon difappeared about twenty years fincé, and has never been heard of. INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC Drogheda, June 18. FONDAY morning laft, a party of the Drogheda Affociation, with their two pieces of artillery, went under the command of Major Cheshire to Duleek, where they were joined by Captain Trotter's corps of light infantry, in order to affift Samuel Johnstone, Efq. fubsheriff of the county of Meath, to take poffeffion of an eftate in faid county, which had been forcibly held for fome days; the corps having join ed, they proceeded to Gillinftown; the fheriff, having demanded poffeffion, which was peremptorily refufed, the corps then formed on a rifing ground within one hundred yards of the house, which the poffeffors having previoufly fortified, were determined to keep poffeffion of, being well armed. Mr. Johnstone, in order to prevent the fatal confequences that would enfüe from an engagement, gave them fome moments to confider their fituation, at the fame time informing them if they should prefume to keep poffeffion longer, they must furrender with confiderable lofs, which after confulting together for fome time they found impracticable, and accordingly gave up the poffeffion. Mullingar, June 28. On Tuesday laft the town was prefented with a novel fight, viz. a feizure of mait, of upwards of ten horfe loads, about 50 barrels, being the first feizure of the kind made in this country fince the late act of parlia feized by John Folkey, Efq. Surveyor of Excile, ment, laying a duty on malt. The above was accompanied by Meffrs. Quern and Logie, revenue officers, and a detachment of the army quartered here. Alfo feized fame night, by the faid party, two unftatutable ftills, heads and worms; all which they fafely lodged in his Majefty's ftores in this town. Belfast, July 1. Such is the uncommon warmth of the weather, that the thermometer for fome days paft ftood in the fhade at 75 to 75 degrees which is within 5 degrees of the |