Foreign and Domeftic Intelligence. 38 Friday, Jan. 10. The following plan is adopted by the Cabinet for the attention of Parliament, in respect to the Duke of Cd's marriage. The marriage to hold good, but the issue to be debarred fucceeding to the Crown. An addition to be made to the Duke's prefent income, and a bill to be brought in to prevent, in futuro, any branches of the Royal Family marrying without the confent of Parliament, His Majefty has given orders for the foldiers on duty in the Park to be relieved an hour fooner than usual during the frofty weather; and the night guards are to be furnished with thick fur gloves, the fame as their caps. Yesterday the feffions began at the Old-Bailey, when the following prifo. ners were capitally convicted, viz. John Lewis, for affaulting George Matthew on the highway, in the King's private road, Chelfea, and robbing him of a guinea. He was recommended by the Jury, to the Court, for mercy. John Randall and Wm. Ward, for feloniously affaulting Elizabeth Tooth, in Hyde Park, and robbing her of about 1s. Eleven were caft for transportation, and eleven acquitted. Saturday, Jan. 11. The Earl of Briftol, has given the fum of 500l. in different kinds of cloathing, to the poor of the feveral parishes which he prefides over, in Suffolk, Effex, and Lincolnshire, befides the annual charities he always makes at this feafon of the year. Yesterday two pritoners were capitally convicted at the Old-Bailey ; viz. William Parker and John Burn, fer burglariously breaking into the dwellinghoufe of Mrs. Sarah Watfon, in Gardenrow, Chelfea, and ftealing thereout a cabinet, and feveral crown pieces and new fhillings, and divers fnuff-boxes mounted with gold. Fifteen were convicted to be transported, and three acquitted. Monday, Jan. 13. Certain advices are faid to be received, that the family difturbances in a certain Northern Court, not very diftantly allied to our's, increase daily, and that a Great Perfonage and his confort have actually parted beds. It may not be unpleafing to inform our readers after what manner his Royal Highnefs the D. of C. fpends his time at Windfor Lodge. His Highnels gets up every morning before feven, and goes out fhooting or hunting in the foreft till ele ven, when he returns to breakfast with the Dutchess; and then, if the weather permits, they take a little tour round the country, and get home about four to dinpany, his Highness fometimes reads till ner. After dinner, if they have no com tea time, or hears his Dutchess play ou by her voice, which is quite mufical, and the harpsichord or guitar, accompanied pleafing. Sometimes they amufe themfelves at cards till fupper time, and they generally retire to reit between ten and eleven. Tuesday, Jan. 24. Some gentlemen purchased a large quantity of coals to be of the ward of Farringdon Without have depofited in different parts of the Ward, to retail out to the indigent at ten-pence with a view to alleviate the diftrefs of the per bushel (much under the prime coft) lower clafs of people, with this useful article of life, at a time when almost every neceffary is daily advancing upon them, fo as to be feverely felt by the aged milies. infirm, and thofe that have large fa capitally convicted at the Old-Bailey; Yesterday the following prifoner was viz. butcher by trade) for a burglary in the has given 50l. to be diftributed to the poor convicted at the Old Bailey, viz. Charles Burton, Frances Phoenix, alias ry Jones, alias Owen, for burglariously Finnikin, Edward Flannagan, and HenRobert Ladbroke, and stealing thereout breaking open the dwelling-houfe of Sir nine diamond rings, four mourning boxes, and divers other things, with a rings, two gold chains, two gold fnufffum of money, &c. This day ended the full feffions of our Charles Foreign and Domeftic Intelligence. Charles-Town, South Carolina. Dec. 3. Letters from the Cherokee country inform us, that Alexander Cameron, Efq; Deputy Superintendant of India affairs, was returned there from running a boundary line between Virginia and the Cherokee Hunting grounds, which he had happily accomplished with the Virginia Commitfioners and fome of the principal Indians deputed by their nation. Warfaw, Dec. 21. The following is the King of Pruffia's anfwer, to the letter wrote to his Majefty by our Monarch : "Sir and Brother, "Your Majefty has caufed me to feel the effects of my true fenfibility, by believing that I fhould be touched to the quick at the danger you were expofed to on the 3d of November, by the horrid attempt against your person and life. I heard the news of it with the greatest emotion. A plot fo deferving punishment in regard to its atrocioufnefs, and fo feditious by the unheard of circumftances that accompanied the execution of it, will for ever cover with fhame, the author of it, as well as his accomplices. This is an affair in which all Sovereigns are concerned; and that (troke, as bafe as inhuman on the part of the Confederates, deferves that all the powers of Eu rope fhould unite in taking a fignal vengeance for the enormous deed, they have rendered themselves guilty of. The only comfort and fatisfaction we have is, that your Majefty's life is out of danger, and that you will foon be well. I am glad to have it in my power to congratulate you fincerely on your deliverance, and to affure you again, on fo important an occafion, of the high esteem and friendship with which I am your good brother. (Signed) FREDERICK.” By our correfpondent from Warfaw we learn, that the ladies of that court have all been to vifit the Miller, whofe houfe gave fhelter and protection to his Polith Majesty, upon his retreat from his affaffins, and that each of the ladies had made the miller a genteel prefent; and further to fhew their affection to their beloved Monarch, they have carefully gathered up the foil on which any drop of the royal blood had happened to fall; and the earth, fo dyed with royal blood, they wear about them conftantly, night and day, as a phylactery. Papers have been pafted up in all the moft pi blic places in Barcelona, giving notice, that the money which was to have been spent there, in celebrating the birth 39 Yesterday the feffions ended at the Old Bailey, when eleven prifoners received fentence of death; forty-three were fentenced to be transported for seven years; two were branded in the hand; five ordered to be privately whipped; and thirteen were delivered on proclamation, The trial of the coiners is put off till next Seflion, on account of iome fresh difcoveries being made. Friday, Jan. 17. A few days finice, a poor man, his wife, and two children, who went a begging about the country, were found frozen to death under a hedge in Star-lane, near Stroud, in Kent, We are affured that the Dutchess of Cumberland is pregnant; and that her Royal Highness's fituation has been notified in form. The Irish parliament is adjourned till the 4th of February next. Yefterday it was afferted on 'Change, that Admiral Rodney had written a letter to the Admiralty infifting on being recalled, as he faid he was not authorized by the Miniftry to act as became a British feamen. Saturday, Jan. 18. On Thursday Meffrs. Wilkes and Bull, at the request of the prifoners in Wood-ftreet Compter, went to that prifon, and ordered feveral grievances under which they laboured, to be redreffed: Amongst others, the following deferves notice; no perfon is to be committed to Newgate by the keeper for misbehaviour, without a fair and candid hearing before the Sheriffs. For the fature, every debtor in the above prifon, who pays 2s. 6d. per week for his room, is to have it furnished to the value of 10l. From the LONDON GAZETTE. Pifa, Dec. 27. His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester went from hence on Monday laft to Leghorn, and the day following embarked on board his Butannick Majefty's fhip the Alarm, in order to proceed to Naples. On his Royal Highness's paffing the fortrefs, he was fa luted Foreign and Domeftic Intelligence. 40 luted by fifty-one guns; a Dutch man of war, being then in the road, faluted his Royal Highness with twenty-one guns; and the fame number of guns were fired from the Alarm, on his Royal Highnefs's going on board. During the whole time of his Royal Highnefs's refidence here, the Great Duke and Duchefs fhewed him the most affiduous attention. Monday, Jan. 20. There was the most numerous and brilliant Court on Saturday at St. James's, that has been known for many years. There was a very great number of Ladies prefent, and NoBlemen and Gentlemen of all parties attended in honour of the Queen. Nothing could exceed the magnificence of the drefles worn on the occafion. The Drawing room was not clearcd till after five o'clock. The Ball-room at night was also very full. Minuets were danced till eleven o'clock; when country dances commenced; in the middle of the fecond their Majefties retired, and as foon as that was finished, the ball ended. The Duchefs of Northumberland was at Court on Saturday, and made, as ufual, a very grand appearance; nine fervants went before her chair; a page dreffed in a fuit of green and filver, a running footman, and feven other footmen in the family livery. His Majefty has been pleafed to appoint the Right Hon. Lord Archibald Hamilton, one of the Stewards of the Chiltern Hundreds, by which his feat in Parliament for the county of Lancaster is become vacant. We can affure the public, the D. of Cumberland reads, on an average, two hours every day. As his Duchefs is a lady of great wit and fenfibility, he permits her to direct him in his choice of books. She is befide an accurate geographer; and they often amuse themTelves in the evening in this pleafing ftudy. Tuesday, Jan. 21. We are informed, that on Saturday Mr. Wood, who is in the Poultry Compter, for forgery on Meffrs. Walpole and Co. made fome difcoveries concerning the forgery on the Bank of England, about four years ago, for 4500l. and fays, that a perfon was waiting in the Antigallican coffee-houfe, when the above Wood was taken into cuftody, and that they were to have gone off with the money, if they had got it, but, finding himself detected, the other fet off for Dover; fome perfons were fent off to apprehend him, and brought him back yesterday morning. Friday, Jan. 24. Mr. Sawbridge gave notice on Wednesday in the Houfe of Commons, that he intended to make a motion on the 25th of February next, for fhortening the duration of Parlia ment. He allo moved, that there might be a call of the Houfe on the aforefaid day, and that the non-attending Members fhould be committed to the custody of the Serjeant at Arms; which motion was agreed to. Saturday, Jan. 25. This morning the remains of Loid Baltimore, after lying in state, in the Great Room in Exeter-Exchange, proceeded over Weftminster-bridge, to be interred in the family vault, at Epfom in Surry. The proceffion was as follows: Two conftables with ftaves. Four conductors on horfeback, with scarfs, hatbands, &c. Four perfons on horfeback, with mourning cloaks, hatbands and gloves. The tandard of Great-Britain, fupported by a man on horseback. Four perfons in mourning cloaks, on horfeback, &c. The Guideon. Four perfons on horfeback, in mourning cloaks, &c. The great banner of his Lordship's full arms. Four perfons in mourning cloaks, on horieback, &c. The gauntlets and spurs. The helmet, creft, and mantle of velvet, &c. The fword and fhleld. The coronet upon a crimson velvet cufhion fringed with gold, taffels, &c. carried by a man on horfeback uncovered, led by two grooms. A hearfe, adorned with efcutcheons, crelts, &c. On each fide of the hearfe, men carrying a banner-roll of his Lordship's defcent. Immediately after came the state coach, with the urn, preceded by eight mourning coaches and fix. Then followed the gentlemen's coaches that attended the funeral. Thursday, Jan. 30. We are sorry to inform our leaders, that news was yefterday received at St. James's, from Denmark, of a very alarming and dif agreeable nature. Various are the reports of the fubftance of the intelligence: Some give out that a revolution has taken place in that kingdom; but no pofitive authentic account is yet abroad. The For Oxford Magazine; FEBRUARY, 1772. For the OXFORD THE POLICE. HE late frequent, and most au Tdacious acts of burglary, com mitted in the heart of the capital of Great-Britain, even in her most public ftreets, are evident figns of the weakness of administration, with refpect to the internal affaris of this kingdom; and of the inattention of individuals, to the fecurity and tranquillity of their neighbours. Every man, in this gay region of pleasure! this enchanting city of London! feems to think, that he is born only to get, or spend money, or to indulge every voluptuous appetite, without any concern for the misfortune of his neighbour, or any fenfibility for the public. Yet if this nation is not poffeffed of fome charm to avert the effects of thofe pernicious vices, which make head against the order, decorum, and fafety of the community; our political dif folution must approach with hafty ftrides. If we would but attentively perufe the melancholy memoirs of the malefactors, who have fuffered by the hand of juftice, in the courfe of the last year, we must be convinced, from the very nature of their crimes, that the whole frame of civil government, I mean fo far as it regards the fecurity and tran quillity of the fubjects, in a time of profound peace, is out of order, and wants new modelling. Palliatives are indeed administered, but no radical cure is attempted for the worst of evils any civil fociety can labour underVOL. VIII. MAGAZINE. NUMBER XIV. the want of fufficient protection for life and property. Nunc aut nuncquam, now or never, my countryinen, is the feafon for you to unite in the juft defence of your-. felves and families. His Majefty has affured the parliament, that we are in no immediate danger of a rupture with any foreign power, and therefore they will have the more leifure to enact wholefome laws for the prefervation of the internal peace and profperity of the kingdom. The extenfion of commerce, by the King's paternal affection to his people, is recommended as one object; but to what purpose should we toil on in the arduous purfuits of traffic, if we have no fecurity for the enjoyment of the fruits of our honeft induftry; if the midnight robber and affaffin can plunder the merchant or tradefman in the dead of night, and carry off the profits of a life of care and fatigue. How muft it aftonish the magiftracy of Berlin; of Vienna; of Peterburgh; or any other well-regu lated city, to hear that in the metropolis of England, whofe conftitution has been the boaft of ages, the citizens are pillaged of their beft effects nightly; and no remedy has yet been dif. covered for this enormity, but that of hanging up a few culprits, every fix weeks, to fatisfy public juftice, without prefcribing the means of indemni fying paft fufferers for their great loffes, or of fecuring the lives and. properties of the rest of the commuF nity, 42 The POLICE. nity, against thefe daring violations of the laws of the land, laid to be the beft in the world. How ridiculous muft all our pretenfions to liberty appear, when, in this land of freedom, you cannot walk in the ftreets, or ride five miles round the capital, without manifest danger of not having the li berty to return with any money in your pockets, or with your body free from wounds and contufions. What idea must be formed in foreign countries of British legiflation, British magiftracy, and British liberty; when they read in our public papers, that on fuch a night the house of the fpeaker of the parliament was broke open on the next, that of a magiftrate and an alderman of the city of London-that on the day following, a merchant's hand was forged to defraud his banker of a large fum; in fhort, not to enumerate all the inftances of this fort, which have happened within fix months-when they find, that the living, and even the dead, are plundered, their wills being forged; and that criminals, at the hour of death, confefs they have gained more than the fortune of a German count, in a few months, by houfe breaking and other robberies, in the civilized, orderly city of London-they muft furely think us the most inconfiftent people upon earth. But it will be asked me,-how is the frequent commiffion of fuch crimes to be avoided?-Do not they happen in all populous capitals ? I fhall beg leave to invert the order of my replies, and answer the last question first. It has been the affiduous employment of the author of these papers, by means of an extensive correfpondence in different parts of the continent, to enquire into the number of highwayrobberies, freet robberies, burglaries, and murders, that have happened in the most capital cities of Europe, during the year 1771; or within three leagues (nine miles) of the fame; and he finds, upon the average, or grofs amount of comparifon, they bear the following proportion. STREET ROBBERIES, including de. tected pick-pockets-London, 9 to 1, more than Paris; yet Paris was reckoned remarkably populous lat year, and the number of street-robberies is much higher there, than in any other city of Europe. BURGLARIES, in London, 30 to in any city of equal confequence. MURDERS, in England, discovered, and the offenders brought to justice, 7, to i elsewhere: As to the private affaffinations in Paris, it is impoffible to get an exact account of them. The crimes of forging promiffary notes, bills of exchange, banker's draughts, wills, and other obligations, and alfo of robbing the mails, are the confequences of our vaft paper circu lation, and fo peculiarly English, that no line of comparifon can be drawn. Now let Sir John Fielding, and his boatted patron the Duke of Grafton, blush at their own weakness and vanity, in prefuming to inform a deluded public, that the former, by the assistance of the latter, (when firft Lord of the Treafury) had established an admirable and useful plan of Police; and let us hope, that Lord North has too much perfpecuity and good sense, to be made the dupe of this vain-boaster, who does not want difcernment to prefcribe effectual remedies for these evils; but who finds quacking more lucrative, than the regular treatment of this political difeafe. After the excellent charge he lately delivered to the grand jury at Wellminster, it might be thought malicious to question either his piety or his integrity; but the author of the Police must repeat his former obfervations on his conduct. It is a grofs impofition on his fellow-fubjects to affert," that he has checked the vices, and reformed the licentioufnefs of the common people." He has, indeed, frequently been told of his duty in these papers, but though he acknowledges his faults, he does not mend. It is in vain, therefore, to hope, that he will apply to parliament for laws to prevent the frequent commiffion of the above crimes, while he prefers his band of thieftakers, or what are stiled His Men, to a HIGHWAY ROBBERIES -London and its environs, 50 to pone--near fet of regular, difcreet, fober people of most of the capitals of Europe, approved |