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confidence, calculate by the produce of one year, the fuppofed future amount of the publick income.

That the uncertainty of eftimating by fuch a criterion, the expected future produce of the revenue, is ftill more evident upon a comparison of the quarter, ending the 5th of April laft, with the fame quarter in the preceding year, upon which the future income is calculated, by which comparison it appears, that the amount of the latter quarter is inferior by the fum of 188,215. 139. 4d. in the branch of euftoms to the former.

That in the faid report, there are certain articles of receipt erroneously stated, as proper to be added to the future annual income, and other articles of expence erroneously omitted to be added to the expenditure.

That the total expected amount of the future annual receipt is ftated in the faid report to be 15.397,471).

That the fums voted, and to be voted, for the fervice of the year 1786, including the interest and charges of the public debt, confiderably exceeds that

fum.

That the means by which the deficiency is to be made good, arife from aids and debts which belong to the prefent year only.

That there is no furplus income applicable to the reduction of the public debt now existing.

That a furplus of income in the enfuing quarter, arifes only by the renewal of a loan for an extraordinary million, borrowed upon Exchequer bills in the laft, and charged upon the fupply of the prefent year, and which loan it would be un

neceffary to make but for the purpose of procuring the faid furplus.

That any extraordinary increase of Exchequer bills contrary to former practice in time of peace, is an inexpedient antici pation of that affiftance which the govern ment might receive in the cafe of any circumftance rendering it neceffary to ftrengthen the ftate of our national preparation.

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That the faving to the publick upon the intereft of money borrowed in this way, is rendered improbable, or precarious, by the neceffry which will arife for the more fpeedy iffuing fuch bills, in or der that the object for which the loan is made, may be punctually and effectually anfwered, nor even fhould fuch faving accrue, will it compenfate for the difadvantage above stated.

That admitting that, by the foregoing means, the expected furplus will arife upon the three quarters next enfuing, and that thence forward one million annually is to be applied to the reduction of the debt, it appears that there will then be an interval of nearly four years before the commencement of that permanent peace establishment, which is to furnish, in the reduction of fervices 900,000l. of the expected million furplus.

That in this period it appears from the vouchers annexed to the faid report, and other papers before this Houle, that a fum, amounting to 4,010,000l. befides two millions due to the bank, making together the fum of 6,010,000l. will be deficient and wanting, over and above the itated annual income.

That for this fum of 6,010,00ol. there appears to be no adequate provifion, or refource.

On the moft Serviceable Size of Ships for the Royal Navy.

SIR,

THE Navy of England is fo effential to our exiftence as a free people, that every circumstance concerning it, merits the greatest attention; the propofition of Capt. M'Bride to abandon all fhips of 64 guns and under, and to compofe our Navy of 74 guns chiefly, is a matter of so ferious a confequence, that it cannot be too fully inveftigated.

As in the laft war we had almost all the world against us, and a drowsy Miniftry at home, it might be fuppofed various inftances occurred, of 64 gun fhips and those

of inferior fizes falling a capture to our enemies 74 gun fhips; but the only line of battle fhip we loft was the Ardent, captured by the combined fleet, through the mifcondu& of the commander, and therefore had the been a 74 gun fhip, that event would have been equally certain.

In Admiral Parker's action with the Dutch, it is well known the little Dolphin of 50 guns was brought into the line, and bore much of the brunt of that day, where the enemy fought with at least as much courage as in any action during the war.

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It is notorious that Capt. Rayner in the Ifs of 50 guns, by his dexterous manœuvres, fought gallantly with a French 74, which manœuvres perhaps he could not have exerted in fo large a fhip as a 74.

It is equally well known that Commodore Hotham in another 50, by his excellent management, engaged a French 80 gun fhip, with great credit to himself.

No man can be fo abfurd to fuppofe, that a French So gun fhip well managed and fought, is not more than a match for an English 50 gun fhip, but staking fhips is not a juft mode of comparifon; for in a line of battle, if you cannot fhew a line ia fome degree equal to the enemy's, it will always be in the enemy's power to cut off your extremities, as the combined fleet attempted in Lord Howe's engagement; but the Spanish Admiral received fo terrible a fire from the third thip in the rear, the Union of 90 guns, that they dropped aftern. The gallant officer who commanded that day, has been blamed for leaving two fmall fhips at the extreme end of the line, but upon a due confideration, I believe every judicious person will think a three-decker as third, is better than las the outward fhip; for if accidentally a maft fhould be hot away, it would be almoft impoffible to fave that fhip, whereas a like accident happening to a fmaller fhip, the difficulty of applying a remedy would not be impracticable, as the fmaller fhip may be towed away by the frigates, or if the general fervices of the line required, the fmaller fhip may be abandoned to her fate. Although it has been found, that the large fhips fail and work as well as fmaller, I believe nobody will fuppofe that if they are crippled in mafts and yards, that the large body will be as easily manœuvred as the finall.

A Captain of the Navy who only thinks of the hip he himfelf is to command, will prefer a 74 to every other, becaufe although not equal to a three decker in ftrength, the is however a ftout ship, and has a chance of a cruize, which a three decker has not.

But when the Navy is viewed in the more extenfive line, it will be confidered, that the number of men required to man a 74, is an important confideration, and much overbalances her value, either as a cruizer, or for the interftices of the line of battle, which will depend chiefly on the three deckers, if ever the French really put the

matter to a ferious trial; and I understand the French are building many three deck ers, against which 74 gun fhips will be no match.

But befides the French, we must now confider the Dutch as our Naval foes; and what folly would it be to pretend to fend long-legged 74 gun fhips into their fhailow feas; it must be in every one's recollection, that the intended expedition against Flushing, dropt on account of the impracticability of carrying large hips into that port.

But another very important confideration in behalf of finall fhips, from 64 even to 50 gun fhips on the fame eftablishment, is the call for foreign fervice, particularly in the East Indies, where the Dutch India men may be converted into fhips of war, and will require a great number of fhips to diftribute for your protection, in various quarters; and your home fervice will never allow you to detach a competent number of 74 gun fhips for this purpofe; nor if you did, would you be able to keep up their complement of men.

I readily admit the 40 gun fhips, on two decks, are a useless style of ships, for they must be unable to open their lower tier in bad weather, and then they will not be a match for a ftout frigate, nor can they in home fervice be brought into the line.

Perhaps lofty fhips, with fewer guns than now ufual, to carry their ports high, would be a more ferviceable ftyle of ships than any under the three deckers; for as they would require fewer men, they would allow you to have them in greater numbers, and would therefore extend your line of battle, and bear a beating, which it may be faid a smaller ship would nor, and you would have the greater num ber to employ on different fervices of convoy, &c. which is full as effential as a grand fleet; for if you cannot protect your commerce, your fleet will do you little fervice.

I wish to hear what objection there is to fheathing the fhips with tin instead of copper; if our enemies were to follow us in that, they must have the tin from us.

I fhall not trefpafs longer on your time, and am, Sir, Your humble fervant,

NAUTICUS.

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"Mr. Tuffis, an American gentleman now in London, is poffeffed of undeniable intelligence, that John Adams, Efq. (who is received by the King as Ambafador from the United States of America) has his falary paid him quarteriy by Comte D'Adhimer the French Ambaffador. I thought it my duty to acquaint your Lordship with Mr. Tufft's communication to me for the immediate inC formation of his Majesty's Council and Government, that you may beware of Mr. Adams. "I have the honour to be, "My Lord,

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"Your Lordship's most obedient, "And most humble Servant,

"G. GORDON.

* Ten o'Clock, Saturday night, Welbeck-fireet" The Marquis of Carmarthen's Answer addreffed to the Right Honourable Lord George Gordon, Welbeck-ftreet, and fu perfcribed, "Carmarthen."

"Monday night, May 1, 1786. "Lord Carmarthen prefents his compli ments to Lord George Gordon, and returns his Lordship thanks for the note received from him vefterdav.

"Right Hon. Lord George Gordon."

Extract of a letter from Chester, May 4. "Our county gaol furnithes the following fingular inftances of longevity: the ages of three perfons confined for debt amount exactly to 288 years! and the united ages of fix others are 366. One of thefe poor people has been in prifon twelve years, and the others from three to five each. Myfterious, furely, is that policy which dooms to perpetual imprifonment perfons whofe only crime is poverty! In England," fays Voltaire, "if a poor fellow cannot readily pay a little money when his hands are at liberty, the better to enable him to do it, they load him with hand-cuffs!" Well might our laws refpecting debtors draw this farcafm from the French Wit."

May 4. At ten o'clock in the morning, the two noted bruifers, Humphries and Martin appeared on their ftage, near Newmarket, in ora der to decide a difpute, which has long occupied the attention of all the enamoratos of that truly English fcience.

The combatants, when ftripped, appeared in point of fize materially different; Humphries, a middle fized, ftout, well made man; Martin, much shorter, but equally mufcular, and fquare fet.

The mode of their fighting was fcientific: the former food boldly up, and flopped the blows of bis adverfary, with a most astonishing dexterity. The latter fought at a distance, and as often as he ftruck, fell; but feldom was able to get a well put blow. In this manner

they continued the conteft fifty-five minutes, the bets running exceedingly high, and the odds much in favour of Humphries. When Martin, however, found that he could gain no advantage of Humphries by this mode of at tack and defence, and that he must stand up, he changed his fyftem, and they fet to with as much activity and fierceness, as if just prepared for the engagement. The bets changed at laft to equal; but a fevere blow coming from Humphries, which was called a true knock down, they again ran in favour of him. In this way they fought three quarters of an hour more, when a blow on the left fide, just below the ribs, given by Hemphries, laid his antagonist on the ftage, never to renew that fight again.

And thus ended a manual exercife, which, as we obferved, has long engaged the attention of all ranks in this country, and induced the flower of the French nobility to be spectators of. Upwards of 30,000l. was depending on this battle, which terminated to the fatisfac tion of all prefent in point of fuccefs.

Though we are no great candidates for fuch matches, yet there is a good political reafon for its practice now and then. It infpires the lower order of people with an ardour, intreimportant to national honour, is the best fti pidity and courage, that in engagements more mulative to prevent their ever giving ground to the natural enemies of their country.

Orders, have been iflued from the Treasury for a statement of the accounts of all the turnpike trufts in the kingdom, to be made out for the ufe of Government, that they may in fome meafure, be made ferviceable to the exigencies of the State; but whether Govern ment will take them into their hands, or only lay a tax on them, is a matter as yet undeter mined.

They write from Saxmundham, in Suffolk, that a gang of fmugglers having been dif appointed on the coaft of having their horfes loaded with goods, by a fmuggling veffel be ing taken, in their return from the coaft plundered several farm houfes of confiderable pro perty, and were too numerous and all too well armed for the people to make any refift

ance.

The particulars of the death of Capt. Roberts, of Shoreham, who was inhumanly mur dered in France, are as follow: the Captain being on his travels from Paris to Dieppe, he had occafion to change his horfe, and halting at a house on the road for that purpose, at a time when none happened to be at home, rather then wait the return of one which was rather uncertain, he chofe to walk forward, defiring, at the fame time, if one fhould return foon, that it might be fent after him; he accordingly fet out, but had not gone long before a horfe came home, which, agreeably to his defire, was immediately dispatched after him, by a fervant in the houfe, who overtaking the Captain, very politely alighted for him to mount, and which he was about to da

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when the villain, taking advantage of his defenceless pofture, drew out a long knife, and with it gave him three mortal ftabs in the back, of which he instantly fell, and died on the spot; when the cowardly affaffin robbed the pockets of the deceafed of what money they contained, and having dragged the body out of the road to a little bridge hard by, he threw it under; then remounted his master's horte and rode home, faying, that he could not overtake the gentleman. The affair had not been long published, before fufpicions fell on the perpretrator, who it had been remarked was then unufally Auth of money; he was in confequence taken up, and confeffed the fact as then above stated; whereupon he was committed to prifon, and it is to be hoped will meet a punishment due to his atrocious guilt.

Two days after, the body was difcovered by fome perfons of fashion, who were led to it by their dogs. By fome papers found in the deceased's pockets, his name and connections were known. The murderer had seen Captain Roberts take out his purfe at his mafter's houfe which he faid tempted him to the commiffion of the horrid crime.

15. A poor couple prefented themselves in the Green Park at Windsor, during one of the King and Queens ambulatory excurfions, with fifteen children, all the fruit of one marriage, in the course of twelve years; to whom their Majefties gave a donation, and promifed, if upon enquiry they were found deferving, to make fome provifion for fuch a numerous progeny.

Extract of a Letter from Petersbourgh. "On Sunday morning laft the 14th about one o'clock, a moft fhocking murder was committed near this place, by a young fellow named Henry Lowe, on the body of Mr. Robert Shenstone, a farmer and grazier, at his own door, three miles from hence, the par ticulars of which are as follows: Mr. Shenstone keeps an inn, which Lowe used, and was got in his debt and refufed being rufted any longer, and knowing Shentone was come to this market on Saturday to fel! fome fat beafts, and that he generally returned home late in the evening, he took that op. portunity of revenging it, for which purpofe he had planted himself on the fecond step of Mr. Shenstone's door with a large wooden rammer; about one o'clock Mr. Shentone got home, put his horfe in the flable, and was going into his house, the family being all gone to bed; as foon as he came to the first step of his door, and feeing a man upon the next with a great club in both his hands extended over his head, Mr. Shentone top. ped fhort, and faid, "What now?" The words were fearce out of his mouth before the blow came upon his head which felled him to the ground; after that the villain ftruck him feveral times till his brains flew all about the place, then picked his pocket of eight fineas half a crown peice and a fixpence, but

did not take any bank notes or bills, tho' Mr. Shenftone had many about him. During all this time none of the family were 'awakened or difturbed, fa that Mr. Shenftone lay weitering in that condition till his people got up at their ufual hour, on Sunday morning.

"Lowe was feen loitering about this citi all day on Sunday, and obferved to look very dull, and trembled much, which gave people reafon to fufpect that he was the man, as it was well known that he hated Shenstone; however, he went off on the fame evening, but the Coroner the next morning after fitting on the body, difpatched two men fevera! ways in quest of Lowe, who was found play. ing at nine pins, at Market Deeping, en Monday afternoon, and brought to this city before the Juftices, when he confeffed the whole as above related.

"When the two men entered the skittle

ground in fearch of Lowe, he cried out, & Well, my lads, I am the man you afeek, come, I will go with you, for it was "me that killed Mr. Shenftone," Account of the burning of the Montague, Captan Thomas Brittell, drawn up by Mr. Fami Elliot, who belonged to ber, and was a board when the accident happened. Dat from on board the Rodney.

"December 6, 1785, as we lay at Diamord Point, about 70 miles below Calcutta, we had taken in 4100 bags of falt-petre, and were ftowing them, the caulker's mate was going to heat pitch upon the upper deck to pay E work, he called down the fore, hatchway to the gunner's boy, to hand him up fome are upon a fmall fhovel of the armourer's, I make a fire in the forge to heat his pitch: the boy handing the fire up the fore hatchway, (the fore-hatches being unlaid) let a piece of the fire fall down upon the falt petre, (one of the bags having burft) there was loofe fallpetre in the fquare of the hatchway, which immediately caught fire. We attempted to fmother it; but the flames increased to fail, that we could not ftay above three minutes In the hold after the first took. Mr. Benger, the chief officer, came down into the hold, bet was forced to go up again immediately. O cutter and yawi were hauled on thore; and the long-boat was aground in Diamond Creek I came up out of the hold with the chief officer, and went into the fern-gallery to look for a boat. The third officer was then almost along-fide the Dutton, with men in the jolly boat. Perceiving there was no al fiftance near, I left Mr. Benger in the fierngallery, and got out of the quarter-ports int the mizen-chain, and jumped overboard; whet I swam under the ftern, Mr. Benger was hanging on by a rope, which he quitted, and immediately the ship blew up. I never fr any more of Mr. Benger. Mr. Williams, the third officer, picked me up in the jolly-boat, with a great many more. I was not above twenty yards from the thip when the blew up From the first of her taking fire till her ex

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plofion did not exceed five minutes. Were loft Mr. Benger, the chief officer; Mr. M'Intosh, the fifth officer; Mr. Simpson, furgeon's mate; Mr. Wier, Mr. Vincent Williams, Mr. Collins, Mr. Chamberlain, midfhipman; Mr. Sangfter, gunner; and twenty

five foremost men."

An old Jewish Rabbi or Priest, named Zacharias Ben Samuel, publickly abjured the Mofaic law, and embraced the Chriftian faith, in the high church at Edinburgh, the 7th inft. before the Rev. Dr. Blair, and a numerous congregation of the most refpectable families in that city. The Right Honourable the Earls of Levan and Traquair, and the Countefs Dowager of Rothes, acted as fponfors, and prefented the new convert at the baptifmal font. The name Zacharias was continued atthe request of the party.

The Directors of the India Company have reftricted the commanders of their thips from receiving more than the following allowances for the paffage and accommodation of perfons proceeding to India in the under-mentioned ftation, viz. For factors and Captains, each 1ool. For Writers, Lieutenants, and Enfigns, each Sol. For every Cadet, entertained at the Commander's table, by the Commander's confent, or the Company's order, 6ol. For a General Officer, 2001. For a Member of Council, or Colonel, 150l. For a Lieutenant Colonel. 120l. For fenior and junior Merchants, and Majors, each rool.-In order to carry the above regulations into effect, the paflengers, on their arrival, are fummoned to attend the Council, to acquaint the board of the treatment they received, and the amount paid for their paffages.

The Prince's Civil Lift, &c. The following is an exact ftatement of the revenue of the Prince of Wales, and of thofe parts of his establishment, which are oftenfibly provided for.

1. s. d. 50,000 0 Eftates and Royalties in Cornwall, Somerfetthire, and Surrey. 14,000 0

The Parliamentary provifion, per

annum

64,000 o

The annual out-goings are thefe; The whole eftablishment of his Court, household, and attend

ants

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20,000 0 O

10,000 0 O

Table, at a fixed fum, farmed by
Mr. Weltjie
Stables, carriages, and horses, 30,000 0 O

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for a fine on a leafehold grant, renewed, and above socol. from a quantity of timber cut down, on the lands in Somerfetfhire.

On the contrary fide of unavoidable outgoings, there remain to be added the very heavy charges of the wardrobe, buildings, the arts, amufements, and occafional liberali ties, &c.

MARRIAGE S.

April 23, Thomas Brooks, Efq. of Southwark, to Mrs, Bayntun, widow of Williami Bayotun, Efq. of Grays Inn.

At St. Brides Church, Fleet freer, Mr; William Ewin, of Earl ftreer, Blackfriars, to Mifs Wilkinsou, of Silver freet, Fleet Atreet.

Last week in London, Mr. Thomas Sandford, of Witham, in the county of Effex, aged 70, to his maid fervant 18 years of age. Their arrival at Witham was hailed by a numerous band of music, and other demonftras tions of joy.

27. Thomas Parke, Efq. of Great James freet, Bedford row, to Mifs Hughes only daughter of the late Admiral Robert Hughes.

Some time fince, Captain Robert Adair, to Mifs Payne, daughter of Edward Payne, Efq. of Ealing houfe, Middlesex.

May 3. The Rev. Jofeph Plumtree, Rector of Newton, in the Ile of Ely, to Mifs Crofs, of Leverington.

Lately, at Walcot church, Bath, Mr, Armstrong, furgeon, to Mifs Erskine, daughter of the late Sir C. Erskine, Bart.

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A few days ago Henry Edgell, Efq. of Standerwick, near Beckington, to Mrs. Eyre fifter to Judge Eyre.

4. Jofeph Cripps, Efq. of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, to Mifs Harrison, daughter of B. Harrifon, Efq. Treasurer of Guy's Hofpital.

At Norwich, Capt. Addifon, of the 56th regiment, to Mifs Bedingfield, daughter of Philip Bedingfield, Efq. of that city.

ro. At St. Margaret's church, Weftmins fter, Captain Robert Montague, of the Navy, to Mifs L'Epene, daughter of Mr. Ede ward L'Epene, of Great George. Street. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Cooke, Chaplain to the Earl of Sandwhich, and of the Royal Hofpital at Greene wich.

The 10th inftant was married at Heytes bury, Wilts, Jofeph Kirkpatrick, Efq. Banker of the Ile of Wight, to Mifs Anne Everett, of Heytefbury.

13. At St. Mary-le-bone church, by the Reverend James Trebeck, Rector of Chif wick, Thomos Theophilus Cock, Efq. of Fingringhoe Hall, Effex, flate of Dorfet. hire) to Mifs Hill, of Mifling, Effex, ap heirefs.

15. By a fpecial licence, at his house in Dean Street Soho, Willet, Efq. to Mrs. Strutt, widow of Samuel Strutt, Efg. late clerk affiftant of the House of Peers. As foon as the ceremony was over, the new mar

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