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Knights, exclufive of the fons of his Majesty, or his fucceffors, who have been elected, or fhall be elected, Knights of the fame moft noble order.

A fire broke out in Ratcliff-Highway, near the corner of Ratcliff-Street, when eight houfes and a Diffenting Meeting-house were 'all confumed.

6. Last week there was a meeting of the Highland Society, for the encouragement of fisheries in the Highlands, &c. 3,000l. were immediately fubfcribed by eleven gentlemen prefent, for this particular purpose, and a much larger fum will be foon fubfcribed.

The feffions ended at the Old Bailey, when eight convicts received judgment of death, 49 were fentenced to be tranfported, 2 to be imprifoned in Newgate, 3 to be whipped and discharged, and 24 were discharged by proclamation.

7. A duel was fought near Kensington, between Lord Macartney and Major-general Stuart, of which the following is an authentic account, as tranfmitted to us by the feconds, Colonel Fullarton and Colonel Gordon; the former accompanying Lord Macartney, and the latter General Stuart: The place and time of meeting having been previoufly fixed, the parties arrived about half paft four o'clock in the morning, and took their ground at the diftance of twelve short paces, measured off by the seconds, who delivered each one piftol, keeping_poffeffion of the remaining arms. General Stuart told Lord Macartney, he doubted, as his Lordfhip was short-fighted, he would not be able to fee him. His Lordship replied," he did perfectly well." When the feconds had retired a little distance on one fide, and as the parties were about to level, General Stuart obferved to Lord Macartney, that his pistol was not cocked. His Lordship thanked him, and cocked. When they had levelled, General Stuart faid he was ready: His Lordship anfwered he was likewife ready; and they both fired within a few inftants of each other.

The feconds obferving Lord Macartney wounded, stepped up to him, and declared the matter must rest here. General Stuart faid, "This is no fatisfaction;" and asked if his Lordship was not able to fire another pistol? His Lordship replied, "He would try with pleasure," and urged Colonel Fullarton to permit him to proceed; the feconds, however, declared it was impoffible, and they would on no account allow it. General Stuart faid, "Then I muft defer it till another ocgation:" On which his Lordship answered, "If that is the cafe, we had better proceed now: I am here in consequence of a meffage from General Stuart, who called upon me to give him fatisfaction in my private capacity, for offence taken at my public conduct; and to evince that perfonal fafety is no confideration with me, I have nothing perfonal, the

General will proceed as he thinks fit." Ge-
neral Stuart faid, it was his Lordship's perso-
nal conduct to him that he refented. The fe-
conds then put a stop to all further conver-
fation between the parties, neither of whom
had quitted their ground; General Stuart,
in confequence of his fituation, having been
under the neceffity from the firft of putting
The furgeons, Mr. Hun-
his back to a tree.
ter and Mr. Home, who were attending at a
little distance, were brought up by Colonel
Fullarton. Colonel Gordon, in the mean
time, affifted his Lordship in taking off his
coat, and requested him to fit down, appre-
hending he might be faint through the lofs of
blood. Colonel Gordon then left the ground,
in company with General Stuart, and an eafy
carriage was provided to convey his Lordship

home.

"The feconds cannot help expreffing, that no two perfons ever met on a fimilar occa. fion, who fhewed more firmness and compofure; and they are happy to add, that the ball is extracted, which was lodged in Lord Macartney's right fhoulder; and that there is every reason to hope for his recovery.

(Signed)

W. FULLARTON. A. GORDON." The above fingular circumstance of the General placing his back against a tree, haying been left unexplained by the feconds, the following extract of Sir Eyre Coote's letter to the Secretary of State, containing the particulars of the battle of Solelore, with the late Hyder Ali, in the Carnatic, will clearly account for it. "General Stuart had the mif"fortune to lose his leg by a cannon fect, "whilst bravely conducting the second line "to the poft which I had occupied at the "commencement of the engagement, and on "which the enemy had kept up a very "fevere fire: the fame fhot alfo carried "6 away the leg of Colonel Brown, and "having caufed his death, deprived the Company of a very old and faithful fervant, " and the army of an able experienced officer."

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The above duel had its rife in a transaction which took place in the Eaft-Indies fome time patt, when his Lordship fuperfeded the General and fent him to Europe.

This day ended the fale of the curiofities belonging to the late Duchefs of Portland's Museum, when the celebrated Barberini vafe, or antique fepulchral urn, was purchafed by a gentleman for the Duke of Marlborough, at the fum of 10291. It had coft the Duchefs 1300l-The Jupiter Serapis, cut out of green bafaltes, went for 165 guineas.-The Auguftus Cæfar, a Cameo Onyx, for 225 guineas.-A bible in eighteens, belonging to Queen Elizabeth,

with fix prayers beautifully written in fix different languages by the Queen's own hand, was knocked down for one hundred and fix pounds!-The whole mufeum has not fold for more than 4,5461. 145. though the late Duchefs fpent more than a hundred thou fand pounds in the collection of it.

In confequence of his Majesty's commands, a new uniform has been made for the general officers in the army. It confifts of a fcarlet coat lined with white, with blue cuffs, richly adorned with plain gold lace. The waistcoat and breeches white cloth, and the buttons marked with a truncheon across a fword. The general officers appeared in this dress, for the first time, on the King's birth-day.

The Nepune, Warren Haftings, Alfred, Locko, King George, Francis, and Britannia Eaft-Indiamen, are all fafely arrived his month from Bengal, China, &c.

In the Warren Haftings were brought over, as a prefent to his Majesty from one of the Nabobs, fix beautiful crown birds, which coft in the East 600 guineas a pair.They are of a most beautiful blue, resembling the colour of a peacock's neck, are as large as a goose, and have a tuft or plume of white feathers on the top of the head which looks like hair finely powdered.

Lift of gentlemen returned from the Prefidency of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay, with the fuppofed quantum of fortune: Rumbold 350,000 Watherstone1 50,000 Sykes 300,000 Law 100,000 Barwell 300,000 Kallendar 150,000 Dupre 250,000 Morley Wynch 200,000 Howes Monckton 200,000

Ramfay

Strachey 200,000 Hull

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I 50,000
Bond
150,000 |

100,000

100,000

150,000
150,000
100,000

complimented with 2001. At the fame time tool, was voted to Mrs. Wooldridge, wife of Mr. Wooldridge, late Alderman, to be paid her independent of her husband, for the fupport of herself and her children.-George Mackenzie Macaulay, Efq. is elected Alderman in the room of Mr. Peckham,

14. The poll for organist of St. Andrew, Holborn, in the room of the late Mr. Stanley, terminated in favour of Mr. Evance, by a majority of 103.

The coroner's inqueft fat on the body of Elizabeth Ham, a butcher, in SpitalfieldsMarket, and brought in their verdict wilful murder against Catherine Hughes, her fifter. It appeared that the deceafed was blind, and on Saturday morning was left with a young child in her arms in the kitchen behind the shop; that in the abfence of the reft of the family, her fifter, without any apparent provocation, with a large knife cut her fifter's throat, of which wound the inftantly died.

A curious investigator into the fecrets of art and nature has difcovered a further improvement of the patent lamp, which is to maintain the fplendor of the light with onethird lefs confumption of oil; this, he says, is effected fimply by immerfing the wick in a folution of common falt and water, and drying it before it is fixed in the lamp.

15. Was knocked down at Garraway's by Mr. Skinner, all the valuable manors of Rendelfham, Butley, and Leifton, in Suffolk, for the fum of 51,400l.

The bill recently paffed for the relief of Infolvent Debtors, is only an extenfion of the act of the 32d of his late Majefty; that act relieved a debtor for the fum he was in execution for, on giving up his effects after he had fuffered twelve months imprisonment, 150,000 provided fuch debt did not exceed 100l. the prefent bill extends the fum to 2001. but it 150,000 is of little fervice, as many much involved in 100,000 debt, muft either fly their country or be 100,000 imprisoned for life. 100,000 100,000

200,000

13. A Court of Aldermen was held at Guildhall, when Robert Peckham, Efq. Alderman of the Ward of Coleman-street, in a genteel speech, wherein he fet forth a feries of unmerited misfortunes, and particularly one in his mayoralty by the failure of a great house abroad to the amount of many thoufands, whereby he was difabled from fupporting his station, refigned his faid office of Alderman. A very flattering vote of refpect inftantly paffed without a diffenting voice for his conduct in public life, and he was

16. A general Court of Proprietors was held at the India-Houfe, when the whole of the late proceedings of the Court of Directors and the Board of Control were dif cuffed.

The negociation of the Court of Directors with the Minifter for their new loan, was arraigned as a very improper proceeding without the knowledge of the proprietary.

The Court of Directors explained the abfolute neceffity there was for this loan; and in doing that they ordered the statement of their accounts to be read, by which it appeared, that, notwithstanding their prefent neceffities, they would, by the arrangements 0002

they

they had made, be able to pay all their debts, and in the year 1791 to have 6,000,000l. in their treasury.

17. Came on to be tried at Guildhall, beföre Sir Francis Buller, Knt. one of the Judges of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench, and a respectable Jury, a caufe very interesting to the public, wherein Mr. Jofeph Penny, cornfactor, of Bath, was plaintiff, and Mr. Samuel Ward, bargemafter and cornfactor, defendant; the action was brought to recover the fum of 1421. be. ing the value of a quantity of oats which the plaintiff had put on board the defendant's barge at Bristol, to be conveyed to Bath, and which were loft in confequence of the barge being funk at Bristol bridge, occafioned by a piece of timber brought down in the stream with a great fresh, in the night of the 9th of January laft, and which struck the said barge fo violent a blow as to caufe her finking in a quarter of an hour after-an accident which could neither be foreseen nor prevented. The Court and Jury were clearly of opinion that the defendant was not anfwerable for the lofs, and found a verdict in his favour.

Same day came on the long-contested caufe relative to appointment of Clerk of the Ar raigns at the Old Bailey, when the Jury, after about forty minutes confideration, returned a verdict for the defendant. This de

cifion vefts the above appointment in the Court itself, and not in the Cuftos Rotulorum of Middlesex, which was the matter contended for.

As many contradictory accounts are circulated refpecting fome diamonds prefented from Mr. Hastings to his Majefty at Wednesday's levee, it is necessary to acquaint the public, that the diamonds in queftion are not pretended to be the gift of Madajee Scindia, the Mahratta Chief; the cafe being, that the Potentate who has the credit of having made this magnificent prefent, is the Nizam of the Decan.

Major Scott gives the following account of the above diamonds:-The Nizam fent a Bulje of diamonds, fealed up, to Bengal, directed to Mr. Haftings, for the purpofe of his prefenting them to the King on his arrival in England, Mr. Haftings had failed for England before the diamonds arrived in Calcutta, They were therefore entrusted to the care of Capt. Church, of the 102d regiment, who took his paflage home in the Hinchinbroke; the fame of thefe diamonds, and of their immenfe value, had gone abroad; and when the Hinchinbroke was funk in Bengal river, a Lafcar took advantage of the confufion, broke open the trunks of Capt. Church,

and got poffeffion of the bulfe-It was however, rescued from his hands before he had broken the feals, and was returned to Mr. Crofts, the agent of Mr. Johnson, who is refident at the Court of Nizam, Mr. Crofts fent the diamonds to England by one of the late ships, addressed to the care of Mr. Blair, of Portland-place, who is the brotherin-law of Mr. Johnstone. Mr. Blair handed them to Mr. Haftings; Mr. Haftings entrust ed them to Major Scott; Major Scott delivered them to Lord Sydney; and Lord Sydney presented them to the King.

19. Came on before Lord Loughborough, and a special jury, the trial of the action brought by the Right Hon. Charles James Fox against Thomas Corbett, Efq. High Bailiff of Westminster, for maliciously withholding a return after a clear majority of inconteftible votes appeared on the poll in favour of Fox. The trial lafted from noon till nine in the evening. The jury retired for about forty minutes, and returned a verdict for the plaintiff with Two Thufurd Pounds damages, being the fum expended in that business on the part of Mr. Fox. The damages were laid at 100,0ool.

In the courfe of three days last week, the officiating clergyman at one of the parish churches at Birmingham, baptifed no lefs than 125 children.

20, This day the corpfe of the late Duke of Northumberland lay in ftate at Northumberland-house, in the ufual style and form of fuch ceremonies. The decorations confifted of the efcutcheons of the family arms, the infignia of the Garter, &c. The whole formed a fpectacle of great magnificence and folemnity. The room was hung with black, and fuperbly lighted.

21. The remains of his Grace the late Duke of Northumberland were carried in grand funeral pomp from Northumberlandhoufe, and interred in the family vault in Westminster-Abbey. His Grace, by a Testamentary Paper in his own hand writing, left 1ocol. to be diftributed to the poor on the day of his funeral, viz. to thofe of the parishes of the City and Liberty of Weftminster 70cl, to thofe at Alnwick 100l. at Werington rool. at Sion gel. at Stanwick gol. Total 10col. The money was accordingly paid to the Veftries of the feveral parishes.

The fame morning George Griffiths, George Woodward, William Watts, Daniel Keefe, Jonathan Harwood, and William Smith, alias Storer, were executed purfuast to their fentences on the fcaffold ufually erected oppofite Newgate.

*A Balfe of diamonds is a peculiar fort of a package of diamonds. They are always ught home from India in a cafe, which is called a Bulle.

Soon after the above execution, Phoebe Harris, convicted the feffion before laft of coining filver, was brought out at the debtors door, from whence the walked to a stake fixed in the ground, about half way between the fcaffold and Newgate-street. She was immediately tied by the neck to an iron bolt fixed near the top of the stake, and after praying very fervently for a few minutes, the fteps on which she stood were drawn away, and the immediately became fufpended. The executioner, with fome affiftants, put a chain round her body, which was faftened by ftrong nails to the ftake. The faggots were then piled round her, and after he had hung about half an hour, the fire was kindled.

There was a General Court of Proprietors at the East India House, for the purpose of declaring a dividend from Christmas laft to Midfummer; when four per cent. for the half year was agreed upon.

22. At a General Court of Proprietors held at the India-House, after a long debate, it was refolved, that it be recommended by that Court to the Court of Directors, to reconfider their determination relative to the price to be paid by the Company in future for freightage; and alfo to take into their confideration the refolutions of the Shipowners, lately affembled at the London Tavern.

23. The Quakers letter of this year inftils the nobleft principles of morality; that pallage which inculcates paying our full debts as foon as we are able, notwithstanding any compofition which creditors may accept of, deferves to be written in most legible characters, and presented to every bankrupt on re☛ ceiving his certificate.

24 Letters from Vienna mention, that the members of the Divan had been in warm debate for great part of last month, in confequence of the fudden departure of the Ruflian Minifter, which was deemed by the Porte introductory to a declaration of war.

Being Midfummer-Day, a Common-Hall was held at Guildhall, for the election of Sheriffs for the year enfuing, and other officers. About one o'clock the LordMayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, went upon the Huftings, with the two Sheriffs, Sanderfon and Watson, when the Recorder opened to the Livery the bufinefs that called them together; after which all the Aldermen that had not served the office, and the Commoners who had been nominated in feveral Mayoralties, were put up, when the show of hands appeared for Charles Higgins, Efq. Citizen and Grocer, and Edward Watfon, Efq. Citizen and Founder; whereupon they were declared duly elected. They then proceeded to the Election of Chamberlain, when Jolin Wilkes, Efa. was chofen; and the Bridge

mafters and Aleconners continued as before; the Auditors were next nominated, but warm debates arose relative to continuing M Tomlins another year, he having already ferved three years; the principal speakers were the two Sheriffs Sanderson and Watson, Tomlins, and Loveland. At length the Sheriffs refolved to return fix to the Court of Aldermen, when the Court was pleased to. return Meffrs. Thorn, Wilson, Stock, and Nettleship; on which they were declared duly elected; but a poll was demanded for Mr. Tomlins and Mr. Loveland.

A box with a confiderable quantity of plate belonging to Lord Berwick was ftolen from Powell's Shropshire waggon, while the man was baiting at Caftle Bromwich, near Birmingham. It is fuppofed the villains had followed the waggon from London. Two fierce mastiffs guarded the waggon, which it is supposed the villains found means to intoxicate The booty appears to have been of great value.

25. The Sunday toll on the Surry fide of Blackfriars-bridge commenced in pursuance of a late act of parliament for that purpose.

27. At a Court of Aldermen, George Macknenzie Macaulay, Citizen and Bowyer, was fworn Alderman of Coleman-ftreet Ward, in the room of Mr. Peckham, who refigned. Charles Higgins, Efq. elected Sheriff at the last Common-Hall, gave bond to take upon him the office on next Michaelmas Eve; and Edward Watson, Efq. Founder, elected Sheriff at the fame time, paid 400l, and the ufual fees into the Chamber, to be excufed from ferving that office. John Wilkes, Efq. elected on Saturday last by the Livery in Common-Hall, Chamberlain of this City, was fworn into his office. Robert Peckham, Efq. late Alderman, being the only candidate, was appointed the City's Juftice in the Borough, Southwark, in the room of James Kettilby, deceased.

28. The three young Princes, Ernest, Auguftus, and Adolphus, attended by Lord Howe and General Faucett, went to Gravefend and embarked on board the Augusta yacht for Germany.

29. A General Court of Proprietors of Eaft-India Stock was held at the India House, Leadenhall-street, for the purpose of ballot. ing on the question, for the Court of Directors reconfidering their refolutions of the 17th of March and 26th of May last, and also the refolutions of the Ship Owners, relating to the hire and freight of fhipping. When the glaffes were closed they were delivered to the Scrutineers, who made their report that there

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The laft Calcutta Gazette received at the India-Houfe announces the death of Tippoo Saib.

He

On the 16th inft. a man went before J. Eafton, Efq. Mayor of Salisbury, and voluntarily declared, that he murdered a Drummer of the name of Jones about feven years ago. Since that time he had been in various employments as a Sailor, and in France, the Weft.Indies, Ruffia, &c. that he was lost on board the Sampson Man of War, lying off Plymouth, whence he and his companion John Sheppard, a native of the Soke, in Winchester, were lately difcharged. declared, that excepting this murder, he had at no time of his life done any injury to fociety: That on Thursday the 15th, upon the road to Salisbury, they were overtaken near Woodyate's-Inn by a thunder ftorm, in which he saw several strange and difmal spectres, particularly one in the appearance of a female, to which he made up, when it inftantly funk into the earth, and a large stone rofe up in its place; that the ftones rolled upon the ground before him, and often came dashing against his feet. Sheppard corroborated this part of the story, fo far as relates to the horror of the unhappy man. He perfifting

H'S

in the truth of his confeffion, was committed to the town jail, and will take his trial at the enfuing Huntingdon affizes.

Mufical Feftival in Weftminster Abbey.

At the first day's performance of the Mufical Festival, (May 31) more than 2600 persons were prefent, and the choir, including mufic, confifted of 640 hands. The prefence of their Majefties, with the Princess Royal, Princess Elizabeth, two other of the Princeffes, and three Princes, accompanied by the Prince of Mecklenburgh, and a numerous retinue, formed a most splendid ap pearance.

The fecond day's performance, Saturday June 3, was better attended, if poffible, than

the first.

Tuesday, June 6, the facred Oratorio of the Meffiah was performed before a company equally numerous and brilliant with any of the former days. And on Thusíday, June 8, the mufic of the fecond day's performance, (the Oratorio of Ifrael in Egypt) was repeated by command of his Majesty.

The mufical feftivals in Westminster. Abbey have this year realized 12,3261. 75.

PREFERMENTS, JUNE 1786.

JUNE 3.

IS Royal Highness Prince Edward to he colonel in the army by brevet, bearing date the 20th of May, 1786.

6. The Right Hon. Richard Lord Milford, to be lieutenant and cuftos rotulorum of the county of Pembroke, vice Sir Hugh Owen, bart. deceased.

10. The dignity of a baronet of Great Britain to the following gentlemen and their heirs male, viz.

John Macpherson, of Calcutta, efq.
James Colquhoun, of Lufs, in Dumbarton-
fhire, efq.

Admiral Sir James Douglas, knt.
Major-General Thomas Shirley, of Oat-
hail, in Suffex, Governor of the Caribbee
Inlands.

Major General William Green, chief engineer of Gibraltar.

Rear Admiral Joshua Rowley. Corbet Cobet, efq. (late Devenant) of Ad. derley, in Salop.

Lyone! Wright Vane Fletcher, of Hutton, in Cumberland, efq.

Richard Hoare, of Barn-Elms, Surry, efq. James Hunter Blair, efq. Lord Provoft of Edinburgh.

William Charles Farrel Skeffington, efq. late a captain in the foot guards with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

Major William Richardson, from the 14th dragoons, to be captain of a company of the foot-guards, armed with battle-axes, vice Colonel Lorenzo Moore, refigned.

The Hon. Major-General Thomas Bruce, to be resident major general on the staff of Ireland, vice Major-General St. Leger, dec.

Lord Balgonie is appointed Comptroller. general of the customs in Scotland, vice George Burgess, efq. dec.

Robert Hepburn, of Clerkington, efq. is appointed Commiffioner of the board of cuftoms, in Scotland, vice James Buchannan, efq. dec.

George Bond, efq. to be ferjeant at law.

The Rev. John Owen, to be chaplain of the garrifon of Fort William in the East-Indies, vice the Rev. Henry John Pemberton, refigned.

Mr. Parfons of the royal band of musicians, fucceffor to Mr. Stanley, as mafter of that band. Mr. Shields fills the vacancy occafioned by the elevation of Mr. Parsons.

The Rev. William Roberts, M. A. to be a fellow of Eton college, vice Dr. Young. BIRTHS

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