1797-] Somerfetfhire...Dorfetfhire. been entirely fupported for fome months paft by the very humane keeper of the gaol*. On June 12, a very confiderable part of the eaftern end of the Kennet and Avon canal was opened, by order of the Chairman and Committee of Management. From the fubftantial execution of the feveral parts of the work, it appears to be now capable of accommodating the trade of that populous neighbourhood. Eleven miles of coal canal will be completed, according to calculation, in about eight months' time, at the expence of 32,cool. and the remaining fix miles in eighteen months' time, at the additional expence of 17,4;cl. Is is expected that, by that period, the Kennet and Avon canal will be finished, from Devizes to its junction with this canal, which will then alfo form a juction with the Wilts and Berks canal. The yearly income of the schools of induftry at Bath, from the gradual decrease of fubfcrip tions, &c. is now reduced from 800l. to little more than 2col. The fubfcription of Mr. C. Baker, of Bristol, who has circulated propofals for difcering the cause and cure of the SMUT in wheat, is rapidly filling, under the patronage of the farmers in general, as well as of the leading Agriculturists. A numerous and refpectable meeting was lately held at the Guildhall in Bristol, for the purpofe of addreffing the king to difmifs his minifters, as the most effectual means of obtaining a [feedy, honourable, and permanent peace," &c.; when a petition to this effect, after fome difcuffion as to matter of form, was adopted, with only three diffenting voices The petition afferts, that "the foundations of national greatnefs are fhaken," and that "the staple manufactures of the country totter on the brink of deftruction," &c. It alfo notices the decay of trade in Brifto, "we atteft the decline of our particular city," &c-A counter-addrefs was, however, produced at the meeting, which, on being put to the vote, was rejected, by a great majority The Hu fh inclosure bill, lately paffed, contains an unrefarved commutation for every fpecies of tythes. It was patronized by the bishop of Bath and Wells, lord of the manor, by the archdeacon of Wells, poffetfor of the great tythes, and by the rev. J. Mitchell, vicar In a letter lately written to the editor of a Bath paper, after artlessly depicting the particulars of his fufferings, extreme want of common neceffaries, &c. he adds, "I am pining in bondage under the public's caufe, as well as private oppreffion, and that public now neglect me-'tis too much I cannot long endure it I crave for mercy, and not to let me perish I am overcome with forrow to find myself thus neglected-to be deftitute and in want, are calamities which I pray Heaven may never be the fate of you and your's," &c.-A fubfcription, however, has been lately opened for his relief in the banking-houses at Bath, which meets with fome encouragement. 487 of the parish; examples worthy to be held up Married.]-Mr. Mitchell, attorney, of Bruton, to Mifs Clements, of Weck. ] Templeman, efq. of Merriott-hall, to Mifs Abraham, of White Lackington. At Bath, W. Wilberforce, efq. M.P. for Yorkshire, to Mifs Spooner, of Emdon house, Warwick. At Bristol, ferjeant Mackenzie of the Portsmouth divifion of Marines, to Mrs Fry, victualler,-whose husband, Mr. F. had died in lefs than a fortnight before. At Bathwick, V. L. Ward, efq. to Mifs Ahmutz. At Gretna-Green, lieut. Stawell, of the Chatham divifion of marines, recruiting at Trowbridge, to Mifs Steel, of Hilperton ;→→→→ an am able and accomplished young lady: the was taken from the window of her chamber, at midnight, by her lover, and conveyed away in a poft-chaife and four. Died.]-At Bath, Mrs. Spry. W. Crossley, efq. On his way to Bristol hot-wells, F. Ř. Humphries, efq. of Devifes, major-general in the army. Mrs. Nagle, of the county of West Mr. G. M. Goodall. Mrs. Meah, Ireland. Bowlher. Mr. Rodborn, printer. Near Bath, At Frome, Mr. J. Coke. In the flower of youth and beauty, Mifs A. Wickham. C. Hawkins, efq of Yeovil. At Falmouth, Mr. Pearce, an eminent attorney. efteemed both in and out of his profef fion, for his probity and goodness of heart.Though his conftitution was remarkably delicate, he poffeffed a mind full of energy and vigour. He bore a long and cruel difeafe with philofophical fortitude, and yielded up his breath, in a well-grounded hope of " the blessed refurrection to eternal life." At North Petherton, Mr. Barrel, attorney. DORSETSHIRE. An office has been lately eftablished a Poole (or rather revived, having lain dormant a number of years paft) for managing the concerns of the vice admiralty jurisdiction, extending over the counties of Southampton, Dorfet, and Poole. The object of this eftablifhment is announced to be," to prevent depredations committed on the perfons and property of individuals who, through calamitous circumstances, may be caft away on the rocks or fands of shores of the faid diftrict," and "to rescue the character of a certain defcription of people from brutality' Since the establishment of fchools of industry in Dorchefter, many children who, prior 3 R 2. 488 Dorfetfhire...Devonshire. to the commencement of the institution (in May laft) were only a burden to the town, are now enabled to earn more than their charge of maintenance. Married.]-R. C. Cole, efq. of Whitchurch, to Mifs J. Biggs, of Blandford. W. Clavell, efq. to Mifs Bingham, of Melcombe Bingham. Died.]-At Dorchester, Mrs Yeatman. Mr. Strange, of Lydlinch, in confequence of a fall from his horfe, by which he was fo much hurt, that he died in a few hours after. In a phrenzy fever, Mr. Channing, lieut. in the Dorfet militia. Mr. Budden, of Blandford. At Sherborn, Mrs. Spratt, At Evershot, aged 88, Mr. R. Oliver. man. At Weymouth, aged 106, Mrs. Croff At Shaftesbury, the rev. James Merchant, many years the minifter of a congregation of proteftant diffenters in this town. He was a man of learning, piety, and candour. At Wareham, Mrs. Hefter Reader, aged 85, the widow of the late rev. Simon Reader, a diffenting minifter in this town for more than 50 years. Ms. R. enjoyed much confolation and comfort during her fiknefs, and appeared to anticipate her entrance into the heavenly world. She was much diftinguished for her piety and benevolence. DEVONSHIRE. At the late meeting of the freeholders, &c. of this county, held in the Caftle Yard, Exeter, J SEALE, efq. high fheriff, in the chair, Sir J. NORCLIFFE INNES moved a petition to the King, afferting the neceffity of a change of minifters, &c. which was feconded by Mr. NORTHMORE This gentleman, in a nervous fpeech, of fome length, animadverted on the notorious inconfiftency of the prefent minifters, and particularly of Mr. Pitt, "who had come into office against the fenfe of a majority in parliament, and now retained his place against the defire of the people." He added that minifters did not feem inclined to enter on negotiation with fincerity," Mr. PALK, member for the county, oppofed the petition, and faid, "he was fure that in fo doing he expreffed the defire of his conftituents (loud and reiterated cries of No! No!) The question being called for, in order that the real fenfe of the county might be accurately afcertained, the theriff defired all who voted for the petition to withdraw to the right fide of the huftings, and all who oppofed it to the left; when he declared the addrefs for the difmiffal of minifters to be carried BY A LARGE MAJORITY. On a moderate computation, a majority of at least three to two divided on the petition, which by fome was faid to be two to one. The moft ftrenuous exertions had been made throughout the county to defeat the object of the petition, and the meeting was allowed to be by far the moft numerous and refpectable that had ever been affembled in the Weft of England. A counter petition was afterwards in circulation, which, after every effort had been exerted, [June, under the influence of EARL FORTESCUE, Lord Lieutenant, &c. to obtain fignatures, was not figned by more than 400 perfons on the day of the meeting. a A requifition of twenty-five respectable citizens of Exeter, having been lately addreffed to the mayor, requefting him to convene general meeting of the inhabitants, to "confider the propriety of petitioning the king to dismiss his minifters, and to accelerate peace," this magiftrate imagining himself fufficiently competent to decide on conftitutional points for the reft of his fellow citizens, refufed to comply, affigning, as a reafon for his conduct," that a majority in parliament having fupported the pretent minifters," the nation, at large," could not decently petition the king to difmifs them!" It is curious that, when Mr. Fox was one of king's minifters, and when his India Bill was fupported by a majority in parliament, the corporation of Exeter then thought it decent and proper to petition the king, not merely to dif mifs the then minifters, but even to diffolve the parliament itself, as having fupported a measure which was apparently difapproved of by the great body of the people! The Eaft Devon Agricultural Society offered, in their last meeting, eighteen premiums for the encouragement of AGRICULTURE and INDUSTRY: one of .en guineas to the person who fhall difcover, by the most accurate experiments, whether the Leicestershire or Devonshire breed of sheep, or what other fort are beft and most profitable for propagation within the Devon district; one of five guineas to the perfon who fhall discover a cure for the flux or fleet in bullocks; another of five guineas to the perfon who shall discover a method of destroying those large grey grubs in pafture and arable land, from which proceed the cockchafer and beetle, or other grubs injurious to crops, fuch method to be the leaft prejudical to grafs, or other pro duce of the land; another of five guineas to the person who shall discover an effectual method to destroy rats and mice, without poifon; another of five guineas to the perfon who fhall bring into a proper ftate of cultivation, the greatest quantity of wafte land, not lets than five acres, by drainage or otherwife; alfo four more premiums of five guineas each, one of three, and the remainder of two. These are offered for the exhibition of the beft ftallion, bull, ram, and boar, for long and faithful fervice, and for the greatest number of legitimate children, &c. The Grand Jury of the late Easter Quarter Seffions (held at the caftle in Exeter) have "declared," by public advertisement," their firm opinion, that the steps taken by the Tythe Society in Devonshire, have for their object, the moft laudable views, by encouraging a ricultural improvements, cementing friendship and harmony, preventing animofities and litigations, and fecuring the internal defence of the kingdom," &c. They alfo voted their thanks to the fociety, and requested their active perfeverance in the purfuit of their great object," in full confidence that the Grand Juries, and Agri cultural 1797.] Cornwall....Wales.....Scotland.... Agricultural Report. cultural Societies of other counties, will foon follow rhe example," &c. Married.]-The rev. Mr. Holwell, of Exmouth, to Lady Charlotte Hay, fifter to the Earl of Errol. Captain R. Yeo, to Mils T. Leworthy, of Barnstaple. Mr. W. Tancock, gunner of the Flora fhip of war, to Mifs S. Upham. Died]-At Exeter, Mr. J. Swale, winemerchant, but of late years retired from bufinefs. Mrs. Turner. Suddenly, Mi. J. Kingdon, comptroller of the cuftoms. At Woolfardifworthy, aged 25, Mrs. Hole, wife of the rev. J. H. rector.. At Strode, Beaminster, Mr. J. Clare, respected and lamented. At Chard, Mrs. James. At Exmouth, aged 78. Mrs. Foulkes, relict of W. F. efq. Suddenly, Mrs. Upham, wife of lieutenant U. of the Sidbury volunteers: a charitable woman to the poor. CORNWALL. An enormous whale, measuring 70 feet in length, came lately on fhore within the entrance of the harbour at Padftow. It was foon cut to pieces, and ca ried off, by the country people. It had been seen that morning at fea with its tail upwards. Married.]-At St. Hillary, T. Hill, efq. of Helftone, to Mifs P. Greenall, of Marazion. Died ]-Mrs. Hall, daughter of Harris efq. of Penzance. Near Penrhyn, the rev. J. Buckingham, vicar of Stithians. At Penzance, J Scobell, efq. collector of the customs. WALES. 489 Married.]-At Carnarvon, Mr. H. R.Williams, attorney, to Mifs Bettis. Die At Ruthin, Denbighshire, W. Totty, efq. attorney. The lady of Sir John Hamlyn, bart. M.P. for the county of Caermarthen. of SCOTLAND. From a report of the British Wool Society, Edinburgh, it appears that Scotch wool has been of late fo much meliorated as to yield three and four times the prices is was formerly worth; and that a confiderable fpirit of improvement has been excited and diffufed over the County relative to this important branch of rural economy. As a proof of the extraordinary improv ment of land, a fmall orchard, containing one acre and a half, planted five years ago, produced by the fale of its fruit laft year, upwards of 671..to the proprietor. The Society intitled the Commissioners and Trustees for Fisheries, Manufactures, and Impovements in Scotlans, have lately diftributed a number of premiums to differen claimants: 1ol. for the best fpecimen of damask linen; 7 premiums, one of 151. fterling, one of 141. one of 121. one of 111 one of 1ol and two of 61. for different fpecimens of woollen cloth ; and 10 premiums, one of 181. one of 161. one of 151 one of 141. two of rol. one of 31. one of 21. and one of 11. for different fpecimens of fancy articles. AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR JUNE. The continuance of wet weather, during the whole month, has much impeded the operations of the Hufbandman. Vegetation is remarkably backward; and the prefent profpect is favourable rather to the produce of Straw, than to a beneficial produce of Grain. The WHEAT in warm light foils, has grown very large, and is even, in many places, already laid by the wind and rain. On damp, clayey, and old foils, it fill plants very thin; and although its improvement, fince our laft has been confiderable, yet in these fituations, the crops cannot poffibly be good. In North-Britain, where the fame chilling showers have not been felt, as have been in fome other districts, the early Wheats are peeping out, and promise well. In the Ifle of Thanet, and throughout Kent, upon dry chalky foils, the crops of every kind exhibit a luxuriant afpect, which has, perhaps, been feldom exceeded. The prefent appearance of the SPRING CORN, except on remarkably good foils, is far from favourable. The BARLEY, in particular, has fuffered much from the cold wet weather; that early fown. promifes, however, in feveral diftricts, a molt productive crop. The PEAS and BEANS univerfally afford reafon to expect that the podding will be remarkably great. The RYE-GRASS and CLOVERS are expected, in general, to turn off light. The OLD GRASS was never in greater abundance. In the neighbourhood of London, the Hay harvest has been very backward, and the crops have received much damage. In the fouthern parts of the kingdom, the TURNIPS are promifingly above ground; in the northern, the fowing has commenced under favourable aufpices. The HOP BINES round Canterbury thrive exceedingly. In the neighbourhood of Maidstone, they have been affected by the fly. The duty, for the current year, is already estimated at One Hundred Thousand Pounds. CATTLE, SHEEP, and PIGS, continue very high, and the demand for them very great, particularly for lean cattle and fheep, on account of the great abundance of grafs. BEEF averages, in Smithfield Market, from 35 8d. to 4s. 4d. per ftone; MUTTON, from 4s. to 5s. per ftone, of 81b-In the markets of North Britain, choice pieces of BEEF fell at 8d. the lb. of 171⁄2 oz.;MUTTON ftill higher; and LAMB at about 6d. The prices of Grain are still low; and markets excedingly dull.—The average of England and Wales, of Wheat, 50s.-of Barley 24s. 2d. The WooL bufinefs continues ftagnated. The ORCHARDS exhibit a promifing appearance, ACCOUNT ( 490 ) ACCOUNT OF THE LATE MUTINY AND OF THE TRIAL OF RICHARD PARKER, (June, ONE OF THE DELEGATES OF THE SANDWICH, AND THE PRESIDENT OF DELEGATES. OF THE COURT IN our last we noticed that the mutiny which had broke out on board of the grand fleet, under Lord Bridport, at Spithead, had extended itself to the other divifions of the fleet and that, at that time, though it had been filenced by the conceffions and att ntions of government on board of the grand fleet, yet that in the fleet, at Sheerness, in part cular, it continued to rage with fymptoms peculiarly alarming, The North Sea fleet, as well as the fhips lying at the Nore, appear to have had the redrefs of other grievances in view, befides what related to the increafe of pay and provifions demanded by the grand fleet, at Spithead. A mor: equal divifion of prize money, more regular and frequent payment of wages, and certain privileges of permiffion to go on shore when in port, s feav as might be convenient to the fervice, were points infifted upon by this divifion, belo e they would agree to return to their regular fate of fubordination*. During the progrefs of this alarming mutiny, various opinions exifted in the public mind, in regard to the conduct, the moft prudent to be adopted; fome perfons, with the ministry, would listen to nothing as * The following is a Cony of the Articles in fifted upon, as published in all the Newspapers of the Day. Article I. That every indulgence granted to the fleet at Por:fmouth, be granted to his Majefly's fubje&s ferving in the fleet at the Nore, and places adjacent. II. That every man, upon a ship coming into Karbour, hall have liberty (a certain number of men at a time, so as not to injure the bip's duty) to go and see their friends and families, a convenient time to be allowed to each man. III. That all foips, before they go to fea, fhall be paid all arrears of wages, down to fix months, according to the old rules. IV. That no officer that has been turned out of any of his Majesty's fhips, shall be employed in the fervice again without confent of the ship's company. V. That when any of his Majefty's Ships fball be paid, that may have been fome time in commifion, if there are any preffed min on board that may not be in the regular course of payment, they hall receive two months advance, to furnish themselves with necef faries. VI. That an indemnification be made any man who fball run, and may now be in bis Majefty's naval fervice, and that they hall not be liable to be taken up as deferters. R. PARKER, Prefident. fhort of unconditional fubmiffion, while others infifted that part of the articles, at leaft, might have been granted, and that by moderate and modified conceffion, the love and fidelity of the navy would be more effectually f cured than by adop ting harth and coercive meatures,-Which of the fe opinions was the wifeft cannot now be determined. The attachment and fervices of the body of the feamen hereafter, and the opinion they may form of the juftness of the den ands of the fleet at the Nore, will certainly be the only proof of the policy of the measures that have been pursued. At the commencement of the mutiny, the mutineers were fuffered to go on shore without interruption, and to parade about Sheerness with mufic, flags, and a triumphal appearance, calculated to mike converts to their caufe. Their head quarters were in a public houfe, from the windows of which a red flag was Loifted many days fucceffively. The delegates and committee men went on fhore or on board as they pleafed, and feemed commanders of Sheerness, as well as of the fhips at the Nore, Lord Keith and Sir Charles Grey, however, who had been fent down to fuperintend the naval and military proceedings in that quarter, put an end to this indulgence inftantly on their arrival. With a view to extort compliance with their demands, they proceeded to block up the Thames, by refufing a free paffage up and down the river to the London trade The fhips of neutral nations, however, colliers, and a few fmall craft, were fuffered to pass, firit receiving a paffport figned by Richard Parker, as prefident of the delegates.. In order to concentrate their force, all the fhips which lay near Sheernefs, dropt down to the Great Nore. The line of battle fhips were drawn up in a line, about half a m le diftant from each other, and moored with their broad fides fronting each other. In the spaces between the line of battle hips, the detained merchantmen, &c. were moured. The force of the mutineers, at its -greatest height, confifted of eleven ships of the line, exclufive of frigates, in all twenty-four fail. The appearance of fuch a multitude of thipping, the London trade included, was, from the occafion, grand and awful. Each fhip twelve members, together with two delegates was governed by a committee confifting of and a fecr.tary. To reprefent the whole body of feamen, every man of war appointed two delegates, and each gun boat one; the mode of affembling these was by beating a drum. From the first breaking out of this mutiny, the delegates behaved refpectfully to their fuperior officers. They alfo exhibited on every convenient convenient occafion, the fame intereft in the welfare of their country, and the fame degree of loyalty as was difplayed by the feamen at Spithead. The crew of the Lancaster, of 64 guns, which lay at Long Reach, betrayed evident difpofitions to join the hips at the Nore, but were prevented from paffing down the river, by the furnaces at Tilbury Fort and Gravefend, and other works which were amply defended by the military. All communications being ftopped with the fhore, the mutineers fupplied themselves with water and provifions from the fhips they ftopped, and a party of feamen landed in the Ifle of Grain and carried off a number of sheep, &c. The accounts, however, of their plundering different trading veffels were ridiculously exaggerated, the chief act which they perpetrated of this kind, was robbing a veffel of 300 facks of flour, of which they found themfelves in need, and wh.ch were diftributed throughout the fleet. A deputation of the Admiralty, at the, head of which was Earl Spencer, went down to Sheerness, but they had no conference with the delegates, demanding unconditional fubmiffion as a neceffary preliminary to any intercourfe. Earl Spencer departed from Sheernefs, without any attempt to compromife the difpute, after having caufed it to be fignified to the feamen, that they must expect no conceffions whatever, than fuch as has been already made by the leg flature, the benefit of which they might yet enjoy on returning to their duty. On the 30th of May, the Cl; de friate was carried off from the mutinous feet, by a combination of the officers, aided by fome of the feamen; as was the St. Fiorenzo, the officers of which cut her cables, and got under weigh at the inftant when the boatfwain's whistle was piping all hands to dinner. These thips were fired at by feveral others, and the St Fiorenzo sustained some damage in her hull and other works. All the buoys were now removed from the mouth of the Thames, and the neighbouring coaf, by the order of government; a precaution which is faid to have greatly perplexed the mutineers, as any large thips which might attempt to fail away, were in danger of running ground. Great preparations were also made at Sheerness, against an attack from the ships, and furnaces and red-hot balls were kept ready, &c. On Sunday, June 4, the whole fleet evinced its perfect loyal difpofition by a general falute, which was fired from all the hips at the Nore, in compliment to his majesty's birth-day; and the ships were decorated in the fame manner as is practifed on rejoicing days; the red flag being, however, kept plying at the main of the Sandwich. June 5, about nine at night, the Serapis frigate, of 44 guns, and the Discovery, attempted to defert the fleet, making for the fort at Sheerness, with a view of returning, to obedi 491 ence. When this was perceived, all the line of battle-fhips within reach, inftantly poured out broadfides at them. The frigate, however, got out of reach, although much shattered and damaged in their mafts and rigging. The noife of the cannon heard in this firing, had a tremendous effect on fhore. On Tuef ay, June 6, in the morning, the Agamemnon, Leopard, Ardent, and Ifis, men of war, and the Ranger floop, joined the mutinous fhips at the Nore, having left the fleet of Admiral Duncan. Lord Northefk, captain of the Monmouth, at the defire of the delegates, went on board of the Sandwich, where he received propofitions for an accommodation, in the form of a letter, * which he was defired to lay before his majefty. Being furnished with a paffport from RICHARD PARKER, he went up to town by water. The demands in the feamens' letter being thought improper, Capt. Knight, of the Inflexible, carried down the refufal of the Lords of the Admiralty. Measures were now taken by Lord Keith, and Sir C. Grey, to attack the fleet from the works at Sheernefs, with gun-boats, &c.; the defection, however, of the Repulfe, Leopard, and Ardent, on the night of Friday the 9th, with other symptoms of treachery among the mutineers to their own caufe, rendered the ufe of force unneceffary. On Saturday, June 10, feveral other of the fhips pulled down the red flag, as a fignal for the merchantmen to go up the river, and the store and victualling ships to remain behind; all of thefe, however, profited by the opportunity to effect their efcape, after having been fired at by the fleet. The whole Thames, at this time, appeared covered with veffels, and fuch a multitude of fhips never, perhaps, before came up, by one tide, to its port. The mutineers now framed a more moderate fet of articles, defcribing the nature of their grievances and demands, which they fent to the Admiralty by Captain Cobb. Ministers, however, were fully determined not to grant any demands, but to force the feamen to un conditional fubmiffion. On the 11th, the Neptune, of 98 guns, manned with prefs gangs, volunteers, &c. Sir E. Gower, commander, fell down to Longreach, with a view to act offenfively against the mutingers; *To the Right Hon. Earl Northefk. MY LORD, the "YOU are hereby required, and directed, to proceed to London with fuch papers as ase entrusted to your care, and to lay the fame before our gracious fovereign, King George the Third, and to reprefent to our gracious fovereign, that the feamen at the Nore have been groffly mifreprefented; at the fame time, if our gracious fovereign does not order us to be redreffed in fifty-four hours, fuch feps will be taken, as will astonish our dear countrymen.” By order of the Delegates of the whole RICHARD PARKER, Prefident. |