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110]
Annual Register
been as great in most of the other slore farms, both in the islands and on the continent, so that the autumn markets for cattle this year, must be but ill supplied.
The Duke of Cumberland was the only knt. of the garter that was not summoned to attend the chapter at St. James's. There were present the prince of Wales, bishop of Osnabrugh, duke of Gloucester, duke of Newcastle, duke of Rutland, duke of Montague, duke of Grafton, lord Hertford, lord Albemarle, and lord Gower.
22d.
It is beyond the power of words to describe the general consternation of the metropolis at this instant. No event for 50 years past has been remembered to have given so fatal a blow both to trade and public credit. An universal bankruptcy was expected, the stoppage of almost every banber's house in London was looked for. The whole city was in an uproar; many of the first families in tears. This melancholy scene began with a rumour that one of the greatest bankers in London had stopped, which afterwards proved true. A report at the same time was propagated, that an immediate stop of the greatest must take place. Happily this report proved groundless; the principal merchants assembled, and means were immediately concerted to revive trade, and preserve the national credit.
The court of King's Bench gave judgment in the cafe of Somerset the slave, viz. that Mr. Stuart his master had no power to compel him on board a ship, or to send him back to the plantations. Lord Mansfield stated the matter thus. The only question before us is, Is the cause returned sufficient for remanding the slave? If not, he must be discharged. The cause returned is, the slave absented himself, and departed from his master's service, and refused to return and serve him during his stay in England; whereupon by his master's orders, he was put on board the ship by force, and there detained in secure custody, to be carried out of the kingdom, and sold. So high and act of dominion was never in use here; no master ever was allowed here to take a slave by force to be sold abroad, because he had deserted from his service, or for any other reason whatever. We cannot say the cause set forth by this return is allowed or approved by the laws of this kingdom, therefore the man must be discharged.
This day the city's solicitor signed judgment of disenfranchisement in the Mayor's court against the matter and wardens of the three refractory companies, among whom was Mr. Aldermand Plumb; but in the afternoon the recorder set the judgment aside, in order, as alledged, to give the parties and opportunity of trying the merits of the cause at large.
The subscription of bachelors of arts at Cambridge to the 39 articles was this day removed, nem. con. Instead of it is substituted the following declaration: "I A. B. declare-that I am, bona fide, a member of the Church of England as by law established."
26th.
Came on before Dr. Bettesworth, in the prerogative court, Docters Commons, the final pleadings relative to the citation of Lady Warren against Sir George her husband, for cruelty, and thereby requiring a separate maintenance,
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For the Year 1772.
and separation, a mensa et thoro; when, after a hearing of 11 hours, the judge thought fit to dismiss the citation in favour of Sir George Warren, the defendant.
27th.
This morning between two and three o' clock a fire broke out at the house of Mr. Watson, coach-painter, in Long-Acre, which entirely consumed the same, together with the house of Mr. Bluck, silver lace weaver, and greatly damaged that of Mr. Nutall, engine-maker, and the pawnbroker adjoining, all in front. The flames then spread to Broadcourt, where they destroyed sixhouses, among which was the celebrated Lucy Cooper's and several more were greatly damaged. No water could be procured for full three hours, so that the fire raged all that time with uncontrouled fury. Mr. Sheriff Wilkes attended with great affiduity in order to asist the poor sufferers: and two fellows had the impudence to pelt him, for which they were soon seized by the populace, and carried before Sir John Fielding, who committed them to prison.
Marfeilles, May 18. The English admiral arrived at Villa Franca the first of this month, gave Capt. Jarvis of the Alam Frigate a letter and a cafe, with orders to carry them with all diligence to Mr. Pleville le Pelley at Marseilles, who saved the Alarm as the she was on the point of perishing on the first of May last year. The letter from the lords of the admiralty in England is as follows. "Sir, the service you rendered the frigate excites our admiration and acknowledgement. Your courage, your prudence, your intelligence, your talents merited that providence should crown your zeal. Success was your recompence, but we beg you will accept what Capt. Jarvis is charged to bring you as an homage rendered to your merit, and as a proof of our gratitude." The cafe contained several pieces of plate richly chased, one of which was a vase enriched with ornaments relative to the services rendered by the Sieur Pleville le Pelley. On one side was the arms of England, and on the other this latin inscription, "Georgio Renato Pleville le Pelley, Nobili Normano Grandivilienfi. Navis bellicae Portusque Massiliensis pro Praefecto ob Navem regiam in Littore Gallico periclitantem Virtute, Diligentiaque, sua, servatam; septem Viri Rei navalis Britannicae. M.DCC.LXX." To George Rene le Pleville le Pelley, a Norman gentleman of Grandevelle, lieutenant of the king's navy, and of the Port of Marseilles, for having saved one of the king's ships from shipwreck on the coast of France; from the seven lords of Admiralty of England 1770.
Copenhagen, June 16. The grievances of the sailors set forth in the petition which they presented to the king on the 6th, having been examined into, and found groundless, their demand was refused, and they were told they must abide by the ancient regulations, or be dismissed. They were also told, that the king was pleased to forgive them for this time the step they had taken, but warned them never to do the like again, on pain of being condemned as rebels to work at fortifications for life, without hope of pardon. This declaration had the desired effect; and they have deputed two of their comrades to