MR. MURRAY SENT PRISONER TO
NEWGATE.

fluence had been used in the most scanda-linquent; but that nothing could be more lous manner; and, finally, joined Sir George flagrantly unjust, and apparently partial, than Vandeput in a petition to the lower house, their neglecting the petitions of the other complaining of an undue election and re- candidate and electors, and encouraging the turn of a member for the city of Westmin- high bailiff, who stood charged with iniquity, ster. The commons, instead of inquiring to recriminate upon his accusers, that they into the merits of those petitions, ordered might be disabled from giving evidence on them to lie upon the table: and without any the inquiry into the merits of the election. complaint from any person whatever, a mo- What difference is it to the subject, whether tion was made that Leigh, the high bailiff, he is oppressed by an arbitrary prince, or by should attend the house immediately, in the despotic insolence of a ministerial maorder to make them acquainted with what jority Mr. Crowle alleged, in his own vinhe had done in pursuance of the directions dication, that he had been employed as counhe had formerly received from that house, sel by the electors of Westminster, and attouching the execution of the writ for elect- tended the scrutiny in that character; that ing a new member to represent the city of after the high bailiff had, in the course of Westminster. As this motion had been pre- the last session, received the order of the concerted, Leigh was attending in the lobby, house to expedite the election, he hurried and immediately called into the house to be on the scrutiny with such precipitation as, examined on this subject. Having, in the he apprehended, was unjust, and prejudicourse of his examination, alleged that the cial to his clients; that, in this apprehension, election had been protracted by affected de- he (Mr. Crowle) insisted upon the high lays, he was asked by whom, and by what bailiff's proceeding with more deliberation, means; but, before he could answer, the and in so doing he thought he did his duty earl of Egmont, interposing, objected to the to his employers. Some evidence being exquestion as improper, and moved for the amined against him, declared he had not order of the day. A debate immediately en- only protracted the scrutiny, but also spoken sued, in which the impropriety of the ques- disrespectful words of the house of comtion was demonstrated by Mr. Henley, now mons: he was therefore reprimanded on his lord-keeper, Dr. Lee, and some others, the knees by the speaker, and discharged. most sensible and moderate members of the house; but they were opposed with great violence by lord viscount Cork, Henry Fox, MR. MURRAY being charged with having esquire, Sir William Young, colonel Lyttle- uttered some threatening and affrontive exton, and the weight of the ministry; so that pressions, the house adjourned the considerthe motion for the order of the day was car- ation of this affair for some days, at the exried in the negative, and the high bailiff re- piration of which Mr. Murray was to be quired to answer the question. Thus inter- heard by his counsel; but, in the mean time, rogated, he declared that he had been im- they ordered him to be taken into custody peded in the scrutiny, and maltreated, by by the serjeant-at-arms attending the house. Mr. Crowle, who had acted as counsel for This step, however, was not taken without Sir George Vandeput, by the honorable a warm opposition by some of the most seAlexander Murray, brother to lord Elibank, date and intelligent members of the house, and one Gibson an upholsterer, who had who considered it as a cruel act of oppresbeen very active, zealous, and turbulent in sion. They observed, that in cases of breach his endeavors to promote the interest of Sir of privilege, no person complained of was George Vandeput, or rather to thwart the ever taken into custody until after he had pretensions of the other candidate, who was been fully heard in his defence: that this supposed to be countenanced by the minis- was literally prejudging the cause before it try. These three persons, thus accused, had been examined; and the oppression was were brought to the bar of the house, not- the greater, as the alleged offence consisted withstanding the strenuous remonstrances entirely of words, of which no complaint or of several members who opposed this method information had been made for above eight of proceeding, as a species of oppression months after the supposed offence had been equally arbitrary and absurd. They observ-committed; and, even then, not till an aced, that, as no complaint had been preferred, cusation had been lodged against the inthey had no right to take cognizance of the formant, upon the trial of which accusation affair: that if any undue influence had been the persons informed against might very used, it would naturally appear when the probably be the most material witnesses. merits of the election should fall under their They observed, that in one of the highest inquiry; that a complaint having been lodg- offences which can be committed by words, ed already against the returning officer, it namely, that of denying the king's right to was their duty to investigate his conduct, the crown, or renouncing the trinity, the and punish him, if he should be found de-information must be brought in three or

tered even from his own brother and sister, under the displeasure of the commons of England, who condescended so far as to make resolutions touching the physician, apothecary, and nurse who attended this prisoner. But the prorogation of parliament having put an end to their authority for that session, Mr. Murray was discharged of course, and conducted by the sheriffs from Newgate to his own house, in procession, with flags and streamers exhibiting the emblems of liberty.

four days after the words are spoken; the of the house. Finally, a committee was apwords must be proved to have been spoken pointed to consider what methods might be maliciously, directly, and advisedly, and the proper to be taken by them, in relation to prosecution must commence in three months this instance of contempt. Meanwhile, the after the information. These suggestions petitioners against the return made by the made no more impression than if they had high bailiff, perceiving the temper of the been uttered in a desert. Those who were house, and the complexion of the majority, secure in their number asserted that the withdrew their petition; and the order house of commons was not restricted by which had passed for hearing the merits of the forms or proceedings at common law; the election was discharged. Mr. Murray and that it was necessary to vindicate their being taken dangerously ill in Newgate, own honor and dignity, by making examples application was made to the commons, by of those who seemed to hold them in con- some of his relations, that he might be retempt. Mr. Murray was committed to the moved to a more convenient situation; and custody of the serjeant-at-arms, and found his physician, being examined, gave it as his bail: and Gibson was sent prisoner to New- opinion that he was infected with the jail gate, from whence he was in a few days re- distemper. Upon this representation the leased, upon presenting an humble petition, house agreed that the speaker should issue professing his sorrow for having incurred a warrant for removing him from Newgate the displeasure of the house, to the bar of to the custody of the serjeant-at-arms; but which he was brought, and received a rep- this favor he refused to accept, and expressrimand on his knees from the speaker. In ed the warmest resentment against those the mean time, divers witnesses being ex- relations who had applied to the commons amined before the house, declared, That in his behalf. Thus he remained sequesMr. Murray had been seen, about the time of the return of a member for Westminster, heading and exciting a tumult to acts of violence against the high bailiff. The majority, therefore, after a long and warm debate, agreed that for his dangerous and seditious practices, in violation and contempt of the privileges of the house, and of the freedom of elections, he should be committed close prisoner to Newgate. Then, in the close of another violent debate, they resolved, that he should be brought to the bar SESSION CLOSED.—STYLE ALTERED. of the house, to receive that sentence on In the month of June the session was closed his knees. He accordingly appeared, and with a speech from the throne, in which his being directed by the speaker to kneel, re- majesty thanked both houses for the zeal and fused to comply. He knew that he could affection they had manifested towards him not be discharged from Newgate during the and his government; and congratulated the session, without petitioning, acknowledging commons in particular, upon their firmness his offence, and making such concessions as and prudence in reducing the interest of the he thought would imply a consciousness of national debt, a measure as agreeable to him guilt: he considered this whole transaction as essential to the strength and welfare of the as an oppressive exertion of arbitrary power, kingdom. [See Note TT, at the end of this and, being apprized of the extent of their Vol.-The interior economy of Great Britain authority, determined to bear the brunt of produced, within the circle of this year, notheir indignation, rather than make sub- thing else worthy of historical regard, except missions which he deemed beneath the dig- a series of enormous crimes, arising from the nity of his character. When he refused to profligacy of individuals, which reflected dishumble himself, the whole house was in grace upon the morals and the polity of the commotion; he was no sooner removed nation. Rapine and robbery had domineered from the bar than they resolved, that his without intermission ever since the return of having in a most insolent and audacious peace, which was attended with a reduction of manner refused to be on his knees at the the army and navy; but now crimes of a deepbar of that house, in consequence of their er die seemed to lift up their heads, in conformer resolution, was a high and most dan- tempt of law and humanity. [See Note UU, gerous contempt of the authority and privi- at the end of this Vol.] Every day almost lege of the commons: it was, therefore, or- produced fresh instances of perjury, forgery, dered, that he should be committed close fraud, and circumvention; and the kingdom prisoner to Newgate, debarred the use of exhibited a most amazing jumble of virtue pen, ink, and paper; and that no person and vice, honor and infamy, compassion and should have access to him without the leave obduracy, sentiment and brutality.

CHAPTER VIII.

Death of the Queen of Denmark and Prince of Orange-Misunderstanding betwee the Czarina and King of Prussia-Measures for electing a King of the Romans -Death of the King of Sweden-Session opened—Animosity of the Commons towards Mr. Murray-Proceedings upon a Pamphlet, entitled The Case of Mr. Murray-Supplies granted-Civil Regulations-Law relating to the forfeited Estates in Scotland-New Consolidations of Funds-Two Ports opened for the Importation of Irish Wool-The King sets out for Hanover-Affairs of the Continent-Disputes between Hanover and Prussia, concerning East Friezeland-Misunderstanding between the Courts of London and Berlin-Improvement of Pomerania-Treaty with the Elector Palatine-Session opened-Supplies granted-Game Act-Act for performing Quarantine—and for preventing the Plundering of shipwrecked Vessels-Bill relating to the Bounty on Corn exported-Turkey Trade laid openNaturalization of the Jews-Marriage Act-Deliberations concerning the Sugar Colonies-Fate of the Register Bill-Sir Hans Sloane's Museum purchased by Parliament-Story of Elizabeth Canning-Execution of Dr. Cameron-Tumults in different Parts of the Kingdom-Disturbances in France-Proceedings of the Diet relative to East Friezeland-Treaty between the Court of Vienna and the Duke of Marlborough-Conference with respect to Nova Scotia broke up-Description of Nova Scotia-Disputes concerning its Limits.

DEATH OF THE QUEEN OF DENMARK

AND PRINCE OF ORANGE.

their warmest acknowledgments for this last proof of his prudence and patriotism. His THE royal family of England had sus- son and daughter being both infants, the adtained three severe shocks in the compass ministration of the government devolved of a few months. Besides the loss of the upon the princess, as governante during her prince of Wales, which the nation lamented son's minority; and as such she succeeded as irreparable, his majesty was deeply af- to all the power which her husband had flicted by the untimely death of his youngest enjoyed. daughter, the queen of Denmark, who died MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE at Copenhagen on the nineteenth day of CZARINA AND KING OF PRUSSIA. December, in the prime of youth. She was WITH respect to the affairs of the contione of the most amiable princesses of the nent, the peace of the north seemed still as age in which she lived, whether we con- precarious as ever; for though the difference sider the virtues of her heart, or the accom-between Russia and Sweden had been complishments of her person; generous, mild, promised, the mutual disgust between the and tender-hearted; beloved even almost to czarina and the king of Prussia had gained adoration by her royal consort, to whom she such accession from reciprocal insults, illhad borne a prince and two princesses; and offices, and inflammatory declarations, that universally admired and revered by the sub- these two powers seemed to be on the eve jects of his Danish majesty. Her death had of a rupture, and each was employed in been preceded about two months by that of making extraordinary preparations for war. her brother-in-law, the prince of Orange, The courts of Vienna and Great Britain, no less regretted by the natives of the foreseeing that such a rupture would emUnited Provinces for his candor, integrity, broil the empire, and raise insurmountable and hereditary love to his country. Though obstructions to their favorite scheme of electhe had not distinguished himself by the lus- ing the archduke Joseph king of the Rotre of a superior genius, he had been at mans, resolved to employ all their influence great pains to cultivate his understanding, in order to effect a reconciliation between and study the true interest of that commu- the courts of Petersburgh and Berlin. His nity of which he was a member. He had Prussian majesty had signified to the king always approved himself a good and zealous of Great Britain, and the States-general, citizen, and, since his elevation to the stadt- the situation in which he stood with the holdership, taken many salutary steps for czarina, and solicited their interposition, that the advantage of his country. Among other the difference might be amicably accommoexcellent schemes which he suggested, he dated. At the same time, he sent an envoyleft a noble plan with the States-general extraordinary to Versailles, to negotiate for restoring their commerce to its former with the French king for a very consideralustre, and lived long enough to receive ble body of auxiliaries, in case he should be

attacked. These circumstances induced the it was the privilege of the electoral college maritime powers, and the court of Vienna, only, without any participation of the other to use their utmost endeavors for the pre- princes of the empire, to elect a king of the vention of a rupture; and accordingly they Romans during the life of the emperor, in made remonstrances on this subject by their order to maintain the peace and preserve ministers at Petersburgh, proposing that the the liberties of Germany; and that the negquarrel should be terminated without bloodshed, and all cause of animosity be buried in oblivion.

MEASURES FOR ELECTING A KING OF

THE ROMANS.

lect of this wise precaution hath produced bloody wars, and many fatal consequences to the empire. They observed, that nothing could more contribute to the establishment of the public tranquillity than this measure, In the mean time, they eagerly prosecuted so ardently desired by the majority of the the design of the election; and the Imperial German princes; and that, although the minister at Berlin not only communicated archduke Joseph wanted a few years of beto his Prussian majesty the sentiments of ing of age, and it might possibly happen the king of England on this expedient, but that the reigning emperor should die during even solicited his vote for the archduke Jo- that prince's minority, yet it would be much seph, when the election of a king of the less prejudicial to the empire to have a miRomans should be proposed in the electoral nor chief, than to see the succession altocollege. To this proposal he replied, that gether unsettled. His Prussian majesty he was extremely well disposed to manifest received a declaration to the same purpose his regard for their Imperial majesties, and from the elector of Mentz; and understandto give the most genuine proofs of it, even ing that this prince, as arch-chancellor of in the proposed election of a king of the the empire, intended to convoke an electoral Romans, considering the great merit of the diet, in order to propose the election of a present candidate, the archduke Joseph; but king of the Romans, he wrote an elaborate he left it to the consideration of their Im- letter to his electoral highness, explaining perial majesties, whether the election would at more length his reasons for postponing not be a little premature, if transacted at a the election. He quoted that sentence of time when his Imperial majesty was in the the treaty of Westphalia which expressly flower of his age; enjoying perfect health; declares, that the election of a king of the and when all Europe, particularly the em- Romans shall be discussed and ordained by pire, was hushed in the bosom of tranquillity, the common consent of the states of the so that no circumstance seemed to prognos- empire; and, therefore, he could not conticate the necessity of such an election; or ceive what right the electoral college had of putting in execution the motives men- to arrogate this privilege to themselves, extioned in the capitulation of the reigning cluding the other states of the empire. He emperor's election; especially as the ex- observed, that the Imperial capitulations, amination of these motives belonged to the which were the only laws of the empire that whole empire, and ought to precede the treated of this subject, mentioned only three election, by virtue of the eighth article of cases in which it was lawful to proceed to the treaty of Westphalia. He observed, such an election; namely, the emperor's that, in case of the emperor's death, Ger- leaving, and long absence from, Germany, many would find herself in a very disagree- his advanced age, or an indisposition, renderable situation, under the government of a ing him incapable of managing the reins of minor. For these reasons, he said, he could government; and any case of emergency not help advising their Imperial majesties in which the preservation of the empire's to wait until the archduke should be of age, prosperity is interested. He affirmed, that when his election might be carried on more none of these motives at present existed: conformably to the laws and constitutions that, in case the Imperial crown should deof the empire, and more suitably to the volve to a minor, many mischiefs and dismajesty of the whole Germanic body. This orders must ensue, as the constitutions of reply he circulated among the electors, and the empire have established no regulations in particular transmitted it to the king of nor regency in that event: that an election Great Britain, desiring they would delibe- of this nature, carried on under the power, rate maturely on this subject, and confer influence, and authority of the head of the together in a body, as well as in private, empire, would strike at the fundamental that they might proceed according to the privileges of the princes and states; conseancient custom of the electoral college, and quently, in time overturn the constitution take such measures as should be judged ex-of the empire, which, from being an elecpedient for the honor and advantage of the tive dignity, conferred by the free and indecommunity. This circular letter was an- pendent suffrages of the electoral college swered both by the king of England and the and states of Germany, under certain capituelector of Bavaria, who demonstrated, that lations, obliging the prince thus chosen to

DEATH OF THE KING OF SWEDEN.

govern according to law, would become an consenting, at last, that the treaty of Dres hereditary succession, perpetuated in one den, confirming to him the possession of Sifamily, which, of course, must be aggran- lesia, should be guarantied by the diet of the dized to the prejudice of its co-estates, and empire; a sanction which he now actually the ruin of the Germanic liberties. In a obtained, together with the ratification of word, all Germany in general, and Ratisbon his Imperial majesty. Notwithstanding this in particular, was filled with writings pub-indulgence, he still persisted in raising fresh lished on both sides; by the emperor and objections to the favorite project, on pretence his adherents, to demonstrate that the elec- of concerting measures for preventing the tion of a king of the Romans, during the inconveniencies that might result from a life of the emperor, had often happened, and minority; for regulating the capitulations to at this present time was necessary, and be agreed on with the king of the Romans; would be advantageous to the empire; while securing the freedom of future elections, the king of Prussia and his friends labored and preserving the prerogatives and privito prove that such an election at the present leges of the Germanic body in all its memjuncture, would be ill-timed, irregular, and bers. In consequence of these obstacles, of dangerous consequence. Perhaps, if the joined to the apostasy of the elector of Cotruth was known, this enterprising prince logn, the obstinacy of the elector palatine, had projected some great scheme, with the and the approaching diet of Hungary, at execution of which this proposed establish- which their Imperial majesties were obliged ment would have interfered. Certain it is, personally to preside, the measures for the he exerted himself with that spirit and per- election were suspended till next summer, severance which were peculiar to his char- when his Britannic majesty was expected acter, to frustrate the intention of the courts at Hanover, to put the finishing stroke to of Vienna and London in this particular, this great event in favor of the house of and was assisted with all the intrigue of the Austria. French ministry. Their joint endeavors were so effectual, that the elector of Cologn ANOTHER disappointment, with respect to renounced his subsidiary treaty with the this election, the promoters of it sustained maritime powers, and once more threw him- in the death of his Swedish majesty, who self into the arms of France. The elector expired in a good old age, and was sucpalatine being solicited by the empress-ceeded by Adolphus Frederick, duke of Holqueen and his Britannic majesty to co-ope- stein Eutin, bishop of Lubeck, upon whom rate with their views, insisted, as a prelimi- the succession had been settled for some nary article, upon being indemnified by the years, by the unanimous concurrence of the court of Vienna for the ravages committed states of the kingdom. This prince ascended in his territories by the Austrian troops, the throne of Sweden without the least disduring the course of the last war: the king turbance; and, of his own accord, took an of Poland, elector of Saxony, made the oath in full senate, that he would never atsame demand of the like indemnification, tempt to introduce a despotic authority; but which was granted by the mediation of king maintain their liberties with his blood, and George; and then he subscribed to a subsi- govern his subjects in all respects according dy-treaty, obliging himself to furnish a body to the laws, and the form of government of six thousand auxiliaries, in case they established in Sweden. This public act, should be required by the maritime powers; which was communicated to all the foreign and to act as elector, in concert with the ministers, and particularly to the envoy from house of Austria, in everything relating to Petersburgh, met with such a favorable rethe welfare of his country that should square ception from the czarina, that she expressed with the fundamental laws of the empire. her satisfaction in a public declaration; and The courts of London and Vienna had this the good understanding between the two election so much at heart, that they sounded courts was perfectly restored. almost all the powers of Europe, to know how they stood affected towards the mea- WHEN the parliament of England was sure proposed. The king of Spain declined opened, in the month of November, the king, intermeddling in a domestic affair of the in his speech from the throne, gave them to empire. The French king returned an am- understand, that for the saree purposes which biguous answer; from whence it was con- suggested the treaty with the elector of Bacluded, that nothing but opposition could be varia, he had now, in conjunction with the expected from that quarter. The Swedish States-general, concluded another with the monarch was rendered propitious to the pro-king of Poland, elector of Saxony. He told ject by assurances that the house of Hesse- them, that the unfortunate death of the Cassel, of which he was the head, should be prince of Orange had made no alteration in elevated into an electorate. They even en- the state of affairs in Holland; and that he deavored to soften his Prussian majesty, by had received the strongest assurances from

SESSION OPENED.