the river thirty leagues beyond the fort, took poffeffion of the English fettlements on the fhore, part of which they themfelves had deftroyed. After this the Chevalier failed on the 6th of March with his divifion for the Ifles da Los, near the mouth of the river Sierra Leona, feized and deftroyed the factory established on one of thofe islands, fpiked the five cannon which protected it, and threw them into the fea." SPAIN. "Madrid, June 29. Yesterday a declaration from the King was published here with great formality, which, after enumerating and enlarging upon the different breaches of treaty, &c. mention. ed by the Marquis of Almodovar, [316.], fets forth, That as his efforts for accommodating the differences between the courts of Verfailles and London, have proved useless, he finds himself obliged to forbid any intercourfe between his fubjects and those of Great Britain, either in the way of trade or otherwife; and that all the British who are not na turalized, or do not carry on any handicraft-trade, muft quit his dominions, and particularly thofe, of what denomination foever, who live in the fea-ports or frontier-places of the Spanish domains." A Royal cedula was publifhed at Madrid, June 22. by his Catholic Majesty, dated, Aranjuez, June 21. 1779, direct ed to the Governor of Council, viz. "Don Carlos, by the grace of God, King of Caftile, &c. to all my counfel lors, &c. we make known, That on the 21ft ult. I thought proper to fend a decree to my council in the following words: — "NOTWITHSTANDING the warm with I ever entertained of prefer ving to my faithful and well-beloved fubje&ts the ineftimable advantages of peace, and in fpite of my extraordinary efforts at all times, but especially during the prefent troubles of Europe, to attain fo effential an end, carrying my patience and moderation even to a fault; 1 found nyfelf at laft reduced to the difagreeable eceffity of ordering the Marquis d'Almodovar, my ambaffador, to withdraw rom London, and deliver at the fame ime, to the minifter of that court, a refeript, worded as in the copy given o my council, by my firft fecretary of ate, being fenfible that the refpect I owe o myfelf, and the honour of my crown, equired no lefs. I have at the fame ime, ordered to be wrote, to my an baffadors and minifters at the other courts, a letter, a copy of which, conformable to the original, has also been fent to the faid tribunal. The council will give the orders and advice neceffary, that all our fubjects may be informed of my prefent royal determination, and that they refrain from all communication, trade, and commerce, with the fubjects of the British King.” The aforementioned letter. By the copy here inclosed, of the declaration which the Marquis d'AlmodoVar is to deliver to the English minifter before he withdraws from that court, you will fee the weighty motives that urged his Majefty to take that ftep, being tired at laft of fuffering fo great and cabinet, and the English navy, as are numerous grievances from the British You may make of this information whatspecified in the aforefaid declaration. ever ufe you may judge convenient; and that it may ferve as a teftimony of the which direct his Majefty's measures, juftice and the indifpenfable neceffity three more particulars are here to be added for your further inftruction: court of London endeavoured to lull that of Spain, by pretended delays, and finally refufing to accede to the juft and honourable proposals made by his Majety, as mediator, to restore peace between France, England, and the American provinces; the British minifters, by means of their fecret agents, offered, ftance to the propofals made by his Maclandeftinely, conditions fimilar in subjefty. 1. That at the fame time, whilft the tions were not made to ftrangers, and indifferent perfons, but directly and immediately to the minifter of the American provinces refiding at Paris. 2. That the above offers and condi 3. That the British minifter has ne glected nothing to create, by every other means, new enemies to his Majefty, in hopes, no doubt, of dividing his attention, and the care of his crown. God fave, &c. Then follows an order, for all English fubjects to depart the kingdom, except mechanics and manufacturers, unlefs they are settled in fome of the fea-ports: in which cafe they are to leave Spain within a time which fhall be fixed by commiffioners appointed for that purpofe. ENGLAN D. [340.] After the King had given the Royal affent to the bills ready on the 3d of july 340.], his Majefty made the following fpeech to parliament. "My Lords, and Gentlemen, The many great and essential services you have rendered to me and to your country, during the course of your long attendance in parliament, demand my moft cordial thanks. I have feen, with entire approbation, the zeal you have manifested for the fupport and profecution of the juft and neceffary war in which I am engaged; nor am I lefs fenfible of your attention to the prefent ftate of my kingdom of Ireland: my paternal affection for all my people makes me fincerely anxious for the happiness and profperity of every part of my dominions. Hitherto the events of war have afforded the court of France no reason to triumph on the confequences of their injuftice, and breach of public faith; and I truft, that by a spirited and prosperous exertion of the force you have put into my hands, that ambitious power may be brought to with that they had not, with out provocation, or caufe of complaint, infulted the honour and invaded the rights of my crown. I have already acquainted you with the hoftile ftep which has been lately taken by the court of Spain. Whatever colour may be attempted to be put upon that unjuft proceeding, I am confcious that I have nothing to reproach myself with it has been followed by the clear. eft demonstrations of the loyalty and affection of my parliament to my perfon and government, for which I repeat to you my warmeft thanks; and I confider it as a happy omen of the fuccefs of my arms, that the increase of difficulties ferves only to augment the courage and conftancy of the nation, and to animate and unite my people in the defence of their country, and of every thing that is dear to them. The advanced feafon of the year re fome quires that I fhould afford you recefs from public bufinefs; and I do it with the lefs reluctance, as, by the powers vefted in me by law, I can have the aid of your advice and affiftance within fourteen days, fhould any emergency make it neceffary for me to convene you before the ufual time. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, The various and extenfive operations of the war have unavoidably occafioned uncommon expence, and brought additional burthens on my faithful and be loved people, which I moft fincerely regret. I cannot fufficiently thank you for the confidence you have repofed in me, and for the cheerfulness and public spirit with which the large fupplies for the current year have been granted. My Lords, and Gentlemen, It is impoffible to speak of the continuance of the rebellion in North Ame rica without the deepest concern; but we have given fuch unquestionable proofs of our fincere difpofition to put an end to thofe troubles, that I muft ftill hope, that the malignant defigns of the ene mies of Great Britain cannot long prevail against the evident interefts of those unhappy provinces, and that they will not blindly perfift in preferring an unnatural and dangerous connection with foreign power, to peace and reunion with their mother-country. Then the parliament was prorogued. Eaft-India company of June 23. [338. Agreeably to the refolutions of the Sir William James, Bt, chairman, Wil and the other directors, prefented the liam Devaynes, Efq; deputy-chairman, following addrefs to the King, at St ciously, and they all had the honour to James's; which was received very gra kifs his Majefty's hand. "To the King's Moft Excellent Majefty WE, your Majefty's loyal fubje&s, the United Company of Merchants of Eng land trading to the Eaft Indies, beg leave in this time of general alarm, to expre our fentiments of zeal and affection to your Majefty's Royal perfon and gover ment. In an hour of threatened ruin to our commerce, and of poffible infult to this ifland, it is a duty incumbent on all your Majefty's fubjects, but peculiarly on great commercial focieties, to exETE their beft means of strengthening that important and conftitutional defence, the naval power of thefe kingdoms; which Fife; and the Lord Provoft, Magiftrates, &c. of Edinburgh, dated June 30.;-of July 13. three, from the Mayor, Recorder, &c. of Lancaster, dated July 9.; the Provoft, Magiftrates, &c. of Montrose, dated July 5.; and the county of Clackmannan, dated July 5.; we truft, notwithstanding the various fervices required in the diftant parts of the empire, will prove fuperior to the combined force of the Houfe of Bourbon in Europe. As a small teftimony of our earnest desire to promote this effential intereft of our country by an immediate fupply of men, we have offer- of July 17. four, from the Mayor, ed bounties to those who fhall volunta- Aldermen, &c. of Exeter, dated Jurily enter themselves to ferve on board ly 13.; the Noblemen, Gentlemen, &c. your Majefty's fleet; and, at the fame of the county of Stirling, dated July 10.; time, that we may contribute our affift- the Society of merchant-venturers of ance to its future ftrength, we have re- Briftol, dated June 26.; and British subfolved, at our own expence, and with jects who from the colonies have taken all poffible dispatch, to build three fhips refuge in G. Britain, presented by Sir of war of feventy-four guns each, with William Pepperel, July 16;-of July their mafts and yards, of which, when 24. fix, from the Mayor, Recorder, &c. finished, we request your Majesty's gra- of Kingston upon Hull, dated July 15.; cious acceptance. the Noblemen, Gentlemen, &c. of the county of Kincardine, dated July 14.; the juftices of the peace, commiffioners of the land-tax, and other proprietors of land, in the ftewartry of Kirkcudbright, dated July 13.; the reprefentatives of the Royal Boroughs of Scotland, in annual convention affembled, dated July15.; the Provost, Magiftrates, &c. of Air, dated July 5.; and the gentlemen, clergy, merchants, &c. of the town and neighbourhood of Birmingham, figned with 180 names;- and of July 31. fix, from the Roman-Catholics of Ireland; the Roman-Catholics of the town and county of Wexford, dated June 28. figned with 147 names, addreffed to the Lord Lieutenant; the Brotherhood of the Trinityhoufe of Kingston upon Hull, dated July 19.; the Lieutenant-Governor, &c. of the island of Guernsey, dated July 2. figned by the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff and Jurats, the Dean and Clergy, and the principal inhabitants of the ifland; the freeholders, &c. of the county of Peebles, dated July 17.; and the freeholders, &c. of the county of Dumfries, dated July 14. Whatever judgement pofterity may form of the unhappy conteft with our fellow-fubjects in America, one fentiment only can arise respecting the conduct of thofe powers, who, pretending injuries which never exifted, and affect ing the patronage of rights which they neither feel nor understand, could have but one object, amidft the distractions of the British empire, to gratify their own ambition. Success, which fometimes palliates injuftice, has not hither to attended their arms :- We have feen your Majefty's enemies driven from India; we have feen their commerce almoft deftroyed by the animated exertions of your Majesty's fubjects, in Europe and America; and we are confident that the vigour of our countrymen will rife proportioned to every new danger. Thofe who have confpired the ruin of Great Britain, may number her people, her fleets, and her armies; but they know not to estimate the energy of a free nation, united in affection, and ardent in defence of their deareft rights; which, under the bleffing of Providence, we dare to hope will finally defeat the perfidious defigns of all your Majefty's enemies. Given under our common feal, this 30th day of June, 1779." Of thefe addreffes we infert three; one on account of its shortnefs, and neatnefs; another, on account of the information it gives, and the peculiar circumftances of the perfons addreffing; and the third, on account alfo of the circumstances of the perfons addreffing. To the King's Moft Excellent Majefty. WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal fubjects, the freeholders of the • [Here, and elsewhere, the number that fign is mentioned, but the names are not inferted.] County ty of a full meeting, to profefs towards your Majefty the fincere and unanimous expreffions of our attachment. We behold with deep concern the critical juncture of public affairs, embarraffed by the united efforts of perfidious foes and rebellious fubjects; and we fhall repine at no hardships which may affect our perfons or fortunes, in our en deavours to maintain the rights and dignities of your Majefty's crown and empire. Signed by our Prefes, in our name, and by our appointment, at Cupar, July 2. 1779, JA. WEMYSS, P. To the King's Moft Excellent Majefty. county of Fife, embrace this opportuni- and to the many unfuccefsful attempts by bodies of the loyal in arms, which have fubjected them to all the rigours of inflamed refentment ; — we appeal to the fufferings of multitudes, who for their loyalty have been fubjected to infults, fines, and imprisonments, patiently enduring all in the expectation of that period which shall restore to them the bleffings of your Majefty's government; we appeal to the thousands now ferving in your Majefty's armies, and in private fhips of war, the former exceeding in number the troops inlifted to oppose them; - finally, we make a melancholy appeal to the many families who have been banished from their once peaceful habitations, to the public forfeiture of a long list of estates, and to the nume rous executions of our fellow-citizens, who have sealed their loyalty with their blood. If any colony or district, when covered or poffeffed by your Majefty's: troops, had been called upon to take. arms, and had refused; or if any attempts had been made to form the loyal as militia, or otherwife, and it had been declined, we fhould not on this occafion have prefumed thus to address your Majefty: but if, on the contrary, no general measure to the above effect was attempted, if petitions from bodies of your Majefty's fubjects, who wished to rife in aid of government, have been neglected, and the representations of the moft refpectable loyalifts difregarded, we affure ourselves, that the equity and wif dom of your Majefty's mind will not admit of any impreffions injurious to the honour and loyalty of your faithful fub- | jects in those colonies. Moft Gracious Sovereign, AT this important period, when your Majefty's arms are engaged in reclaiming your revolted fubjects in America, and in repelling the combined and unprovoked attempts of France and Spain, we, your Majefty's fubjects, who from your colonies have taken refuge in Great Britain, beg leave to approach the throne with hearts and lives devoted to your Majefty's person and government, and to offer our unfeigned thanks for thofe unparallelled exertions which your Majefty has been pleased to make, for the relief and protection of your faithful colonial fubjects: - And, notwithstanding your Majefty's arms have not been attended with all the effect which those exertions promised, and from which occafion has been taken to raise an indifcriminate charge of difaffection in the colonists; we beg leave, fome of us from our own knowledge, and others from the beft information, to affure your Majefty, that the greater number of your fubjects in the confederated colonies, notwithstanding every art to feduce, every device to intimidate, and a variety of oppreffions to compel them to abjure their Sovereign, entertain the firmest attachment and allegiance to your Majefty's facred perfon and government.- -In fupport of these truths, we need not appeal to the evidence of our own fufferings; it is notorious, that we have facrificed all which the moft loyal fubjects could forego, or the happiest could poffefs: but with confidence we appeal to the ftruggles made against the ufurpations of the congrefs, by counter refolves in very large diftricts of country, - Revering and firmly attached to the British conftitution, which it has been the glory of your Majefty's family to ftrengthen, and of your reign to im prove, we lament the infatuation of fuch of our fellow-fubjects in America, who, acting upon different principles, or deluded by their leaders, have thrown afide their just allegiance, and cast themfelves upon the affiftance of the ancient enemy of their country, liberties, and religion; an alliance which may enflave, but never can establish the happiness of your colonists.-Animated with these fed. timents, we fupplicate the Supreme Difpofer of events, to crown your Majesty's endeavours with a fuccefs proportioned to the righteousness of your caufe; to fruftrate the ambitious defigns of your enemies.} enemies; and, finally, to reftore to your Majefty's fubjects in America that mild government under which they long enjoyed fo much felicity. [Signed with 108 names.] To the King's Moft Excellent Majefty. Moft Gracious Sovereign, WE, your Majesty's dutiful, loyal, and faithful fubjects, the Roman-Catholics of your kingdom of Ireland, beg leave humbly to lay ourselves at your Majefty's feet, anxious at this very alarming juncture to renew [40. 266.] our unfeigned affurances of inviolable attachment to your Majefty's Royal perfon and government, and to declare our unabating zeal for the fuccefs of your Majefty's arms against the combined enemies of the British empire. Senfible of the many bleffings which, in common with the reft of our fellowfubjects, we have enjoyed under the mild and free government of your Majefty and your Royal ancestors, and particularly grateful for the benefits conferred on us by the liberality of an enlightned legislature [40.. 452, 453.] during your Majefty's reign, we cannot but fee with abhorrence, and feel with indignation, the infidious and bafe attempts of the French and Spanish courts to difturb the peace and diftract the happinefs of your Majefty's dominions. Confcious of the fincerity of our zeal, and convinced of the firm union of every denomination of our fellow-fubjects when any part of your Majefty's empire is attacked, we doubt not, under God, your Majefty will be able fpeedily and effectually to chaftife the infolence and punish the perfidy of all your enemies; and to preferve fecurity and reftore peace univerfally to your dominions, in the happiness of which we are fo effentially interested, and whose conflitution, so long the envy and admiration of the world, we are indispensably bound to defend. Dublin, July 22. 1779. Several noblemen, &c. have offered to affift government, and their offers have been accepted. The Duke of Rutland and the Earl of Harrington were at court on the 24th of June, and each offered to raise a regiment. About the fame time a fubscription was opened at Westminster for raising a regiment of 1000 men. The Earl of Fauconberg and Mr Dundas offered to raise 1000 men in the North Riding of Yorkshire; the Earl of Winchelsea 1000 men; Ld Chewton, fon of the Earl of Waldegrave, 1000 men; the Earl of Exeter, and his nephew Mr Cecil, 500 men each; William Carmick, Efq; of Penmount, Cornwall, to raise a regiment of 800 men; and the Duke of Marlborough fubfcribed 500l. to raise volunteer companies. There may be many more, of whom we have not heard. Ed. Moore. At a general meeting of the lieutenancy for the county of Middlefex, and of the juftices of peace for that county, and for the city and liberty of Weftminfter, held July 13. a fubfcription having been opened, 5000 1. was imme diately fubfcribed, and a committee was appointed to receive further fubfcriptions, and to apply the money for the increase of the naval and military force of this country. Of the above fum 1000l. was given by a private gentlemen, in two bank-notes of 500l. each; who being asked his name, refused to give it, saying, it was not done of oftentation, the fupport of his king and country was his only object. The Duke of Northumberland, who prefided, fubferibed 1000l.; but on feeing the above act of generofity in a private gentlemen, he made his subscription 20001. By order of the King the following letter was fent by the secretary at war to the Duke of Northumberland. "War-office, July 22. 1779. My Lord, I am commanded to acquant your Grace, that the King has been pleased to accept of the very noble and spirited ofhall, Weftminfter, on the 16th inftant, fer made in the committee at the Guildto form, in the feveral diftricts and parishes of the county of Middlesex, and city and liberty of Westminster, a certain number of volunteer companies; and that his Majefty entirely approves of the following plan on which the committee have propofed to form them, viz. THAT the number of companies so to be |