Captain Havitt brings the following account of the success of the different ships belonging to this port, whom he spoke with from the 1st to the 3d of May; Elizabeth, 12 fish; Eggington, Fanny, and Ariel, 6 each; Symmetry 4, and 1000 seals; Enterprise, 3; Oakhall 7, nearly full; Caroline, 4 or 5; Blenheim, 7, 155 butts; Truelove, 11; John, 3 or 4; Maria, 9; Samuel, 3; Minerva, 7; Lottery, 3; North Briton, 7; and Manchester 8. Captain Havitt also brings accounts of the success of the ships belonging to the following places, viz. Dunbar, North Star, 2 fish.-Liverpool; Hermit 11, and Peggy 3-London; Brissot 5, Dingwall 5, Nancy 9, Inverness 3, Lively 7, Prince of Wales 4, Edward 3, Success 1, Young Eagle 3, Dundee 1, and Kent I. 10. Yesterday arrrived a mail from Lisbon, brought to Falmouth in the Prince Adolphus packet, in thirteen days. It appears that Admiral Lord St. Vincent sailed from Minorca on the 23d of May, having been previously joined by Rear Admiral Whitshed's squadron, supposed towards the Bay of Roses. The last accounts from his Lordship, brought to Lisbon by the Europa, of 50 guns, are dated the 18th ult. when he was in good health, and had no intention of resigning his command. No action had then taken place. It was understood at isbon, on the 24th, that the French fleet had sailed from Toulon on the 26th of May, and that the Spanish squadron continued at Carthagena, repairing its damages. Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, after sending Sir James Saumarez, in his Majesty's ship Cæsar, with L'Aimable frigate, into the Tagus on the 16th, to bring out the French prizes taken by Lord Nelson in the Battle of the Nile, sailed with them from the mouth of the Tagus on the 22d, for England; on board of which, and some transports, all the British troops in Fortugal are embarked, in order to form part of the Secret Expedition. The Flora and Alcmene frigates were cruizing on the coast of Portugal when the last accounts were received from Lisbon. His Majesty's ships Europa, Ulysses, and Calcutta, arrived at Lisbon on the 18th ult. from the Mediterranean, and the Europa and Ulysses were appointed to sail with the convoy of merchant ships, which consisted of about twenty sail, for England, on the 30th of June, so that the fleet may be shortly expe&ed to arrive. The Calcutta sailed from the Tagus on the 23d of June, having on board the regiment of Royals bound for Ireland. Last Tuesday the Seaford fishermen observing a vast quantity of fish in that bay, which gave an unusual motion and complexion to the water, they procured a large net of Captain Harben, and soon dragged near 800 fine mackerel on shore. The following instance of French barbarity accords with their conduct during the whole of the present war, and must remind our readers of similar cruelty exercised towards the Benson at the commencement of the war, which we noticed in our Historical Account of Naval Transactions: Dover, July 4. The capture of the ship Benjamin and Elizabeth, one of the West India fleet, was fraught with great cruelty. The night of Monday, on which she was taken, was remarkably foggy, and about half past nine, Dungenness about four leagues, she was hailed by a lugger, who running under her quarter, asked her if she wanted a pilot. On being answered No, a fellow on board the lugger, who spoke good English, desired them to back their mainyard and surrender, and, at the same instant firing a volley of musquetry, boarded her on the quarter. The captain and mate of the Benjamin, and two English seamen (the rest of her crew, amounting to eight, being foreigners), fired the only gun they had on that side into the lugger; but the Frenchmen had effected their boarding. Captain White, his mate, and the two seamen, continued, however, with all the gallantry that characterizes British sailors, to defend their vessel, and had actually beaten the Frenchmen from their deck, and the mate was gallantly lashing the lugger's foremast to the Benjamin's quarter, when they were boarded on the beam by a second lugger, the crew of which came on their backs while they were yet engaged with the lugger on their quarter, and inhumanly, although they had possession of the ship, cut and 1 shot all they met. The captain, who was wounded severely, was by two of the villains, thrown from the ship overboard, but picked up by the lugger; the mate was cut with a sabre in several places, and a pistol put to his mouth (though unarmed), and fired off, the ball went through his tongue, and lodged under his shoulder. One of the seamen had also a pistol put to his cheek and fired; the ball went through his mouth, and was extracted from under his arm. Both of these men are, however, we are happy to say, likely to recove. Fortunately his Majesty's sloop, Racoon, stretching out from the land to protect the rear of the convoy, heard the firing, and got sight of the ship, which she re-captured in about ten minutes after the luggers had hauled off. Shortly afterwards, it clearing a little, Captain Lloyd got sight of the two luggers, one of which was within musket shot. The Racoon immediately opened her broadside upon her, and on the smoke's clearing away, not a vestige of the lugger appeared upon the water, consequently the vessel and her whole crew went to the bottom. The other lugger, though at a much greater distance, was still plainly to be seen; but the fog again coming on, the Racoon lost sight of her. COURT OF KING'S BENCH, JULY 4. GREEN 7. NEWT. This action was brought against the owners of an East India ship, called the Ceres, of 1200 tons, by the owners of a transport ship, called the Echo, for negligently running foul of her, in consequence of which she had sustained damage to the amount of 9391. This happened in the East Indies, in the course of a secret expedition from Madras. After counsel were heard, and the witnesses on both sides examined, the jury found a verdict for plaintiff up to the whole extent of his demand.- Verdict for plaintiff, damages 9391. The Lords of the Admiralty have ordered the Inspector sloop of war to take. the merchant ships bound to Archangel under convoy, as soon as they shall be assembled at the Nore, and see them as far as the latitude of 64 degrees on their way of destination, calling off the Humber, &c. for the trade assembled there. They have also, in a letter from Mr. Nepcan, dated the 6th inst. given the assurance to the merchants concerned in that trade, that ships of war will be appointed in proper situations for the protection of homeward bound ships. Government has purchased a large ship of 1000 tons, called the Empress Mary, built at Archangel, which is now taking in naval stores, &c. at Woolwich, for the British fleet in the Mediterranean. The cargo consists of masts, yards, cables, &c. which it is understood Lord St. Vincent is much in want of. Mr. Laird, an experienced master in the Navy, is appointed to the command of the above vessel. Some opulent merchants at Bristol are forming themselves into an association for carrying on the whale fishery upon a very extensive plan. Roach and dace at this moment sell for three halfpence and two-pence a-piece to the manufacturers of beads and necklaces, who employ the scales of them in making the glazed part of that article. The scales of the barbel are also sold, for the above purpose, and fetch an high price. Yarmouth, July 10. Arrived the Russian fleet under Admiral Tate, from a cruise off the Texel; and the Dordrecht of 64 guns, Wassenaer of 64 guns, and the Hebe, of 38 guns, armed en flute, to take on board troops.-A flag of truce came out of the Texel on Sunday last, to Lord Duncan's fleet, under the Prince of Orange's colours. NAVAL OBELISK. We deem it highly probable that the Grand Naval Obelisk, about to be erced in commemoration of the glorious successes of our Navy, will have to embrace a fifth great Naval Victory. The plan is certainly highly deserving the patronage of the public, and it has the recommendation of the best and highest support in this country. The City of London, we have no doubt, will carry their ideas with respect to a perpetuation of our naval glory, by means of some public building, into effect, by liberally supporting the plan now before the public, the suggestion and device of Alexander Davison, Esq. of St. James'ssquare, whose patriotic spirit upon this, as well as some other occasions that we could mention, deserves the highest praise. NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL BILLS, AND REGULATIONS. HOUSE OF COMMONS, JUNE 18. Mr. Rose brought up the Ship Postage Bill, June 21. Mr. Rose obtained leave to bring in a bill to permit the im portation of wool in vessels belonging to powers in amity with his Majesty. He stated the reason for this measure to be the present very high price of Spanish wool. June 24. The British Fisheries Bill was brought up, and ordered to be read a third time. The Levant Trade Bill was read a third time, and passed. Mr. Pitt moved the following resolutions: 1,307,200l. for the transport service for 1799, and for the maintenance of the prisoners of war at Hull. 35,000l. to enable his Majesty to grant indemnification to Lord St. Vincent and Sir Charles Grey for the decrees of the Court of Admiralty relative to certain captures, &c. in the West Indies. The House went into a Committee on the West India Exportation and Importation Act. Mr. Rose moved a resolution, which was agreed to, "That goods from the Colonies brought in American vessels, or the vessels of powers in amity with this country, shall be permitted to be landed in our ports under the provisions of the said Act." June 26. On the motion of Lord Hawkesbury, the House resolved itself Into a Committee to consider the Act of the 13th and 14th of Charles II. and came to a resolution to permit the importation of pitch, tar, and deal boards, from Hamburgh, Altona, and Gluckstadt, in British-built ships registered according to law. The Report was ordered to be received. LONDON PORT BILL. On the Motion for the third reading of the Bill to improve the Port of London, Mr. Manning opposed the compulsory Clause as a monopoly; he then moved that the Clause be omitted Lord Hawkesbury supported the Clause, and insisted that plunderage to the amount of from two to three hundred thousand a year would be saved, if the plan of the Isle of Dogs should be adopted.-The House divided on Mr. Manning's Motion. Majority -35 The Bill was then read a third time, passed, and ordered to the Lords. July 1. The Hamburgh, Altona, and Gluckstadt Naval Stores Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. This Bill was read a third time, and passed, July 4th. The East India shipping Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. July 3. Mr. Pitt, in a Committee of the whole House, moved several Resolutions as the foundation of a Bill to enable his Majesty to permit the im portation of certain goods to be specified, in ships belonging to powers in amity with his Majesty. The Resolutions were agreed to, and, the House being resumed, reported, and leave given to bring in the Bill, which was read a first time. EAST INDIA TRADE. July 12. Mr. Dundas said, that if the papers respecting the exports from this country to India, and the imports from thence, which were now laid before the House, had been produced sooner, he should, in consequence of the notice he had at an early part of this Session given, have entered upon the subject of the arade between Great Britain and India. At this period, however, while the House was about breaking up, he would not trouble them further than to state, that, in his opinion, the Court of Directors of the East India Company had sufficiently the means in their own hands to grant such facilities to the private trade, and establish such regulations as would, with great benefit to themselves and to the State at large, secure to this country the whole of the trade from British India, and which trade certainly would naturally find its way to the port of London, if proper arrangements were made:-At all events, if measures were not taken soon to effect this desirable object, he should deem it his duty to call the attention of the House to the subject as soon as they met again. HOUSE OF LORDS, JUNE 20. SLAVE CARRYING BILL. The House then resolved itself into a Committee upon this Bill; when, upon the suggestion of the Duke of Clarence, the first of August next was expressly named as the time for its taking place. His Royal Highness then moved to leave out certain words in a clause relative to the height between decks, which fixed it at five feet, for the purpose of introducing a scale of heights, according to the burthen of the ship, commencing at four feet two inches, and going on to five feet eight or ten. This drew on a very long debate, in which the amendment was strongly opposed by Lords Grenville and Spencer, and the Bishop of Rochester, and as warmly supported by Lords Thurlow, Liverpool, Kinnoul, and the Duke of Clarence. On the question being put, a division took place, when there appeared for his Royal Highness's amendment, Contents 17 Non Contents 19 Several amendments were proposed to other clauses, which produced a long conversation, but they were all rejected but those moved by Lord Grenville. At half past twelve o'clock, the Bill being gone through, it was ordered to be reported. July 2. The Wet Dock Bill was read a first time; and, on appointing a future day for the second reading of it, The Earl of Liverpool rose, and observed upon the extreme utility of the Bill, expressing his surprise that the City of London, the metropolis of this great commercial country, should have been so tardy in endeavouring to get a Bill paffed to that effect; and the more so, as the advantages, in respect to the extension of their trade and navigation, that Liverpool and Hull had derived from the improvement of their ports and docks, was matter of public notoriety. July 10. Lord Grenville gave notice, that he should bring forward a motion early in the next Session relative to the safety of the West India Islands as connected with the Slave Trade; preparatory to which he then moved, That there be laid before the House the Log Books of the vessels engaged in the Slave Trade from the year 1781 to 1798, and several other papers relative to that trade.-Ordered. EAST INDIES. June 18. A Court of Directors was held this day at the East India House, when Captain John Luard was sworn into the command of the Swallow packet. A number of ships, of the increased burthen of 1500 tons, have been permitted to be built for the India Company's service. The Chairman also informed the Court, that the Court of Directors had come to the resolution of thanking Lord Nelson for the eminent services rendered by him to the Company, and to request his acceptance of the sum of 10, col. The East India Fleet sailed on the 19th from Portsmouth, under convoy of the Ganges. A new mint is established at Calcutta for the coining of private silver; all individuals who send silver to this mint, being private property, are to pay 35 # per mill for coinage. In each province of the Mogul Empire are established one or more mints. Several extra ships are to be taken up for the service of this season, to proceed to Bengal for gruff goods. EAST INDIA HOUSE, JUNE 28. Yesterday a General Court of Proprietors of the East India Company was held at the india House, pursuant to adjournment, for the purpose of taking into consideration a bill proposed to be brought into Parliament for regulating in future the shipping concerns of the Company. After some debate it was read, as altered by the Company's law officer. By it ships are allowed to proceed six voyages; if lost or captured before the completion of the fifth, the commander, if exonerated, is to have leave to build another; or if dead or disabled, the chief mate may build on the same terms. In this shape the bill passed unanimously. The Deputy Chairman stated, that the Court was to take into consideration a resolution of the Court of Directors to suspend the 2d and 3d sections of the 13th chapter of the bye laws, in favour of the Ocean and Henry Addington, and permit two ships to be built on their bottoms. A resolution to this effect, after some conversation, was adopted by the Court. The Deputy Chairman then acquainted the Court, that it was made special, at the desire of nine Proprietors, who had informed the Court of Directors that they might probably offer a resolution respecting the printed proceedings on the subject of illicit trade. Mr. Lushington, after a short speech, moved, "That this Court are of opinion, that there is no ground of suspicion against David Scott, sen. or the house of David Scott, jun. and Co. and that it is incompatible with the justice of this Court to withhold this declaration of their opinion." Mr. Chisholme considered Commerce a fair dealer, and seconded the Resolution. Mr. Moore. When there is no bribe, there is no temptation! He wished to know if any proceedings were ordered to be instituted against any other persons. The Deputy Chairman replied, there were not. Mr. Elphinstone said, he imagined the printed papers on Illicit Trade were not candidly and steadily perused. Could any man, said he, view them but with an eye of suspicion? He entered into a minute investigation of the original proceedings which gave rise to the enquiry. His opinion was still the same; he was so well convinced of this infamous traffic, that he should maintain his sentiments to the latest hour of his existence. He concluded a very long speech with hoping that the Bill of Discovery might be carried into effect. A long debate took place, and after the former grounds for and against had been traversed, a ballot was demanded on the original question, which is to take place at the India House on Tuesday the 19th of next month. July 4. A General Court was held at the India House, when the bye-laws were suspended in favour of the Henry Addington and Ocean. The Swallow packet, in consequence of the expedition it is intended she should make, will not take on board any passengers. The exact time of her being dispatched cannot be ascertained, as she is under secret orders. Letters. are, however, receiving at the India House to go by her to all parts of India. 10. Yesterday a General Court was held for the purpose of determining by ballot the following question: "That it does not appear to this Court, that in any of the papers which have been published respecting Illicit Trade, there are any grounds of suspicion against the house of David Scott and Co. and therefore it would be incompatible with the justice of this Court to withhold this declaration of its opinion." On summing up the votes, the scrutineers reported the numbers to be, |
