the channel; Sir Peter Warren, for the Mediterranean; and admiral Chambers, for the Weft-Indies.

Since his Britannic majefty's arrival at Hanover, he made a progrefs as far as Gottingen, upon the fouthern frontier of his dominions in Germany, to vifit the univerfity lately established there; and to take the diverfion of hunting near Gobrde, where he arrived the 17th inftant, N. S. having vifited the city of Zel in his way thither; and the 16th of next month, O. S. was fixed for his Majesty's fetting out upon his return to England; but this depended upon the definitive treaty's being figned at Aixla-Chapelle.

Sept. 28. Edward Ironfide and Thomas Rawlinfon, efqrs. aldermen, were fworn into the office of theriffs for London and Middlefex for the year enfuing, at Guildhall; and on Friday the 30th they were sworn at Weftminster.

Sept. 29. Sir William Calvert, knight, alderman of Portfoken ward, was chofen Lord Mayor of London for the year enfuing. Oct. 6. Their excellencies the lords juftices, in council, ordered the Parliament, which food prorogued to the 13th inftant, to be further prorogued to Nov. 17.

Oct. 13. Both houfes of Parliament met at Westminster, and by virtue of his Majefty's commiffion, were further prorogued to Nov. 29, and a proclamation was iffued by the lords juftices for their meeting on that day, and fitting for the dispatch of bufinefs.

The hon. Richard Lervefon Gower, efq. arrived at his grace the duke of Bedford's house, one of his Majefty's principal fecretaries of ftate, with a copy of the definitive treaty of peace, which was figned at Aix-laChapelle on Friday the 11th inftant, N. S. by the minifters of his Britannic majesty, his moft Chriftian majefty, and the States General of the United Provinces.

George Hind, efq. was made conful to the British merchants in France.

Oct. 21. A courier arrived here from Aix-la-Chapelle with an account, that the plenipotentiaries of his Catholic majesty had acceded, on the 20th inftant, N. S. to the definitive treaty of peace; thofe of the Empress queen on the 23d; the duke of Modena's on the 25th, and the acceffions of the Sardinian and Genoefe plenipotentiaries were foon expected.

The fubftance of the definitive treaty of peace.

The preamble was very extenfive, reciting

the original motives which occafioned the late war, as well as the defire of all the interested powers to put an end thereto, which gave rife to the prefent congrefs, &c.

Article 1, Promifes in the most folemn manner to obferve religiously the peace concluded, and all the articles and claufes therein, without ever in the least infringing thereon.

2. Every thing that has paffed during the war on all fides to be buried in a general and eternal oblivion.

3. The treaties of Weftphalia, Madrid, Nimeguen, Ryfwick, Utrecht, Baden, Hague, the Quadruple alliance, and the treaty of Vienna, were all confirmed, that they might not be derogated by the prefent treaty.

4. The prifoners made, and the hostages given during the war, to be restored on all fides without ranfom, and fet at liberty in one month after the exchange of the ratifications, but be obliged to pay all debts they have contracted; and all the men of war or merchant-fhips which have been taken fince the time ftipulated by the ceffation of arms, to be restored.

5. All the conquefts made during the war, in all parts of the world, to be reciprocally restored.

6. The reftitutions and ceffions to be made in fix weeks after the ratification. The artillery found in the conquered places to be reftored in the fame condition they were in at the time the towns were taken; excepting, nevertheless, that at Menin, Athe, Mons, Charleroy and Oudenard.

7. The duchies of Parma, Placentia, and Guaftalla, to be ceded with all their rights and dependencies to the Infant Don Philip, under an exprefs clause, that those ftates shall return to their prefent poffeffors, in cafe that Prince dies without male iffue, or he, or any of his defcendants, should mount the throne of Spain or the Two Sicilies.

8. Commiffaries to be immediately appointed on all fides, to affemble at Nice and Bruffels, to effectuate the respective restitutions and ceffions.

9. The king of Great Britain fhall fend to France two noblemen of the firft diftinction, by way of hoftages, who are to remain there till certain advice is received of the evacuation of Cape-Breton, and all the places which may have been taken in the Eaft-Indies.

10. Means to be taken in the general evacuation as commodious as poffible for the troops and inhabitants.

11. All

1

11. All the papers and records found in the towns to be restored, expressly-naming the archives of Mechlin.

12. The king of Sardinia to be maintained in the poffeffion of all his estates, principally thofe ceded to him in 1743, excepting that part of the Plaifantine he occupies, which he has ceded to the Infant Don Philip.

13. The duke of Modena to be re-eftablished in all his eftates, and justice done him in respect to the allodial effects which he poffeffed in the duchy of Guastalla.

14. The republic of Genoa to be re-eftablished in all the poffeffions it enjoyed before the war. The money they had in the banks of Vienna and Turin, and which was confifcated, to be reftored, and the payment of the interefts to commence from the day of the exchange of the ratifications.

15. Things to remain in Italy on the fame footing they were before the war, excepting the ceflions made to the king of Sardinia and the Infant Don Philip.

16. The Affiento treaty is confirmed, and permiffion granted to fend to the Spanish-Indies for four years a fhip extraordinary, for the non-enjoyment of that privilege during the war.

17. The fortifications of Dunkirk to remain as they now are on the land fide, but antient treaties to be obferved with regard to the port and the works on the fea fide.

18. The differences on the fubject of the fums which the king of Great Britain, as elector of Hanover, declared to be due to him, to be amicably adjusted; and the affair concerning the abbey of St. Hubert to be regulated at the fame time.

19. The article of the treaty of the quadruple alliance, which fecures the fucceffion of the crown of Great Britain to the house of Hanover, is confirmed in all its points.

20. All the ftates which his Britannic majefty poffeffes in Germany guarantied by the contracting powers.

21. The faid powers guaranty likewise, in the most folemn manner, the Pragmatic fanction, that it may not be derogated by the prefent treaty.

22. They guaranty in the fame manner Silefia and the county of Glatz to his Prufhan majesty.

23. As alfo the execution of all the articles of the present treaty.

24. The exchange of ratifications to be made at Aix-la-Chapelle, within a month, by the minifters of the contracting parties

and in fix weeks by thofe of the powers which acceded therto. There were two other articles, of which the first imports in fubftance, that no confequence was to be drawn from the titles and precedency which the contracting parties had taken in this treaty; and the fecond, the fame thing with regard to the French language, &c.

Oct. 25, An account was received of the Genoefe plenipotentiary having acceded to the definitive treaty of peace.

Mr. Burnaby, his Britannic majesty's minifter to the Proteftant cantons of Switzerland, having been informed of a propofition made to the canton of Fribourg, for affording an afylum to the young Pretender, wrote immediately to the regency of that canton, to fignify how difagreeable such a step would be to the King his mafter he has fince caused that letter, together with the answer from the regency, to be printed.

Oct. 29. Sir William Calvert, knt. the new lord mayor of London, was fworn in at Westminster with the ufual folemnity.

Nov. 3. The model of the plan in miniature, made for playing off the fire-works in the Green-Park, on the thanksgiving for the peace, was prefented to the board of ordnance and approved of; and the next day the ground was marked out in the faid park, near the late Queen's library, for the the buildings to play off the faid fireworks, and for erecting fcaffolding for a great number of fpectators.

The band of mufic to perform at the fire-works in the Green Park confifted of forty trumpets, twenty French horns, fixteen hautboys, fixteen baffoons, eight pair of kettle-drums, twelve fide drums, and a proper number of flutes and fifes, with 100 pieces of cannon to go off fingly at intervals with the mufic.

Νου. 5. An account was received from Aix-la-Chapelle, that the plenipotentiaries of his Sardinian majefty had acceded, on the 7th inftant, N. S. to the definitive treaty of peace.

Nov. 9. A fire broke out in the Horn ftable at Gravesend, adjoining to a warehoufe, which contained a great quantity of pitch, tar, refin, fea-coal, all forts of ironmongers goods, and about five half barrels of gunpowder, which blew up both the faid buildings, and thereby prevented once more the town from becoming a heap of ruins. Many people were hurt by the explofion, but none killed. The damage was computed at about 1000%,

Nov. 19. The anniversary of the birth of her royal highnefs the princess of Wales was celebrated, who then entered into the 29th year of her age. There was a great appearance of the nobility at Leicester-house on this occafion, when his Royal Highnefs observing some of his lords to wear French ftuffs, immediately ordered the duke of Chandois, his groom of the ftole, to acquaint them and all his fervants in general, that after that day he should be greatly dif pleased to see them appear in any of the manufactures of France. The fame notice was given to the ladies.

Nov. 23. His Majefty arrived about two o'clock in the morning, in good health, at St. James's, from his German dominions. He embarked at Helvoetfluys about ten on Monday morning, and landed the next day between three and four in the afternoon at a place called Kingsgate, four miles from Margate in Kent. He was upwards of two hours beating on the Kentish coast before he could land, the wind blowing strong at weft. He paffed through Canterbury about fix, but did not ftay at any place to refrech till he arrived at St. James's.

Νου. 25. The right hon. the Lord Mayor and court of aldermen of the city of London waited on his Majesty to congratu late him on his fafe return.

Nov. 29. His Majefty went to the House of Peers, and opened the feffion with this most gracious fpeech to both houses.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I acquainted you at the clofe of the laft feffion of Parliament, that preliminary articles for a general pacification had been figned by my minifter, and those of the moft Chriftian King, and the States General of the United Provinces; to which the emprefs queen of Hungary, and the kings of Spain and Sardinia, and the other powers engaged in the war, foon after acceded.

"I loft no time in taking the proper measures with my allies, for effectuating a general peace by a definitive treaty, in which all parties were to concur and, notwithstanding the difficulties which must attend fo extenfive a work, wherein the refpective interests of fo many powers were to be finally adjusted by common confent, I have been able, by the bleffing of God, in the courfe of the fummer, to compleat it ; and I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that a definitive treaty, previously concerted with my allies, has been figned by my minifters, and thofe of France and the States

General; to which all the other powers concerned in the war have acceded without reserve.

"It has been my chief endeavour, in putting an end to the calamities of war, to make the most effectual provifion for fecuring the rights and interests of my own fubjects, and to procure the best terms and conditions for my allies, that the fituation of affairs would admit. And I take much fatisfaction in being able to tell you, that I have found a general good difpofition in all parties engaged in the war, to bring this negociation to a happy conclufion. From thefe circumstances we may promise our felves, under God, a long enjoyment of the bleffings of peace, provided we make the right use and improvement of it.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "As great a progrefs has been made towards reducing the public expences as the nature of the cafe would allow, and I only defire you to grant me fuch fupplies, as may be requifite for the current fervice of the year, for your own fecurity, and for making good fuch engagements as have been already entered into, and laid before you. Times of tranquility are the proper feafons for leffening the national debt, and ftrengthening ourfelves against future events; and, as the neceffary means for thefe purposes, I muft recommend to you the improvement of the public revenue, and the maintaining our naval force in proper ftrength and vigour.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

"It is impoffible for me to speak to you on the fubject of the happy re-establishment of the public tranquility, without returning you my fincereft thanks for the great and affectionate fupport you have given me, in carrying on this juft and neceffary war; in which, not only the common caufe of Europe, but our own independency and effential interefts were highly concerned. As the extraordinary burdens which it brought upon my good fubjects gave me great uneafinefs, fo I could not but wish to fee as speedy an end put to them as poffible. Whatever the events of the war may have been, the bravery of my troops has diftinguished itself on every occafion, to their lafting honour; and our fignal fucceffes at fea, muft ever be remembered to the glory of the British fleet, and entitled to the particular attention and fupport of this nation. You will further confider, that thofe brave men who have ferved well by fea or land, and cannot now

be

be employed, juftly deferve to be the objects of your favour and protection.

"As my first care has been, to take the moft early measures, that my people may as foon as poffible reap the benefits of peace, fo I doubt not of your chearful affiftance in perfecting this good work. Let me earneftly recommend to you the advancement of our commerce, and cultivating the arts of peace, in which you may depend on my hearty concurrence and encouragement. It hall be my endeavour to continue these bleffings, by a punctual execution on the engagements now taking, and by maintaining the moft perfect harmony and good correfpondence with the friends and allies of Great Britain.

The experience I have had of you makes me rely on the zeal, unanimity and difpatch of your proceedings; and you may be affured, that nothing fhall be wanting, on my part, to make you a flourishing and happy people.

Nov. 30. The Houfe of Lords prefented the following addrefs to his Majefty:

"Moft Gracious Sovereign,

"We, your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal fubjects, the Lords fpiritual and temporal, in Parliament aflembled, return your Majefty our humble thanks for your most gracious fpeech from the throne.

"The joy which all your faithful subjects feel on your Majesty's safe and happy return into this kingdom, is incapable of any addition; but it gives us at this time a particular fatisfaction, as it is accompanied with a general peace, effectuated by your Majefty's prudence and firmness, and with the concurrence of all your allies. On the fuccefsful conclufion of this great work, we heartily congratulate your Majefty, and with the utmoft thankfulnefs, acknowledge your wifdom and indefatigable labours, in carrying on the late just and neceffary war, entered into for fupportingthe liberties of Europe, and fecuring the independency and moft effential interefts of this kingdom. We are equally fenfible of the tender regard your Majefty has fhewn for your people, in the re-establishment of the public tranquility..

"We cannot be ignorant of the many difficulties which must have attended this important and extenfive negociation; and we look upon it as a great inftance of your Majefty's vigilant and active care for the public welfare, that it has been brought to perfection, in concert with, and in con

currence of fo many powers, in fo fhort time.

"With hearts full of duty and affection, we offer our thanks to your Majefty for your paternal good nefs, in confidering with fo much tendernefs the burdens of your fubjects, and in taking the very first opportunity to give them eafe, and to enable them to reap the benefits of the pacification. Excited by your gracious example, and our love to our country, we affure your Majefty of our chearful and hearty concurrence in all fuch meafures, as may tend to perfect what your Majefty has fo prudently begun; may improve our trade and commerce; promote quiet and harmony at home, and render the bleffings of peace, under the Divine Protection, general and lasting to our people. In doing this we will never fail to have the utmost attention to the honour of your Majefty's crown, the stability of your throne and the fafety of your kingdoms.

"We have a juft fenfe of the diftinguished behaviour of your Majefty's forces by fea and land, during the war. We look upon them as an honour and strength to our country; and we applaud that goodnefs which your Majefty has exprefied, in recommending fuch of them as cannot now be employed, to the favour and protection of Parliament. Your Majesty's fentiments concerning the naval force of this kingdom are highly worthy a king of Great Britain, who has the honour and intereft of this nation entirely at heart; and the fignal fuccefs that has attended it in the war, as well as the confequences to be derived from it for maintaining the peace, cannot fail to fhew the neceffity of giving the utmost attention to the fupport and encouragement of the fleet,

"Permit us, Sir, to make ufe of this happy occafion of approaching your royal throne, to give your Majefty the strongest affurance of our inviolable duty and fidelity to your facred perfon, and our zeal for the prefervation of the proteftant fucceffion in your illuftrious house, the great bulwark of religion and liberties. To thefe principles we will always ftedfaftly adhere; and we faithfully promife your Majesty, to exert your utmost endeavours to fupport you in maintaining that repofe which your Majesty has restored to your kingdoms, as well as to preferve and cultivate the most perfect correfpondence and union with the friends and allies of Great Britain, and to promote the glory and happiness of your reign."

То

To this addrefs his Majesty's returned the following moft gracious answer.

"My Lords,

"I thank you for this dutiful and affectionate addrefs. The fatisfaction you have fo unanimously expreffed in the measures have taken, is particularly agreeable to me; and you may be affured, that both in war and in peace my great aim has been, and always fhall be, the advancement of the true interefts of my people, and the fupport of my allies."

Dec. 1. The House of Commons prefented the following address.

"Moft gracious Sovereign, "We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal fubjects, the Commons of GreatBritain in Parliament affembled, beg leave to return your Majefty our unfeigned thanks for your moft gracious fpeech from the throne; and to congratulate your Majefty on your fafe and happy return to these kingdoms.

"We acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, your Majefty's conftant attention to the good of your people; and beg leave to congratulate your Majefty on the fucccfs of your endeavours for reftoring peace to Europe, by the happy conclufion of a definitive treaty, in which all your allies have concurred without referve; and we cannot, on this occafion, but admire your Majefty's wisdom and conduct, by which you have, in fo fhort a space of time, reconciled and adjusted fo many jarring interefts, and compleated this great and neceffary work.

"Permit us, Sir, humbly to return your Majefty our thanks for your tender regard to your faithful fubjects, in taking the first opportunity to reduce the public expences, which has been done with unusual dispatch; and we acknowledge equally your Majefty's wifdom in recommending to us œconomy, and the improvement of the revenue, both abfolutely neceflary in our prefent circumftances, in order to leffen the national debt, eafe your people, and ftrengthen ourselves against all future events; and we affure your Majesty, that we will omit nothing which may conduce to these important and falutary ends.

"It gives the highest fatisfaction to your faithful Commons, that your Majefty has been graciously pleased to take notice of the bravery of your forces by fea and land, an honour their behaviour has most jusly deserved; and we affure your Majefty, that all due attention fhall be paid, on our part, to the fervices of thofe gallant men, who

have fignalized themselves fo gloriously in defence of their country.

"We are truly fenfible of the importance of that fignal fuccefs which has attended your Majesty's arms at fea, through the courfe of the war, and are fully convinced, how neceffary it is to maintain our fleets in perfect ftrength and order, even in times of the most profound peace. Your faithful Commons beg leave humbly to affure your Majefty, that they will grant fuch supplies as are neceffary to fecure effectually the peace and tranquility of your Majesty's government, and to preferve the honour of the nation, by making good its engagements; and that the chief objects of our confideration fhall be what your Majesty has fo graciously and wifely recommended to us, the improvement of our commerce, the fupporting and ftrengthening of public credit, and the cultivation of the arts of peace; that your Majefty may be enabled to gratify your royal inclinations, by making this nation a flourishing and happy people, under your aufpicious government, and that of your royal family, to future generations.'

His Majesty's most gracious answer.
"Gentlemen,

"I thank you most heartily for this very affectionate addrefs. You may rely upon my ready concurrence with you, in the execution of all fuch measures as will relieve my people, as foon as poffible, from the burdens which the exigencies of war have laid upon them, and procure for them the bleffings of a fafe and lafting peace."

Dec. 2. Was obferved at court, in the city, and elsewhere, as his Majefty's birthday, he being abroad on the real day, viz. October 30.

The addrefs of the univerfity of Cambridge was prefented, congratulating his Majefty on his fafe return, and on the peace.

An order was given for several engineers and mafter-builders, to repair to NorthBritain, and there to follow fuch other inftructions relating to the fortifying that coaft, as they fhould from time to time receive from the board of works. The number of forts to be erected on the coast of Scotland, were thirteen, to mount from thirty to twelve guns, of eighteen and fix pounders.

The court of France being tired with applying in a friendly manner to prevail with the young Pretender to leave that kingdom, determined at last upon ufing violence,