len-draper, with the reft ange-alley, were destroyand Sam's coffee-houses, damaged. The flames es into Cornbill, and sufes of Mr. Aftley, Mr. zban, Mr. Waltboe, and ookfellers; Mr. Dep. Mr. Warner, a statio › Rainbow coffee-houses, ee-tuns taverns, a milli ree-tuns, and a cabinetr of Birchin-lane; Mr. Iraper, the other corner, th another woollen-drale London Affurance of rrifon's, Mr. Vaughan's, Sarrazin's, the corner in the faid alley, Mr. e-houfe, the Cock and ife, the houfe of Mr. ig-maker, Mr. Oldis, a ca coffee-house was but vas likewife St. Michael's fes in Caftle-court and ircbin-lane, were all conpart of the George and lford's coffee-houfe, and • Willmore, a hofier, in e confumed, and great other houses in the faid ania, Carolina and Georgia Marine coffee-house, the Cole's coffee-houses, the zw, a fhoe-maker, Mr. r, and all the others in pting eight towards Lom likewife confumed. his wife and two daughrneyman perished in the apprentices and the ferefcaping, Mr. Cooke, a dged in the house, jumped ir of faits window, broke ed foon after.

s were detected in feloniF goods in the general connmitted to the Compter. the fufferers were most of the Royal-exchange. guard at the fire ftabbed a d to affift in carrying water in fo dangerous a manner as defpaired of the foldier to the Compter.

ved, that the fire communiefly by the tops of the houses, walls; which it is prefume neceffity of building those walls

IN CHISWILL-STALA",

INBOUND,

walls higher for the future, fo as to leave no communication betwixt the rafters of different houses.

The confternation of the inhabitants in this dreadful calamity was inexpreffible, and the lofs must have been exceeding great, notwithstanding the effects that were faved; for it happened on one of the richest fpots of ground in the city, and the very center of bufinefs. There was great danger of its fpreading farther, the wind being high, of which people were under terrible apprehenfions, but by the good providence of God it was prevented; and though, after the first ftop that was put to the raging flames, the fire broke out afresh more than once, fuch conftant care was taken, that it never again refumed its deftructive power.

Dr. Samuel Lifle, bishop of St. Asaph, tranflated to the bishopric of Norwich, in the room of bishop Gooch.

out of the prifon taking different ways; but an alarm being fpread, five ofthem were retaken in the neighbouring ftreets, and carried back to Newgate. Thomas Kemp, and William Gray, got clear off; for the taking of either of whom a reward of 50l. was promifed by the Keeper of Newgate, and 100%. by the commiffioners of the customs.

March 31. At the anniversary feast of the London-Infirmary, the collection at the church and Merchant-Taylor's hall,amounted to 1167%. 185.

April 2, A mail came from the WeftIndies, confirming the arrival of admiral Knowles at Jamaica from North America, and the fentence of the court martial against commodore Cornelius Mitchell, which was, that he should be mulcted five years pay, and rendered incapable of serving in his Majesty's

Nichols, efq. made paymafter of

the forces in Flanders.

John White, efq. made lieutenant-governor of Pendennis Caftle.

March 29. A court of common council was held at Guildhall, when a motion was made, that the court of lord mayor and aldermen be empowered to permit as many non-freemen in the building-bufinefs, to be employed in rebuilding the houses dedroyed by the late fire in Cornhill, as to them fhall feem neceffary; any law, cuftom or ufage to the contrary notwithstanding; which, after a fhort debate was refolved in the affirmative.

- A contribution was fet on foot for the relief of those sufferers by the said fire, who were objects of charity, by feveral gentlemen, bankers, &c. the benefactions to be paid to the bankers named in the advertisement; which by the 22d of April amounted to near 2000l. and by the 11th to 3320/. the claims given in by the fufferers to that time, amounting to 8000l. and on the 19th was a general meeting of the contributors, when a committee was chofen for the management of the charity, and Stephen Theodore Janffen, efq. one of the city members, appointed chairman thereof.

March 3. About eight at night feven prifoners in Newgate for fmuggling, on the turnkeys opening the door of their apartment, rufhed on them with piftols and broomsticks, and knocking them down ran

nances, touching the nomination and election of sheriffs of the city of London and county of Middlefex, and for regulating and enforcing fuch nominations and elections for the future.

April 9. The Irish Parliament was prorogued, and his excellency the earl of Harrington, the lord lieutenant, arrived foon after in England.

April 24. Mr. Thompfen, one of his Majefty's meffengers, arrived at his grace the duke of Newcastle's office, with the inftrument of preliminary articles for a general pacification, figned at Aix-la-Chapelle, by the minifters plenipotentiary of his Majesty the king of Great-Britain, the moft Chriftian King, and the States General of the United Provinces.

May 3 Articles of capitulation were figned on the 7th inftant, N. S. by marshal Saxe and general d'Alyva, governor of Maeftricht, for the giving up the town upon honourable conditions: in confequence of which, the garrifon was to march out of the town on the 10th inftant, N. S. with military honours. And the 11th inftant N. S. was the day named for the ceffation of hoftilities in the Low Countries.

May 5. The anniversary feast of the fons of the clergy was held at Merchant-Taylor's hall. The whole amount of the collection at the rehearsal on the 3d, at the fermon on this day, and at the fealt, was 9067. 195.

8d.

Within these few days 30,000 quarters of wheat were brought up for exportation. April 12. The collection for the Foundling-Hofpital was upwards of 6501.

The general aflembly of the church of Scotland met on this day, the right hon. the earl of Leven, as high commiffioner, representing his Majefty's perfon.

His Majefty in council, declaring his intention of going out of the kingdom for a fhort time, was pleafed to nominate the following perfons to be lords juftices for the adminiftration of the government during his Majefty's abfence, viz. archbishop of Canterbury; lord Hardwicke, lord chancellor; duke of Dorfet, lord prefident; earl Gower, lord privy feal; duke of Devonshire, lord fteward; duke of Grafton, lord chamberlain; duke of Richmond, mafter of the horfe; duke of Bedford, one of his Majefty's principal fecretaries of Rate; duke of Montague, mafter general of the ordnance; duke of Argyle; duke of Newcastle, another of his Majesty's principal fecretaries of ftate; earl

earl of Pembroke, groom of the stole; earl of Sandwich, firft commiffioner of the admiralty; earl of Harrington, lord lieutenant of Ireland; viscount Cobham and Henry Pelham, efq. first commiffioner of the treafury.

His Majefty was graciously pleased to declare, that in order to prevent any inconveniencies which his fubjects may fuffer by mifapprehending the purport or effect of his royal proclamation, dated the 5th instant, as foon as paffes could be interchanged, they fhould be delivered to fuch of his fubjects as defired the fame for their fhips, goods, merchandizes and effects, they duly-obferving the feveral acts of Parliament in force, with regard to trade or correspondence with France.

The amount of the whole expence of building the Manfion-house for the lord mayors of London (including the fum of 3900l. paid for purchafing of houses) was 42,6381. 185. 8d.

May 13. At noon his Majefty went to the House of Peers with the ufual state, and the commons being fent for up, and attending, gave the royal affent to the following bills, viz. The bill for granting one million out of the finking fund.-Bill to rectify a mistake in the mutiny act.-Bill to amend and inforce the window light act. -Bill for the more effectual difarming the Highlands.-Bill to regulate trials for high treafon in the Highlands of Scotland.-Bill for rendering more effectual an act for relief of fuch loyal subjects in Scotland, whose title deeds were deftroyed in the rebellion. -Bill to regulate courts-martial in the fea fervice, and for extending the discipline of the navy to the crews of his Majefty's fhips wrecked, loft, or taken, &c.Bill for allowing the exportation of tea to Ireland and the plantations, duty free; and for enlarging the time for fome of the payments to be made on a fubfcription of 6,300,000/-Bill to amend and inforce an act for prohibiting the wearing and importation of cambricks or French lawns.-Bill for encouraging the growth and importation of indigo from his Majesty's plantations in America.-Bill for amending and continuing feveral laws near expiring. Bill to explain and amend two acts for the prefervation of the public roads. -Bill for holding the fummer affizes for the county of Buckingham, at the town of Buckingham.-Bill to continue the duty of 6d. per chaldron on coals, for relief of the orphans of the city of London.-Bill for relief of the annuitants of the mercers com

pany.Bill for relief of infolvent debtors.

And to feveral road and private bills. After which his Majefty made the following fpeech to both houses, and prorogued the Parliament to the 30th of June next.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"At the opening of this feffion of Parliament I informed you, that a congress had been agreed upon by the feveral powers at war; and I have now the fatisfaction to acquaint you, that the preliminaries for reftoring a general peace have been figned between my 'minifter, and those of the moft Christian King, and the States General of the United Provinces; the basis of which is a general reftitution of conquefts made during the war, on all fides.

"In confequence of these preliminaries, which have been ratified by all the contracting parties, a ceffation of hoftilities has actually taken place in the Low Countries, and in the channel; and certain periods are fixed, according to former practice, for its commencement in other parts of the world.

"In this important transaction my great views have been fteadily to adhere to the true interests of Europe, to purfue and maintain those of my own kingdoms, in particular, and to procure for my allies the beft terms and conditions, that the event of a war, in fome parts unfuccessful, did admit.

"I have, in the courfe of this negociation, acted with the most unreserved confidence and communication towards my allies and I hope, that when they fhall have maturely weighed the fituation of affairs, the neceffity from thence arifing, and the care and attention which have been fhewn for their advantage and fecurity, they will not delay to accede to these preliminary articles, but concur in effectuating the good work of peace.

"The vigorous and powerful fupport you have given me, during this feffion, towards carrying on the war, has ftrengthened my hands, in proceeding thus far in the meafures of peace. Nobody can suggest the leaft failure on the part of Great-Britain, which, not only for the fake of its own particular intereft, but of the common caufe, has taken on itself a fhare of the burthen, unexampled in former times. I hope foon to fee this neceffary work brought to perfection, with the concurrence of all my allies; with whom it is my firm intention to cultivate the moft perfect harmony, and to cement and ftrengthen, if poffible,

the

the ties of our antient union and friendship, in fuch a manner as may render the peace fecure and durable.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "My particular thanks are due to you, for the ample provifion you have made for the fervice of the current year. Nothing could have contributed fo much to the putting an end to the calamities of war, and reducing our future expences, as these welljudged fupplies. The most prudent economy fhall be made ufe of in the application of them and you may be assured, nothing will give me more real pleasure, than to take the first opportunity of leffening the prefent burthens of my people.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"I cannot fufficiently exprefs my entire fatisfaction in your whole conduct, during this feffion; and I must recommend it to you, to promote in your feveral counties a right fenfe of those measures, which have been fo neceffarily taken for the fecurity and ease of my people. As it is the earneft defire of my heart to fee the crown of Great-Britain maintain that figure, ftrength, and weight, in making war and peace, which juftly belong to it, it is equally fo, to fee my good fubjects enjoy the bleffings of tranquility and profperity.

About four in the afternoon, his Majefty fet out from St. James's to embark for Holland, in order to proceed for his German dominions. He remained windbound at Harwich till the 19th, when he failed from thence about two in the afternoon with the wind at S. by W. Lord Anfon commanded the fquadron that convoyed his Majefty.

May 16. This night a meffenger arrived from the earl of Sandwich, his Majesty's minifter plenipotentiary at Aix-la-Chapelle, with the ratifications of the preliminary articles, which were exchanged on the 21ft inftant, N. S. between the minifters of his Britannic Majefty, the moft Christian King, and the States General of the United Provinces.

May 19. An order was iffued out from the Lords of the Admiralty to capt. Lloyd, commander of the Glasgow man of war, at Sheerness, to fail with all expedition to Newfoundland and North America, and to advertise all captains and commanders he meets, belonging to Great-Britain, to cease hoftilities against the French.

May 20. Mr. Dick, one of his Majefty's meffengers, arrived at his grace the duke of Newcastle's office, with the act of aç

ceffion of the emprefs queen of Hungary to the preliminary articles, which were figned at Aix-la-Chapelle by count Kauntiz the 25th of this inftant May. N. S.

May 22. The general affembly at Edinburgh was diffolved by his grace the High Commiffioner, with the ufual folemnity; after having made an act, that every minifter of the church of Scotland, shall preach the first sabbath of every quarter, upon revolution principles, and against popery, &c.

May 26. Upon advice of his Majesty's landing in Holland, on Sunday laft, the lords justices opened their commiffion, when they appointed Richard Nevil Aldworth, and John Potter, efqrs. to be their fecretaries.

May 28. A meffenger arrived from the earl of Sandwich, at Aix-la-Chapelle, with the acts of acceffion of the king of Sardinia, and his most ferene highnefs the duke of Modena, to the preliminary articles.

The people in France were become fo mutinous for want of bread and other neceffary provifions, that dangerous infurections had happened in several parts of that, kingdom, particularly at Bourdeaux, from whence arrived the following account: "The benefit which peace is likely to bring to this kingdom, began to manifeft itself here, on the arrival of thirty fhips laden with wheat from England. The Intendant immediately caufed their cargoes to be diftributed to the people, who were in the greateft diftress, bread being fold for 12d. a pound, and for eleven days together there was none to be had; but the arrival of these fhips foon filled the town with plenty and joy, and inftantly occafioned the price to fall to 9d. per pound."

Another good effect for that kingdom was, that the ceffation raised their Eaft-India ftock at once from below 1200 to 1600 per cent. and in order to revive their ruined trade, his moft Chriftian Majesty by an arret, gave them leave to make a lottery for 1,200,000 livres.

June 2. His Britannic majefty having arrived at Helvoetfluys early in the morning fet out at fix the fame morning on his journey to Hanover, had an interview with the princefs of Orange at Maeflandfluys, another with the prince of Orange at Utretcht, and on the 4th arrived at Herenhausen.

June 4. The Swallow packet, capt. Phillips, arrived at Falmouth from Jamaica, and brought the following account, viz. that after the reduction of Port Louis, admiral Knowles failed immediately for St. Jago de Cuba,

where