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coffers; and the officers all their ill-gotten pelf, chiefly derived from plunder and arbitrary contributions. Thus have the agents of Ferdinand themselves prepared for the patriots all the elements necessary to form a respectable navy and army.

We have also received bulletins of two

actions between the royalist and independent troops in Upper Peru and Chili, in both of which the latter were signally successful. The first was an attack by General Belgrano, commander of the Buenos Ayres troops, upon the town of Tanja, lying on the road to Potosi, which, by a rapid march across the desert, he came upon by surprise, and, after some severe fighting, the place surrendered. The other action took place near Conception, one of the most southern points of Chili. Supposing the independent force to be weakened, by their having detached troops against Lima, the royalists here commenced an attack; but were routed with the loss

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SEPTEMBER.

BRITISH CHRONICLE.

9.-This day, John Jeffrey, mate of the Prince Edward revenue cutter, was brought to trial in Edinburgh, on an indictment, charging him with having landed a party of the crew of the said cutter on the island of Arran, in the month of March last, in search of smuggled whisky, part of which he seized, and that he commanded his party to fire upon the people who assembled on that occasion, by which two men and one woman were mortally wounded, and died soon after. After an impartial investigation, from which it clearly appeared that the conduct of Mr Jeffrey, who had been distinguished for firmness and forbearance, was occasioned solely by the violence and outrage of a misguided multitude, and was absolutely necessary to defend the lives of those who were under his command, the jury, with the entire approbation of the Court, returned an unanimous verdict of Not Guilty.

13.-Grouse Shooting. The Marquis of Huntly's party has shot this season upwards of 1100 brace of grouse; and notwithstanding the very wet weather, the Marquis of Tavistock shot in three days 40, 45, and 51 brace.

16.Melancholy Event. A boy about 14 years of age, servant to a farmer near Peebles, having been taken ill, his master wrote to the mother, a widow, residing in Edinburgh, on Saturday, to come out and take him home; but the poor woman, either not apprehending immediate danger, or from a difficulty of getting away from

VOL. I.

her other children, of whom she has seve ral, did not immediately attend to the request of the letter, and yesterday the boy was sent off to Edinburgh, a distance of 21 miles, in a cart, in charge only of a lad a bout his own age. The feelings of the poor woman may be conceived, when, upon going to lift her son from the cart, she found him a corpse.

Suicide. On Sunday, at Langloan, a young woman, married only about ten months since, put a period to her existence whilst her husband and some of her relations were at church getting their child baptized. It is not easy to describe the husband's feelings when he found his wife, whom he had lately left, lifeless and bloody, lying beneath the bed with a razor in her hand, with which she had done the frightful act. She was much respected about the place, and lived with her husband in the closest amity.

and

19.-New Coinage.-It appears from an official account, that the total amount of new coin, consigned to various parts of the kingdom, including Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Mann, was L. 2,902,830, 2s. for which there had been received L. 2,588,466, 6s. in old coin; L. 195,005, 13s. 8d. in new coin returned. The balance is completed by a sum received in notes, and by L. 20,567, 2s. 11d. retained for expences. The issues for the London stations amounted to L. 160,000; that to London bankers to L. 72,000.

The late coinage of sovereigns, half

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crowns, shillings, and sixpences, is to be followed by a large issue of half-sovereigns and crowns, which are now in a forward state of preparation. We understand also that a new coinage of copper, on a very extensive scale, is determined on; and that necessary measures have already been adopted for carrying it into execution.

22.-Burns's Monument.-Charles Forbes, Esq. M. P. has most handsomely transmitted twenty guineas towards the erection of the monument at the birth place of the bard, and the secretary to the subscribers has also received a liberal subscription of twenty guineas from the Glasgow Argyle Lodge, and five guineas from John Campbell, Esq. formerly representative in Parliament for the burghs of Ayr, Irvine, &c.

24.—Assessed Taxes.-Letters have just been circulated by Government to the surveyors of taxes, directing a general survey of houses and windows within their respective districts, it being expected that a considerable increase in the revenue will be obtained thereby, a large number not having been hitherto brought under assess

ment.

Emigration to America.--Number of emigrants that have sailed from the port of Belfast for America, from the 17th of March to the 21st of August inclusive :-For Philadelphia, 252;-New York, 331; Norfolk, 40 ;-Baltimore, 251 ;-St Andrews, 232;-Quebec, 1023. Total,

2149.

25. Bigamy.The wife of Joseph Rae, chimney-sweep, lately convicted and transported for cruel usage to his boy, brought a complaint before the Police Court, Edinburgh, against a man and his wife for an assault. She had only one witness (a chimney-sweep) to prove her case, who, in the course of his examination, turned out to be her husband, having married her since her first husband Rae was transported, and that, too, in the knowledge of her previous marriage. The magistrate or dered both man and woman to be detained, and sent to the sheriff, on the charge of bigamy.

The Navy. The keel of the Portland, 60, has been laid down at Plymouth, to be built on the plan of the largest American frigates. Two brigs of war, to be called the Falcon and Frolic, have also lately been ordered to be built at the new dockyard, Pembroke, in addition to the following ships now building, and ordered to be built, at that yard, viz. Building-Belleisle, 74 guns; Fisgard, 46 guns; and Melampus, 46 guns. Ordered to be built -Nereus, 46 guns; Hamadryad, 46 guns; and two revenue cutters.

The Prince Regent, it is said, has signified his intention of appointing an addi

tional number of naval officers to be his Royal Highness's Aides-de-Camp, which honour is to be considered a step of promotion in the same way as it is understood in the army, when an officer was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the King.

26.-Losses at Sea. All the exertions used to bring off the ship Fairy of Dundee, of 245 tons, lately stranded in the Orkneys, have failed; and no hopes now remain of the safety of the new brig Apollo, of 160 tons, Captain Patrick, supposed to have foundered, with all her crew, off Memel, where some of the crew's trunks have been washed on shore. These vessels, together with the new ship Latona, 330 tons; Concord, 174 tons; Lord Wellington, 150 tons; and new brig, Peace, 150 tons make a loss to Dundee of 1209 tons of shipping within a few months.

Expences of the Law.-Five hundred and fifty-six causes were entered for trial on the last English northern circuit. Supposing the costs on each of these to amount to L. 100, which is a low estimate, the total expence incurred by the suitors is L. 55,600 for one half-year's law.

27.-Bank of England.-The Gazette of Tuesday the 23d contains the important notification, that the Bank of England will be ready, after the 1st of October, to pay cash for such of its notes, of every description, as are dated prior to the 1st of January in the present year. This is a material step to the complete resumption of cash payments; and in the present state of the currency, indeed, it does not appear that the Bank can incur any hazard by paying in cash.

We understand the Bank intend calling in the whole of the L. 1 and L. 2 notes at the conclusion of the present year, so that at the commencement of 1818, the smallest bank-note în circulation will be for L. 5.

Supply of Water to Edinburgh.-Among the improvements and useful works, now in progress in this city, we are happy to observe, from the necessary parliamentary notice of a bill for that purpose, that the inhabitants are likely soon to have an additional supply of water. The sources from which that supply is to be drawn are the Black Spring in the parish of Penicuik, and the Crawley Spring in the parish of Glencorse, both near the base of the Pentland Hills. From the acknowledged talents and practical abilities of the gentleman under whose superintendence the requisite sur veys and levels have been taken, (James Jardine, Esq. Civil Engineer,) the public may confidently look forward to an abumdant supply of this indispensable article. These springs, we are informed, will furnish an addition equal in quantity to four times the present supply; and the water, it is be

lieved, particularly that of the BlackSpring, is much purer than any derived from the present sources.

Old Bailey-On Friday the 19th, Mary Chambers was tried for the murder of John Chambers, her husband. The deceased, when in a drunken state, struck his wife on the head with a stick, because she attempted to prevent his sending for more liquor: she happened to have a knife in her hand at the moment, and with it struck him the deadly blow. The jury found her guilty of Manslaughter. She was decently dressed in mourning, and during the whole trial exhibited the sincerest sorrow for her situation: she shed tears all the time, and was assisted from the bar in a state of great agitation. She has been sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

Death from Fright.-Lately a labouring woman at South Acre, Norfolk, after toiling some time in a field, laid herself down to rest: whilst she was sleeping, a toad fixed itself upon her breast; on awaking, she was so much frightened that she died immediately.

Arbroath. At a meeting of the Incorporations of Arbroath, on Tuesday the 16th instant, they unanimously came to the resolution of petitioning the Magistrates to admit them and the burgesses to a participation in the right of electing the Town Council.

29-Aberdeen.On Saturday the 13th, the adjourned meeting of the burgesses of Aberdeen took place, (see p. 181, last number,) when several resolutions were entered into. Among others, it was resolved to oppose the bill to be brought into Parliament for imposing an assessment on the trade and heritage of the burgh to pay its debts; that the Magistrates have no power to grant any alteration in the set of the burgh; but that the burgesses might, in due time, find it necessary to apply to the King in Council for such an alteration in the set as would restore public confidence among the citizens.

On Wednesday the 24th, the old council, according to custom, proceeded to choose their successors; but the majority of those elected, when summoned to attend for the election of office-bearers, immediately sent in a refusal to assume office. The old council accordingly nominated the officebearers, which was protested against by the Convener and Trades Councillors, who refused to vote on the occasion. Charles For bes, Esq. of Auchmedden, M. P. was chosen Provost, but has declined acceptance; and the consequence of these proceedings must be the disfranchisement of the burgh.

Previous to retiring from office, the old council circulated the following extraor dinary declaration: Council Chamber, Aberdeen, Sept. 19, 1817.-Looking to the present calamitous situation of the burgh

of Aberdeen, the members of the Town Council, who have affixed their signatures to this paper, cannot allow themselves to retire from office, without expressing their sincere and unqualified regret that their endeavours to lighten and remove the public burdens have failed of that successful result which they have so earnestly desired; and that they are compelled to leave the affairs of the burgh in a state of embarrassment, which, as it has been a source of much vexation and distress to themselves, must still prove one of considerable difficulty to those who may be destined to suc ceed them, unless immediate steps are taken to redeem the credit of the corporation. In justice to themselves, however, they are desirous to place upon record their sentiments and opinions in reference to some of the various topics arising out of the embarrassments of the city treasury. This has become the more necessary, from their having discovered, that, in their efforts for the restoration of the public confidence, their motions have been misconstructed and perverted, and their proposals and plans received with a degree of prejudice and distrust, which they will be bold enough to say, their personal and private characters were sufficient to invalidate and disprove. Be this as it may, they are aware that the sincerity of their intentions can be known but by few, and may be doubted of by many; and, therefore, they here reiterate their decided opinion, that the present mode of election of the Town Council, and management of the town's affairs, are radically defective and improvident, tending to give to any individual or party, who may be so inclined, an excessive and unnatural preponderance, and to foster and encourage a system of secrecy and concealment, under which the most upright and best intentioned Magistrates may not be able to acquire that thorough knowledge of the situation of the burgh which is requisite for the due administration of its affairs. The sub scribers are therefore of opinion, that some change ought to be effected in the manner of electing the Council, and an effectual control given to the citizens over the expenditure of the town's office-bearers. The extent of this change it is not for them to determine; they would only at this time urge the necessity of it. In the history of every well regulated government, they recognise the happy effects of those salutary checks, which can alone restrain public offi cers in the execution of their duties, whe ther holding political or local jurisdictions; and to the absence of such checks in the constitution of this burgh, do the subscribing members of the Town Council ascribe the heavy calamity which has befallen it, To the system solely is it owing; for, with regard to the individuals who have preceded them in the administration of that system,

they must aver, that they believe their hands to be clean, as their motives have been pure and disinterested. With these sentiments the subscribers have been long impressed, and the experience of the last few months has too fatally confirmed their truth and justice. The time approaches when they are to retire from this board, and they therefore feel that they have but one other duty to perform-and that is, earnestly to recommend to their successors in office to direct their earliest attention to a renovation of the system of government of this burgh, in all its various bearings, satisfied, that if such a salutary and satis factory change shall be effected therein, as is indispensable to the restoration of public confidence, there will not be wanting, among the enlightened and public-spirited inhabitants of this city, a disposition to go hand in hand with its municipal rulers, (whoever they may be,) in carrying bon accord through all its difficulties.

"(Signed) Alexander Fraser, Alexander Duncan, Alexander Brown, James Milne, Charles Hacket, William Reid, Gavin Hadden, James Hadden, C. P. Taylor, A. Simpson, G. Thomson, A. Gillan, D. Chalmers, J. Cunsley, R. Walker, H. Gordon."

Curious Adventure. The proprietors of the Majestic steam-boat, of Margate, received on board about 200 of their friends and customers gratis, on Friday the 26th, and took them off Calais: they, however, made so near the harbour, as to subject the vessel to the port-duties, (L. 24,) and the passengers, being detained, were compelled to leave a gentleman as hostage for payment of that sum. They brought away two Frenchmen, whom they took as counter-hostages. The passengers, &c. expect to pay for their frolic about 15s. per head. Agricultural Expedition.—Mr Taylor of Wroxill, about one mile from Godshill, Isle of Wight, took the earliest opportunity of getting in his wheat, when quite ripe and dry, one day last week. He had it cut in the morning, brought home in the afternoon, the machine at the barn door to thrash it, and the thatcher, with his ladder, to thatch his new barn, which was all completed in one day; growing in the fields in the morning, and the barn thatched with the same in the evening.

Coasting. Vessels intended for the conveyance of passengers and light goods betwixt Aberdeen and Leith are now launched at Aberdeen, and ready for sca. As they are intended to sail twice a week, the communication by sea betwixt these ports will be rendered very regular and frequent.

Small-Pox.-An extraordinary circum

The town's motto.

stance took place on Wednesday the 24th, at Hommerton, near Peterborough, in Northamptonshire. Mrs Oldham, an old lady of 105 years of age, and the mother of a very large family, expired, after a most violent attack of the small-pox. She had been often, in the course of her long life, exposed to the disease, without receiving the infection.

OCTOBER.

1.-Liverpool. It appears, by a notice in the Gazette, that Liverpool is to be lighted with gas, as soon as an act of Parliament can be obtained for that purpose.

Montrose. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in Council, has issued a warrant for a poll election of Magistrates and Council for the burgh of Montrose, which was to take place on the 13th of this month. The Council, as before, is to consist of nineteen members-fifteen for the Guildry, and four for the Trades. In the first year, the whole nineteen are to be elected by a poll of these two orders of Burgesses; and then the nineteen, so elected, are to choose a Provost, three Bailies, a Treasurer, and a Master of the Hospital. In subsequent years, the Burgesses are to elect but ten Councillors,-six for the Guildry, and four for the Trades; an equal number retiring annually, though they may be reelected if their constituents shall think proper.

Lunatics. It appears by returns from the Scottish Presbyteries, that there are in Scotland 3486 Lunatics, including the Northern Isles and Zetland, but exclusive of 259 parishes from which no returns have been received. Of the former number 2840 are at large; 649 are confined; 622 are furious, and 2688 are fatuous; 965 are wholly maintained by relations; 781 partly, 523 wholly, by parishes.

Incorrigible Offender.-John Young, who was dismissed from the bar of the Justiciary Court, Glasgow, last week, the crimes of theft and housebreaking, of which he was accused, having been found "Not Proven," was next forenoon apprehended in the act of carrying away a bundle of yarn from a porter's barrow on the street. Having been locked up in one of the cells of the police office, the wretched man attempted to strangle himself, and had nearly effected his purpose, when the involuntary noise which he made brought the keepers into the place.

3-The cast-iron bridge over the Irwell, from Salford to Strangeways, is so nearly complete, that the painters are employed upon it. It is of one arch only, of 120 feet span.

At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich, on Saturday the 28th ult. a piece of plate, value twenty-five guineas, was voted to Dr Rigby and his lady, as a memento of the birth of their four children;

(see p. 192, last number;) the event is to be recorded in the city books, and inscribed with the names of the children on the plate.

4-October Meeting.-The annual meeting for the counties of Aberdeen, Forfar, Kincardine, and Banff, commenced at Aberdeen, on Tuesday the 30th ult. and was attended by a very numerous and highly respectable assemblage of the nobility and gentry. The crowded ordinaries and balls at Anderson's and Dempster's alternately were distinguished by a brilliant display of beauty and fashion."

Melancholy Shipwreck.-The ship Lautaro, which sailed from Greenock on the 24th August, bound to Charleston, South Carolina, sprung a leak and foundered at sea on the 10th September. She had on board 47 souls, of which 27 (25 passengers and two sailors) were lost. The remaining part of the crew, captain, and passengers, took to the boats, two in number. The jolly boat bilged, and the crew were all obliged to make for the long boat. In this unfortunate situation they were picked up by the ship Jesse from Dumfries to St John's, and had she not arrived at that moment, they must have all perished.

6.-Novel kind of Ovicide.-Last week, in a gentleman's park in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, a sheep was found greatly mangled, supposed by a dog. The following day another sheep was discovered severely lacerated, and on the third morning it was found that the ears were torn off from a third victim. Next night, a watch being set, the depredator was detected. This was no other than a small Highland poney, which was caught in the act of laying hold with his teeth on a fourth member of the flock, and tossing it out of wantonness, after the manner of a greyhound with a defenceless maukin.

The King's Health.-On Saturday the quarterly meeting of the Queen's Council was held at Windor Castle. The whole of the five physicians were in attendance; and the result of their report was the following, exhibited yesterday at St James's Palace: Windsor Castle, October 4. His Majesty continues to enjoy a good state of bodily health, and has been very composed through the last month, but without any diminution of his disorder."

Fever in Ireland. We regret to find, by a proclamation of the Irish Government, that the contagious disorder in Ireland has now reached such a height, as to render a committee necessary to receive applications from various districts, which require pecuniary aid in their exertions for the relief of the sick poor. The town of Sligo has suffered more than any other part of Ireland from the disorder. It is stated that out of a population of 15,000, upwards of 1000 persons have fallen victims to it in that town

alone. Dublin it appears is free from the infection.

8.Scottish Criminal Courts.-The number of criminals tried at the different circuit towns in Scotland has this year been uncommonly great. Nine persons have received sentence of transportation for various periods at Glasgow, one at Ayr, four at Dumfries, one at Jedburgh, six at Perth, two at Aberdeen, and two at Inverness. A number have received sentence of imprison. ment; several are to be banished Scotland; others are outlawed for not appearing; and some difficult cases have been remitted for trial to the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh. No less than 13 persons (two of whom are females) are at present under sentence of death in Scotland, viz.-three in Glasgow, four in Edinburgh, (three of whom are to be executed in Greenock), four in Ayr, and two in Perth.

Explosion of a Gunpowder Manufactory.-About twenty minutes before seven, in the morning of Friday the 3d instant, the corning-house of the gunpowder works, belonging to John Hall, Esq. at Ore, near Faversham, containing about 12 barrels of powder, blew up with a tremendous explosion, levelling instantly every part of the building to its foundation, and spreading the massy timbers in every direction. Three men employed therein were literally blown to pieces. The sound of the explosion was heard for nearly ten miles.

Inland Navigation.-A meeting was held on Friday at Carlisle, to take into consideration the propriety of cutting a canal between that city and the West Sea; the Right Honourable the Earl of Lonsdale was in the chair, and opened the business in a neat speech; Sir James Graham, Bart. of Edmund Castle, and Mr Curwen, spoke, and were very sensible of the great advantage the measure would be to Carlisle in particular. A resolution for a farther survey was passed. Every person who subscribed five guineas towards it to be entitled to take shares hereafter.

The preliminary subscription for the canal to connect the Eastern and Western Seas is already filled up in Northumberland. The gentlemen of that county intend to prosecute it as far as Hexham.

The whole sum for the completion of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal has now been subscribed. A large part of the tract has been surveyed to the westward of Edinburgh; and the work will begin as soon as the ground is cleared of the present crops.

Herring Fishing.-The herring fishery this year is exceedingly favourable. On the Isle of Man coast, and also on the west of Scotland, some boats have been known to take, at two or three draughts, what produced L. 50.

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