(Signed) W. Fawkener. Upon the representation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, stating that from the refult of the information which he has received, and of the enquiries which it has been his duty to make, refpecting the effect of the unusual demands. for specie, that have been made upon the metropolis, in confequence of ill-founded or exaggerated alarms in different parts of the country, it appears that, unless fome measure is immediately taken, there may be reason to apprehend a want of a fufficient fupply of cash to answerthe exigencies of the public fervice. It is the unanimous opinion of the Board, that it is indifpenfibly necessary for the public fervice, that the Directors of the Bank of England should forbear issuing any cash in payment until the sense of Parliament can be taken on that fubject, and the proper measures adopted there upon, for maintaining the means of circulation and fupporting the public and commercial credit of the kingdom at this important conjuncture; and it is ordered that a copy of this Minute be tranfmitted to the Directors of the Bank of England, and they are hereby required, on the grounds of the exigency ncy of the cafe, to conform thereto until the sense of Parliament can be taken as aforesaid. W. Fawkener. (Signed) Manfion-house, London, Feb. 27, 1797. At a meeting of Merchants, Bankers, &c. held here this day, to confider of the steps which it may be proper to take, to prevent embarrafsments to public credit, from the effect of any ill founded or exaggerated alarms, and to support it with the utmost exertions at the present important conjuncture The Lord Mayor in the Chair, Resolved Unanimoufly, "We, the underfigned, being highly sensible how necessary the prefervation of public credit is at this time, do most readily hereby declare, that we will not refuse to receive Bank Notes in payment of any fum of money to be paid to us, and we will use our utmost endeavours to make all our payments in the fame "Brook Watson, &c." It was alfo the opinion of the meeting, me that the Bankers should all agree only to pay the fractional parts of draughts in fpecie, so that every person might remain on an equality. manner. March 4. A fmall quantity of one and two pound notes were issued from the Bank, principally for the use of the country. A very large issue was to be made in the course of this day and to morrow, 6. This day the Governors of the Bank ifsned a quantity of dollars, to which the Tower Stamp is affixed, in order to relieve the prefent embarraffment arifing from a scarcity of specie, These dollars, altho' intrinsically worth only 48. 2d. are to pass for 4s. 9d. SCOTLAND. EDINBURGH, March 1. 1797At a numerous and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, The Lord Provoft in the chair, His Lordship read the order of the Privy Council inferted in the preceding column. Thereafter the Lord Provost read the following refolution of the Directors of the Banks, adopted in confequence of the above order of the Privy Council, and corresponding measures taken by the Bank of England: In pursuance of the "above Order, the Bank of Scotland, "the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Bri"tish Linen Company, Sir Wm. Forbes, "James Hunter, and Co. and the Leith "Banking Company, hereby intimate, "That they are to forbear issuing any "specie in payments, until the sense of "Parliament shall be known on that " fubject. In every other respect, bufi"ness will be carried on as usual, by the "above Companies, in all their offices in "town and country." Sir John Inglis of Cramond, Bart. highly applauded the conduct of the Directors of the above Banks on this ocссаfion, and moved, That the Meeting do approve of the conduct of the above Banks in conformity to the order of the Privy Council, and of the refolution they have taken not to make payments in fpecie, until the fenfe of of Parliament, concerning the above order of the Privy Council shall be known, but to carry on their business in every other respect, as usual, at all their offices in town and country. This refolution was seconded by the Lord President of the Court of Session, and unanimously approved of; and the Meeting thereafter unanimoulfly refolved, 2d. That they will give the Banks every countenance and fupport in their power, by lodging money with them, and taking notes in payment in the course of all their dealings, and transactions, as usual. 3tin, That the Public ought to discourage, to the urmost of their power, the attempts of every perfon who shall act contrary to the spirit of these resolutions. 410. That the above resolutions, together with a short address to the public on this fubject, be subscribed by the meeting; and a paper for the fubfcription of fuch of the inhabitants of Edinburgh and its neighbourhood, as had not notice of the meeting, be left at Merchants Hall. ADDRESS. The attention of the public is earnestly recommended to the above resolutions, which were adopted in conformity to the measures which the Privy Council have judged it necessary to recommend. At the same time it was with great pleasure, that the meeting received the most satisfactory information, that there never was at any time more specie in the Banks than at this moment. The public may be afsured, that the commercial and mercantile credit of this country rests on the fureft foundation, and is in no danger whatever. Daring house-breaking and robbery. The following circumstantial account of a burglary committed on John Barr, Farmer at Gryffe Castle, in Renfrewshire, on Sunday 19th March, the most daring, perhaps, ever committed in this country, was written by the mother of the fufferers, to a friend in Glafgow: On the 19th inst. about eleven q'clock at night, when the family were all in bed, the house was invested by a band of robbers, outside and in: three of them with murdering instruments, cutlaff, mallets, and bludgeons, and the fourth with a rope. They first broke open the door with great stones; then fet a fentinel over each bed; and, with the cutlasses over their heads, demanded from my fon and daughter all their money that instant. They sharpened their cutlasses before their eyes; faid they the would be damned if they would kill a woman, but that if they did not give up all they had, they would kill him immediately. They would not fuffer any of them to rife, excepting the maid fervant, whom they ordered to light candles for them. while part of them still tood with cutlasses over their heads. My daughter begged that they would fave her hufband's life, and the would give them all they had. Her husband then bid the servant take his desk key out of his pocket, and give it to them, but there was no money at the time in it. They then swore that they would not be made fools of, they knew he had money, and they would have it, or his life. He then told them that his pocket-book was in his pocket, with twelve guinea notes and a little small filver, which they took, and then demanded the keys of the drawers; and before the maid could get them, they burst one of them open and broke ed the reft, and first laid hold of the tea spoons and tongs, then on a small box containing some trinkets, and about for Groundless and exaggerated alarms operating on the fears of the ignorant, or mifinformed part of the community, may produce a temporary embarrassment it. When they got the keys they open in any country; but the names fubfcribed to this paper, and the property thereby pledged, ought to fatisfy the minds of the public, that the credit of the Banksty shillings in ilver. She said the would which they have resolved to encourage and fupport is most substantial and entire. And we hereby pledge ourselves to abide by the above resolutions, to give every encouragement and fupport in our power to the Barks; to lodge our money with them as formerly, and to accept of their Notes in all payments and dealings whatsoever. The merchants and inhabitants of Glasgow have come to fimilar resolutions. afk one favour, that was her wedding ring; the poor wretch had not the power to refufe, but held out his hand and allowed the maid-fervant to pick out every article except the money; but the rest being enraged that they had not got more, told him, with terrible threats, that that was nothing to what he had. They then presented the rope, saying, that they would that moment hang him and cut him all to pieces, if he did not give them more money. In this dreadful situation, poor Jess got resolution to speak, and faid, "Gentlemen, I take you for Gentlemen, and I hope you will act as fuch, and hear the intreaties of a poor woman to save her husband's life. If you'll allow me, I will come out of bed and fit down on my bare knees, and beg his life. There is my cloathes, and all that I have in the world at your fervice, only fave his life." With this the wretches hearts seemed foftened, and two of them shook hands with her, and went to the door and spoke to the reft; but they being displeased at not getting more money, swore they would hang him up and cut him as small as cabbage for the por. When the maid heard this the ran into the room, and pulled them out of bed, and through the byre, naked, and one ran the one way and the other another, and by the blessing of God efcaped with their lives. Three Irishmen are suspected of being concerned in this daring robbery. A reward is offered by the Sheriff of Renfrewshire, for their apprehenfion. 21. Early on the morning, a fire was discovered in a cotton spinning house in Campbell Street, Glasgow, which raged with amazing fury, for above two hours, till the whole interior of the building was completely confumed. The heat was fo intenfe, that the fire-men could not approach so near with the engines as to afford them any hope of checking the progress of the flames in the building where the fire broke out; their efforts were therefore directed to the prefervation of the adjacent tenement of dwelling-houses, which was frequently on fire, and in which they at last fortunately fucceeded. By the falling of part of the staircafe, feveral people have been severely bruifed. The Magiftrates, with a detachment from the Gordon Fencibles stationed in the barracks there, and a number of the Royal Glasgow Volunteers, attended on the first alarm, to preserve order and protect the property which was necessarily removed from the neighbouring houses. BIRTHS. Feb. 19. Mrs Parker of the Circus, a son. 21. Mrs Sinclair Aytoun of Inchdarny, a fon. 23. At Dalswinton, Mrs Erskine, younger of Mar a daughter. 26. Mrs Grierson, wife of Mr John Grierson, farmer at Burnfoot of Kenmore, a daughter, when the child's two grand-mothers and two great grand-mothers were present. 27. At her house in Prince's Street, Mrs Captain Swindell, a fon. March 3. Mrs Buchan Sydserf, a fon. -. At Carnousie, the Lady of General Duff, a fon. -. At Birkhill, Mrs Captain Blair, a fon. 6. Mrs Cathcart of Genoch, a fon. 9. Mrs Lundin of Auchtermarny, Fife, a daughter. -. Mrs Orrok, of Orrok, a fon. II. At Ravensworth Castle, the Lady of Sir Thomas Liddell, Bart. a fon and heir. 15. Mrs Capt. Forrester, a daughter. 17. At Eflemont House, Mrs Gordon of Hallhead, a daughter. At Blair Castle, Mrs Dundas, a daughter. 19. At Haddington, the Lady of Sir Jas. Baird of Saughtonhall, a daughter. 29. Mrs Drummond of Strageath, a daughter. MARRIAGES. March 4. At Colchefter, Brigade-Major Robert Douglas, of the 30th regt. of foot, to Mifs Charlotte Boggis, youngest daughter of Ifaac Boggis, Elq. 6. At Edinburgh, Mr Robert Auld, merchant St Petersburgh, to Miss Margaret Hadow, daughter of the late James Hadow, Esq. General Surveyor of Excife. 7. At Larges, Mr William Jamieson, manufacturer there, to Miss Margaret Ferrie, only daughter of the late Mr Jas. Ferrie, shipmafter in Saltcoats. 11. At Highfield, James Grant, Esq. younger of Bught, to Miss Margaret Gillanders, eldest daughter of the late Alexander Gillanders, Efq. younger of Highfield. II. At Edinburgh, Chriftopher Fuller, Efq. of Fuller's Hall, South Carolina, to Mrs Col. Macdonald, second daughter of the late William Innes, Esq. of Sandfide, Caithness. 13. At Port-Glasgow, the Rev. Wm. Nicol, minifter of the Scots Church, Swallow-ftreet, London, to Miss Susannah Cumming, daughter of Mr Robert Cumming, merchant, Port-Glasgow. 16. At Canonmills, William Inglis, Efq. W. S. to Miss Stein. DEATHS. In the East Indies, on the 22d of April at Ramnaudapatam, Lieut. P. Wright, fon of Dr Peter Wright, physician in Glasgow. At New York, on the 31st of August, where he had gone for the recovery of his health, George Alexander Stoddart, Esq. late of St Chriftopher's. At Bellfield, in the parish of St James, Jamaica, George Crawford, Efq. on the 26th October. On the 13th of November at Charleston, South Carolina, Mr Nicol Primerose, youngest son of the late Mr Robert Primerose, surgeon in Muffelburgh. At New York, on the 28th of November Mr Robert Bruce-and on the 21st December following, died also Mr Peter Bruce, his brother, and only furviving partner of the mercantile house in that city, under the firm of Meff. Robert and Peter Bruce. These gentlemen were natives of the town of Inverary. In the West Indies, on the 29th November, on board his Majesty's floop Merlin, David Hunter, third fon of David Hunter of Blackness. At Barbadoes of a fever, on board the Ganges transport on the 15th December, Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Hay, of the 31st regiment. Lately, at Bafseterre, in Guadaloupe, where he had been detained as a prisoner of war since the 29th of March laft, Malcolm Ross Macpherson, Esq. Enfigu in the 4th battalion of the soth regiment of foot; a young gentleman of very promising abilities, whose gentleness of manners and manliness of difpofition endeared him to all his acquaintances. He was the eldest fon of Mr Alex. Macpherson, writer in Inverness, and grandson of the deceased Malcolm Rofs, Efq. younger of Pitcainy. Lately, at Martinique, Mr G. Macaulay, Hospital Mate. -, the Countess of Derby, who was Lady Elizabeth Hamilton, fister to the Duke of Hamilton, and half-fifter to the Marquis of Lorn. Her Ladyship was born in the palace of Holyroodhouse the 26th Jan. 1753 Feb. 15. Mr Jas. Donaldfon, merchant in Glasgow. -. At Kilmarnock, Mrs Mary MacHowl, spouse to John Parker, Efq. of Barleith. 16. At Edinburgh, the Hon. Mrs Jane Falconar, daughter of David Lord Falconar, of Halkerton, and relict of Jas. Falconar of Monktown, Efq. -. At Perth, Mr George Craigdaillie, surgeon. -. At Mylnefield, Thos. Mylne, Efq. of Mylnefield. 18. At London, Mrs Dalrymple, wife of Robert Dalrymple, Efq. of Manchefter Street. -. At Perth, Mr James Marshal, manufacturer. -. At Edinburgh, after a few days illness, Mr Robert Meakle, writer: A gentleman who poffeffed uncommon equanimity of temper and urbanity of manners, which, when conjoined with his social qualities, endeared hion to an extenfive circle of respectable friends. He was attentive in business, and remarkably affable to all who employed him in his official department. He filled, with credit to himself and advantage to the Grand Lodge, the offices of Clerk and Secretary; the former for the space of 15 years, and the latter Is months. 19. At Thropilee, near Eghamin Surry, Capt. John Wemyfs, late of 59th regiment; an Officer of approved bravery and manners, though few, if any, have been more unfortunate. In 1774, he was sent to the Continent, to fit him for a military life, in the 16th year of his age; and had a fupernumerary Enfign's commiffion in the Scotch Brigade till 1976, when whem he entered into the 59th regiment; and, after serving three campaigns in camps in England, and at the fiege of Gibraltar, he was kept prifoner in France from 1792 to 1995, and thereby thrown into a complication of difeafes, which terminated his eventful life in the fummit of manhood! Feb. 20. At Edinburgh, Mrs Helen Coutts, wife of Jas. Ferrier, Eiq. W. S. 21. At St Andrews, Miss Margaret Stark, aged 81. - At Edinburgh, the Lady of Robt. Dalzel, Eiq. of Glenae. -At Glasgow, Mr And. Jack, merchant. 23. At his lodgings in Paterson's Court, John Henderfon, Efq. -. At Ormifton, E. Lothian, Lieut. John Paterfon, late of his Majesty's 20th regiment of foot, aged 80. 24. At Paisley, Mr Jas. Cowan, merchant. 25. At Glasgow, Mr Allan M'Donald, merchant, late of Liverpool. At Deanbank, near Edinburgh, Major John Napier, of his Majesty's 67th regiment, late of the Royal Garrifon Battalion of Gibraltar. -. At Edinburgh, Mr James Ewan, of the General Post Office. 26. At Edinburgh, Mrs Jean Schaw, wife of John Eston, Esq. of Kerhebank. 27. In Cavendish-square, London, Sir David Lindsay, Bart. General in his Majesty's service, and Colonel of the 59th regiment. 28. At London, And. Thomson, Esq. late of Glasgow, aged 78. March 2. At Gogar, Lieut. Robert Kirkland, late of the 59th regiment. 4. At Edinburgh, Mrs Mackay, widow of the Rev. Alexander Mackay, in The 89th year of her age. -. At Aberdeen, in the prime of life, Mifs Jane Gibfon, daughter of Mr William Gibson, senior, merchant there. 5. At Dumfries, Mrs Mary Morrifon. At London, Lieut. Gen. Charles Rofs, of Morrangic, Colonel of the late 12d or Royal Manchester volunteers. 6. At Old Deer, in the 102d year of her age, Catherine Ogfton, a widow. ' At Edinburgh, Mis Janet Seton, widow of the late William Cuming, Esq. banker in Edinburgh. -. Miss Margaret Black, daughter of the late John Black, Town Clerk, Dun fermline. A Kincaid, John Kincaid of Kincaid, Eiq, in the 85th year of his age. At Edinburgh, Mrs Elizabeth Orme, relict of Mr Thomas Young, clergyman of the Epifcopal Church of Scotland. March 7. At Hamilton, Mr Archibald Fullerton, Supervisor of Excife. -Mrs Hamilton, relict of the late Mr John Hamilton of Garthamlock. 9. At Mill of Mayen, Mr William Thomfon, late merchant in Aberdeen. -. At Silvermilis, Miss Elizabeth Peddie, youngest daughter to Captain James Peddie, of the 21st regiment of foot. II. At Kelso, the Rev. Dr Bowmaker, minifter of Dunfe. -. At King's College, Old Aberdeen, Protene Thomas Gordon, in the 8.d year of his age, who, for a period of ups wards of 60 years, had creditably difcharged the duties of his office. 12. At Dundee, at an advanced age, James Johnston, Esq. furgeon, and late Provost there. After many years fervice in different parts of the world, as a furgeon of the British navy, he fettled in Dundee, and was long diftinguished in it, by his usefulness both as an able furgeon and an active civil Magiftrate. At Glasgow, on Sunday last, Mrs Gow, relict of the Rev. James Gow, late minifter of Cargill. 13. At Edinburgh, fuddenly, Mr Jas. Nielfon, clerk to Sir H. Moncreiff Wellwood, as General Collector of the fund established for a provision to minifters widows, &c. -Mr Nielson had been in the fame capacity with Dr Webster, and Mr Stewart, the former Collectors; and executed the office with most fingular ability upwards of thirty years. He can never be furpaffed in the knowlege of the business entrusted to him, in accuracy, in fidelity, in moderate views of every thing, in modeft and unaffuming virtues. To him the fund has been indebeed for much of its profperity and the present Collector, who inferts this account of him, has good reason to remenber as long as he lives his personal obligations to him. What is remarkable, he was born in 1744. the first year of the fund to which he devoted his life, and died a few weeks after the Trufstees had intimated to the contributors, that the capital stock to which the fund is limited by act of Parliament is within a few hundred pounds of being completed. At Cambeltown, Mrs M-Kay, spouse of Hugh M'Kay, writer, and one of the prefent Bailies of Cambeltown. 14. At Ely in Fife, Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of the deceased Dr John Scott of Coats. 1 |