English were averfe to it." (See p. 73.) -Be this as it may, an Order has certainly been iffued, in the form of a Manifefto, and in the name of the Grand Signor, by which all English fhips, and ships belonging to the Eaft-India Company, are forbidden, after the first of December laft, to approach the port of Suez, on any pretence whatever, on pain of having their fhips feized, their goods confifcated, their crews imprifoned, and their commanders punifhed as pirates and rebels; the English Ambaffador at Conftantinople having declared, that all private fhips were forbidden by his Court from prefuming to enter the port of Suez after the day prefixed.

Other letters go farther, and fay, That the French have obtained from the Porte the fole privilege of navigating the Red Sea; and that all intercourfe from India with Europe, through that channel, is fhut from all nations, the Turks and French excepted. If this be true, is it not time for the English to look to their affairs in India?

The report of the Greeks being maffacred at Belgrade (fee p. 72,) now appears to have had no foundation, any more than that of Mahmud, Pacha of Scutari, being reftored to favour, (fee p. 73,) the contrary of which is the fact, as appears by the following relation, faid to be authentic." That by a well-timed and vigorous fally from the little fortrefs in which he was befieged, that celebrated rebel gained a moft glorious and decifive victory over the Pachas of Bosnia, Albany, and Romelia. This action happened on the 5th and 6th of December, and on the field of battle remained upwards of 5000 Albanians and Romelians, either dead, or fo wounded as to be unable to fly, among whom was the Pacha of Albany himself, whom the Sublime Porte had appointed fucceffor to this victorious rebel, the Pacha of Scutari,

"Mahmud immediately cut off the head his rival, and expofed it in public. The Pacha of Bosnia, who was not prefent in the action fo fatal to his colleagues, was glad to fly with lofs and preeipitation from the borders of Scutari.

"The Ottoman Miniftry having reprefented the rebel Pacha as in the utmoft diftrefs, and on the verge of ruin, were at the greatest pains to conceal this difafter at Conftantinople; but the arrival of fome foldiers, who efcaped the carnage, rendered their endeavours ineffec tual."

ed, and his places filled by the old Belitfchi, called Rafcheld Effendi, a man of excellent character. The depofed Solyman Effendi is reprefented of a ferocious difpofition, defpifed by the Franks or Chriftians, and hated by the Turks themfelves. He was the declared enemy of the Captain Pacha, as the Captain Pacha was of him; but, being a favourite with the Grand Vizir, it was with difficulty his removal was effected.

By the laft Dutch mail it is faid, that the Baron de Herbert, the Imperial Internuncio at Conftantinople, has received orders to declare war against the Porte on a day certain. This is now confirmed; and the Imperial Manifefto published in the foreign prints.

By authentic advices from Bruffels, fo late as the 25th paft, all was then in confufion, and it was apprehended that the flame would fpread farther. General Dalton, a man of diftinguished ability and military knowledge, in confequence of orders from Vienna, furwith a fquadron of horse and a regiment of rounded the Houfe of Affembly of Brabant infantry and artillery, while the States were fitting, and obliged the Members to fubfcribe to fuch conditions as he propofed. The particulars are not all publicly known, but the abolition of the feminary at Louvain is one. This is the General Dalton to celebrated for his mode of terminating the difturbances in Bohemia; and we are affured he threatens the refractory Members of the States of Brabant with being fufpended from a gallows as high as that which he formerly had been obliged to have recourfe to. His foldiers are accused of great and wanton cruelty.

By later advices, the face of affairs are faid to change every inftant; but the system of defpotifm does not alter; they cannot recede from the plan of taking away the fovereignty from the States; every day fome freth attempt is made for that purpofe. In vain the conftitutional party oppofes the attacks made on the national privileges. Their, only refource is in the Imperial Chamber of

Wetzlar.

Advices from Ghent, dated Jan. 26, say, "Five Abbots of the Abbeys of Weftcin

Flanders have within thefe five or fix days held an affembly, in which they deliberated upon the order enjoining them to fend their fubjects to the General Seminary. The refolution was, that it was better to be fuppreffed by force by another, than to agree to their extinction themselves, by fending their young Monks to Schifmaticks."

The States General of the United Pro

3

with great fate. He likewife had an audience of the late Queen and Queen Dowager.

The Baron Thulemeyer, as Envoy-Extraordinary of his Prufian Majefty, and Baron Alvenfleben, as his fucceffor in the faid qua lity, had feparately conferences, on the 16th of January, with the Prefident of the StatesGeneral, the former to inform him of his departure, and to claim his audience of leave, and the other to prefent him with his letters of credit. In the Memorial prefented by the former on this occafion, the following fentiment was particularly friking: "His Majefty, convinced that the fupport of the Stadtholderian dignity is the ftrongeft bulwark of the conftitution of the Republic, is pleased to fhew on every occafion the intereft which animates him in favour of the auguft House of Orange, an intereft cemented by thofe fentiments which attach that Monarch to a beloved fifter."

Their High Mightineffes have fufpended Mr. Paulus from the poft of Fifcal of the Admiralty of the Maefe; and have ordered M. Vander Pott to proceed against him, on account of a letter written by him to M. Cafterus, Ex-Burgomafter of Woerden.

Gen. Ryffel, late in the fervice of their High Might ineffes, but, for his difobedience to orders during the late troubles, difcharged, has obtained the command of a regiment of foreign infantry, raifing at Bethune, from his Moft Chriftian Majefty.

Col. Mather, who during the differences between his Imperial Majesty and the StatesGeneral raised a corps of volunteers for the Republic, but who afterwards entered himfelf into the fervice of the States of Holland, has likewife, fince the revolution, received a commiffion from the King of France, with the rank of Colonel, and the Order of the Crofs of St. Louis, with a penfion of 6000 livres.

The city of Francken has been degraded, the gates taken away, and its annual allow ance of 2000 florins for the fupport of its fortifications fequeftcred, on account of the part it took in the late rebellion. It was formerly celebrated for cultivating the liberal arts; but of late it degenerated into an afylum for rebels, and fuch as revolted from their lawful Sovereign.

The pretended Patriots, and those who had abandoned the Republic, and had taken up their refidence in Flanders, have addreffed themselves, to the number of 4000, to the States of Holland and Weft Friefland for liberty to return; but have received no enCouragement.

The emigrants from Holland, who retired to Orleans, have petitioned the French government for the wafte land between the cathedral and the ftatue of La Pucelle, to build and establish manufactures; which the King has granted them. Every thing at prefent

feems calm in their country; but the fire is only concealed under the afhes, and it is feared the leaft spark will light it again as violently as ever.

EAST INDIA INTELLIGENCE. On Tuesday, the 19th inftant, pursuant to advertisement, a General Court of Proprie tors was held at the Eaft India Houfe, to take into confideration the proceedings relative to the fending out of four of his Majes ty's regiments to India.

The Court fat foon after eleven o'clock; and the bufinefs immediately commenced, by a recital from the Chairman of the dif ferent correfpondences that had taken place between the Directors and the Board of Controul, relative to the fending out regiments to India; of the perfeverance of the Board, with his Majefty's Minifters; and also the refiftance which the Court had unanimouly made to a measure, which they confidered to be wholly unconftitutional and directly contrary to the charter, particularly as the King's Officers were in certain cafes to fuperfede and be fet over thofe of the Company in India.

A prodigious variety of papers, letters of correspondents, petitions and memorials to the Crown, propofitions, opinions of counsel, &c. were read, which took up above three hours; the last of which was a letter from Lord Sydney, of which the following is a copy.

To the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, of the India Company.

"Gentlemen, Whitehall, Feb. 10, 1788. "I have his Majesty's command to acquaint you, that three of the regiments deftined for India are in readiness for embarkation at Chatham, Dover, Deal, and Portfmouth; and to defire that you will inform me, whether any and what ships of the Company are ready for their reception, and as what ports it will be moft convenient for thefe troops to embark.

"I am, Gentlemen, &c. SYDNEY." Such perfiftance alarmed the Directors, who refolved immediately on calling a General Court to lay thefe proceedings before them; which was accordingly done, and next day the Chairman took the chair at twelve o'clock.

Alderman Pickett began, by ftating the evil confequences which in his opinion would arife to the Company, from their agreeing to fend the regiments as proposed; and concluded with moving,

"That this Court do approve the condu& of the Court of Directors, in withdrawing their confent from the four regiments, pro pofed for fervice in India, on the 17th of October laft, when this country was in im minent danger of hoftility with France. That the change in public affairs fully justi fies them in declining to fend the troops at

the

The expence of the Company; more efpecially

25 86 new Officers would thereby be fent to India, whilft 600 Officers in the Company's fervice, inured to the climate, are out of employ; and upwards of 1800 Officers will be fuperfeded in their ref, ective ranks.

"This Court are further of opinion, that the Directors are legally authorized to refift the increase of their Military Eftablishment, and the fending the four regiments, to India, without their confent, at the charge of the Eat-India Company; more especially in time of peace, after the establishment has been ferried, with the approbation of the Commiffioners for the affairs of India, in obedience to the Aft of Parliament of the 24 h of his prefent Majefty, Chap. xxv. Sect. 41 and 42. And this Court do recommend it to the Court of Directors, to continue to maintain and support their opinions refpecting the faid four regiments."

Mr. Adair, in a thort speech, feconded the mot-on-he was followed by

Mr. Luthington, who feemed to think, that, had a proper relief been granted to the Company's Officers in the first instance, it might offioly have been the means of preventing the calling of the Proprietors together on the prefent occafion.

Alderman Le Mefurier contended, that the Company could not raife a fufficient number of men by the prefent mode of recruiting.

Mr. Jackfon wifhed to make an amendmeat to the prefent motion, which he thought might be more acceptable to the Proprietors than what had been offered.

Mr. Thornton faid, Parliament had relieved the Company; and that it was reafo.. able to imagine they would expect the Company to defray a part of the expence in mainaining their poffeffions, by fending out the four regiments.

Mr. Bentley was afraid the refolution of fending the troops was adopted in an evil hour, and that he defpaired of its being done away; but hoped the Proprietors would let their fervants fee that they had done every thing in their power to ferve thole who had gained the country, had protected the country, and were ready to facrifice their lives in the service of the Company.

Mr. Waifon was for tending the regiments; as Minifters, from their information, were the beft judges of the exigency of affairs. How lately had it been feen, that France marched a large force into Holland, before any body knew they were on foot. Admitting the prefent motion to be caried, they muft ultimately refort to the only place, where the point could be decided-Pariiament. What would be the confequence? On which fide would be the majority? The queftion anfwered itfelf; and they must fubmit at laft. But he was inclined to rely on GENT. MAG. February, 1788.

Minifters, not only because their informa

tion was moft full, and their judgement, of confequence, most perfect; but because, when they did not deferve your confidence, they did not deferve their places, and difmiffion from office ought inftantly to follow a merited degradation from troft. On these grounds, he was decidedly for fending out the

men.

Mr. Jackfon was of the fame opinion, and moved the following amendment to the original motion :

"That this Court return thanks to the Court of Directors, for their confiant attention to their i,hts and to their interefts: but that, relying on the opinions of the Right Hon. the Commiffioners for the affairs of India, and on the opinion of a majority of their own Secret Committee, that an additional European force is neceffary for the fafety of their poffeffions in India; and apprehenfive of the evils which may arife from the withholding fuch additional force; confong allo in the repeated affurances of his Majefty's Minifters, of their attention to the complaint of their Officers, and fenfible of the enormous expence daily incurred by the detention of their thips; do recommend to the Court of Directors, to accept the four regiments of troops offered by Government; and on the terms prepofed; trusting in his Majefty's gracious ditpofition, that, upon the expeated arrival of the dispatches from the Commander in Chief, he will be pleafed to grant fuch relief to their Officers ferving in India, as to the royal wildom fhall feem

mret.'

This having been regularly feconded, Mr. Johnston rofe, and ftated, that it appears, by the last returns, the King's troops in India were 2,600 deficient, and the Company's about 2,400, and yet only 900 had been fent out to recruit thofe of his Majefty. It would have been prudent, he thought, to have compleated thofe already there in the fi.it inftance, and then to have come forward and fay, the cftablishment was not fufficient. He afferted, that the measure was intended for feveral months before it was brought forward, from which he thought it was not the neceffity of the then moment.

Several other Proprietors and Directors joined in the debate; when the Court, after fitting till near fix o'clock, called for the quellion, when the amendment propofed by Mr. Jackfon was negatived without a divi fion; and the original question, as propofed by Alderman Pickett, after fome altercation as to the day, was agreed to be decided by ballot on Wednesday the 27th inftant. On that day the ballo: commenced, and at eight at night clofed, when the numbers on each fide were 371. The queftion was then (con formably to the directions of charter) decided by lot, and terminated in the affirmative.

AMERICA

AMERICA.

WHILE the British court are endeavouring in fome measure to difcourage the American trade, the French are pursuing the quite contrary policy, as appears by the following Edict, extracted from the Records of the Council of State at Paris, dated Dec. 29, 1787.

The King, defirous of encouraging the commerce of his fubjects with the United States of America, and of facilitating between the two nations connections reciprocally useful; having heard the report of the Sieur Lambert, Counfellor of State and of the Royal Council of Finance and Commerce, Comptroller-General of Finance; his Majelly, being in his Council, has ordained and does ordain as follows:

Article I. Whale-oils and fpermaceti, the produce of the fisheries of the citizens and inhabitants of the United States of America, which fhall be brought into France directly in French veffels, or in thofe of the United States, fhall continue to be subjected to a duty only of feven livres ten fols the barrel of five hundred and twenty pounds weight; and whale-fins fhall be fubject to a duty of only fix lives thirteen fols four deniers the quintal, with the ten fols per livre on each of the faid duties; which ten fois per livre thail ceafe on the left day of December 1790; his Majefty referving to himself to grant further favours to the produce of the whole fisheries carried on by the filhermen of the United States of America, which fhall be brought into France in French velfels, or in thofe of the United States, if, on the information which his Majetty hall caufe to be taken thereon, he thall judge it expedient for the intereft of the two nations.

Art. 11. The other fish-oils, and dry or falted fith, the produce in 1 ke manner of the fisheries of the citizens and inhabitants of the United States, and brought alfo directly into France, in their or in French vesels, fhall not pay any other nor greater duties than thofe to which the oils and fifh of the fame kind, the produce of the fisheries of the Hanfeatic towns, or of other the most fayoured nations, are or thall be subject in the fame cafe.

Art. III. The manufacture of candles and tapers of fpermaceti fhall be permitted in France, as that of other candles and tapers.

Art. IV. Cora, wheat, rye, rice, peafe, beans, lentils, flax feed, and other feeds, flour, trees and thrubs, pot afh and pearl-ath, skins and fur of beaver, raw hides, furs and peltry, and timber brought from the United States directly into France, in French vellels, or in thofe of the United States, fhall not be fubject but to a dury of one-eighth per cent. on their value.

Art. V. Veffels built in the United States, and told in France, or purchafe by Frenchmen, fhall be exempt from all duties, on proof that they were built in the United States.

Art. VI. Turpentine, tar, and pitch, the produce of the United States of America, and brought directly into France in French vessels, or in thofe of the United States, fhall pay only a duty of two and a half per cent. on their value; and, as well the duties mentioned in this as in the fourth article, thall be exempt from all addition of fous per livre.

Art. VII. The exportation of arms of all forts, and of sun-powder, for the United States of America, thall be always permitted in French veffels, or in thofe of the United States, paying for the arms a duty of oneeighth per cent. on their value; and gunpowder in that cafe shall be exempt from all duty, on giving a cautionary bond.

Art. Viil. Papers of all forts, even paper hangings and coloured papers, patteboard and books, thall be exempt from all duties, on their embarkation for the United States of America, in French veffels, or in those of the United States, and thall be entitled in that cafe to a reititution of the fabrication duties on paper and pafte board.

Art. IX. The admiralty duties on the veffels of the United States entering into, or going out of the ports of France, fhall not be levica bat conformably with the edict of the month of June laft, in the cafes therein provided for, and with the letters patent of the 10th of January, 1770, for the objects for which no provifion thall have been made by the faid edit: his Majelly referving to himself moreover to make known his intentions as to the manner in which the faid duties fhall be levied (whether in proportion to the tonnage of the vellels or otherwife), as alfo to imply the faid duties of the admiralty, and to regulate them as far as fhall be pofüble on the principle of reciprocity, as foon as the orders fhall be compleated which were given by his Majelly, according to the twenty fixth article of the faid ediết of the month of June lail.

Art. X. The entrepôt (or ftoring) of all the productions and merchandize of the United States, fhall be permitted for fix months in all the peris of France open to the commerce of her colonies; and the faid entrepôt fhall be fubject only to a duty of oneeighth per cent.

Art. XI. To favour the exportation of arms, hardware, jewellery, bonnetery *, of wool and of cotton, coarfe woollens, fmall draperies and ftuffs of cotton of all forts, and other merchandizes of French fabric, which fhall be fent to the United States of America, in French veffels, or in thofe of the United States, his Majesty referves to himfcif to grant encouragements, which fhali be immediately regulated in his council, according to the nature of each of the faid merchandizes.

This term includes bonnets, frockings, focks, under-waistcoats, drawers, gloves, and mittens, as fold by the bonnetiers.

Art.