at Verfailles the 18th inftant, the King published an edict founded on this principle" That in a great kingdom, there Thould be only one King, one fyftem of laws, and one Court for regiftering and enrolling the laws which extend to the kingdom at large." By this edict, then, the right of regiftering or enrol ling the edicts prefented in the King's name, , for the general government of the kingdom at large, is for ever taken from the provincial Parliaments, and vested in a Court (which is now reftored) formerly known by the name of La Cour Pleniere, or the Plenary or Supreme Court.

The new edict fixes and afcertains the boundaries of jurisdiction affigned by the King to the Cour Pleniere, and to the provincial Parliaments. From the former alone can remonftrances in future be made to the King, relative to the regiftering and enrolling of edicts; but the latter may addrefs remonftrances on this fubject to this Supreme Court, who are to judge and determine whether or not they fhall be carried up to the Throne. But with respect to edicts affecting only parts, and not the whole of the king dom, the provincial Parliament, to whofe department fuch edicts fhall refer, may carry their remonftrances directly, and not circuitously, to the King.

Such alterations in the civil and criminal codes have been made by his Majefty at his late bed of juftice, as are likely to fimplify all law proceedings in as great a degree as the reftoration of the Cour Pleniere feems calculated for giving activity and energy to the administration of public affairs.

Twelve Peers fent a ftrong proteft to the French Monarch on the fubject of arrefting, in the Court of Parliament, two of the members of that body. The King refused to receive the deputation, and immediately ordered a regiment of guards to furround the palace, and not to fuffer any perfon to depart thence, Shortly after, M. Degout, commander of a regiment, entered the room where the Parliament was fitting, and, in the King's name, demanded the two members whom his Majefty had ordered to be arrested, but who had efcaped, to be delivered up to him. After a filence of fome minutes, the Prefident faid, that every perfon present was a d'Efpremeuil and a Mofambert. This declaration was loudly applauded by the whole Court, On this the officer retired for fresh in structions; and when he returned, char

ged the Court to point out the obnoxious inembers, on pain of being guilty of high treafon. The members then requested to deliver themselves up; and M. d'Efpremenil, after making an affecting fpeech to the Court, which was heard with profound attention, was conducted to the ftate-prifon of the ifland of St Marguerite, and M. de Mofambert to that of Pierre Encife.

The members of the Parliament have individually protefted against taking a feat in the new Cour Pleniere, and fiveal Peers have written to his Majefty that they have come to the fame refolution.

EAST INDIES.

Extract of a letter from a Gentleman on board the Ofterly, Wampou, China, Nov. 30. 1787, brought over by the Wycombe East Indiaman.

"We met with a very extraordinary circumftance in the Chinese Seas, which may afford fome news to Mr. Sargenunt and Mr Birch especially as matter of converfation among gentlemen concerned in our fhipping. A large fhip appeared in fight one morning, Sept 12, (in lat. 10, N. longit. about 110 E.) which spoke us about noon, under French colours; the appeared a 32 gun frigate. No-body could understand a word they faid. She passed us very fast, and at some little diftance a head began to run out her guns and make every warlike preparation. We faw on her ftern written La Calypło :

We were much aftonished: had various conjectures; the most prevailing opinion was, that he was a pirate. The Captain and Officers gave orders inftantly to prepare our ship for defence; notwiths ftanding all our guns were in the hold, except ten, and a great deal of lumber on the gun-deck, yet every thing was clea red with the utmost alacrity; the ten guns loaded, matches lighted, every man at his quarter all filent, not the leaft thing on deck in the way. In this ftate we waited the event, while the feeming ene my was bearing down upon us in a very formidable manner; her tops manned, netting ftuffed with hammocks, 32 guns run out; tompions taken out, and crowded with men at all quarters. We kept on under eafy fail, expecting every mo ment they would fire into us. They hail ed us again; but fill we could barely perceive it was French. We have a Frenchman among our crew, and the Captain's Cook is a foreigner, who speaks that language. We could juft make out, that

fhe was a King's fhip, and fome intelligible words, among which were "repecte."-Capt. Clark fon defired the topgallant fails to be lowered, on which the Frenchman made fail, and in an hour was out of fight. We could hardly underftand, at laft, that it was that nomage he wanted. It was very evident, howe ver, it was fo. Our men, with true British fpirits, were fo eager to commence action, notwithstanding the vaft inferiority of force, that an accident had like to have happened from their ardour. I have been more particular on this article, as it has made fo much ftir at Canton, that there is no doubt it will be a fubject of much converfation in England. It was a national infult.-Captain Chas been unjustly blamed by fome here for not fighting; but I affure you it was not want of courage. Nothing could be more cool, yet ip rited, than the Officers, in preparing the hip for an engagement, if neceflary. Under the idea of a pirate, the fcene was not a little awful; our force could not have withstood them.

"If any thing fhould appear in the public prints about it before we arrive, prejudicial to our Captain, pray beg Mr Birch to infert fomething in contradic tion. We found the fhip lying at Macao when we arrived there. Some fay the commander is a French Chevalier, Commodore of four French men of war at Macao; that he faid he was drunk at the time he came up with us, or he fhould not have behaved fo."

The conduct of the Captain, who thus fuffered his flag to be lowered to a French frigate, may be juftifiable, as he acted from the neceffity of the moment; but it is equally certain that the conduct of the French Captain deferves a very fevere remonftrance from our Court to that of

Verfailles.

By a letter from Calcutta, dated the latter end of December, we are informed, That Lord Cornwallis had arrived there on the 20th of November, after a tour of between four and five months, in which he went through all the provinces, and made many reformations, though his report is upon the whole very favourable to the general ftate of the country. A journal of his proceedings has been fent over to Government, and much approved of.

ENGLAND.

Treaty of Defenfive Alliance between his Majefly the King of Great Britain, and

their Noble and High Migbtinees the States General.

THE natural and fincere friendship which has fubfifted for fo long a time between his Majefty the King of Great Britain and their High Mightineffes, having received fresh force and increate by the intereft which his Britannic Majefty has recently manifefted for the confervation of the independence of the Republic, and of the conftitution as by law eftablished, His faid Majefty and their High Mightineffes have refolved, in order to cement in the moft folid and durable manner, harmony, confidence, and intercoufe between them, to form permanent engagements by a treaty of defenfive alliance for the good of both parties, and for the maintenance of their general and feparate tranquillity. To fulfil this falutary end, his Majesty the King of Great Britain has named and authorized Sir James Harris, his?Ambaf fador Extraordinary to the States General; and their High Might ineffes the States General of the United Provinces, have nained and authorized M. Vander Spiegel, Great Penfionary of Holland.

The above-named, after having communicated their full powers in due form, and after having conferred with each o ther, agreed to the following Articles.

Article I. There fhall be a fincere amity and union, firm and conftant, between his Britannic Majefty, his heirs and fucceffors, and the above mentioned States General; fo that the high contracting powers fhall direct the greateft attention to maintain between them their States and fubjects, that friendship and recipro cal intercourfe; and they engage to cons tribute, as much as in their power, to preferve and defend each other mutually in peace and tranquillity.

Article II. In cafe one of the contrac

ting powers fhall be hoftilely attacked by any European power in any part of the world, the other contracting power engages to fuccour its ally as well by fea cach other mutually in poffeffion of all as by land, to gaurantee and maintain their eftates, domains, towns, places, franchifes and liberties, belonging to them refpectively, before the hoftilities

commenced.

the conftitution of the United Provinces, according to the refolutions and diplomas of the years 1747 and 1748, by virtue of which the prefent Stadtbolder entered into the poffeffion of thofe charges in 1766, and has been.reinstated in them in the year 1788, engaging himfelf to maintain that form of government against all attacks, whether direct or indirect, or of what nature foever.

Article IV. The fuccours mentioned in the fecond Article of this Treaty fhall confift, on the part of his Britannic Majefty, of 8000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 12 Chips of the line and eight frigates; and on the part of the States General, in 5000 infantry, toco tavalry, eight fhips of the line and eight frigates, which respective fuccours fhall be provided in two months after requifition has been made by the party attacked, and fhall remain at its difpofal, during the whole

continuance of the war in which it fhall be engaged; and these fuccours (whether in fhips, frigates, or troops) fhall be paid and kept up by the power fupplying them, wherever its ally may chufe they fhould act.

Article V. In cafe the ftipulated fuccours fhall not be fufficient for the defence of the requiring power, the required power shall fucceftively augment them, according to the neceffities of its ally, it fhall affift alfo with its whole force if circumftances fhould demand it; but it is exprefsly agreed in all cafes, that the contingent of the States General shall not exceed the valuation of 10,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 16 fhips of the line, and 16 frigates.

Article VI. But as it may happen (confilering the distance of the poffeffions of the contracting powers) that the advan tages, which should reciprocally refult from the conclufion of the prefent treaty, may become illufory for the mutual defence of thofe poffeffions, before the respective governments could receive orders from Europe. For this purpofe, it is ftipulated and agreed, that in cafe one of them fhall be hoftilely attacked, whether in Africa or Afia, by an European power, that it fhall be enjoined to the Governors of their eftablishment in thofe parts of the world, to furnish fuccour in the most speedy and efficacious manner to the party attacked, or menaced with an attack; and orders to that effect fhall be expedited to the faid Governors immediately after the conclufion of the faid Treaty, and the two high contracting powers shall not permit the

fhips of war of the attacking powers to enter into any of their ports in faid efta blifhment, until peace between the at tacking power and the ally of the con tracting party, fhall be eftablished; unlefs the faid veffels fhall be compelled to take refuge there to avoid perithing or being fhipwrecked.

Article VII. If it fhould happen that the two high contracting powers should be equally engaged in war against a com mon enemy, they reciprocally promilė not to difarm but by common confent,and they will confidentially furnish each other with any propofitions of peace or of truce that may be made them."

Article VIII. If the high contracting. powers wifh to furnifh their fupply of troops in money, it fhall be free for either party to do it, according to a valuation which fhall be made in a fe parate article.

Article IX. The requiring power fhall be obliged, whether the hips, frigates, and troops with which it may be fupplied, remain for a long or short time in their ports, to provide whatever may be neceflary for them, at the fame price as to their own fhips, frigates, or troops. It has been alfo agreed, that in no. cafe fhall the faid troops or veffels be at the charge of the requiring party, but they shall nevertheless be at their own difpofal during the whole duration of the war in which it fhall be engaged. The fuccours alluded to fhall be entirely regula ted according to the orders of the Chiefs who command them, and shall not be employed feparately, nor together, but in concert with the faid Chief; as to their operations, they fhall be entirely fubjected to the orders of the Comman der in Chief of the requiring power.

Article X. In the mean time it is a greed that the two powers fhall form a Treaty of Commerce, that the subjects of the Republic fhall be treated in the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland as the most favoured nation; and the fame fhall be obferved in the United Provinces towards the fubjects of his B. M. It is however to be understood, that this article does not extend to a diminution of the importation duties.

As by the 4th article of the treaty of peace figned in the year 1784, bis B. G. engaged to treat with the States General, for the reftitution af Negapatam, with its dependencies, in cafe the faid S. M. fhould have in future any equivalent to offer for it; and as their H. M. have re. newed their defire of obtaining that ref

titution,

titution, as well as for fixing and determining precifely the fenfe of the fixth article of the faine Treaty, concerning the navigation of British fubjects in the Oriental Seas. His B. M. in teftimony of his good will to the Republic, is difpofed to concur with the views of their H. M. and at the fame time to affure the Republic of the new and real advantages of commerce in that part of the world, as foon as an equivalent fhall be fixed upon, for which his B. M. will require nothing unfavourable to the intereits and reciprocal furety of the two contracting powers in the Indies; and that the allociations for fuch arrangements may not impede the conclufion of the prefent Treaty, it is agreed that they fhall be fettled as foon as poffible, and be determined in the fpace of fix months after the date of the prefent Treaty; and that the convention which fhall be made, fhall have the fame force as if inferted in the Treaty itself.

Separate Article. In confequence of the eighth article of the Treaty of alliance, the two high contracting powers do agree, that, in cafe the ftipulated fuccours be fupplied in money, they fhall be computed at 100,000 Dutch florins per ann. for every 1000 infantry, and 120,000 of the fame value, for 100 cavalry per annum, or in the fame proportion by the month.

every

London, April 30. The city was in general commotion on account of fome of the most capital houses in the cotton branch having ftopped payment. One of them has ftopped for upwards of 400,000l. and it is said is under acceptances to the amount of 1,000,000l.; another is 200,oool. deficient, and many inferior houfes are involved in this unexpected event, which will alfo extend to Liverpool, Manchester, and many other trading towns.

It is impoffible to defcribe the confternation of the gentlemen concerned in the cotton trade. One houfe of the first eminence in that branch of bufinefs ftopped payment for near half a million of moneyanother of great eminence near Cheapfidea third in Cheapfide, whofe extenfive connections in Lancashire have occafioned alarm in that part of the country-a fourth in the banking line, a fifth in the fame way. The amount of these declenfions is eftimated at nearly two millions of money, owing to fome late fpeculations in cotton. Several houfes of

inferior note have already flopped--where it will end, time only can determine.

No lefs than fourteen houfes in the cotton and linen manufactories at Manchefter have flopped payment within thefe three or four days.

The primary cause of the above dif afters was owing to the fame avaricious principle which ruined a once eminent banker and Hon. Bart. namely, the baneful chance of fpeculation!

What has accelerated the above cataftrophe has been the deftructive practice, of drawing and re-drawing bills to a great amount, and the vast number of cotton mills erected, by which the trade has been overdone.

The Scots callico printers, who have been for fome time paft in a ftrong conteft with thofe of Manchester, have kept themfelves totally clear from the fpecula tions which have brought on the prefent infolvency: or at leaft they have had no connection with the houfes who are in

volved in the embarrasliment.

May 1. Came on the St Euftatius business before the Lords of Appeal.

The whole of the St Euftatius bufi

nefs appearing to their Lordships one general mafs of confufion, it feems but too plainly evident that the whole thereof will never be finifhed until the great day of judgment. They caft great blame upon the irregular, fhameful, and rafh proceedings of the agents in particular, as well as the captors. Great neglect is evident in their not tranfmitting the whole of the papers taken on the island to the Admiralty in England. It feems that what papers were fent, were fuch merely as might tend to criminate the British fubjects concerned: thofe papers were tranfinitted from the Admiralty to the Secretary of State's Office, where they were devoured by politial vermin, and not a fingle veftige thereof remains to be found. Lord Cambden profeffed himfelf angry whenever the business came acrofs his mind. The goods and merchandife there captured have been fold and confounded, and not even the accounts of the fales are to be found for the purpose of laying before this Honourable Board: their Lordfhips therefore adjourned the bufinefs until fuch time that the captors bring forth the accounts of fales, or that the claimants themselves bring fuch accounts or other effective proofs in their power, thereby to afcertain the amount of the value of fuch claims as may be liable to a restituti

од

on upon decree. The Lord Prefidentspoke very ingenioufly as to the bufinefs in general, and faid he had his thoughts upon the whole, as to the fair and to the illicit part in general on both fides the queftion; and he kept his opinion thereon to himself, and felt himself amazed, that when the matter came before him, all the papers, all the proofs were intirely loft; therefore the best and only method of coming to the bottom, was to bring forward the bills of lading and invoices, or copies, if they were to be found, which was even doubted, as a very large quantity of papers had been deftroyed as well as loft. As to the accounts of fales, it may be doubted whether any was taken, as the captors haftily proceeded irregularly in fuch fales, the parties concerned being fome dead, and others moved to different parts of world. The Board adjourned till to mor tow to enter upon the merits of fuch of the appeals as might lay ready before them.

The vacant Prebendary of Norwich has been lately given unexpected and unfolicited, by the Chancellor to the Rev. Mr Potter, of Scarning in Norfolk. This was one of those wayward deeds for which this great man has been ever fo remarkable. Mr Potter, it feems, was a fchoolfellow of the Chancellor's; fince which time, however, they had never any connection or communication with each other. It is but juitice to say, that the preferment could not have been more confiftently or more honourably beftowed. Mr Potter is a gentleman of no mean attainments; he has tranflated Ef chylus, Euripides, and Sophocles: the firft of which obtained him an ample fhare of reputation and of money.—His Sophocles is but just published; and has not yet paffed under the examination of the critics.

The Blacklettero mania, which raged fo furioufly in the courfe of laft Spring at the fale of Dr Wright's Books, has broke out with ftill greater violence at the prefent auction of Major Pearfon's Library. This affertion may be countenanced by the following examples: Webbe's Difcourfe of English Poetrie. Bought by Mr Steevens, verfus Mr Malone, for 31. gs. od. Andrew Borde's Book. By the Rev. Mr Brand, verfus Lord Charlemont, 41. 15s. pd.

Paradife of Dainty Devifes, &c. By Mr Steevens, verfus Maione, 91. r9s. 6d. England's Helicon, by ditto, verfus ditte 51. 105

Greene's Tracts. By Mr Malone, verfus Mr Mafon., 41.5 3. Stephen Hawes's Temple of Glaffe. By Steevens, verfus Mr Malone. 31. 155. Stephen Hawes's Compendious Story, &c. By Mr Mafon, verfus Mr Malone. 71. Jos.

Skelton's Garland. By the Rev. Mr Brand, verfus the King. 71. 175. 6d. Taylor's (the Water Poet's Tracts.) Be Mr Malon, verfus Mr Malone. zi. 108. Watfon's Sonnets, &c. By Mr Steevens, verfus Mr Malone. 41. gs.

Collection of Old Ballads. By the King, verfus Meff. Arüold and Kitfon. 411 9s. 6 d. v.

May 2. The H. of Com. in a Cɔmmittee of Supply, came to the following. refolutions, viz.

That it is the opinion of this commit tee, that a fum not exceeding 63,671). 18s. 2 d. be granted to his Majefty to make good the deficiences of the year 1787.

4510l. 12s. to make good the like fum to the American Loyalifts.

Icool. for loffes to perions, on account of the ceffion of the province of Eait Florida.

21111. os. 6d to Thomas Cotton. 60,490l. 45. to the fame perfon for defraying allowances to American civil officers.

14,2341. 8s for prefent relief to Ames rican fufferers.

29821. 12s 1 d. for Bills drawn on ac count of the Establishment of new South Wales.

25,000l. for the buildings carrying on at Somerset place.

815l. 135. 6d. to the Clerk of the Commiffioners of Fees.

45331.6s. 6d. for maintaining con◄ victs at Plymouth.

600l. to the Secretary of Commission. ers of Publick Accounts.

sosol. to the Secretary of woods and forefts.

30,083 1. 10 s. 8 d. for maintaining, cloathing, &c. the convicts employed on

the river Thames.

The Managers of the Impeachment have not hitherto been remarkably fuc cessful in their examination of evidence. Between want of recollection, and want of-fomething elfe, we know not what all fuperlatives of horror have dwindled to common words.

Though the prefent State profecution was long knowu in India before the late difpatches