posed of them as should seem meet. The jury would now consider, whether the allegations in the indictment were or were not proved; and that was their exclusive province to determine. [Here his lordship recited the evidence.] The question for the jury would be, Whether the prisoner did or did not pretend to an influence which he did not possess, in order to obtain the money of this poor woman? In judging of this case, the jury would take the whole of it into consideration. The main points were three: Whether he did or did not misrepresent himself as to his own situation? whether he did or did not do what he did with intent to defraud? and, whether he did not actually obtain this money in consequence of false representations? If the jury found these facts in the affirmative, it would be their duty to find the prisoner guilty; if they doubted either of these points, they should acquit, him. The jury withdrew, and remained out of court for above half an hour, and returned their verdict-Guilty. This, although only a misdemeanor, subjects the prisoner to transportation for seven years. There is another charge of the same kind against him at the instance of another person. 14. The London Gazette announces the capture of La Musette, of 22 guns and 150 men, by his majesty's sloop the Hazard; and of the Deux Amis, of 14 guns, and 18 men, by the Polyphemus and Apollo. These prizes were brought into Cork. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 14. Copy of a Letter from Capt, Barton, of his Majesty's ship Lapwing, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated in Basseterre Roads, Dec, 3, 1796. Sir, A packet leaving this place today for England, I embrace the opportunity, for the satisfaction of their lordships, to acquaint them that I anchored at St. Kitt's on the 25th ultimo, when an express boat had been sent from the island of Anguilla, to inform the admiral that the island was attacked by two French men of war, and several small vessels, containing four hundred troops. I felt it my duty (as the express-boat returned here with the loss of her main-mast) to leave the service I was ordered on, to endeavour to relieve that place. The wind, being to the northward, prevented my getting up there in time to stop them from burning the town; but I have the pleasure to say, after au action of near two hours, I effectually relieved that island, by taking the ship and sinking the brig. The ship proved to be Le Decius, mounting twenty-four six-pounders, two twelve-pound carronades, and two brass field pieces, with one hundred and thirty-three men of her own complement, and two hundred and three troops, commanded by citoyen André Senis; and the brig La Vaillante, mounting four twenty-four pounders, with fortyfive men and ninety troops, cornmanded by citoyen Laboutique. The particulars of this action I have transmitted to rear-admiral Harvey, for the information of their lordships. I am, &c. day received by the right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, from major-general Charles Graham, commanding his majesty's troops in the Leeward Islands in the absence of lieutenant-general sir Ralph Abercromby, K. B. Extract of a Letter from Major-General Charles Graham to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, dated Head-Quarters, Martinico, October 16, 1796. Our affairs in Grenada wear the most favourable aspect. I may say, indeed, tranquillity is completely restored, as they enjoy it in the most comprehensive sense; the communication throughout the island is perfectly open; there are some few stragglers, no doubt, in the woods, but they never molest even single passengers, and their number is so inconsiderable, and their state so wretched, that they rather deserve our contempt than merit our resentment. Fedon has not yet been taken, and opinions are various with respect to his death or escape; the former, however, I think most probable, as it is reported a canoe, that, had been overset, was found by a vessel some distance from the coast, with a compass nailed to the bottom, which was known to be one that he had had in his possession; it is therefore likely he may have been lost, in endeavouring to make his escape. I embrace, with satisfaction, the opportunity this affords me, of having the honour to inform you, that a negotiation has been opened, for a general exchange of prisoners, with the commissioners of the French republic at Guadaloupe; the commissary sent here to treat on that business, has, in consequence, returned with two hundred; an equal number of ours are to be sent When I had the honour of writing to your excellency on the 22d of August, I inclosed a copy of the terms offered to the Charibs by go vernor Seton and myself, in conse quence of sir Ralph Abercromby's orders and instructions to me upon that subject. At the same time I acquainted you with the plan I had adopted in order to reduce the remaining brigands, and to compel the Charibs to surrender.. I have now the satisfaction to inform you of the total reduction of the Brigands and Charibs on this island. Marin Padre, (a negro of St. Lucia) who has commanded the Brigands and Charibs since the capture of the Vigie, and who had great influence and authority over both, surrendered on the 2d instant. The number of Brigands who have surrendered, or have been taken since the 4th of July, amounts to 725, the number of Charibs to 4633, including women and children. I have much pleasure in making known to you, for his majesty's information, the zeal, activity, and humanity which have actuated every description of officers and soldiers employed under my command, during the whole of the Charib war; and I am happy to say, that notwithstanding the season of the year, and the fatigue the troops have undergone, they are in general very healthy. Inclosed you will receive a return of the killed and wounded of his majesty's troops since the commencement of the Charib war. I have the honour to be, &c. To his excellency Maj. Gen. Graham. Return of the Killed and Wounded of His Majesty's Forces in the Island of St. Vincent, between the 20th of July and 15th of October, 1796. 26th light dragoons.-1 serjeant, 1 rank and file killed; 1 rank and file wounded. Royal artillery.1 gunner wounded. 3d foot (or buffs).-4 rank and file killed; 2 serjeants, 19 rank and file wounded. (Signed) W. J. CURREY, Aid-de-camp. Whitehall, Jan. 16. A letter, of which the following is an extract, has been received from governor Seton, by his grace the duke of Portland, his majesty's principal secretary of state for the home department, dated St. Vincent's, October 12, 1796. I have the satisfaction to inform your grace, that tranquillity is on the eve of being restored to this colony, owing in a very great measure to the unremitted exertions of major-general Hunter, and to his hu 40th foot.-4 rank and file killed; 1 lieutenant, 2 rank and file wounded. 42d foot.-1 rank and file killed; mane conduct towards the enemy of 3 rank and file wounded. 63d foot.-3 rank and file killed; 1 serjeant, 6 rank and file wounded. 2d West India regiment.-1 serjeant, 4 rank and file killed; 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 ensign, 3 rank and file wounded. Lewenstein's chasseurs.-4 rank and file killed; 2 lieutenants, 1 serjeant, 8 rank and file wounded. Lieutenant-colonel Haffey's St. Vincent's rangers.-1 serjeant, 8 rank and file killed; 1 lieutenant, every description. All the Charib chiefs have surrendered, their people are coming in daily, and we have at this moment about three thousand five hundred in our possession. Nearly all the Brigands, with their leader, have also surren⚫ dered. By a subsequent letter, from the governor to his grace, dated St. Vincent's, the 16th of November last, it appears, that the remainder of the Charibs and Brigands had surrendered surrendered themselves, and that the island was in a state of perfect tranquillity. 16. The sessions at the Old Bailey closed, when the recorder pronounced sentence of death on Thomas Smith, for burglary, aud stealing in the day-time; Nathan Jacklin, for highway-robbery; William Smith, William Green, John Milton, George Waring, and Tate Corbet, for burglaries; Thomas Elstone, for returning from transportation; and John Bates, for privately stealing in a dwelling-house to above the amount of forty shillings. John Cunningham, for manslaughter, was ordered to be imprisoned one year in Newgate, and fined 1s. Elizabeth Waring, for receiving stolen goods, to be transported for fourteen years. Launcelot Knowles to be transported for seven years: as were also Thomas Bull, Ann Rochford, George Morgan, W. Nowland, Mary Cordell, Eliz. Ogle, Eliz. Lewis, W. Wyatt, George Bird, Thomas Spencer, Elias Nathan, G. Bursbich, and James Dempsey. Four were ordered to be imprisoned for two years, four for one year, and five for six months. Ann Williams, Charles Harris, George Barber, and Mary Lumsdale, who had been capitally convicted at former sessions, were put to the bar, and offered his majesty's pardon, upon condition of being transported to New South Wales for the term of their natural lives; which the three first accepted with thanks, but the latter absolutely refusing she was ordered to a condemned cell. The sessions were then adjourned to Wednesday the 15th of February next, Admiralty Office, Jan. 17, 1797. Copy of a Letter from Rear-admiral Harvey, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the Leeward Islands, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on board the Prince of Wales, Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, November 10, 1796. Sir, I am to acquaint you, for the information of their lordships, that his majesty's sloop Fury, on the 18th ultimo, captured, between the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix, a French national schooner, called L'Elize, carrying ten guns and fifty-six men, from Cape François going to St. Thomas, which captain Evans sent into Tortola. I am, Sir, &c. &c. HENRY HARVEY. 17. The Irish loan of 300,000l. was taken by Messrs. Robarts, Curtis, and Co. bankers of London, on the following terms: For every 100l. subscribed, 100l. Os. Od. Irish 5 per cents. 4l. 15s. Od. annuity, for 13 years. The interest to commence from the 25th of September, 1796, pay. able at the bank of England. This day the following melan choly intelligence arrived from Ame rica. Savannah, Nov. 29. On Saturday the 26th instant, this city exhi bited a scene of desolation and distress, probably more awfully calamitous than any previously experienced in America. Between six and seven o'clock in the evening, a small bake-house, belonging to a Mr. Gromet, in Market-square, was discovered to be on fire. The citizens, together with the officers and crews of the vessels in the harbour, were soon convened; but, unfortunately, no immediate immediate and decisive measures were adopted, by which the fire could be stopped at its beginning. The fortunate escape from this destructive element which the city for many years past experienced, had greatly lulled the vigilance of its inhabitants, and prevented suitable preparations for such a calamity. The period when such precaution and the united efforts of active exertion could have been used, was, however, of very short duration. The season, for two months previous to this incident, had been dry; the night was cold, and a light breeze from N. N. W. was soon increased by the effect of the fire. The covering of the buildings being of wood, were from the above circumstances rendered highly combustible. Several of the adjoining houses were soon affected, and then almost instantly in flames: the wind now became strong, and whirled into the air, with agitated violence, large flakes of burning shingles, boards, and other light substances, which alighting at a distance added confusion to the other terrors of the conflagration. The use of water was now rendered totally vain, its common extinguishing power seemed to be lost. Torrents of fames rolled from house to house, with a destructive rapidity, which bid defiance to all human controul, and individual exertions were from this time principally pointed towards the securing of private property. The direction of the fire being now committed to the wind, its rage was abated only when, by its extending to the common, it found no farther object, wherewith to feed its fury. On the north side of Market 1797. square, and thence in a south-easterly direction, the inhabitants were enabled, by favour of the wind, to save their houses, and limit the conflagration. On the other hand, by the time it had extended on the bay, nearly to Abercorn-street, the prodigious quantity of heat already produced in the centre of the city began to draw in a current of air from the east, and enabled some of the most active inhabitants and seamen to save a few houses in that quarter, after having been in imminent danger. Between twelve and one, the rage of the fire abated, and few other houses from this time took fire. The exhausted sufferers, of both sexes, had now to remain exposed to the inclemency of a cold frosty night, and to witness the distressing spectacle of their numerous dwellings, covered with volumes of smoke and flame, tumbling into ruins. Thus was this little city, soon after emerging from the ravages of our revolutionary war, and which had lately promised a considerable figure among the commercial cities of our sister-states, almost destroyed in a single night. The number of houses (exclusive of other buildings) which are burned, is said to be nearly 300, but of this (together with an estimate of property destroyed) a more particular statement than we can now furnish, is expect ed shortly to be offered to the public. We can now only say, that two-thirds of the city appear in ruins, in a direction from the corner of Market-square, along the bay to Abercorn-street, thence in a south-east direction, taking the whole centre of the city to the south and east commons; a few houses quite in the. south-east part (B) · only |