cil held at the mansion house on Sunday night, who had advised his lordship. He did not blame him in taking counsel, but it was a little singular that he should have selected such persons only who were members of the court, and who had been all on one side; indeed they had guided the measures of the court for some years past. Mr. Waithman concluded with moving, "That it would be highly improper in this court to give any opinion respecting the propriety or expediency of convening a common-hall."

Which was seconded by Mr. Slade.

Mr. Birch moved an amendment, which not being seconded, he afterwards withdrew, tending to censure the proceedings of the common-hall, and advising his lordship to refuse convening it.

Mr. Combe observed, that as the general opinion upon the question was very manifest, there needed but little to be said upon the occasion. The circumstance most striking was the distance of the date between receiving the requisition and giving the answer, for it was dated and delivered on the 10th, and not replied to till the 13th; and as every one knew that his lordship was quick in conception, quick in discernment, prompt in action, and slow in nothing but speech, that distance of time, therefore, which occurred between the dates, was most probably occupied in consultation; and, by the long amendment moved by the worthy deputy, it should seem that he was of the privy council.

The lord mayor conceived an intimation was made that he had consulted administration.

Mr. Combe said he had no such suspicion; he only deplored that those whom he had consulted, and

who advised him in secret, would not publicly avow their advice and maintain it.

Sir J. Sanderson and alderman Curtis avowed having assisted at his lordship's council on Sunday even• ing, and advising him to the measure; as did alderman Lushington, who likewise expressed his disapprobation of having recourse to common-halls to collect the sense of the livery, as he denied that it could be fairly collected.

Mr. alderman Skinner defended the common halls, and declared he had uniformly observed the greatest regularity; and particularly, when he was chief magistrate, he had an opportunity of knowing every precaution had been used to keep out improper persons.

Mr. Hodson said, that they were not then debating whether it was proper to call a common-hall; or whether their proceeding had been regular; but, whether it was proper for that court to interfere. The right of convening a common-hall was vested in the lord mayor; and this court had no power or jurisdiction over their proceedings.

Sir James Sanderson moved another amendment, which, after a few remarks from Mr. Box and Mr. Simmonds, was withdrawn.

The motion was then agreed to by a great majority.

Mr. Birch moved the two following resolutions :

That, at this important juncture, it is the duty of every loyal subject to make himself acquainted, as early as possible, with the use of arms, under the operation of the volunteer corps bill, as well to defend his own person and property, as the invaluable constitution under whose privileges and protection he lives, from the open or secret attacks of enemies, whether foreign or do

mestic,

Nymphe's returning to join the squadron, they fell in with and captured La Resistance and La Constance, French frigates. The taking these ships does sir Harry Neale, with capt. Cooke, and their officers and men, the highest honour, and I hope their skilful and spirited conduct will meet their lordships' approbation, as I warmly feel they have merited my particular thanks. Herewith you will also receive a copy of sir Harry Neale's letter to me on this occasion.

St. Fiorenzo, at Sea, March 9, 1797.

MY LORD,

I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, that after having (agreeable to your direction) with the assistance of captain Cooke, of his majesty's ship La Nymphe, under my orders reconnoitered the enemy's force in the outer road of Brest harbour, captain Cooke informed me he saw two ships to the westward, standing in for Brest; in consequence of which we tacked and made sail close on a wind, for the purpose of gaining the weather gage, which being with ease accomplished, we boré down upon the ships together, having ascertained them to be two French frigates; and as we were not more than two or three leagues from Point St. Mathews, with a leading wind out of Brest, and the French fleet in sight from our tops, it was an object of great importance to be as decisive as possible in our mode of attack. As the largest ship was the headmost, we both engaged her very warmly, at the distance of about forty yards, and compelled her to surrender after a short resistance. By this time the smaller frigate had arrived up, and being immediately attacked by both ships in the same manner as the former, her resistance, though better made, was not long: she struck her

colours about nine o'clock à M. The whole of the action was a running fight, and did not last more than half an hour.

I have great pleasure in expressing to your lordship that I feel particularly obliged to my friend capt. Cooke, for his judicious and active conduct during the time we jointly engaged the enemy. I have long known his abilities and zeal for the service, and am happy to have this opportunity of testifying it both as an act grateful to myself, and as a duty I owe to his majesty's service.

I should be wanting in gratitude to all my officers and ship's company, if I did not acknowledge myself much indebted to them for their steady zeal, and the assistance I received from them during the action. Lieutenants Durell, Farnell, and Renwick, Mr. Kitcatt, the master, and lieutenant Caruthers, the officer of marines, are particularly entitled to my thanks for their activity at their different stations. Mr. Durell, my first lieutenant, who bas been an officer eighteen years, merits my warmest recommendation. And it is with equal pleasure I express myself obliged to the officers and ship's company of La Nymphe; Capt. Cooke speaks of the assistance he received from them in terms highly to their honour; and in par ticular of lieutenants Irvine, Lawrence, and Masters, and Mr. Dyer, the master, and lieutenant Campbell, the marine officer. In mentioning them to your lordship! comply with their captain's wish. ! beg your lordship will mention lieutenant Durell and lieutenant Irvine to my lords commissioners of the admiralty, as officers deserving of the highest recommendation.

The ships taken are La Resistance, commanded by monsieur Montagne, mounting 48 guns, 18 pounders

pounders on her main deck, and manned with 345 men. She is only six months old, built upon a new construction, and is, in every respect, one of the finest frigates the French had, and certainly the largest, measuring 45 feet beam. The other frigare, La Constance, commanded by monsieur Desauney, mounting 24 nine-pounders upon the main deck, and manned with 189 men. She is two years old, and a very fine ship. These are two of the frigates which landed troops in Wales: it is a pleasing circumstance to have completed the failure of that expedition. I am particularly happy to inform your lordship, that neither the St. Fiorenzo or La Nymphe have had any men killed or wounded, or the ships hurt; the St. Fiorenzo only having received two shot in her hull. La Resistance had ten men killed, the first lieu tenant and eight men wounded, La Constance had eight men killed, and six wounded.

I have the honour to be,
Your lordship's
Most obedient servant,
H. NEALE.

Admiral lord Bridport, K. B.

Sc. c. Sc. The saine gazette announces the capture of the Surveillant privateer of 16 guns and 156 men, by capt. Brown, of the Alcmene.

19. This morning, about four o'clock, a dreadful fire broke out at Mr. Brigg's timber-yard, adjoining Haydon-square, in the Minories; which burnt with unopposed fury for near two hours before water could be procured, and spread so wide, that notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the engines, nearly thirty houses were destroyed, including six or seven houses in front in the minories. A great quantity of property belonging to

the unhappy sufferers was secured in the church of the Trinity, in the Little Minories, under the protection of parties of the guards and West London militia.

21. A most extraordinory accident happened on the road near Bournbridge, early this morning. The mail-coach, coming from Lon don, met a broad wheel waggon belonging to Mr. Archer, of Barton Mills, loaded with upwards of four tons of bay, when the lamp of the coach striking against the hay, broke the glass, and instantly set the hay on fire, and the wind being brisk, the whole load of hay and the waggon were consumed, and it was with the utmost difficulty the shaft horses were saved.

23. A common-hall was held to consider of a motion for an address to his majesty upon the alarming state of public affairs, and to pray him to dismiss his present ministers from his councils for ever, as the first step towards obtaining a speedy, honourable, and permanent peace.

Though the attendance of the livery was more numerous than on any former occasion, all their pro ceedings were guided by that gravity and decorum which the magnitude of the question demanded. Beside the lord mayor, aldermen Plomer, Skinner, Sanderson, Curtis, Newman, Combe, Anderson, Lushington, and sheriff's Langston and Staines were present.

Mr. S. F. Waddington opened the business in a very able and impressive speech. He took an extensive view of the situation of the country in consequence of the war. He was of opinion that ministers had commenced hostilities with France upon principles inimical to the constitution, and that their flagrant mismanagement of public affairs had now totally destroyed the