commanding, but rather harsh; and her face has more of fenfibility than of beauty. In her male attire the by no means appeared to the best advantage. Mrs. Chalmers, whofe figure is neat, and her manner pleafing, played the part of Rose with great vivacity and spirit.

On the 24th instant, Mr.Philip Kemble, junior brother of Mrs. Siddons, made his firft appearance at this theatre, in the character of Othello; and, as this gentleman (pursuant to the prefent re fpectable method of conducting the bufinefs of the theatres-royal, by grofs puffs in newspapers, and other extraneous quackery, instead of actual merit on the ftage) was announced by the title of 'Mr. Kemble, from the Theatre-Royal, Dublin,' many were induced to fuppofe that he was the Kemble of whom they had heard fo much, and who was then actually engaged at Drury Lane. The trick,

for in this light it must be confidered, certainly fucceeded-the house overflowing foon after the doors were opened.

But though this artifice might produce fome present advantage to the manager, it certainly may be confidered as prejudicial to Mr. P. Kemble, whofe abilities feem much too moderate ever to obtain him a diftinguished fituation on the stage: the audience, of course, were woefully difappointed; and he was received, it is true, but with very little applaufe.

HAYMARKET.

HE feafon clofed at this Theatre on the

T15th init, with the Young Quaker, and

Gretna Green; when Mr. Palmer made the manager's acknowledgments to the public in a polite address to the audience.

Heard the opinion of the judges on the important ecclefiaftical queftion between Mr.Ffytche and the Bishop of London. Mr. Justice Heath, Mr. Juftice Buller, and Mr. Juftice Nares, were of opinion that the transaction was not fimoniacal. Baron Eyre differed on this point; and they feverally gave their reafons at length on the point of law referred to them. Having declined anfwering the fifth question, because it was not applicable to the cause, and had not been argued, Lord Thurlow ftopped Sir Francis Buller, and faid, that in his opinion it was neceffary that the question should be answered. It had application to the caufe, and had been put for the fake of the conclufion. If their lordships thought proper to ask for the advice and counfel of the judges on this or any cafe, he thought that they were to determine whether the question was proper or not. He by no means wifhed to be peremptory; but he defired to know whether their lordships would not, for their own dignity, maintain the power of deciding on the propriety of their queftions.

The Earl of Mansfield faid, it was not ufual to enforce their questions. He had never seen an inftance in which their lordships had determined. to abide by the questions which they put to the

MAY 28.

Read a first time the bill for repealing the act relating to vagabonds.

Paffed the Birmingham Poor bill.

The farther confideration of the caufe of Mr. Ffytche against the Bishop of London was adjourned to Friday.

The Duke of Richmond intimated to the House his intention of fubmitting to their lordships a question on the meafure of placing the feals in the hands of commiffioners. It was a practice of which he very much difapproved, not from any objection which he had perfonally to the three commiffioners; not that he questioned their abilities, their integrity, or their independence; but because he believed that fuch a measure was inconfiftent with an old law, on which the very conftitution of our courts of equity was built. He had other objections: thefe commiffioners were not appointed in the fame manner, nor had they the independence of the judges in the courts of law. Every judge held his commission under the condition of quam diu fe bene gefferit, while the condition of the appointment of the commiffioners of the Great Seal was durante bene placito, a diftinction of which he profeffed he could not perceive the neceffity or the fenfe. The judges in equity ought furely to be as independent as the judges in law. Another circumftance was obfervable in this commiffion alfo, that the junior commiffioner fhould deliver his opinion first.. But he would referve the whole of the difcuffion of the fubject until it fhould come before them on due notice. Adjourned.

HOUSE or COMMONS.
(Continued from Page 151.)
MAY 13.

HE Solicitor-General informed the Houfe," that having feen the Attorney-General that morning, he had learned from him that the newspapers of the day mentioned fomething of a converfation which had paffed the day before in the Houfe, by which it appeared that fome members wished to know if a profecution as to take

2 E

place

MAY 14.

The House refolved itself into a committee on Lord Mahon's bill for preventing bribery and expences at elections for members to ferve in parliament. Mr. Alderman Sawbridge having taken the chair, the firft claufe was read, which enacted, that, under a penalty to be specified, no fum or fums of money fhould be given to any elector, under any colour or pretence of defraying his expences at the place of election.

Mr. Powys moved an amendment, to exempt from the penalty all perfons not interested in the fuccefs of any candidate; it being reafonable, that whenever an improper perfon should become a candidate, the independent freeholders, who had nothing at heart but the good of their country, fhould be permitted to defray the expences of fuch voters as they should find inclined to oppose the improper candidate.

Lord Mahon faid the amendment would entirely defeat the principle of the bill; for if the law should permit any perfon to give money to the electors, except the mere candidates, it's end would be foon evaded, and the candidates become the real corruptors. He did not want to prevent a candidate from paying the expence of carrying electors to the place of election; his object was to prevent any money from finding it's way into the pockets of the voters: poft chaifes and coaches might be hired, and the money fhould be paid to the owners, but not given to the voters to pay it them felves.

Mr. Barrow approved of the claufe without the amendment; and thought it would be proper to fubject to a penalty all who should confine or take away voters, in electioneering language called bottling the electors. This practice, he faid, prevailed much at Gloucester; and he gave a remarkable inftance of it. The voters used to go to fome friend of the candidate, before the election came on, and tell him they intended to vote for his friend; but as they might be intoxicated, they were afraid they might be carried away in that state to vote for the other candidate. To prevent this, they defired to be accommodated with beds at his houfe. A couple of electors

having done this fome time ago, were provided with beds; but not getting as much liquor as they expected, they became diflatisfied; which circumstance reaching the ears of a friend to the oppofite candidate, he procured a ladder to be fet up to the window of the room where they were, and got them out: a poft-chaife being in waiting, they were crammed into it, and carried to a gentleman's houfe about five miles diftant; but, on the door of the chaife being opened, they were both found dead, being fat men, and actually fmothered.

Mr. Martin condemned the practice of defraying the expence of electors; they should, he thought, travel at their own charge; the elector, whofe expences are paid for, not being a freeman, but the bondman of the person who paid for him..

The question being then put on Mr. Powys's amendment, it paffed in the negative without a divifion.

Mr. Barrow then moved the amendment he had fuggefted for fubjecting to a penalty those who should confine or carry away electors. On this question the committee divided, when the amendment was carried, there being

Heard counfel in behalf of Sir Thomas Rumbold. Several witneffes were examined in favour of Sir Thomas; after which the House adjourned. MAY 16.

Mr. Alderman Sawbridge made his annual motion for shortening parliaments. Having fo often explained his intention on the subject, and fo frequently urged the arguments which occur. red to him in fupport of his opinion, he said he fhould not now trouble the Houfe with a repetition of them: all he should add, therefore, for the prefent, was, that if his motion miscarried this year, he was nevertheless determined to perfevere in making it annually, as long as he fhould have a feat in the House, or till the meafure should be adopted by parliament. Having gained experience by past defeats, he intended his motion for this year fhould be as little liable to objection as poffible, and would move only for leave to bring in a bill for shortening the duration of parliament.

Mr. Martin feconded the motion; saying, he hoped to fee it carried, if not this year, at leaft at fome future period; as conftitutional focieties were forming in every part of the kingdom, which, notwithstanding the contempt fome members affected to hold them in, would, he trufted, at last give efficacy to the attempt for fhortening the duration of parliaments.

Lord Surrey fupported the motion, obferving that feven years was too long a period for any man to be entrusted with the exercife of the power of his constituents.

Sir P. J. Clarke declared alfo for the motion; which he hoped would not be oppofed by a miniftry who would be thought friends to the conftitution.

Mr.

Mr. Barrow oppofed the motion; faying, he could not confent to have more frequent elections, till he should fee fome bills carried into a law for preventing expences at elections.

Mr. Penruddock feconded the motion.

Sir Edward Aftley oppofed the previous quef. tion; faying the worthy alderman merited thanks for his perfeverance in endeavouring to fhorten parliaments. Our ancestors, at a critical period, agreed to the appointment of feptennial parliaments; but the fame political reafon no longer exifting, they ought to be shortened.

Mr. Alderman Sawbridge faid, he should not fuffer gentlemen to fkulk behind a previous queftion; for if by means thereof his motion fhould be loft for that day, he would renew it every day till gentlemen should give it an open negative or affirmative.

Mr. Barrow on this agreed to withdraw his motion; which being done, the Houfe divided on the alderman's motion, when there appeared

Ordered several private bills to be engroffed, and deferred feveral orders of the day.

General Smith made a motion relative to the refolutions of the select committee, and prefented fome of them to the Houfe. A fhort converfation took place concerning the propriety of producing thofe refolutions, and about the time of taking them into confideration; when it was agreed that they should be confidered on Wednesday.

Lord Newhaven then rofe; and, after a few words, expreffing his fatisfaction at the information lately received from the crown-lawyers, refpecting the unfortunate affair of Meffre. Powell and Bembridge, moved, that the order for producing the minutes of the Treasury relative to the conduct of Meffrs. Powell and Bembridge, be discharged. This ftep, at prefent, he apprehended, would be very proper, as the crown-lawyers had informed the Houfe, that a profecution was now carrying on against these two gentlemen in the courts below.

After a long conversation on the subject, the question was put; on which the House divided, and the numbers were,

committee on the Scotch Jufticiary bill; which was read, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed.

Mr. Rolle requested the Paymaster General to inform the Houfe, whether he ftiti perfevered in his intention of keeping Meffrs. Powell and Bembridge in office.

Mr. Burke declared himself at a loss how to anfwer the honourable gentleman's question; but, as he had been called upon, he would endeavour to give the House fatisfaction. He took God to witness, that, in reftoring Meffrs. Powell and Bembridge, he was actuated by motives of justice only; and that, before he took this step, he had weighed all the confequences. Their restoration, in his opinion, was founded in justice. He was not, however, wedded to his own opinion; to that of the Houfe he would ever bow, nor did he wish to take the sense of it by a divifion; it would be fufficient for him, if a few of the leading members would declare they thought the gentlemen in question ought not to be continued in office. It was neceffary for him, however, to convince the Houfe, that it was not upon flight grounds he had restored them, and that no injury could arife to the public from their restoration. Meffrs. Powell and Bembridge were his most faithful af fiftants; and, notwithstanding the hopes he entertained of reducing to practice the reforms he had projected, had it not been for the affiduity, fidelity, and industry of these two gentlemen, he never could have been able to introduce those which were now established. He was not, indeed, furprized at any confeffion they might make; for,' from the condition in which he had feen Mr. Powell when he asked him fome questions, he was fo little able to speak to any thing not wholly in the way of his business, that he was convin ced he could, by cross questions, have made him confefs himself guilty of treafons, rapes, and murder. He concluded by obferving, that notwithftanding Meffrs. Powell and Bembridge had rendered him very effential fervice in enabling him to make the neceffary reforms, he would nevertheless abide by the judgment of the House.

He was replied to by Mr. Rolle, and Governor Johnftone; and, after fome defultory conversation, the Houfe adjourned.

The Houfe then went into a committee on the bill for making it penal for any one to be found at night with picklock-keys, or other implements for houfe-breaking.

Mr. Selwyn moved, that he might be permitted to bring evidence to prove the neceflity of the bill. The motion having been agreed to, three of the gentlemen of Bow Street were feverally examined; after which the blanks of the bill were filled up.. But, unfortunately for the tribe of thief-takers Mr. Powys moved an amendment relative to 2 E 2

the

A

the rewards to be given for apprehending perfons coming within the meaning of the bill. As the clause originally stood, the mere apprehenfion of a perfon under this defcription entitled the apprehender to the reward; but this, Mr. Powys obferved, was a dangerous claufe, as it made the conftable, in a great measure, judge, jury, witness, and executioner: he therefore moved an amend ment, by which the reward was made payable only on conviction. This amendment was immediately adopted by the committee.

MAY 26.

The order of the day for going into a committee. of ways and means being read, the speaker left the chair; and Mr. Ord having taken it

Lord John Cavendish entered upon the bufinefs of taxation. The fum wanted, he said, was 560,000l. which he proposed to raise in the following manner.

The tax upon bills of exchange he proposed fhould be doubled. Having laft year produced 56,000l. the additional duty would amount to 56,000l. more. To this he proposed to fubject all promiffory notes, and bills of exchange drawn on foreign countries; which would raise at least 44,000l.

The next tax was a ftamp on receipts. In favour of the poor, he proposed to exempt from this duty all bills for less than 40s, but on all receipts for more than 40s. and under 201. he would lay a ftamp-duty of 2d. and on all receipts for more than zol. a duty of 4d. The produce of this tax, he faid, he would eftimate at 250,000l...

The next articles he propofed to tax were, probates of wills and legacies. On the former he propofed an additional ftamp-duty, which he reckoned at 10,oool. and on the latter a duty of 1. per cent. with an exception in favour of wives and lineal defcendants. He rated the whole of this tax at 40,000l.

On bonds, law-proceedings, admiffions to the the inns of court, &c. he propofed an additional ftamp-duty, the grofs annual produce of which he estimated at 60,000l.

The tax impofed last year on ftage-coaches had been fo very productive, that he thought they would be very able to bear an additional one of three half ence per mile; the produce of which he rased at 25,000l.

By a fmall duty on contracts and inventories, he proposed to raise 10,000l.

On all bills for appointing trustees for turnpike roads, for making canals and navigable cuts, &c.

IN

he propofed a tax; the annual produce of which he estimated at 20,000l.

Quack medicines he thought very proper objects of taxation. By laying a duty of 81. per. cent. on medicines, he believed there would be produced annually a revenue of 15,000l.

An universal register of all carriages came next under his confideration, which he fubmitted to the committee as a matter very neceffary. He mentioned the wheel-tax, and proposed a tax of Is. on every wheel, viz. 28. on every cart, and 4s. on every waggon. By this he propofed to raife 25,000l.

He then propofed a tax upon all bills of births, marriages, and deaths, which, at 3d. per head, would produce 15,ocol, a year.

All thefe fums put together would make jus 560,000l. the exact fum neceffary to pay the intereft on the loan of 12,000,000l.

Lord Mahon reprobated all thefe modes of taxation; faying they were done in a very flovenly manner, and fhewed much negligence and much ignorance.

Mr. Fox, Mr. W. Pitt, Lord North, and several other members, afterwards spoke on the subject; when the refolutions were agreed to by the committee, and ordered to be reported to the House the next day.

MAY 27.

Read a first time the bill to prevent bribery at elections, and ordered it to be printed.

A short converfation then took place relative to the fubject of taxation; after which the House heard counfel in Sir Thomas Rumbold's cafe, examined several witnesses, and adjourned. MAY 28.

Paffed the St. Martin's Paving bill.

Went into a committee on Bayntun's Divorce bill, Mr. Penruddock in the chair; when counfel were called in, and several witneffes examined to eftablish the proofs of adultery.

The counsel having withdrawn, Sir Herbert Mackworth faid, he thought the settlement on Lady Maria, which fhe was to enjoy after the divorce, too fmall; he therefore wished to increase it, and as double the fum did not appear to him too much, he moved, that in the claufe which stated, that one hundred pounds be fettled on the lady, the word one be left out, and the word two inferted in it's ftead. The motion being agreed to without oppofition, a fhort conversation succeeded relative to India affairs; after which the House adjourned till Friday.

'N our Retrofpect for Auguft we announced the intended ratification of the Definitive Treaties With France, Spain, and America, by inferting a letter fent by Mr. Secretary Fox to the Lord Mayor of London, on the 29th ult. On the 7th

t. a fecond letter was received by his lordhip, to inform him that this event had actually taken place, which we shall likewife prefent to our readers.

St. James's, Sept. 6, Thirty minutes paft Eleven, P. M,

MY LORD,

I HAVE

HAVE the honour to acquaint your lord. fhip, that Captain Warner is just arrived with the Preliminary Articles between his Majefly and the States General, figned at Paris on the 2d in

stant,

The Definitive Treaty with the United States of America, has not yet been published by authority; but there is no doubt that it is exactly conformable to the Preliminary Articles, as it is scarce possible for any terms to be more advantageous to them, and the present is not the æra. for fpirited demands on our fide. Indeed, copies have been circulated in the newspapers, probably tranflated from fome of the foreign prints, where the Definitive Treaty with the American States appears almoft verbatim the fame as the Preliminary Articles, giyen in our Retrofpect for January. (See Vol. II. p. 75.) The negociation with the Dutch is, however, more honourable to us than might have been apprehended: and administration will be entitled to the thanks of their country for the firmness they have fhewn on this occafion-if they do not give up Negapatnam for too flight an equivalent.

As the Definitive Treaties with France and Spain, as well as the Preliminary Articles of Peace with the States General of the Seven United Provinces, have already tranfpired, we shall give our readers an opportunity of judging for themselves refpecting the advantages or difadvantages with which they are pregnant, by giving them at full length, as tranflated by AUTHORITY.

THE DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE AND
FRIENDSHIP, BETWEEN HIS BRITANNIC
MAJESTY, AND THE MOST CHRISTIAN
KING, SIGNED AT VERSAILLES, THE

THIRD OF SEPTEMBER ONE THOUSAND
SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE.

In the name of the Moft Holy and Undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. So be it. Be it known to all those whom it fhall or may in any manner concern. The Moft Serene and Moft Potent Prince George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Duke of Brunfwick and Lunenbourg, Arch Treafurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, &c. and the Moft Serene and Moft Potent Prince Lewis the Sixteenth, by the Grace of God, Moft Chriftian King, being equally defirous to put an end to the war, which for feveral years paft afflicted their respective domi

nions, accepted the offer, which their Majesties the Emperor of the Romans, and the Empress of all the Ruffias, made to them, of their interpofition, and of their mediation: but their Britannic and Most Christian Majesties, animated with a mutual defire of accelerating the re-establishment of peace, communicated to each other their laudable intention; which Heaven fo far blessed, that they proceeded to lay the foundations of peace, by figning Preliminary Articles at Verfailles, the 20th of January in the present year Their faid Majefties the King of Great Britain, and the Moft Chriftian King, thinking it incumbent upon them to give their Imperial Majefties a fignal proof of their gratitude for the generous offer of their mediation, invited them, in concert, to concur in the completion of the great and falutary work of peace, by taking part, as mediators, in the Definitive Treaty to be concluded between their Britannic and Moft Christian Majesties. Their faid Imperial Majefties having readily accepted that invitation they have named, as their reprefentatives, viz. his Majesty the Emperor of the Romans, the moft Illuftrious and moft Excellent Lord Florimond, Count Mercy-Argenteau, Viscount of Loo, Baron of Crichegnée, knight of the Golden Fleece, chamberlain, actual privy-counsellor of State to his Imperial and Royal Apoftolic Majefty, and his ambaffador to his Most Christian Majefty; and her Majesty the Empress of all the Ruffias, the most Illuftrious and moft Excellent Lord, Prince Iwan Bariatinfkoy, lieutenant-general of the forces of her Imperial Majesty of all the Ruffias, knight of the Orders of St. Anne and of the Swedish Sword, and her minister-plenipotentiary to his Moft Chriftian Majefty, and the Lord Arcadi De Marcoff, counsellor of ftate to her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruffias, and her minifter-plenipotentiary to his Moft Chrif tian Majefty. In confequence, their said Majefties, the King of Great Britain, and the Most Chriftian King, have named and conftituted for their plenipotentiaries, charged with the concluding and figning of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, viz. the King of Great Britain, the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord George, Duke and Earl of Manchester, Viscount Mandeville, Baron of Kimbolton, lord-lieutenant and Cuftos Rotulorum of the county of Huntingdon, actual privy-counsellor to his Britannic Majesty, and his ambaffador-extraordinary and plenipo tentiary to his Most Christian Majefty; and the Moft Chriftian King, the most Illuftrious and moft Excellent Lord Charles Gravier, Count De Vergennes, Baron of Welferding, &c. the King's counfellor in all his councils, commander in his orders, prefident of the royal council of finances, counsellor of ftate military, minifter and fecretary of state, and of his commands and finances: who, after having exchanged their re fpective full powers, have agreed upon the following Articles.

Art. I. There fhall be a chriftian, univerfal, and perpetual peace, as well by fea as by land, and a fincere and conftant friendship fhall be reestablished, between their Britannic and Moft

Chriftian