would not receive on the throne any address, remonstrance, or petition of the Lord Mayor, and aldermen, but in their corporate capacity.

The earl of Effingham retired from the military service without selling out as usual, urging as a reason, that he would not enforce the measures against America in a military capacity, which he had opposed as a legislator.

April 13. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to the following bills;

To restrain the trade and commerce of the colonies of New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, to any part of Great Britain, Ireland, and the West India islands.

For appointing commissioners to execute the land tax act.

For vesting part of the garden of Lincoln's-inn, in the accountant general of the Court of Chancery, and for erecting offices thereon.

To indemnify persons who had omitted to qualify themselves for offices, &c.

To explain and amend an act to prevent frauds in the manufacture of hats, the woollen, and divers other trades.

And to several local and private bills. April 19. A detachment of 900 men, under the command of lieut. colonel Smith and major Pitcairne, was ordered by general Gage to march to Concord, to seize a quantity of military stores; on their arrival at Lexington, they found the militia of the town embodied, who, being ordered to disperse, and refusing, the detachment fired upon them, and killed eight of the militia, and wounded several, this was the first blood drawn in the unhappy contest between Great Britain and her American colonies: the troops then proceeded to Concord, and destroyed some guns and other carriages, and threw some gunpowder and ball into the river; a skirmish happened at the bridge between the King's troops and the provincials, in which the latter had the advantage.

April 21. Generals Burgoyne and Clinton sailed for Boston on board the Cerberus man of war.

April 24. A commission passed the great seal, appointing rear admiral Duff, governor and commander in chief of Newfoundland and its dependencies.

April 26. The House of Commons resolved itself into a committee to considerof his Majesty's message relative to Buckingham house, when they declared their opinion, that the house now known by the name of the Queen's house, should be settled upon

her Majesty in lieu of Somerset house, in case she should survive his Majesty, and that Somerset-house be vested in the Crown for the purpose of erecting and establishing certain public offices.

April 27. At Flamstead Hill, Chatham, Bexley, and parts adjacent, three suns were seen, this phenomenon happened between one and three o'clock in the afternoon, the two mock suns were nearly as luminous as the real one.

Lord North made several motions in the House of Commons, for encouragment of the fisheries at Newfoundland, proposing bounties for the importation of cod, whale oil, &c.

A Dutch galliot was set on fire by lightning off the Land's-end, she was consumed and all on board perished.

The Grenville, East Indiaman, having lord Pigot on board, sailed for Bombay, of which place his lordship was lately appointed governor.

April 28. Twenty-four transports, with troops on board, sailed for Boston, in America.

April 30. A great storm of thunder, lightning, and hail, devastated the midland counties, particularly Northampton and Buckingham, several persons were killed by the lightning, the storm also reached London, but did no particular damage.

May 1. Lord Petre, attended by all the great officers of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, laid the first stone of Freemason's hall, in Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields.

May 2. A fire broke out at Mr. Coverdale's, biscuit baker, at Wapping-wall, which raged with great violence for several hours, and burnt down twenty houses.

May 4. A mail, with government despatches, arrived from New York, which brought intelligence that some insurgents had assembled in Cumberland county, and committed one of the judges and several of the King's officers to gaol, and threatened all who should presume to carry into effect any of the late Acts of Parliament respecting the Colonies.

The charity children, to the amount of 5000 and upwards, attended divine service, according to ancient custom at St. Pauls, the sermon was preached by Dr. Ogle, dean of Westminster.

May 6. Lieut. general John Irwin, appointed commander in chief of his Majesty's forces in Ireland.

May 9. The tunnel at Norwood-hill, on the line of the canal navigation from Chesterfield to the river Trent was completed, and three vessels salled through it

with 800 people on board, the tunnel is 2850 yards long, 12 feet high, and nine feet three inches wide, and 36 yards in the deepest part below the surface of theearth. May 10. Her Majesty, Caroline Matilda, queen of Denmark and Norway, sister to his Majesty, died at Zell of a malignant fever.

Addresses of condolence were presented by the two Houses of Parliament to his Majesty on the death of his sister, the queen of Denmark.

The American congress having met at Philadelphia, came to a resolution to raise an army, and issue a large paper currency on the security of the "United Colonies," the name they adopted and were to be distinguished by in future.

-Beaumont Hotham, esq. appointed one of the barons of the exchequer, and received the honour of knighthood.

The case of Macklin against Clarke, Aldus, and others, for a riot and conspiracy, was called on in the court of King'sbench, when a compromise was entered into at the suggestion of the Court, and agreed to, the defendants were to take 1002. in tickets for the benefit of Macklin, and a like sum for the benefit of his daughter; lord Mansfield declared the law that the right of hissing and applauding at a theatre was unquestionable, but there was a wide distinction between expressing the natural sensations of the mind, as they arose from what was seen and heard, and executing a preconcerted plan to hiss a performer in a part of acknowledged excellence, and drive him from the theatre, and thereby promote his ruin.

May 11. At the anniversary meeting of the Sons of the Clergy, the collection at the rehearsal, and at the church, amounted to 8661. 13s. 3d.

May 15. Edmund Burke, esq., presented to the House of Commons a representation and remonstrance from the general assembly of New York, but after a warm and interesting debate, it was rejected.

May 17. The forts of Crownpoint and Ticonderoga were taken by a party of Americans under the command of colonels Allen and Easton, without loss on either side.

May 22. His Majesty gave the royal assent, by commission, to the following bills;

To enable the different Universities to bold in perpetuity the copyright of books given or bequeathed to them for the advancement of learning.

To repeal an act against erecting cottages.

To empower justices of the peace to administer oaths relative to the poor. And to several local and private bills.

May 23. The shipwrights at Chatham, to the number of 180, refused to work, the secretary of the admiralty went down there to inquire into the nature of their grievances.

May 24. The duchess of Kingston, appeared in the court of King's bench, and entered into a recognizance to answer an indictment for bigamy.

May 25. The linen and carpet manufactories of Mr. Cheap, at Edinburgh, were burnt to the ground, and all the warehouses attached to them, and a considerable quantity of goods therein.

May 26. His Majesty went in the usual state to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to the following bills;—

For settling Buckingham house on the Queen in lieu of Somerset house.

For redeeming one million of 3 per cent. annuities, and for establishing a lottery.

For granting a certain sum out of the sinking fund for the service of the present year.

For the support of the civil government of Quebec.

For the encouragement of the fisheries carried on from Great Britain, Ireland, and the British dominions in Europe.

For giving a public reward for the discovery of a northern passage to the west or southern ocean of America.

To enable the Speaker of the House of Commons to issue his warrants to make out new writs for the choice of members to serve in Parliament, in the room of such members as shall die during the recess.

And to several local and private bills. After which, his Majesty put an end to the session, by a most gracious speech from the throne, in which he thanked them for their late mark of attention to the queen, and concurring in the measures taken by Parliament in reference to Ame rica, he assured the Houses that he had every reason to expect the continuance of peace with the powers of Europe, the House was then prorogued to the 27th of July next.

May 28. A new ship, the port Morant, Rafles, from Jamaica to London, laden with 600 hogsheads of sugar, and several puncheons of rum, struck on a place called the Hog Styes, in the windward passage, when both ship and cargo were totally

lost, the crew, and passengers were saved after enduring great hardships.

May 31. One hundred pieces of cannon of a light construction, and ten thousand stand of arms were shipped from the tower for America.

June 1. The earl of Bristol recovered a verdict of 3001. damages against the printer of a Morning paper, for a libel inserted in that paper against his lordship.

June 7. Robert and Daniel Perreau received sentence of death for forgery.

June 8. His excellency count de Guignes, the French ambassador, arrived at his house in Great George-street, from France, after obtaining a decree in the Chatelet, against one of his secretaries, who had accused him of gaming in the English funds.

June 12. His most Christian Majesty, Louis XVI. was solemnly crowned in the cathedral church at Rheims.

General Gage issued a proclamation of fering a pardon in the King's name to such of the Americans as should lay down their arms, excepting only Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, and that all who did not comply and accept it, should be treated as rebels and traitors.

June 17. The Americans having thrown up some works for the defence of Boston, at a place called Bunker's-hill, were attacked by major-general Howe, and brigadier general Pigot, with 2000 troops, and, after a severe and sanguinary contest, the works were carried, and the Provincials driven out, the loss of the King's troops in killed and wounded amounted to 1054, of whom 226 were killed, of the latter were 19 commissioned officers, and 70 officers were wounded during the contest, Charlestown was set on fire and totally consumed; the loss of the Provincials, as stated by themselves, amounted only to 450 killed, wounded, and missing. A house in Chiswell-street, building for Mr. Gilbert, fell down, and buried twelve men in the ruins, three of whom were taken up dead, and the others so wounded as to render recovery doubtful.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin was elected one of the Delegates to the continental congress in America.

June 21. The court of proprietors of East India stock, declared the half-yearly dividend to be 3 per cent. from Christmas to Midsummer.

June 23. An entertainment, called a regatta, borrowed from the Venetians, was exhibited on the Thames and at Rane

lagh gardens, and being a new amusement in this country, attracted a great assem blage of persons.

June 28. Messrs. Plomer and Hart, sheriffs of London, waited on his Majesty, at St. James's, the former addressed his Majesty, requesting to know when his Majesty would be pleased to receive the humble address of the City on the throne, his Majesty replied that he would receive it on Friday next, at the levee; Mr. Plomer then said, that the Livery had resolved not to deliver their address, unless his Majesty would receive it on the throne, his Majesty answered, that he was ever ready to receive their addresses and petitions, but he was to judge where.

June 29. His Majesty granted a patent incorporating the Hibernian Marine Society in Dublin, for maintaining, educating, and apprenticing orphan children of decayed seamen of his Majesty's navy.

July 2. A grand Spanish armada, which had been some months in preparation, consisting of eight ships of the line, with frigates and bomb vessels, attacked the city of Algiers, and on the 7th miscarried in the attempt.

July 6. The representatives of the United Colonies of America, issued a declaration, signed by John Hancock, their President, setting forth the causes and necessity for their taking up arms.

July 8. The American colonists, by their delegates. sent a long and spirited address to their fellow subjects in Great Britain, stating their grievances and future intentions, it was signed John Hancock, president.

July 10. The royal regiment of artillery quartered at Woolwich, were reviewed by his Majesty on Blackheath.

July 11. Colonel Hugh earl Percy, appointed a major general in America only. A fire broke out at a soap boilers in Dorchester, which raged with great violence, and before it could be subdued, destroyed nearly 40 dwelling-houses, chiefly belonging to poor people.

July 13. William Beard, esq. appointed a Welch judge.

July 27. Both Houses of Parliament met, pursuant to their last prorogation, and were further prorogued to Thursday, the 14th September.

July 31. An express arrived at the Admiralty, with an account of the arrival of the Endeavour, captain Cooke, at Portsmouth from the South Seas.

Aug. 1. A fire broke out at an auctioneer's in the Old Bailey, which entirely consumed

the same, and property to the value of 3000%.

Aug. 2. A commission passed the great seal, appointing general Gage, commander in chief over all North America.

Aug. 4. Four companies of the royal artillery embarked at Woolwich for America.

Aug. 5. A commission was appointed to try capt. Roche for the alleged murder of capt. Ferguson at the Cape of Good Hope.

Aug. 7. His grace the duke of Newcastle gave a very splendid regatta, at his seat, Oatlands, Surrey, at which were present, the prince of Wales, and the princess Amelia, and a great many persons of rank and fashion.

Aug. 9. Captain Cooke, lately returned from the South Seas on a voyage of discovery, had the honour of presenting to his Majesty several maps and charts made during the progress of his voyage.

Aug. 13. The widow Campion, keeper of the George Inn, at Wanstead, was found murdered, with a cooper of Limehouse, lying dead by her side with his throat cut, from circumstances that transpired at the coroner's inquest, it appeared that in consequence of her refusal to marry the cooper, he murdered her, and then committed suicide.

The war office issued orders for all officers and subalterns, who were absent on furloughs, to join their regiments immediately.

Aug. 23. A proclamation was issued for suppressing sedition and rebellion, it was read by the heralds at Temple Bar, the Royal Exchange, &c.

An order of council was issued prohibiting the exportation, or carrying coastways of gunpowder, arms, or ammunition, for three months.

The Provincials destroyed the light house on Thatcher's island, in Boston road, with a view to decoy the King's ships by false lights to their destruction.

Aug. 25. A prosecution was commenced by government against the rev. John Horne, for an advertisement signed by him from the Constitutional Society, respecting the American colonies, and all the printers of the papers in which it appeared had notice that ex officio informations had been filed against them.

Aug. 28. Died, George Faulkner, alderman of Dublin, the favorite printer of dean Swift.

Aug. 31. Died, Mr. Foulis, printer to the university of Glasgow, celebrated for

his beautiful editions of the Greek and Latin classics.

Sept. 1. The States general have prohibited the exportation of ammunition from any of the united Provinces, to any of the British American colonies.

The Parliament was further prorogued by Proclamation, to Thursday, the 26th day of October.

Sept. 5. A storm of thunder and lightning happened at Windrush, in Gloucestershire, five horses drawing a load of barley were struck dead, the flood which succeeded this storm, laid the low grounds about Oxford under water, which did considerable damage.

Sept. 8. A shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt in the towns between Bath and Shrewsbury; at Oxford it was also felt, and as far as Swansea, in South Wales, where chimnies were thrown down, and houses cracked by the violence of the shock.

Sept. 11. At St. John's in Newfoundland, a tempest arose which elevated the sea 30 feet, by which 700 boats, and the people belonging to them were totally lost, as were also eleven ships, and the greater part of the crews; on shore several persons were killed, and at Havre de Grace 300 boats were lost.

Sept. 13. The inhabitants of Manchester presented an address to his Majesty, deprecating the rebellion in America, and promising to support with their lives and fortunes such measures as his Majesty should think necessary for the punishment of rebellion, in any part of his Majesty's dominions.

Similar addresses were presented from Lancaster, Leicester, and Liverpool.

Capt. Roche petitioned the judges at the Old Bailey, to take his trial for a supposed murder, for which he had already been tried and honourably acquitted, but there being a special commission ordered for that purpose, his petition could not be admitted.

Sept. 15. The Charming Nancy, from Boston, arrived at Plymouth, with general Gage's lady on board, and 170 sick and wounded soldiers, who could get no relief at Boston, the scarcity of provisions was so great there that general Gage was obliged to supply the people from the King's

stores.

Sept. 16. Mrs. Rudd was brought to the bar of the Old Bailey to take her trial for forgery, but pleading that she had been admitted King's evidence against the Perreau's, she was remanded, to take the