The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON, Nov. 1.

A Maiden Lady at Hackney, who died last Week, left 50 Guineas each to Four Maidens, who were to be her Pall-Bearers, and were to wear that they were Maids before receiving the Money; but when the Oath came to be administered Three of them recanted, declaring they should think it a heinous Sin to be guilty of Perjury.

We are told that a Muffin Man, who cries his Goods at the West End of the Town, actually receives an Annuity of 100l. per ann. from a Lady in a Street near Berkeley Square, on Condition of his not crying them in that Street, which he has enjoyed these Three Years.

Last Week a Gentleman of immense Fortune, at Uxbridge, purchased a male Infant of one of his Tenants, who had lain in a few Days, and was left a Widow: He gave one Hundred Guineas for the Child, on Consideration the Mother was never to own it, and intends adopting it as his own.

Nov. 15. One Mr. Fabrigas, a Resident in Minorca, on account of some very heavy Oppressions from General Mostyn, his Majesty's Governor of that Island last Summer, brought an Action against that Officer. The Cause was tried before Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, and a Verdict of Three Thousand Pounds Damages was found for the Plaintiff; afterwards the Defendant's Counsel moved the Court for a new Trial, which occasioned the Governor to be summoned before a very awful Tribunal, where the following particulars occurred:

One Day last Week a Command was sent to the Culprit to attend immediately at Kew, his Majesty having Business with him of the utmost Importance. This Command was immediately obeyed, and on the Ministerial Officer's Arrival, he was introduced into the royal Closet, where he found Lord North and Lord Mansfield, who had likewise received particular Messages to attend, but were entirely ignorant of the Business for which they were summoned, until the Entrance of the Viceroy gave immediate Intimation to the Noblemen, that it was on his Account. The great Personage soon appeared and confirmed this Opinion, by addressing himself to Lord Mansfield in the following Manner:

"It is from you, my Lord, that we expect a clear Account of the heavy Charge brought lately against this Gentleman, in one of our Courts of Justice; the Relations already given us have been so partially coloured, and so indistinctively confused, that we must rely on the implicit Truth of your Recital, as the only Means of investigating to our own Satisfaction, a Matter that so nearly affects ourselves, and the Safety of our Subjects in foreign Governments. We have, my Lord (addressing himself to Lord North) desired your Attendance, not alone to have the Benefit of your Advice, but to shew you that we will not in the least encourage or support any Man, who trusted with our delegated Authority, shall use it to the worst of Purposes, that of oppressing his fellow Subjects. And you, Sir, (speaking to the Viceroy) we thought proper to command your Attendance, to hear our sincere Opinion of your Conduct, and to convince you, that all Reliance upon our Protection, assistance, or future Favour is in vain, if we find you have merited by Oppression and Injustice, the stigma which has been thrown on your Character."

Lord Mansfield then entered into a minute Detail of the Circumstances, but eloquently palliated the most flagrant; he recited the Provocation given to the Viceroy, in a Stile that set them on a Level with the most provoking Injuries to his Person and Government; in which Colourings he was more than once interrupted by Lord North, which set them in their true Light.

When his Lordship had finished, the King demanded his positive and real Opinion, whether the Verdict given was just and adequate? To this plain Demand, enforced by a determinate Voice and Accent, the equivocating Peer was obliged to give an affirmative Reply. Lord North was then asked his Opinion, who replied, that he had not the least Doubt of the Justice of the Verdict; that the Tyranny and Cruelty of the Viceroy were but too palpable; though it must be confessed, some provocations were given, yet his Conduct was notoriously illegal and oppressive. "I am afraid (continued his Lordship) the Gentleman's high Opinion of Military Government betrayed him into this most flagrant Violation of the civil Power, and as to the Verdict being adequate, the Injuries sustained by the Sufferer, no doubt determined the Jury to fix it; yet the Viceroy's Delinquency being clearly proved, the Sum given was a very inadequate Punishment." His Majesty thanked his Lordship for his Sincerity, and the Honesty of his Opinion; and then turned to the Viceroy, told him he was at liberty to offer any Thing in his own Defence. On which Permission he gave a very slight Account of every Transaction, and laboriously endeavoured to gloss over each Circumstance. When he had ended, His Majesty spoke to him as follows: "You will perhaps think, Sir, that our Interference is unnecessary; but when you reflect that the Power you had, and used, we must say so shamefully, originated from us, you must allow our clear Right to see such Abuses rectified, such Proceedings stopt. The Laws of your Country have in some Measure punished you; but do not tempt them too far; you may avail yourself of these Delays, which, though the Plague of Individuals, are the Safety of the Laws; but be assured, that our Assistance shall be expected in vain. Our Continuance of Favour or not, a future Time shall inform you."

His Majesty then retired and the Conference broke up.