The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, May 10.

'Tis positively said, that the Parliament will not enter into the merits of the contested elections in any shape, at their next meeting, but that they will only go through the corn bill, and two or three others, and then be prorogued till the winter.

This day, at ten o'clock, came on at Westminster-hall, before all the judges of the Court of King's Bench, a hearing respecting the illegality of Mr. Wilkes's outlawry. The case was opened by Mr. Serjeant Glyn, in favour of Mr. Wilkes, who was answered by Mr. Thurlow, and a reply made by Mr. Glyn; on which the Judges were pleased to observe, that both the Gentlemen had made use of very learned arguments, and quoted many precedents and cases, which had at various times altered their opinions, and as they were desirous of maturely considering the several arguments made use of by the two learned counsel, their Lordships thought proper to appoint a further hearing the beginning of next term.

Last Sunday there was no less than forty Noblemen's coaches at the King's Bench, the proprietors of which were visitors to Mr. Wilkes.

Mr. Wilkes, we hear, has assured his friends, that though his affairs should turn out to his most sanguine expectations, he never will accept of any office under government.

Last night a grand Privy Council was held at the Cockpit, Whitehall, at which most of the great officers of State assisted.

This day another Privy Council was also held at the same place, as supposed, on the present posture of affairs.

On Sunday a numerous mob assembled about the King's Bench Prison in a riotous manner, exclaiming against the confinement of Mr. Wilkes, and threatened to unroof the Marshal's house: but Mr. Wilkes looking out of the window, begged of them not to commit any violence, and told them, that if they were his friends, the best way to show it, would be to depart quietly to their respective houses: Whereupon they remained tolerably peaceable; soon after which a Captain's guard arrived, and they dispersed.

On Sunday last a well dressed man, said to be a North-Briton, was passing over St. George's Fields, seeing a number of people assembled about the King's Bench Prison, he asked what was the matter? And on being told they came to see Mr. Wilkes, he uttered some severe expressions against him, which so enraged the populace, that they seized him, and fastening his legs and arms with cords, dragged him several times through a pond; after which they obliged him to kneel down, and ask pardon, and cry out, Wilkes and Liberty: which being complied with, he was permitted to depart.

Liberty seems now to be risen to licentiousness, and riot become the consequence. This day the mob threw stones at the military, who were appointed to guard the King's Bench Prison. In order to put a stop to such proceedings, the riot act was read, but still the people kept pelting: on which the commanding officer bid the soldiers defend themselves, and prepare to fire. Accordingly the first line knelt down, but the officers, still willing to make use of gentle means, sent some Gentlemen to dissuade the mob from violence, but without effect. A daring young man, the son of a stable keeper in the borough, and who was said to be one of the most forward in attacking the military, was fired upon, and shot, on which the populace thought proper to disperse.

The SPEECH of the Lords Commissioners to both Houses of Parliament, on Wednesday, the 11th day of May, 1768.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

IN pursuance of the authority given us by his Majesty's commission, under the great seal, amongst other things, to declare the causes of your present meeting, we are, by the King's command, to acquaint you, that his Majesty has not called you together at this unusual season of the year, in order to lay before you any matters of general business, but merely to give you an opportunity of dispatching certain parliamentary proceedings, which his Majesty's desire of providing, at all events, for the welfare and security of his good subjects, makes him wish to see completed as soon as possible; and with that dispatch which the public convenience as well as your own require. His Majesty, at the same time, has commanded us to assure you of his perfect confidence in this Parliament; and that he has the strongest reason to expect every thing from their advice and assistance, that loyalty, wisdom, and zeal for the public good, can dictate or suggest.

May 12. Yesterday orders were given for a party of horse guards to patrol the streets in the city of Westminster, to prevent riots, &c.

The same day the Right Honourable Thomas Harley, Lord Mayor, Sir Robert Ladbroke, Knight, William Beckford, and Barlow Trecothnick, Esquires, met at Guildhall, and proceeded from thence in their scarlet gowns to the House of Commons, according to ancient custom on the first day of the meeting of a new Parliament.

Yesterday morning many publicans, and others, in Wapping and Rotherhithe, shut their houses, to avoid ill-treatment from the mob.

Yesterday, between seven and eight o'clock in the evening, a number of idle disorderly fellows marched from the borough through the city to Westminster, one of whom, who was carried in a chair on mens shoulders, had a grog-tub with a boot hung to it, and a yellow petticoat fastened to his back; they stopped all coaches to beg money, and greatly terrified the shopkeepers, who thought it most prudent to shut up their shops as fast as they could, to prevent being insulted.

Yesterday part of the regiment of horse, called the Oxford Blues, arrived at Barnet, Highgate, &c. and will be followed in a few days by the whole of that corps, in order to be near town.

There are two reserves of foot guards kept constantly on duty, to be ready on the shortest notice: one is posted in Hyde park, where all the officers are obliged at present to give their constant attendance.

On Tuesday night some of the mob forcibly entered the shop of a gunsmith, in the borough, where they seized and carried off some fire arms, which they charged, and fired at some of the horse grenadiers, two of whom were wounded; after the fray was over, they returned the arms to the owner.

Yesterday nine men, and two women, were committed to the New Gaol, Southwark, by Daniel Ponton, and Thomas Marston, Esqs. for being concerned in the riots at the King's Bench Prison. There are 22 of the rioters now in custody.

The soldier who shot Mr. Allen's only son on Tuesday, quitted his rank, crossed the two high roads, pursued the young man down a lane into a cow house, then levelled his piece, took aim, and shot him through the heart, and another soldier ran his bayonet into his shoulder. It is not yet certain by whose order he quitted his rank, or fired, or whether he did both without order.

On Tuesday evening last five persons, viz. three men and two women, were unhappily killed in St. George's fields, and some others were wounded.

Tuesday night two women, big with child, were thrown down by the mob in St. George's fields, and trampled to death.

On Tuesday night died an unfortunate woman, who was shot that day in St. George's fields.

Wednesday one Redmond, a journeyman weaver, of Coverley's-fields, Spitalfields, who was wounded the day before in St. George's fields, by the musquetry, died in great agony, leaving a wife and ten children.

A master baker at Coventry, was one of the unfortunate persons shot on Tuesday near the King's Bench Prison.

When the prisoners concerned in the murder of Mr. Allen, were going to New-gaol last night, it was with the greatest difficulty imaginable the populace were prevented from tearing them to pieces, vowing with great vehemence, that they would immediately hang them out of the way, and not wait for any point of evasion or deceit whatever.

A certain Ensign we hear has absconded.

Every thing has been very quiet this morning in the Borough of Southwark, and about St. George's fields.

The humble address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, presented to his Majesty, on Saturday, the 14th day of May, 1768.

Die Sabbati 14 Maii, 1768.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

WE your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament assembled; beg leave to return your Majesty our most hearty thanks for that most gracious and paternal attention to the welfare of your people, which has induced your Majesty, at this time, to interpose your own more immediate authority for putting an end to that dangerous disturbance of the public peace, those outrageous acts of violence to the property of your Majesty's subjects, and the most audacious defiance of the authority of the civil magistrates, which have of late prevailed to so alarming a degree in, and near, this great metropolis.

Your Majesty's express commands, signified by your Royal proclamation, that all the laws, for preventing, suppressing, and punishing, all riots, tumults, and unlawful assemblies, be put into immediate execution, will, we hope, effectually prevent the continuance or repetition of these disorders.

But Should any of your Majesty's subjects continue so lost to all sense of their own true interest as well as duty, to go on to interrupt, by their lawless and desperate practices, that quiet and peaceable enjoyment of every right and privilege allotted to each individual among us by our excellent constitution, which it has been your Majesty's first object, and chief glory to secure, and perpetuate to us all; permit us, your Majesty's truly dutiful and grateful subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, to assure your Majesty of our ready concurrence in every measure that may contribute to enable your Majesty most effectually to maintain the public authority, and carry the laws into due execution; and of our determined resolution, most cheerfully and vigorously to support your Majesty against every attempt to create difficulty or disturbance to your Majesty's government.

Ashley Cowper, Cl. Parliamentor.

HIS Majesty's most gracious Answer.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I RECEIVE with great satisfaction this loyal, dutiful, and reasonable address of both Houses of Parliament. It is with the utmost concern, that I see this spirit of outrage and violence prevailing among different classes of my subjects. I am however convinced, that the vigorous exertion of lawful authority, which I will continue to enforce, joined to your support and assistance, will have the desired effect of restoring quiet and good order among my subjects.

Public thanks are ordered to be given in the most respectable manner to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, for his vigilance and assiduity in endeavouring to suppress all riots and tumults within his Lordship's jurisdictions.

No motion has yet been made concerning Mr Wilkes in a great Assembly.

We are assured that there is nothing done yet in a certain popular Gentleman's affairs, and it is uncertain when there will.

Yesterday being the last day of the term, Mr Serjeant Glyn moved the court of King's Bench Westminster, before Lord Mansfield and the rest of the judges, to admit Mr. Wilkes to bail till next term; and after hearing several learned arguments, the court were of opinion it could not be done.

Yesterday a large body of sailors assembled in Stepney-fields, and proceeded through the city, to petition the Parliament, for regulating their wages, by an act for that purpose, like other trades. They were very orderly and regular in their proceedings, and had six flags in front, three in the center, and two in the rear; and several ringleaders with boat-swain's whistles interspersed throughout, which answered one another, and regulated the whole body. One of their chiefs, before they set out, addressed them, and recommended peace and good order; he also expressed his sorrow at seeing many of them with large sticks in their hands, on which some hundred sticks were immediately thrown away.

It is said that one principal matter which the sailors want regulated is, that their allowance shall be fixed for the voyage, and not be in the power of the Captain to turn them off abroad, when in a strange country.

Tuesday night a great mob of people assembled at an eminent distiller's, in the Borough, and drank and destroyed a great quantity of rum, brandy, gin, &c. and knocked several of the heads of the casks in, and did other damage. A constable took up four men, who were so intoxicated, that they could not get away.

Yesterday morning a large body of people assembled in and about Westminster, and during the time that Sir John Fielding was making a speech to them at the Guildhall,

Westminster, one very disorderly person charged his piece, and attempted to fire among them, but his musket was wrested from him, and discharged in the air: He was carried in before Sir John, who committed him to the Gatehouse, and the people dispersed.

It is said, that the work of every journeyman gunsmith, out of the tower, done or undone, is called in, for fear it should fall into desperate hands.

This day there was a meeting of the merchants at the King's Arms tavern Cornhill, when they came to a resolution not to comply with the demands of the sailors, and resolved to apply to the government for protection.

The Cumberland election is upon a moderate estimate supposed to have cost 25,000 l.

Thursday an order was issued for all the gunsmiths who are employed by the Board of Ordnance, to send the work they have in their hands, finished or unfinished, into the tower. And in case those for the East-India company were inclined to lodge theirs in the same place, by way of security, directions would be given for their reception, so that the gunsmiths business is at present put a stop to.

We hear that healing and conciliating measures are adopted by government, for the general good of the people, as well as preserving due respect and decorum to the laws of the kingdom. The public may be assured, as far as human wisdom will admit, every prudent step necessary thereto is now in agitation.

It is said a military officer is gone to France.

Orders are said to be sent down to Sheerness, &c. for several men of war's tenders to be manned for the guard-ships, to protect the merchant vessels in the river, from the insults of the rioters.

We hear a tax will be proposed in the approaching Parliament of 10 per cent. on all legacies, and 20 per cent. on all estates devised by will in prejudice of the heirs at law.

This, with other taxes, which a patriotic ministry intend to lay upon luxury, will enable government to take off the duty upon several necessaries of life, particularly those upon soap and candles, which are at present so oppressive to our poor, and so destructive to our manufactures.

Yesterday Mr. Cotes delivered to Anthony Bacon, and John Durand, Esquires, members for the town of Aylesbury, letters signed by all the principal electors, recommending, in the strongest manner, the cause of Mr. Wilkes to their care and protection.

A prosecution is carrying on against a person for confining a man on Sunday last in the King's Bench Prison, and detaining him for three hours, for crying out Wilkes and Liberty, and standing to see him look out of the window.

It appears by the custom-house books, that upwards of one million sterling hath been paid for corn entered in the port of London, in the year 1767.

A warrant was issued on Wednesday by the coroner for Surrey, for the apprehending one of the officers of the guards posted at the King's Bench, who has absconded, he standing accused, upon the inquisition that day taken, with the wilful murder of William Allen, the oyster-seller.

The mob was very great in the city on Wednesday night, and the inhabitants in Cornhill, and as far as Whitechapel, were obliged to illuminate their houses.

On Wednesday died at his house in Upper Brook-street, Lord George Beauclerk, Lieutenant General of his Majesty's forces, Col. of the 30th regiment of foot, and member in the present Parliament, for Windsor in Berks.

Mr. Wilkes, as a man, we hear, has a great respect for a certain Nobleman, but considering that Nobleman as a Secretary of State, he thinks himself obliged to prosecute the suit against his Lordship, because it may be attended with advantageous consequences to the public.

Several persons have been killed by the soldiers, and such was the consternation and
terror of the inhabitants of and near London, that business has been entirely stopped, and the shops shut up, from apprehensions of danger.

Yesterday morning some sailors began to unrig the ships that were got down as far as Blackwall, since Saturday, and dragged all the men into their boats, whom they carried off with them: They have stuck up bills all along the water side, to inform every body that they shall not work until their wages are raised.

A person went on Tuesday last to see an acquaintance, who has long been confined in the King's Bench Prison, when finding him in better spirits than usual, he asked him the occasion: "Why, says he, we have got Wilkes here, and sure Liberty cannot be far off."

Sunday night, at 6 o'clock, another party of the guards went to the Kings Bench, to relieve that which was sent on Saturday night, to keep the peace.

Yesterday at noon a large body of Sawyers went to Limehouse, and destroyed great part of a machine, or saw-mill, belonging to Mr. Dingley, which cost near 5000l.

It was computed that upwards of two thousand sailors went yesterday to Wimbledon Common, in order to present a petition to his Majesty, who was then reviewing the light-horse.

A prosecution, 'tis said, for a capital error, will soon be commenced against a very great personage of the Long-Robe.

We hear that Mr. Lyttleton's negotiation with the Portuguese ministry is totally at a stand, and that there is little or no prospect of his success in the important objects of his commission.

A few days since some of the sailors boarded several ships which had just come into the river, and took away all their men. They also stopped the Gravesend boats; and will not suffer the ships to be rigged which they had before unrigged.

It is reported, that on Wednesday, a most audacious and treasonable paper was found stuck up with wafers on the walls of St. James's palace; and also the same night a letter was found on the back stairs, of the same atrocious tendency; both which were brought to a general officer, who carried them to a very great personage, and endeavours are using for discovering the seditious authors of them.

Saturday at noon the King's proclamation to prevent riots, tumults, &c. was publicly read by the Lord Mayor's officers, at the gates of the Royal Exchange.

The King George packet, which arrived on Friday from Lisbon, brought dispatches to the Secretary of State's office, from his Excellency William Henry Lyttleton, Esq; his Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the court of Portugal.