The Virginia Gazette

Thursday his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (escorted by a Party of Horse-Guards to Temple-Bar) came, in his State-Coach, attended by two others, in which were the Lords of the Bedchamber, &c. to Fishmongers-Hall in Thames-Street, to receive the Charter of the British Herring-Fishery Company, as Governor thereof. Twenty-one Pieces of Cannon were fired at his Arrival.

His Royal Highness was received at the Door of the Hall by Mr. Alderman Bethell, President of the Society, Mr. Alderman Jansen, Vice-President, Admiral Vernon, General Oglethorpe, and such of the Society as were in Town; and afterwards by the Master and Court of Assistants of the Fishmongers Company, in their Gowns, who all waited on him to their Room.

His Royal Highness being seated there, made a most gracious Speech, expressive of his high Regard for the Prosperity of the City of London. Then, the Fishery Charter being read by Mr. Tomkyns, Clerk of the Fishmongers Company, his Royal Highness wish'd all imaginable Success to this national Undertaking, and declared that he had the Welfare of it extremely at Heart.

Mr. Tomkyns then thanked his Royal Highness, for the great Honour done the Society, in a very handsome Speech; and beseeching him to accept of the Freedom of the Fishmongers Company. his Royal Highness condescended to acquiesce with the Offer.

The Table-Cloth being spread, a large Quantity of Shetland Pickled Herrings, &c. were serv'd up in China; on which Occasion his Royal Highness eat very heartily, and the whole Company present. There was a considerable Concourse of Ladies and Gentlemen to see the Ceremony, who all breakfasted on Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate; and at the Entertainment of the Herrings, there was a Profusion of the richest Wines.

His Royal Highness, after again wishing the Herring-Fishery Success, drinking a Health to it, and appointing the Council to meet upon Business on Wednesday the 7th of next November, retir'd, seemingly with the greatest Satisfaction; the Cannon ringing at his going away. His Royal Highness's Coach, was preceded by his Footmen and Watermen, two and two.

SPEECH
SPEECH of Mr. Tomkyns, Clerk of the Fishmongers Company, to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, immediately after reading his Majesty's Charter to the Society of the Free British Fishery.

May it please your Royal Highness,

The Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Fishmongers of the City of London, consistent with their ancient Loyalty and Attachment to his MAJESTY, and every Branch of his Royal Family, could not omit this their first Opportunity of paying their Duty to your Royal Highness.

They very justly, Sir, esteem it a particular Honour conferred on this Company by your Royal Highness, in appointing their Hall for your Reception of the Royal Charter for carrying on and improving the British White Herring Fisheries; an Undertaking promising the most extensive Advantages to this Nation, under the Patronage and Protection of your Royal Highness.

Upon this happy Occasion, Sir, this Worshipful Company beg Leave to assure your Royal Highness of their Duty and sincerest Affection to his Majesty, (and which they are incapable of violating) most heartily praying He may reign long and happy over a People sensible of their Happiness, expressing it in every Instance of Loyalty, Duty and Gratitude.

Not less, Sir, is their Affection to your Royal Highness, your Royal Consort the Princess, and your most illustrious Issue, earnestly desiring you may All Live, Long Live, the Favourites of Heaven, and Blessings to this Nation.

In Testimony of your Royal Highness's favourable Acceptance of these Expressions of their Duty and sincere Affection, this Worshipful Company humbly beg Leave to be permitted, at some future Opportunity, to wait on your Royal Highness, with their Freedom of this Company. This, Sir, will ever be esteemed an Honour, great, as your Royal Highness's Condescension in Conferring it.