The Virginia Gazette

BRISTOL, March 17. On Thursday last the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Clare, one of our worthy representatives in Parliament, arrived in this city. The same day the friends of Matthew Brickdale, Esq; attended him at the White Lion in Broad street, and conducted him from thence to the Merchants Hall, where he was presented to his Lordship, and met with a most polite reception, in the presence of their numerous friends. Between the hours of 12 and 1 they proceeded in procession to the Exchange, where they declared themselves candidates to represent this city in the ensuing Parliament, amidst the acclamations of several thousands of the inhabitants; and yesterday, between 10 and 11 o'clock, the above candidates, accompanied by the Right Worshipful the Mayor, several Aldermen, the Sheriffs, and many other Gentlemen of the first distinction in this city, went from the Council House to the Guildhall, where after taking the poll of about 50 persons, they were declared duly elected. About 1 o'clock they took the chair, and were carried from the hall up Broad street, along Wine street, round St. Peter's pump, down St. Maryport street and High street, along the back and through part of King street, entered the square at the avenue adjoining the Custom House, proceeded all round and came out at the beginning of Princes street, near the Merchants Hall, continued the procession along the Key up Small street, and at last met down at the Council House. Never did there appear a more universal joy than on the present occasion: Every heart seemed to glow with ardour, and every face was expressive of the united approbation; the voice of the innumerable multitude was as the voice of one man; and the unanimity that prevailed among the inhabitants of this opulent city cannot but be considered as a happy presage to the total extinction of party spirit, the consideration of which must afford every rational mind that complacency which is better felt than expressed.

In the evening publick houses were opened in all the parishes of this city, as they were also last Tuesday, for the entertainment of the friends of all parties.