To treat of peace with fuch men was impolitic, unfafe, and even impoffible; they could give no fecurity for its continuance; they had rifen on the ruins and the death of the one party, and they themfelves were tottering on the brink of deftruction; they demanded preliminaries totally inadmiffible as the grounds of treating for a pacification," the acknowledging of the unity and indivisibility of their republic, their doctrines of liberty and equality," and the ratification of all thofe crimes and treasons, which, in their hands, had accumulated in direct hoftility against all thofe principles by which that fubordination, which is effential to the interefts of fociety, is fupported, and on which the welfare and permanent felicity of Europe can alone be fecured. The faith of treaties, and the honour of the British nation forbade the defertion of our Allies at this time, or any attempts to make a separate peace. The war which was unprovoked on our part, and which was at firft just and neceffary, is fill fo; and there is no feries of difafters (faid the Chancellor of the Exchequer) which I would not prefer to making a peace with the prefent rulers of France.'

The members who appeared in oppofition contended, that it was a war of aggreffion on the part of Britain, and not of France, which had fought every means to evade it, and which the very arguments brought to fupport the contrary from Briffot's pamphlets, did fully confirm but whoever were the aggreffors, the objects for which the war had been ⚫ undertaken, were even, by the confeffion of miniftry, now gained; the protection of Holland, and the reftoration of the conquered places in the Auftrian Netherlands. But now other reasons, which were formerly kept back, were brought forward, and it was now their profeffed defign to interfere in regulating the intcrnal government of France, and to reftore the ancient monarchy for reafons which were entirely ridiculous, "that the ftability and peace of our government were irreparably connected with it;" as if it was not notorious, that under Louis the XIV. and in every period of the

monarchy, that nation was the determined enemy of this country, nor had we to fear greater enmity from that kingdom when under the form of a republic.

The events which had taken place, fince the commencement of the war, were the fubject of alarm and of appre henfion, and not of triumph. It was not fuccefs, but defeat which had attended our arms. Let the difgraceful retreats from Dunkirk, Martinique, and Toulon, be the answer to thofe pompous boafts which had been made. There was no declenfion in the bravery of the British forces, the multiplied difafters had arisen from a want of fyftem in those with whom the conduct of the war rested. The fucceffes of which miniftry boafted, refembled the profperity of the trade and manufactures of the country, which Mr Dundas deduced from the number of bankruptcies as its fource; for a twelvemonth we had been engaged in a war whofe termination appeared to be more diftant than at its commencement. The mode of conducting the war by France had been declaimed against, as exhibiting a difplay of atrocity and crimes, and an infatiable defire for dominion. With greater juftice might this laft charge be retorted on Great Britain, who, in the infolence of power, had violated the laws of nations, refpecting neutrality. By the thunder of her cannon, had the petty Italian ftates been compelled into this grand confederation of power against France: The democratic turbulence of the French minifter in America had been inveighed against; to justify their infolence or to palliate their crimes in either hemifphere is not neceflary for the condemnation of thofe meafures which the minifters of this country have adopted: America, no one will furely be hardy enough to affirm, allowed her dignity to be impaired in that tranfaction. dence and enlightened policy of the Prefident of the United States, hath exhibited a conduct which it would have been the wifdom and glory of our miniftry to have imitated. Do they think it is neceffary that the Jacobin party in France be annihilated before that it is honourable and fafe to treat? if that is

The pru

the

the cafe, they have embarked in a hazardous enterprize indeed, for, while a man or a livre remained in that country the calamaties of war, would have no termination. The fecurity of a treaty with the prefent executive power might well be deemed equal to that which we had in former times, with the monarchs of that country calumniated in every age for their infraction of treaties. The conduct of our beggarly allies, who refufed to defend their own territories, unlefs hired by Britain for that purpose; the events of the last campaign; and the profpect of that which is about to commence; all concurred to point out, that it was effential to the interests of this country, that a peace be immediately conchtled.

EDINBURGH. January, 1794.

Upon the 3d came on before the High Court of Jufticiary, the trial of John MNab ftarch manufacturer, accused of defrauding the revenue, by forging ftamps fimilar to those used by the excife officers to denote payment of the duty upon ftarch. He was found guilty; but from fome peculiar circumftances recommended mercy by the jury. He was banhed Scotland for fourteen years.

Alexander Brown, who was included in the fame indictment failed to appear, fentence of fugitation was pronounced, and his bail-bond declared to be forfeited. 6. This day the Reverend Profeffor Finlayfon was admitted one of the Minifters of the Old Greyfriars church, in the room of the late Principal Robertfon. 13. The effects of the uncommon mildness of the season, are obfervable every where, but the most remarkable, are communicated from Inverkeithing; in the garden of Mr Cockburn, merchant there, the goofeberries are as large as

peas.

James Clerk, Efq; Advocate, is ap pointed fheriff-depute of the county of Edinburgh, in the room of John Pringle, Efq; Clerk of Seffion.

It is pleafing to announce, that the borrowers upon the commercial exche quer bills, have made good their fecond

inftalment, due 31ft ult. without a fingle deficiency.

13. This morning the Lord Provost, magiftrates, fheriffs, train bands, deacons of the different incorporations, and conftables, with a number of the most refpectable inhabitants of this city, affembled at the Merchants Hall, in order to prevent any disturbance that might happen in confequence of M. Margarot's trial. A little before ten o'clock they met with M. Margarot, on the North Bridge, accompanied by feveral of his friends who were walking under a wreath or arch, with the words, Liberty, Juftice' &c. infcribed upon it, carried by two or three men, and a great crowd following. The arch was taken from them by the magiftrates, and demolished, affifted by a number of failors, whom they had brought from a frigate lying in Leith Roads, by which means the crowd were foon difperfed. Two men who fupported the arch, were committed to jail.

This morning the High Court of Jufticiary pronounced fentence of fugitation and outlawry against Alexander Callender, one of the perfons ftiling themfelves the British Convention, and declared his bail-bond forfeited, he having failed to appear and ftand trial, upon a charge brought against him for feditious practices.

14. A general meeting of the Highland Society of Scotland was this day held in their hall, upwards of 70 perfons were prefent. After finishing the bufinefs of the meeting, they adjourned to dinner at North's tavern. Downe was in the chair, and Lord Methven, croupier. After dinner, many loyal and patriotic toafts were given.

Lord

16. John Pringle, Efq; after going through the ufual trials, this day took his feat as one of the Principal Clerks in the Court of Seflion, in room of Samu, el Mitchelfon, Efq; deceased.

The Theatre Royal opened on Saturday the 18th curt. with the tragedy of Hamlet; the public feem to expect much fatisfaction and amufement this feafon, from the exertions of Mr Kemble the manager. Thofe of the prefent company, who feem to ftand highest in the

H 2

opi

opinions of the public, are, Mr John Kemble, from Drury-lane theatre; Meffrs Woods, Lee-Lewis, Lamafh, Fox, Mrs. Kemble, Mrs Sparks, and Mrs Nunns. 20. A petition and complaint, at the inftance of his Majefty's advocate, was read, against Captain Johnstone formerly proprietor of the Gazetteer, and likewife against his two cautioners, craving, that their bail-bond of L. 500 Sterling, entered into for the captain's good behaviour for two years should be declared forfeit ed, on account of his having taking an active part in the British Convention, &c. The Court ordained the complaint to be ferved upon each of the parties, that they might give in printed anfwers within a fortnight, and that Captain Johnstone should appear at the bar on the 10th of February.

A petition was prefented from the cautioners of Alexander Callender, outlawed craving a mitigation of the penalty contained in the bail bond, as they faid, they had become cautioners by accident, which their Lordships unanimoufly refufed, and ordered the clerk to exact the penalty of 2000 merks from the cautioners without lofs of time.

Between five and fix o'clock in the evening a fire broke out in a cottonwork in the Calton of Glasgow, which confumed the roof and upper ftory, part of the machinery, and a quantity of cotton, &c. The premifes were infured.

On Tuesday morning (the 21ft) a very alarming fire broke out in the fhop of Mr Ruffel merchant, Luckenbooths, which entirely confumed his goods, as well as the neighbouring property: By the very active and fpeedy exertions of the magiftrates, conftables, city-guard, and fencibles, though a timber land, the fire was foon got under, and prevented from communicating with other houfes.

21. Agreeable to a royal charter, lately obtained from his Majefty, the Proprietors of the Royal Bank of Scotland, this day made good their payment of the new flock of L. 400,000, which now makes the capital of that bank, one million Sterling.

23. In the courfe of last night, and

this morning, there has been a very great fall of fnow, the firft this winter.

This day the University of Edinburgh, conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, on Robert Riddel, Efq; of Glenriddel, F. S. S. A. of London and Edinburgh.

Friday the 24th, in the evening, a very heavy fall of fnow commenced, which continued all night, attended by a ftrong N. E. wind: Since then it has received many additions, and forms the deepest covering we have experienced these many years. The froft, has at times been very intenfe, on the 25th the thermometer stood at 24° in a north expofure; from the violence of the storm, confiderable damage was done in the Frith of Forth. The Thetis Dutch man of war, was in confiderable danger ; a floop corn-loaded was ftranded near the gunpowder magazine, Leith: The crew, who had been lafhed to the maft, for upwards of five hours, were faved. The Diamond armed fhip was driven on fhore, near Caroline-park; near Newhaven, and one on Crammond Island.

In the evening of the 24th, the Countefs of Kintore, from Leith to Aberdeen, was wrecked about 5 miles from N. Berwick the paffengers and crew were all loft, confifting, it is faid, of 18 or 20 per fons, part of the cargo will be faved.

The loop Chriftian and Janet of Grangemouth, put afhore at Roystone: all on board perished, except the master.

The Betfy of Frafers-burgh is wrecked near Tyningham-fands; crew faved.

The Margaret of Bo-nefs, is afhore on Tyne-fands; alfo the Helen of Burntifland. Both crews faved.

The herring fifhing in the Forth, has continued to be very fuccefsful all this month, the herrings are of a good quality, though fmall; they are expofed almoft every day, in the Edinburgh market, for 16 or 18 for a penny.

Mr Kobert Bell, Writer to the Signet, is appointed Collector of Decifions, to the Society of Writers to the Signet.

During the ferment occafioned by the late trial, the city has, upon the whole

been

LISTS.

CAPTURES.

By the Britifb.

LLOYD'S LIST.

Jan. 21ft. His Majefty's fhip the Sphynx has captured a French national brig of 18 guns and 110 men, and arried her into Cork.

The Columbia, Maley, from Philadelphia to Havre-de-grace, with fugar, coffee, cotton, &c. is taken and farried into Jersey, by the Vulture and Alligator privateers of Jersey.

The Boston Packet, Barrett, from Boston to Amsterdam, with fugar, coffee, &c. is also taken and carried ino Jersey, by the said pri

vateers.

By be French.

The Minerva, Ingram, from Leghorn to New York, is taken :arried into Algiers. The Adonis, Stopwell of Liverpool, is taken at Sierra Leone y a French cutter. The Ann, Corran, from Liverpool to Africa, is taken and carred into St. Maloes.

The Abigail, late Kidd, from Africa to Jamaica, is taken andcarried into Martinique. The Favourite, Jeskinson, from Limerick to London, and a large three-deck fhip, fuppofed to be a Weft-hdiamen, are taken by fix French frigates that are cruising in the Channel.

The Cecilia of Bo-1efs from Jutland with grain, was captured onthe 12th, and fent into Dunkirk. The capain and most of the crew landed in Norway

MARRIAGES.

6. At Glasgow, Dr. James Jeffray, Profeffor of Anatomy in that Univerfity, to Mifs Mary Brisbane, daugher of the late Mr W. Brisbane, merchant in Glafgow.

8. At Fort-William, Angus M'Phee, Efq; lately from India, to Mifs Margaret Gray, daughter of the deceased Archibald Gray, merchant there.

10. At Summerfide, the Rev. Mr Thomas Laurie, minifter of Newburn, to Mifs Ann Donaldfon, only daughter of Nathaniel Donaldfon, Efq; late of the island of Tobago.

On the 11th, at Mountblairy, Col. Patrick Duff, of the Hon. East India Company's Artillery, to Mifs Hay, eldest sister of A. Hay of Mountblairy.

On the 21ft, At Glasgow, Dr. Cook of Allanfhaw, to Mifs Janet Rolland of Kinnaird.

On the 16th, Capt. John M'Alifter, to Mifs M'Alifter, eldest daughter of Angus M'Alifter of Loup, Efq;

On the 24th inftant, Archibald Speirs of Elderflie, Efq; to Mifs Dundas, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Dundas, Bart. at Afke, in Yorkfaire.

ton.

At Knottyholm, Dr Ruffel, Author of Modern and Ancient Europe.

At Edinburgh, Mifs Eliz. Bofwell Campbell, third daughter of Colonel Campbell of Saddell.

At Tobago (22d October) John Maxwell, fecond fon of the late William Maxwell, Efq; of Carriden.

At the manfe of Aberlemno (on 3d current), the Reverend Andrew Mitchell minister of that parish, in the 63d year of his age, and 44th of his ministry.

5. At Newton Douglas, Mrs Eliz. Maxwell, widow of the deceafed Captain James Maxwell.

11. At Edinburgh, Mrs Janet Boyd, wife of William Robertfon, Efq; Advocate. At Cork, Charles Ferguson merchant there, on the 2d inftant.

At Amiens in France, in November lat,