violating the neutrality of the coast of Spain, they would certainly have destroyed her. The Pleiade, of 24 guns, got away by mere out sailing our ships.
In this action Captain Gardiner was killed [1], and Captain Storr lost the calf of one of his legs. The very gallant and brave behaviour of the officers and seamen on this occasion, deserved the highest commendations; particularly that of Lieutenant Carket, of the Monmouth, who [2], after the captain's death, engaged and disabled the Foudroyant in such a manner, as to oblige her to strike as soon as the other ships came up; for which service Admiral Osborne gave him the command of the Foudroyant as a reward.
28th.
At York Assizes, which ended the 25th, four persons were found guilty of high treason in obstructing the militia act, and received sentence of death accordingly; two of the Wesleydale rioters were likewise convicted for violently taking away meal on the highway in returning from market: about twenty prisoners more were tried for riots, some of whom were continued, others fined and imprisoned, and others admitted to
bail. Great lenity was shewn by the judges and jury, where the prisoners did not appear to act with premeditation.
It is reported, that at a quarry near Fulwell-Hills near Sunderland, the skeleton of a man was found, which measured nine feet and upwards.
APRIL.
3d. Came on to be tried at Kingston affizes before the Hon. Sir Michael Foster, Knight, and a special jury of gentlemen of the county of Surry, the trial by way of indictment against Martha Grey, for obstructing certain footways, leading from East-Sheene thro' Richmond Park. The defendant declined entering into the merits, but rested her defence on an objection to the indictment, that East-Sheene, which in the indictment was laid to be in the parish of Wimbleton, was in the parist of Mortlake; but it appearing to the satisfaction of the judge and jury, that Mortlake was not a parish, but a chapelary in Wimbleton, the jury found the defendant guilty.
11th. Between the hours of 10 and 11 at night, the temporary wooden bridge, built for the convenience of carriages and passengers, whilst London-bridge was widening and repairing, was discovered to be on fire, and continued burning till noon the next day, when the ruins fell into the Thames. An advertisement was published by Mr. Secretary Pitt, with the offer of his Majesty's pardon to the discoverer of the perpetrators of so vile and wicked anaction
- ↑ Captain Gardiner was shot thro' the arm the first fire; and soon after, as he was encouraging his people, and enquiring what damage they had sustained between decks, he received a second wound, by a musket ball, in the forehead, which proved fatal to him.
- ↑ The Monmouth had 150 men killed and wounded; the Foudroyant 200. The loss of masts on both sides brought on a close engagement, which lasted till the Swiftsure came up. M. du Quesne refused, however, to deliver his sword to the Captain of the Swiftsure; but gave it with great politeness to Lieutenant Carket.
