8th.
An old lodging-house in Plumb-tree court, Broad St. Giles's fell down, by which accident several poor wretches were crushed to death, and many more desperately maimed. There being other houses in the court in the like tottering condition, the mob assembled in a few days afterwards, and pulled them down.
17th. Sir John Barnard, Knt. father of the city, and alderman of Bridge ward without, desired the court of aldermen would permit him to resign his gown on account of his age and bad state of health; to which, after much reluctance, and many importunities used by the aldermen present to the contrary, the court consented.
John Cole, who at Chelmsford assizes received sentence of death for the murder of Martha Adams, at her house at Escott in the hundred of Essex, was this day executed at Chelmsford, when John Loads, who came to see the execution, was charged by Cole at the gallows as being accessary in the said murder; he was immediately apprehended, and had before a magistrate, where he confessed his guilt, and was committed to Chelmsford gaol.
18th. An experiment was made with the light horse and flat-bottomed boats, from the South-sea beach, near Portsmouth, where the horse lie encamped; 12 horses were put on board a boat, which had a platform laid in it railed round. They were carried to Spithead, and laid along-side a transport three miles from the beach, and were slung, and hoisted into the ship, and re-imbarked into the boats with great ease. Several guns were fired to try the horses, which they bore very patiently, only snorting a little at the smoke flying about them. They were landed on the beach again in extreme good order.
24th. His royal Highness Prince Edward, who had been some time indisposed, arrived at Portsmouth, and embarked on board the Essex, Commodore Howe's own ship, in which he sails as a volunteer in the intended expedition against France. His Royal Highness went from the dock-yard in the Essex's twelve-oared barge, attended by Lord George Sackville, and Admiral Holbourne. His Royal Highness had the standard of England flying in the bow of the boat. Admiral Holbourne's barge followed with his flag flying in the bow of his boat, and all the captains according to their seniority, which made a very agreeable appearance.
25th. Was held a court of common-council at Guildhall, 25th. when, upon the motion of John Paterfon, Esq; it was resolved nem. con. "That Sir John Barnard, Knt. so justly and emphatically stiled the father of this city, having lately (to the great and lasting regret of this court) thought proper to resign the office of alderman, the thanks of this court be given him for having so long and so faithfully devoted himself to the service of his fellow-citizens, for the honour and influence which this city has, upon many occasions, derived from the dignity of his character, and the wisdom, Readiness, and integrity of his conduct: for his firm adherence to the constitution both in church and state, his noble struggles for liberty, and his disinterested and invariable pursuit of the true glory and prosperity of his king and country, uninfluenced bypower
