November 1754

Gregorian

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http://www.hf.rim.or.jp/~kaji/cal/cal.cgi?1754

Monthly Chronologer

Thursday, Nov. 7. About five o’clock this morning, a most terrible fire broke out in St. Werburgh’s church, Dublin, which in a few hours entirely consumed that fine fabrick, nothing being preserved from the conflagration but the steeple and vestry, all the body of the church being quite destroyed. During the time of the fire there was a very high wind at S. W. which put all the houses on the south side of Castle-street in the most imminent danger: Some of them took fire, particularly the back part of the Exchequer-office, and the house adjoining; but two engines being brought to play on the houses, prevented any further damage.

Friday, Nov. 8 The Rt. Hon. the lord-mayor, attended by the several aldermen above the chair, preceded by the court of assistants of the Grocers company, went in procession from the Mansion-house to Guildhall; and soon after, the Right Hon. Stephen Theodore Janssen, Esq; lord-mayor elect, attended by the aldermen below the chair, and preceded by the court of assistants of the company of Stationers, came from thence to Guildhall, where the lord-mayor elect was sworn into his high office, and the city regalia were delivered to him with the usual formality.

Saturday, Nov. 9 The Right Hon. Stephen Theodore Janssen, Esq; the new lord mayor, was sworn in at Westminster with the usual solemnity.

His majesty and the royal family came from Kensington to St. James’s, to reside there during the winter.

A great quantity of warlike stores were sent from the Tower on board the Isabella and Mary, for Virginia.

Sunday, Nov. 10 The anniversary of his majesty’s birthday was celebrated, who then entered into the 72d year of his age.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 Came on at the King’s-bench bar, Westminster, the great cause about the roads in Richmond park, before the lord chief justice Rider, Mr. justice Foster, and Mr. justice Denison; Mr. justice Wright being absent, having an inflammation in his eyes. The court did not break up till near one o’clock the next morning, and then adjourned to ten: Accordingly the trial began again at 11 on Wednesday, and continued till about half an hour after seven, when tie jury withdrew for upwards of an hour, and then brought in the defendant, Not Guilty. It was upon an indictment, the king (in behalf of the inhabitants of Richmond) against Deborah Burgess, gatekeeper, for an obstruction of the highway, for carriages, horsemen, and foot people; which being all laid in one count in the indictment, the jury were obliged either to find Guilty, or Not Guilty. The counsel for the defendant, were the attorney-general, solicitor-general, Mr. Hume Campbell, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Luke Robinson, and Mr. Bishop. For the inhabitants of Richmond, Mr. Starkie, Sir John Phillips, Bart. Mr. Crowle, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Parrot, Mr. Beckford, Mr. Moreton, and Mr. Clarke.

Thursday, Nov. 14 His majesty went in the usual state to the house of peers, and, the commons being sent for attending, opened the session of parliament with a most gracious speech to both houses.

Substance of his majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 1754.

His majesty first acquaints both houses, that it was with great pleasure he met them in parliament, at a time, when the late elections had afforded his people an opportunity of giving fresh proofs of their duty and affection to his person and government, in choice of their representatives.

That the general state of affairs in Europe had received very little alteration since their last meeting.  But he had the satisfaction to acquaint them, that he had lately received the strongest assurances from his good brother the king of Spain, of his firm resolution to cultivate friendship and confidence with him, with reciprocal acts of harmony and good faith; and that he will persevere in these sentiments.  That it shall be his principal view, as well to strengthen the foundations, and secure the duration of general peace, as to improve the present advantages of it, for promoting trade of his good subjects, and protecting those possessions which make one great source of our commerce and wealth.

That the plan formed by the last parliament for appropriating the forfeited estates in the Highlands to the publick benefit, appeared to be of such national importance, that he was persuaded they would not omit any proper opportunity of compleating it.  And he also recommends it to them, to make such further provisions, as may be expedient for perpetuating the due execution of laws, and the just authority of his government, in that part of the united kingdom.

Then he tells the house of commons, that he had ordered the estimates for the ensuing year to be prepared and laid before them.  That the supplies he had to ask of them, were such as should be necessary for the ordinary services; for the execution of such treaties as had been communicated to them, for consolidating and maintaining that system of tranquility, which was his great object; and, at the same time, for securing ourselves against any encroachments.

That the gradual reduction of the national debt, which had been so wisely and successfully begun, would, he made no doubt, have their serious and constant attention.

After which, speaking to both houses, he concludes thus: “It is unnecessary for me to use any arguments to press upon you unanimity, and dispatch in your proceedings.  I have had such an experience of the fidelity, zeal, and good disposition of my parliaments, during the course of my reign, that I trust there is a mutual confidence established between us; the surest pledge of my own, and my people’s happiness.

Marriages and Births

Nov. 12 Thomas Partridge, of Stratford in Essex, Esq. to Miss Clark of the same place.

Deaths

Nov. 14 Thomas White, Esq. clerk of the errors in the court of Common-Pleas.

Henry Broadhead, Esq. brewer in St. Giles’s, and in the commission of the peace.

Foreign Affairs

Since our last we have had the following further particular relating to the late dreadful earthquake at Constantinople, viz. That about nine o’clock in the evening, on the second of September, came on the most dreadful storm of thunder that ever was known in that place. The peals succeeded one another without an interval of above a minute, excepting one intermission about the middle of the storm, till three quarters past ten. During this short intermission, and the stars sparkling with the most perfect brightness, suddenly the earthquake began, everything at once became wrapped in darkness, and convulsions of the earth beneath, bursting thunders above, falling buildings, shrieks of the terrified, and groans of the expiring on every side, led such a scene of horror and confusion, as no description can represent, nor imagination reach. The crush of nature, and the wreck of worlds, seemed instant. Two of the famous seven towers were demolished, many minerets thrown down, and mosques damaged (particularly the much admired one of Saint Sophia) whole streets laid in ruins, and the common prison entirely destroyed, with the greatest part of its unfortunate inhabitants. The persons killed are computed at betwixt 2 and 3000. The shocks, tho’ less severely, were felt as far as Smyrna; and a Tartar, who arrived express in 15 days from Armenia, just before this account left Constantinople, brought intelligence, that a large city, at that distance, had been entirely swallowed up by an earthquake on the very same day, and the place where it stood converted into an entire lake of water.