cafion, at the Princess Anne's, where it was refolved to arreft the Duke Regent, and diveft him of the government: For this purpose an order was figned, in the name of the young Emperor, and executed accordingly by C. Munich. The Regent, after fome refiftance, was taken prifoner, and conveyed to the fortrefs of Schluffelburg; and the Princess Anne, under a general difcharge of the artillery, declared Regent, with the title of Great Princess of all the Ruffias. Thus fell the unfortunate Duke of Courland at once from all his grandeur; who is faid to have caft his eyes on the imperial diadem, which was the occafion of his fudden downfal. The Duke of Brunswick has fince been declared Generaliffimo, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the horse-guards. C. Munich is appointed Prime Minister of all the Councils; on which occafion the Princefs Regent faid, in prefence of the whole court, There's my defender, and the defender of the empire: 'Tis be cubo has delivered us from the Birons, and their evil defigns. He is to take precedency next to the Duke of Brunfwick, and before all the Ministers and Generals; and his fon is promoted to be Great Steward of the Houfhold to the Princess Anne. When the Duke of Courland and his Lady were carried to Schluffelburg, nothing was omitted to mortify them. They were left expofed to the rain and fnow, for near half an hour, before the gate of the winter-palace, where they were loaded with the curfes of the populace; and when he was put into the waggon to be conveyed to the fortrefs, he faw near thirty perfons in his paffage that were delivered out of the prifon to which he had committed them, who reproach'd him for what they had fuffer'd during their confinement: Of this number was Andrew Jackowitz, a Counfellor of State, and Secretary of the Cabinet, who was fo feverely chastised by the knoute, that he will bear the marks of it as long as he lives. The chief articles laid to the late Regent's charge are, the immenfe treasures he has heaped up, part whereof he is accused to have fent abroad; the private negotiations he has enter'd into with feveral princes; his having indecently threatned the Princess Anne, that if she gave him the leaft room to complain of her conduct, he would fend her back into Germany, and call the Duke of Holftein into Ruffia; the difrefpect he fhewed to the Duke of Brunfwick, whom he laid under fuch restraints as to hinder him frequently from appearing in publick: befides the arrogant behaviour of the Dutchefs of Courland to the Princess Anne, and the Duke her confort, and the rude expreffions the ufed to them upon feveral occafions. In fhort, 'tis agreed, they both deferve death, and that the Princess Regent has a right to inflict that punishment upon them: but a letter the Duke of Cour land has been permitted to write to the Princess Regent, wherein he expresses himself in very penitent and fubmiffive terms, has fo affected her as to mitigate the feverity of his treatment; and be ing determined not to stain the beginning of her fon's reign with blood, she has refolved to be contented with his banishment.-Gen. Keith received orders, upon the Empress's death, to take the oaths to the young Czar and to the Regent, and to tender them to the of ficers under his command; but the Ge neral, being inform'd of the intrigues used by the Duke of Courland during the Czarina's illness, and judging his government would be oppofed, affembled his officers, and spoke to the following purpose: Gentlemen, I have just received the melancholy news of the death of her Imperial Majefly, our most gracious Sovereign, and of the proclaiming the Emperor John III. our prefent lawful Sovereign. Here is the form of the oath fent to be taken, in which obedience and fidelity are not confined to the facred perfon of his Imperial Majefty, but are to extend likewife to the Duke of Courland, in quality of Regent. I declare to you, Gentlemen, that I tender with joy the oath of fidelity and obedience to our prefent most gracious Emperor John III. and I am ready to facrifice my blood for him and for his auguft parents; that, next to his Im perial Majefty, I am ready to obey and fumit to them; but it does not become me to bind myself by any oath to the Duke of Courland. This openness made impreffor upon feveral officers, who follow'd the General's example; but many then, fearing the refentment of the Duke Regent, took the oath according to the form. The Princess Elizabeth Petrowna continues at Petersburg in the fame fituation as before; being refpect ed and honoured according to her high birth: but does not intermeddle with publick affairs.-Tho' it is believed matters will end amicably between the courts of Ruffia and Sweden, not lefs than 100,000 men remain in Livonia, Ingermanland and Corelia; and there is a talk of augmenting them; befides a strong fleet which is now equipping, in order to put to fea next fummer. Notwithstanding the late revolutions in Raffa, there is a perfect tranquillity throughout the empire, and not the leaft unealy murmur to be heard: And 'tis affured from Petersburg, that the treaty between that court and Great Britain is at laft figned. Affairs in SWEDEN are in a very unfettled fituation, that kingdom being divided into several parties; one adhe ring to the dictates of the French court, a fecond is for a peace with Ruffia on the old footing, and a third is of opinion, that fome advantages ought to be granted by Ruffia before renewing the treaty of Neustadt: but it cannot be determined which fide fhall prevail till the feparation of the general diet, which is now assembled. The late Emperor's death, as it has extinguished the male line of the house of AUSTRIA, feems on the point of embroiling most of the ftates of Europe and kindling a general war; not only on account of the various pretenfons that are made to the hereditary dominions of that houfe, but the choice of a fucceffor to the Imperial crown. The Archdutchefs Maria-Therefa, his eideft daughter, and confort of the Duke of Tufeany, has been proclaim'd Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archdutches of Auftria, and Sovereign Princefs of all the hereditary ftates of the late Emperor, according to the fettlement made by the pragmatick fanction. She has been recognized in her rights by France, Sardinia, Venice, the Pope, and feveral of the Electors: But the Elector of Bavaria refused to acknowledge that Princefs as Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and lays claim to the Auftrian fucceffion. He founds his pretenfions on the will of the Emperor Ferdinand I. of which he has produced an extract; but the extract and the original differ widely, the first making the Elector's right valid on the extinction of male heirs, and the last on that of lawful heirs. However, he does not feem fo fanguine on that subject as at first; which gives fome hopes of an accommodation. The King of Pruffia's march into Silefia gives the court of Vienna fresh alarms; as at the time he was forwarding his military preparations for that expedition, he made the Queen of Hungary the ftrongeft affurances of friendhip: and thofe troops which she had reafon to think were raifing to fupport her intereft, are made ufe of to disturb the peace of the empire, contrary to treaties of peace, and the exprefs conftitutions of the empire. People could not tell how to account for the tranquillity with which the court of Vienna faw that prince make an irruption into one of the finest and richest provinces belonging to the Auftrian family; and imagined it must have been in confequence of a previous agreement with the Queen of Hungary, for fome politick end: But this mistake was obviated, by the Queen of Hungary's demanding fuccours of his Moft Chriftian Majefty, in order to guarranty the pragmatick fanction, against the enterprizes of their Pruffian and Catholick Majefties. Whether the Duke of Tuscany gives up that country to the King for his intereft at the enfuing election, whether he fend an army to oppofe him, or engage the fuperior influence of France to put an end to the difpute, the refolute young monarch feems determined to maintain his ground; and will not A 2 eafily Н eafily be joftled out of poffeffion either by French politicks or French arms. The court of Spain is making preparations for an expedition into Italy, to make good its pretenfions to the late Emperor's poffeffions there. In this enterprize they will, probably, meet with fome difficulties, unless they can get the King of G. Britain to liften to terms of accommodation; which, 'tis thought, won't be an easy matter, as affairs are now circumstanced. If the Spaniards fhould venture to transport forces into Italy, Admiral Haddock might be a powerful bar to that undertaking, and would, perhaps, give opportunity to renew the scene presented on the coaft of Sicily in 1718. Mean time the landforces of Spain are in great motion. His Sicilian Majefty has affembled a large body of troops, to fupport the claims of the Spaniards in Italy; and 'tis faid they only wait for leave from the Pope to march thro' the ecclefiaftical ftate, which Cardinal Aquaviva has defired. Surrounded with fo many enemies, the Queen of Hungary is like to be greatly harraffed; but as it is the intereft of feveral powers to check the arms of the invaders, and affift her in the fupport of her lawful rights, things may turn out better than they now seem to promife. The important affair of the election of an Emperor will caufe a great ftruggle. The Duke of Tufcany and the Elector of Bavaria are the natural candidates for that dignity. Those who wish well to the Proteftant cause, and would be glad to fee an independent prince feated on the Imperial throne, are inclined ftrongly to fide with the former; in oppofition to the defigns of France, which, by raifing a dependent prince to be Emperor, would make the Bourbon scale too weighty, and thereby destroy the balance of power. On the death of the late King of PRUSSIA, he was fucceeded by his fon Charles-Frederick, who began his reign with acts of munificence and humanity. He has shown himself worthy of the crown by a tender concern for the wel fare of his people; and an example worthy the imitation of princes, not only by his acts of generofity, but in his great attention to promote trade, manufactures, learning, and every thing that can tend to the happiness of his fubjects. This young monarch is no lefs careful in generously rewarding merit, and making the Pruffians happy, than in fupporting his rights whereever he can form any, and taking every opportunity to fnatch out of the hands of his neighbours all those territories which only the indolence or carelesness of his predeceffors hindered them from laying claim to. The difpute concerning the barony of Herftal was concluded to his own fatisfaction; and his troops, with himself at their head, are now in poffeffion of Silefia, which he is like to keep, unless drove out by fuperior force: and, by a very military oration he made to his foldiers, on entering that dutchy, he seems prepared for all events. And 'tis not doubted but, upon the death of the Elector Palatine, he will profecute his right to the fucceffion of Bergues and Juliers with as much vigour as he has done either that of Herftal or Silefia. His Majesty has alfo made fome demands of an extraordinary nature at the Hague. The new POPE's good character, his regulations among the clergy, and erecting feveral new academies, gives hopes of a happy pontificate. CORSICA remains in the hands of its mediators; but who is destined to poffefs it next, remains a fecret. The Cardinal of FRANCE, fo famous for his mediations and negotiations, begins to have his conduct more narrowly ey'd by the other European powers, who think it neceffary to guard against the enterprizes of a court, whofe fmoothest pretences have often concealed the moft ambitious defigns, and will take the opportunity to disclose them when people leaft expect. What part Lewis XV. will take in the prefent troubles in Germany, is uncertain; but whatever fide he takes, it will, no doubt, be for the good of the empire, and for the peace of Europe! The court of France feems not not at all fatisfied at having fo very advantageous to the British commerce much entangled itself in the quarrel be- in America, upon condition of G. Britween G. Britain and Spain; which laft tain's ftanding neuter with regard to nation, notwithstanding its chimerical the views of the Spanish court in Italy, fchemes, is inexpreffibly embarraffed. 'Tis thought the British court refufes However, it is not probable we will to give attention to these proposals, as hearken to the French mediation, while Mr Robinson advances greatly in his netheir fleets remain in America, even gotiations at the court of Vienna, which the' they are pretended to be sent there tend to promote a more ftrict union beonly to maintain the treaty of Utrecht. tween that court and the King of G. The repairing the harbour of Dunkirk Britain. is a recent inftance of the regard paid by the French to that treaty! At the beginning of laft year the advices from MADRID were big with prodigious defigns: Gibralter was to be taken, and Portmahon attacked; the Chevalier de St George's eldest fon was to head fome expedition or other; and what not. But notwithstanding all their bravadoes, nothing has been atchiev'd but by their prodigious number of privateers, who have taken a great many English fhips; but they will probably fmart for this ere the end of a war fo fuccefsfully commenced in America; and in which they have also lost some men of war, privateers, ftore-fhips, &c. in Europe. Afraid of a defcent from the English, they had drawn their troops from the inland parts, to guard their coafts; while their fleets, equipp'd and ready for fervice, were pent up in their harbours by four or five of our fhips At laft they made bold to creep out, in the abfence of our men of war, and have now, it seems, reached America; but in too fhattered a condition to enter upon immediate action; and by that time they are fit to do mischief, Adm. Vernon will be enabled to give them a warm reception. The Queen of Spain, whofe power will be put an end to on the abdication or death of her infirm confort, takes all the pains fhe can to ward off both till she has made ample provifion for her fons. She has How turn'd her eyes towards Italy; but as the neutrality of G. Britain will be receflary to facilitate her defigns that way, the labours hard, by her miniters at Paris and the Hague, to prosare a peace. 'Tis faid terms of accommodation have been proposed, very PORTUGAL keeps in a state of neutrality; and indeed a different conduct would not be for its intereft, as it would be laid open to many inconveniences, by declaring for either fide. The STATES GENERAL look with a watchful eye on the defigns of France, and are not at all fatisfied with the failing of its fquadrons for America, knowing they are only fent there to distress the English, if poffible, and traverse their defigns. As the commotions in Germany may oblige their High Mightineffes to take fome neceffary fteps for their prefervation, they are, by way of precaution, making a confiderable augmentation of their forces. GREAT BRITAIN has for fome time been employed in making preparations for the fecret expedition into America; and as the fleet for that purpofe has failed, and by this time, it is not doubted, reach'd the Weft-Indies, 'tis to be hoped a few fubfequent advices will bring the news of fome bold ftroke being executed on the Spanish fettlements there, in fpite of the united fquadrons of Ferrol, Breft and Toulon." The tranquillity which was thought to have been established in BARBARY, is disturbed by Muley Abdallah's cruelty, who has put the whole family of Dekala to death. This has fo exafperated two other families, that they have taken the advantage of his journey to Mequinez, and proclaimed Muley Muftardi, one of his former competitors, King of Fez and Morocco. And the great power and interest of these two families, makes it to be apprehended, those bloody wars will be again revived, which preceeded Muley Abdallah's acceffion to that crown, JOUR 6 JOURNAL of the Proceedings and Debates in the POLI TICAL CLUB, continued from the Appendix 1740. In the debate begun in our December Magazine, and continued in our Appendix, M. Agrippa food up next, and spoke as follows. My Lords, IT fignifies nothing to make declamations against corruption, unless we do fomething against it. I believe, no man ever yet ventured to declaim ferioufly in its favour; but many have declaimed powerfully against it, and yet at the fame time have as powerfully, and much more effectually recommended it by their practice. The people without doors will but little regard what we fay against corruption; but the example of this house will have a great effect. Let us convince them by what we do, that no Lord of this houfe is guilty of being corrupted, which I am convinced is the cafe, and the crime will fink by the weight of its own infamy. But if your Lordships, by rejecting this bill, should raife but a fufpicion that any of you are guilty, that very fufpicion will give countenance to the low tools of corruption, and your fuppofed example will establish and propagate a real practice. I am extremely forry, my Lords, to hear his Majefty's name mentioned upon this occafion. I would not be fo unjust, even to his Majefty's minifters, as to attempt to vindicate them upon fuch an occafion; because a vindication always fuppofes fome previous reproach. The confidence we have in his Majefty's wisdom and justice, makes fuch a vindication, with refpect to him, abfolutely unneceffary; and, I hope, no one of his minifters ftands in need of any vindication upon this head. But fuppofe fome one of his Majefty's fucceffors fhould be fufpected, fhould be known to have defigns against our liberties; fuppofe his minifters fhould be known to make use of penfions and bribes, in order to render their mafter's defigns fuccefsful; and fuppofe fuch a bill as this should be brought into either houfe of parliament, in order to put a stop to fuch dangerous practices: would any member rife up in his place, and ac cufe his fovereign of having fuch defigns? would any member of either houfe ftand up in his place, and directly accufe a minifter, even tho' he had the moft evident proofs of his being guilty of corrupting the members? My Lords, no member would be fuch a madman, unless he were well affured of having a majority in both houfes againft corruption; and this he could no way be affured of, but by the fuccefs of the bill. Were thofe defigns of the prince, and thofe practices of his minifters, as apparent as the fun at noon-day, both the prince and the minifter would be vindicated by their tools in parliament; and the patrons of the bill, till they faw its fate, would then do out of prudence, what we now do out of juftice, at leaft with respect to his Majefty. They would pafs compliments upon the prince then upon the throne, they would perhaps even compliment his minifters; but as foon as they had, by the fuccefs and effect of their bill, cleared the two houfes from corruption, they might then probably begin to talk in another ftrain with regard to the minifters; because, upon removing the corrupted, it would be easy to make the crimes of the corrup tor appear. The question now before us, my Lords, does not relate to perfons, but to things. It does not relate to his prefent Majefty, or his next fucceffor; nor to the prefent, or any future adminiftration. The question is, Whether we fhould be in danger of having our conftitution overturned by means of corruption, fuppofing we had a prince upon the throne that would attempt it, and an administration that would, in the most cunning manner, ufe all the methods now in the power of the crown for accomplishing it? This is the proper queftion now before us; and if your Lordships do not answer this queftion in the affirmative, I will be bold to fay, you |