Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/117

Rh made with an intention to make war on the inhabitants of the country, excepting those who should be found in arms, or shall otherwise oppose the just war, which we wage against his majesty the most Christian king.

"Be it known, therefore, to all who will remain in peaceable possession of their habitations and effects, that they may stay unmolested in their respective dwellings, and follow their usual occupations; and that, excepting the customs and taxes which they pay to the king, nothing will be required of them, either in money or merchandizes, but what is absolutely necessary for the subsistence of the army; and that for all the provisions they shall bring in, they shall be paid ready money.

"On the contrary, if notwithstanding this declaration which we have been pleased to make, the inhabitants of the towns or villages carry away their furniture, effects, or provisions, and abandon their houses or dwellings, we shall treat such delinquents as enemies, and destroy by fire and sword, or such other methods, as shall be in our power, their towns, villages, dwellings, or houses. Given at the head quarters at Parame.

June 7, 1758.

MARLBOROUGH."

By his grace's command,.

His grace sent at the same time the following letter to the magistrates and echevins of St. Maloes.

"We being in possession of all the country between Dinan, Rennes, and Doll, as far as St. Malo, and finding that all the inhabitants of the towns and villages in this extent of country have abandoned their habitations, probably to avoid the payment of the usual contributions: and as we are informed that the inhabitants have, by your orders, been compelled to go to St. Malo, we give you notice, that if they do not return peaceably to their houses, and send their magistrates to our head quarters to settle the contributions, we shall think ourfelves obliged to set fire to them without further delay.

MARLBOROUGH."

In the past month of July, by an exact measurement, above five inches of rain fell in London, a quantity surpassing any in the same month perhaps in the memory of man. The mean depth in England, one year with another, is about 23 inches and an half, of which a larger proportion usually falls in the winter months.

A loan to his majesty, in his quality of elector of Hanover, for two hundred thousand pounds, was opened at the bank; which was immediately filled by the following gentlemen,

And Messrs. Amyand, Backwell, Burton, and Magens, are appointed trustees for the management of the said loan.

A great number of fowls, beasts, &c. which came over in the West-India fleet, were brought to St.