The London Magazine, Or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Suit their fort on this fide the ferry, and reFire to the continent. I likewife fent a batallion to take poffeffion of Newport, the capital of the island, in which were found fome cannon and ftores, which the rebels, in their fudden retreat, had left behind them..

I fhall, as foon as poffible, fend troops to the islands of Cananicut and Prudence, and occupy fuch other posts as may be neceffary for the fecurity of the harbour.

Having had it in command from General Howe to give your Lordship the earliest intelligence of the fuccefs of his Majefty's troops; I have the honour to tranfmic this to your Lordship by Captain Drummond, one of my aide de camps, to whom I beg leave to refer your Lordship for any particulars which you may wish to be informed of. I have the honour to be, &c.

H. CLINTON. A letter from Paris fays, Dr. Franklin's abode here continues to perplex our politicians, especially fince it is believed that he has had a long conference with the count de Maurepas concerning the prefent fituation of affairs; but whether he came here on his private affairs, or is deputed from his country, is fill a fecret.

By letters from Petersbourg and other places we hear, that the Turks have again broke the peace with Rufia; it is even faid, that they have openly declared war against Ruffia, and begun hoftilities in Crimea. General Romanzow has affembled a strong army to go against them.

Another account from Hamburgh fays, that the report that General Romanzow is marched, with an army of 60,000 men, against the Turks, who, contrary to the treaty of peace, oppofe the navigation of the Ruffians on the black fea, is not only confirmed, but it is certain that the Ruffians have taken Precop in Crimea, in order to oblige the Turks entirely to fulfil the conditions of the treaty of peace.

Whilft the Ruffian government is endeavouring on one hand to open a paffage toward North America, and on the other to make a communication with Japan, they do not negject to facilitate the commerce between the different provinces of the ftate, by means of highways and canals. The Empress is likewife endeavouring to form a more direct communication with China, in order to prevent the expence and danger of caravans; for which purpofe her imperial Majefty planted colonies in the large tract of country between

Jan.

the towns of Uderisk and Selerifk, on the frontiers of China. Ever fince the year 1766 a colony of Polish farmers have begun to pee ple thofe vaft deferts; but the views of om auguft fovereign have been perverted by the tyranny exercifed by the magiftrates in those parts, who, imagining themfelves at too grea a diftance from court to be noticed, were guilty of great cruelty and exactions, which tended to fubvert the project of the Emprefs, who being informed of these proceedings, has given orders for the state of thofe colonies to be laid before her, and the conduct of the governors to be examined into, and thofe who have abufed the power which was given them to be feverely punih

ed.

Accounts received from Rome fay, That on the 19th ult. the following important difcovery was made at the caftle of St. Ange lo: a heavy fhower of rain made it neceffity for a conftable to go and cover the cannon, when he found that the pieces which flood facing the ftreet di Borgo Nuovo, were put out of their place, and a little hay laid near them. This made him fufpect fomething and he immediately went and gave information; upon which the officers of the guards examined the guns, and found three of them loaded with chain fhot; they then examined the powder, and found it was not the fame as is commonly used at the caftle of St. Ange lo, but of the very best quality, fuch at is ufed in hunting; befides which, these pieces were raifed fix palms from the ground, and fo placed as to command the whole breadth of the freet di Borgo Nuovo, through which the Pope paffes every evening at feven, when he goes to the Vatican. Besides thefe, five more pieces were found loaded with a fingle ball each; thefe cannon pointed directly to the Vatican palace.

Such an unexpected piece of treachery has spread an univerfal alarm, and has affected the Pope very much, as it is plain that this ftroke was intended either against him, or to put the whole city into confufion, which fo fatal an affair would certainly have done, as in all probability the killing of so many perfons would have occafioned a tumult. The Pope has returned thanks to heaven for the prefervation of this city from the fuccefs of this villainous defign, and the government are ufing their utmost endeavours to discover the perions concerned in this affair; feveral people have been taken up, and confined in the castle, but no difcovery has yet been made.

To our CORRESPONDENTS.

A Lecture on Widows-Defcription of a celebrated Relick-Remarks on the Jamous declaratory Act-Essays on Wildom and Fashion-A Love Letter, and a Paftoral to the Memory of D. F. one of our late Correfpondents, shall appear next month. J. H.'s Pafloral will be inferted in our next, and attention fhall be paid to his future favours.- Second Extract from Des Roches's MemoirsLines by a Lover, and other Contributions, are received, and fhall be duly noticed. --T. W's, Obfervations are not within our Plan—and F‚S's, Verfes an inadmisible.