Norfolk Newspapers -

Norfolk Chronicle

Extracts from May 18th 1782

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Copyright © Pat Newby
July 2005

Norfolk Chronicle Extracts from May 18th 1782

Transcription and notes copyright © Janelle Penney.

These transcriptions have been made from microfilm supplied by the British Library Newspaper Library, which holds the copyright of the images. If you cite from, or download any part of, these transcriptions you must include this paragraph to acknowledge the British Library Newspaper Library as the source of the material.

Note: the Norfolk Chronicle was published in Norwich. When no place is referred to exactly, or the term "this city" is used, Norwich is the place referred to. Similarly, mentions of "the Castle", the City Gaol" etc refer to institutions in Norwich.

Page 2, columns 1 & 2

Copy of a Letter from the Earl of SHELBURNE, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, to the Mayor of Norwich, with the Heads of a Plan therein inclosed.

"Whitehall, May 7, 1782.
Sir,
His Majesty has commanded me to express his firm reliance upon the spirit and loyalty of his people, and his royal confidence, that, during this season of difficulty, their utmost endeavours will not be wanting to give unquestionable proofs of their attachment and emulation for his service; and foreseeing, that by wise, strenuous, and timely preparations, he may not only defeat any hostile attempts, but by appearing strong and united at home, he may be enable to make the more powerful efforts for maintaining his honour and the public interests abroad, and thereby lay the surest foundation for a safe, an honourable, and a lasting peace; and as the populousness of the principal towns and cities of Great Britain naturally offers the greatest facility, as well for forming into corps, as for learning the military exercise, without loss of time, interruption of labour, or any considerable fatigue, his Majesty has commanded me to transmit to you the enclosed propositions, which have been submitted to his Majesty, as at least a temporary plan for the domestic force of the nation; which being adopted and improved, according to the circumstances and situation of the town of which you are the Chief Magistrate, may tend to the immediate formation of a great and respectable addition to the national force at home, on the most natural and constitutional principles.
     For this purpose, I have his Majesty's command to signify to you his desire and recommendation, that you should take the same into immediate consideration; and after having considered, report to me whatever observations may occur to you for the carrying into execution a plan, the purpose of which is to give security to your own persons and property, and the general defence of the kingdom.
     I am, Sir, your most obedient,
     Humble Servant,
     (signed) SHELBURNE."

Heads of a Plan for raising Corps in the several principal Towns in Great Britain.

• 1st. The principal towns in Great Britain to furnish one or more battalions each, or a certain number of companies each, in proportion to their size and number of inhabitants.
• 2d. The officers to be appointed from among the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, or the inhabitants of the said towns, either by commission from his Majesty, or from the Lord Lieutenants of the county, upon the recommendation of the Chief Magistrate of the town in which the corps are raised.
• 3d. They are to be possessed of some certain estate in land or money, in proportion to their rank.
• 4d. An Adjutant or Town-Major in each town to be appointed by his Majesty.
• 5th. A proper number of Serjeants [sic] and Corporals from the army to be appointed for the corps in each town, in proportion to their number.
• 6th. The said Serjeants [sic] and Corporals, as well as the Adjutant or Town-Major, to be in Government pay.
• 7th. The men to exercise frequently, either in battalions, or by company, on Sundays, and on all holidays, and also after their work is over in the evenings.
• 8th. Arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, to be furnished at the expence [sic] of Government, if required.
• 9th. Proper magazines, or store-houses, to be chosen, or erected in each town, for keeping the said arms, etc.
• 10th. The arms and accoutrements to be delivered out at times of exercise only, and to be returned into the store-houses as soon as the exercise is finished.
• 11th. The Adjutant, or Town-Major, to be always present at the exercise, and to see that the men afterwards march regularly, and lodge their arms in the store-houses.
• 12th. Proper penalties to be inflicted on such as absent themselves from exercise, as also for disobedience of orders, insolence to their officers, and other disorderly behaviour.
• 13th. The above corps not to be obliged, on any account, or by any authority whatever, to move from their respective towns, except in times of actual invasion or rebellion.
• 14th. His Majesty shall then have the power to order the said corps to march to any part of Great Britain, as his service may require.
• 15th. They are on such occasions to act either separately, or in conjunction with his Majesty's regular forces, and be under the command of such General Officers as his Majesty shall think proper to appoint.
• 16th. Both officers and men to receive full pay as his Majesty's other regiments of foot, from the day of their march, and as long as they shall continue in service out of their towns.*
• 17th. They are to be subject to military discipline, in the same manner as his Majesty's regular forces, during the said time of their being so called out, and receiving Government pay.
• 18th. All officers who should be disabled in actual service to be entitled to half pay, and all non-commissioned officers and private men disabled to receive the benefit of Chelsea hospital.
• 19th. The widows of officers killed in the service to have a pension for life.

*Time of service to be named.

N.B. A Roll is prepared, and left at the Town-Clerk's Office, for any person to subscribe who shall be willing to become a Volunteer under the above-mentioned plan.

Page 2, column 2

We hear that some young Gentlemen of spirit and fortune in this city purpose to set on foot associations, in order to form volunteer companies of independent men, who are interested in the security and protection of their country, and the preservation of our happy constitution.
     Last Sunday General PHILLIPSON arrived in this city, and the next morning set out for Yarmouth.
     Saturday last a part of the West Norfolk Militia arrived in this city, and on Sunday morning early set out from hence to Yarmouth, in the neighbourhood of which they are to encamp. And on Sunday the remainder arrived, and set out for the same place on Monday morning.
     Tuesday the West Suffolk militia arrived in this city, where they are to remain till further orders.

Wednesday last was brought to Yarmouth Harbour, by Capt. FISHER, of the Hunter cutter, a large smuggling cutter, taken on this coast, laden with 400 half ankers of brandy, and two tons of tea. -- The crew made their escape in the boat.

Saturday last a young woman was taken up for stealing a piece for a gown out of the shop of Mr LEWIS, linen-draper, in the Market-place, and committed to the City Gaol.

Last week at Botesdale fair, as Mrs EMMS, of the London-lane, gingerbread baker, was standing at her stall, she suddenly dropt [sic] down in a fit, and almost instantly expired.

Last week die at Aylsham, Mr John PETERSON, a considerable farmer.

On the 10th inst. died, in the 79th year of her age, at her house in St Giles', in this city, Lydia, relict of the late Grantham KILLINGWORTH, Gent.

On Tuesday last died , in the 44th year of his age, the Rev. John SIMPSON, M.A. and Minister of St Andrew's parish, in this city: - a man of truly amiable and christian disposition, respected by all who knew him, and whose memory will be ever dear to his parishoners [sic], by whom he was much and deservedly beloved.

Page 2, column 3

Norwich, May 17, 1782.
A Robbery.

Whereas some Person or Persons unknown did in the Night between the 16th and 17th of May, Instant, break open an Outhouse belonging to Mr Robert PARTRIDGE, in St George's Colgate, and stole thereout four Bundles of Eight-quarter clean Yarn, No.10. Whoever will discover the Offender or Offenders, so that he or they may be convicted thereof, shall receive a Reward of Five Guineas by applying to the said Robert PARTRIDGE.

Page 3, column 2

All Persons indebted on Notes, Bonds, Mortgages, or other Securities made to the late Mr Grantham KILLINGWORTH in his life-time, or since his Death transferred to Mrs Lydia KILLINGWORTH, his Widow and Executrix, very lately deceased, but who has almost ever since her Husband's Death been rendered incapable of receiving or discharging any such Debts or Securities for the same, are required to pay the said Debts to Mr FINCH, at Norwich, who is the surviving Executor, and the only Person by Law entitled to receive such Debts, and give proper Discharges for the same. And if Persons so indebted to the said Mr KILLINGWORTH as above-mentioned do not immediately apply about the Payment of the said Debts to Mr FINCH, they will be sued without further Notice.

Page 3, column 4

New Buckenham, May 13, 1782.

Whereas the Small-pox has lately broke out at New Buckenham, the Inhabitants in order the sooner to stop a Distemper so alarming to the Neighbourhood, have unusually agreed to a general Inoculation, and as the Town may be thought unsafe for fresh People so soon as the last Saturday in May, (the Day on which the Fair, or Great Market is usually kept) it is likewise agreed to postpone the said Fair, or Great Market, until Saturday the 15th Day of June, against which Time due Care will be taken to air the Inhabitants, and thereby render the Town perfectly safe.

Transcription and notes copyright © Janelle Penney.

These transcriptions have been made from microfilm supplied by the British Library Newspaper Library, which holds the copyright of the images. If you cite from, or download any part of, these transcriptions you must include this paragraph to acknowledge the British Library Newspaper Library as the source of the material.