The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-12-04 00:00:00

CHELMSFORD, Nov. 39.

-:.•
We are not satrprised, after the recent melan-
choly circumstance, that the least alarm of fire I
should create in the minds-of the inhaottants of this
town the most painful sensations. This was the
case on Friday evening last, when, about six
o'clock, a fire was discovered in the West. The
engines were got out with the utmost expedition,
and proceeded in the direction towards whence the
light was first seen; but, after going about two
miles on the Roswell road, no fire could be ob-
served, and the engines returned, every thing being
kept ready at a moment's warning. About eight
o'clock a tire was again seen, and the most painful
anxiety expressed. Some person was momentarily
expected to claim the assistance of the engines ; but,
as it has since transpired, that the fire was at the
distance of at le-it fifteen miles, it would therefore,
owing to the badness of the roads, have been
impossible for the engines to have reached the spot
in time to save any part of the stock and buildings
which were consumed that evening, upon a farm
called Skringels, the property of Mr. Bingham, of
Hatfield Broad Oak. There were two fires the
same evening upon this unfortunate person's pre-
mises. The first fire began at a barn about a quar-
ter of a mile from the dwelling-house, which was
immediately so involved in flames, that no pro-
spect appeared to the alarmed neighbourhood of
saving any part of the property. The barn was
soon levelled with the earth, and with its contents
became one heap of rubbish. But what horror will
it excite in our readers, and with what indignation
will they receive the information. when they are
told, that about eight o'clock the same evening, two
barns, nearly adjoining the dwelling-house upon the
same farm, and where the son and daughter of Mr.
Bingham resided, were discovered to be so enve-
loped in flames, as to be out of the reach of human
invention to extinguish them, the fire having at one
and the same time burst out at different places.
Very strong reasons therefore exist to ground a
suspicion that the whole of this melancholy and la-
mentable conflagration was the work of some dia-
bolical incendiary, whose wicked inventions have
bat too well succeeded in the destruction of the
whole of Mr. Bingham's property, amounting, at a
fair calculation, to near one thousand pounds. The
produce of about one hundred acres of corn being
consumed renders it a national calamity, and which
cannot fail to be felt, even by the villainous perpe-
trator of this most wicked transaction ; the corn.
punctious gnawings of whose conscience, we ear-
nestly hope, may impel him to make a confession of
his guilt, as the only atonement now in his power
for the horrid mischief his diabolic malignity has
occasioned. The loss of Mr. Bingham, we hear,
was not covered by insurance ; if so, although we
cannot withhold our pity, yet the neglect, we must
add, is unpard:mable ;—examples of losses, and
even of total ruin. from the ravages of fire, have
been sufficiently numerous, it might be expected, to
induce p :icons in every situation of life to secure
their property by insurance ; but every day furnishes
us with evidence of the neglect of persons who omit
taking advantage of the institutions so wisely esta-
blished for that purpose
Yesterday moan ng the body of a man was dis-
covered by some bargemen coming up the Chelmer,
about two miles from the Bason. UpanentFairy,
proves to be a person of the name et Matthams, a
breeches-maker, of Maldon, who left Chelmsford tl.e
preceding evening somewhat disguised in liquor ;
and it is supposed that, in attem,iting to cross over
at the lock (which was the nearest path), the do.
ceased fell is and was drowned. We are sorry to
add, that he has left a wife and nine children. _

On Wednesday, the 21st inst. Mr. George
Jewitt, of the Bell, Sible liedingham, had a post-
alaaise hired to take some company, who were at-
tendants upon a newly married couple at lialste
to Colche.ter; when, up in their arrival near the
barracks, the horses, being spirited ones. and not
accustomed to the brilliant appearance of the mili-
tary, took fright at the glittering of their arms, the
sound of the drums, ate. and, notwithstanding the
greatest efforts of the driver, ran away, overturned
the post-chaise, and literally dashed it to pieces;
but happily without doing any other mischief of
consequence, the persons within receiving but little

On Thursday morning. an unfortunate young
woman was discovered lying by the side of a hay-
rick near the bottom of New-street, Barton upon
trent, in a state of insensibility : her cap appeared
to he cut by a knife in many places ; her skull was
fractured with the end of a brick found near her.
A small bundle of shoemakers' leather scraps, tied
with a wax end, and bloody, was also lying on the
spot. She is still alive, but unable to give any ac-
count 01 the transaction. parish officer of Bur-
ton Ea tra is laudably exerting himself to dig-
covo- the wretch who has exercised such singular
et uety to an unhappy female.—/Lee-serer journal.)
On Tuesday eve:sing last, between seven and eight
o'clock, an accident occurred to the stage coach,
going from Norwich to Yarmouth, which threatened
the most serious cossaiquences to the passengers. On
its arrival a: Burgh King's Arms, the coachman
went into the home, imprudently leaving the care of
the horses wholly to a boy. The animals, impa-
tient to proceed, soon overpowered the feeble re-
eraint that was opposed to them, and set off at (nil
speed. One of the passengers,, however (a respect-
able tradesman of Norwich), had the presence of
mind and resolution to get immediately upon the
roof of the carriage, and from thence, by the bus,
to the foot-board ; from which last place he suc-
ceeded in reaching the reins, which hung upon the
splinter bar : he then ascended the box, and in a
short time stopped the horses, and thus providen-
tially rescued himself, and two other persons, from
A danger which appeared almost inevitable.
So completely is the press shackled at Haniburgh
by the influence of the French agent, that not a
single observation has been permitted to be inert.
ed in the Corrupted° rye, which appeared in the
public prints in England, respecting the Lida lis-
ping of Sir GLOM. E Rem Not. o. The Government
however, to do Justice to the British Cabime and
Nation, have also ordered their Censor of the le ess
not to permit the insertion of TA L LaV It o's libel-
lous and scurrilous circular letter to the French di-
plomatic agents abroad, with regard to Sir Gso aisa
and other British diplomatic awakes en the Con-
tinent.

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-y:

SPEECH
OF THE KING OF SWEDEN TO THE STATES OF

POMF.R A NI

STOCKSOLM. NOV. 9.

- - - -
When the States of Pomerania were assembled at
Stralsund, on the Bth of OFtober, His Swedish Ma-
jesty met them in person, and addressed them in the
following Speech
" I hare caused yoe to be convoked, any faithful States, in
order to express to you, in the customary intoner, through my
Governor-General, .and the Government, my sentiments and
will, with respect to certain important occurrences. But as
hove new the pleasure to see you assembled in my presence,
wish likewise to hare. the satisfactrin to signify to you person-
ally my views and intentions and the greunds of the measures
I have taken. This, any resolution, is founded on the confi •
dense which ever ought to exist between the Sovereign and
the subjects.
" In the comic of the preceding year, occurrences to It place
which, with reason, attracted general attention, on &reboot
of the danger to which the North of Germany was expos d ;
and I immediitely took the meet effectual measures to place
the fortifications of this city in a proper state of defence This
sairatioli of alfairslTas hitherto by no mean,: chan in a fa•
‘ouralsle manner; but, rather, circumstances boa-
which require redoubled precaution for the safety of the coun-
try. A. therefore, the wants thus produced demand extraor-
dinary supp,Jes, I have sought the necesuarr aids in every way,
and, with the a‘,,.tance of Swed?n, have supports-I the credit
and rescarrr, of my Chamber of Pomerania. But as that
Kingdern is alr•..dy burdened with extraordolars tares, and
must encounter others for public purposes, the pre,ent hainry
condition of the; country, without the assistance of the States,
may be changed into a very critical and dangerous situation.
From this cause I apply to you for aid and support in the pre-
sent necessity.
" Convinced that nay faithful States will perceiv.! and ark now.
ledge the justice of my proposal, I have only to adt, that I rely
with full confidence on a speedy, explicit, and satisfactory an-
swer, which the state et attain, especially on the approach of
the unfavourable season of the year, urgently demands. The
States are, at least sot expea, folly convinced, that I rely; re
their support only front the most importint reasons. They
must have seen and known, that I have refrained as long as
possible from making a proposition which the wants of the State
now render indispensably necessary.
" As I canal doubt that nay subjects repose the most en-
tire confidence in me, that all the aids which the necessities of
the state require will be employed by me to the tn.e benefit of
the country it is a pleasure Wma hereby to permit that one
or two deputies from among you shall have inspection in what
mariner the aid granted is applied to the public advantage, in
order that YOU may be the more convinced of My car* for the
public welfare.
" It would he superfluous to admonish you to do that which
the safety and honour of the country require, since you are all
animated by the same sentiments.
"1 conclude by a•suring you, generally and severally, of the
continuance of my Royal favour and good will."