The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-03-11 00:00:00

2'llE BRITISH PRESS,

LONDON,
FRIDAY, MARCH 11.
Yesterday several persons attended early at the
House of Commons, in expe&ation that some farther
conversation would take place upon the important
subject of his Majesty's Message, but they were dis-
appointed. It will be seen, however, in our Parlia-
mentary Report, that' the day did not pass over
without announcing new measures of precaution.
Mr. WICKHAM gave notice in the House of Com-
mons of a motion to-morrow, of a Bill to enable his
MairsT -4, to increase the Militia of Ireland, and the
Secretary at War of another on Monday, for the
consolidation of the existing laws for making pro-
vision for the faniilies of Militia-men. A message
was also brought down from his MAJESTY, an-
nouncing his intention to call out and embody the
Militia, in pursuance of the power vested in him by
several Acts of Parliament.
In consequence of the impress for seamen, which
took place yesterday, the City exhibited a scene at
once interesting and affe&ing. Wives, children,
and relatives, to the amount of several hundreds,
were observed erowding round the Mansion-House,
liftiag up their hands in anguish, and expressing
every .degree of anxiety for the fate of those who
were impressed, and had been brought before the
Loch Ma Soa Lc) k)e attested. The different gangs
distributed themselves over Cie Metropolis, and by
their presence, created universal terror and conster- '
nation among,st the labourers ernployed in the differ-
ent new .buildings. 'the various scenes of industry,
whichtle river lately presented, were totally changed.
The watermen left their boats, and the greater part
of tlie seamen their vessels. Nothing was heard but
glamour, and threats of vengc,mce against the press-
gangs ; all the lower classes in the town and its
vicinity were alarmed for themsekyes or their friends.
Not only sailors, but the mates of stops were seized
and carried off. A press-gang rnshed into the Ex-
change, and seized several persons of the latter de-
*riptinn. The Captains upon the Exchange attempt-
ed to rescue their Mates? and much distnrbilncc took
place, but the pess-gang at length succeeded, and
conveyed tlle,m to the Mansion-Honse. Notwith-
standin all this gtivity, not more than 200 seamen
were impressed within the City in the course
.of
Wednesday night and yesterday morning. They -
were examined at .the 'Mansion-House, before the
Iso voa, and Captain ROCIIBtI LOfthe Navy.
Many of them said, that they had no objec-
tion to service. Others pleaded bodily infirmity.
A Surgeon from the Nancy st tte4el to examine
them, and such as were found Pt for service
were ser.t.pnl)oarcl a lender stationed off the Tower.
—Several mates and carperiw-sof ships obtained
rote& io The gound sloop, Capt. MAX wt Le,
is not arrived off the Tower, but boats front ,;hat
vessel are .stationed .there, for the Forme,of con-
veying such seamen, as may be impressed, on board
that vessel at Deptford. Orders are given for the
Enterprize to be ,immediately fitted for receiving
impressed seamen and volunteers, and .to be placed
at.ber old moorings, off tit! owr. Similarsexer-
tions to plan
,our navy are makinp in all our ports.
A very hot press took place on* fuesdaynigbht
chat
Portsmouo, and at Portsea an I Gospo rt ; the ea
at these places was lined „Fads soldier;, and a great
number ofse,a n were imprecsed from ve,ssels oftvery
description in the harbour, and being.taken to ,the
guard-houses, were won board diferepttmen of ware
It was generally believed that t frigates ,nd gun.