The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-09-07 00:00:00

COURT OF PIED POUDRE.

c•ises ocrirrred during yesterday ; but
the following was the only one worthy a report :

11104)K V. GRABS.

This was on appeal to the Homage to obtain the
restitution of nine sail of the line, three French
flags, and about forty pieces of cannon, captor-
ed by the Defend:in:, a British seaman. It ap-
peared that Houk, the Appellant, had invited the
public to witness a correct representation of the
battle of the glorious first of June, and the destruc-
tion of the French fleet. Grabb, who had taken
more grog on board than ballast, sailed into the
marine euiibition, and took his station very close
to the sea, which was formed of glass
Shortly after, the English fleet appeared in a line
of battle, led by the gallant Howe. The ships
were neatly formed of paper, and they presented a
very picturesque view. Hook, the showman, then
announced to the spectators that the enemy was in
sight; and Grabb imindiately ruse up to clear for
action, expressing at the same time his determine-.
film to pour in a bra idside upon the first French-
man that came within hail. The audience ad.
mired the blunt lingo of the tar, but no one sus-
pected that lie would join in the engagement.
They were, however, deceived. The instant the
French line was formed, and a cracker had
been discharged, as the signal to engage, Grabb
sent his stick among the nautical apparatus, and
the glass sea, which exploded like Congreve's
rockets. lie then seized the greater,part of the
enemy's ships, guns, flags, and other minutia,
and put them in his p icket, bidding defiance to the
French Navy, with Bonaparte at its head. This
UtlelllCClCl Attack threw the showman and the audi.
once into the greatest confusion, and, as the sailor
as determined to maintain his victory, the con_
stables weec called; consequently, after a few
shots had been exchanged, Grabh was conveyed
before his betters. When the appeal was made,
it was evident that Grabb had evinced too.much
zeal in aid of the British fleet ; but he was half
seas over, and the Homage only ordered hi:n to
make retribution to the amount of half_a_guinea.
In compliance with this order, Grabb threw down
a guinea, and exclaimed, " Ll you, take a
guinea, rid let me have another shot at the ene-
my." The appellant was not willing to accede to
the last proposal, but lie received his disabled
ships, ordnance, and prize-money, and left the
Court.

It is reported that his SICILIAN MAJESTY will
have a Monarchy assigned to him in New Spain,
under the protection of this Country, in case all
attempt. to restore FERDINAND to liberty and to
his nation shall fail. The reason circulated for
this intended establishment is, that he is the neat
heir to the Crown of Spain, at present in the en.
joyment of personal liberty, and one more likely
to be well received by theTrans-Atlantic Spaniards
than any other Personage in Europe.
The vacancy lately occasioned in the 95th re-
giment, by the death of General MANNINCIIAN,
is filled by no less than foist. Colonels ! A Colo-
nel has been appointed to each of the three Nitta.
lions of that regiment, of which Sir DAVID Dux.
DAS has been made Colonel in Chief /

A person has been mentioned to have lost no
Iv.' than 200,0001. id hazard last week. The
Gentleman certainly is of high rank, and well
known. Our astonishment therefore, is, not that
he lost such a sum, but that he had it.
Capt. Aiken performed an extraordinary match
yesterday, in the neighbourhood of Weybridge:
lle backed himself for a eager of one hundred
guineas with a brother officer, to go three miles in
18 minutes, and won by about three seconds. lie
had bets to the amount of 5001. upon the event,
as he took the current odds 6 to 4.

A duel took place On Tuesday, on Ilarfordwest
Common, between Deal and Barnham, between
Captain C— and Adjutant R—, in cun-e-
-gstetice of some dispute! on board a vessel from
Walcheren, where both officers had served. Mr.
C— was slightly wounded in the arm( by the
third shot, when both parties shook hands, and the
allair was settled.

An Agricultural Society is about to be e.ita.
blUilied in Itclourshire, snider the superinteodrinct
of several spirited Gcntlemen, eminently
qualified to iusine ace to the patriotic and be.
nt:hciAl undertaking'.
linst week, William Con table and Richard
Cockcroft, OA t ere appreheihied
at Bull, fur prepaying to leave this kiugdoni and
go to America.