A. D. 1772. 529 



tenburg and Bahus, the coaft of which had been for fome years part 

 enriched by the vifits of the herrings. 



December 4 ''-24''' — The ads for the free importation of all kinds of 

 grain from Europe, Africa, and America, and of faked provifions, tal- 

 low, &c. from Europe, Ireland, and America, as alfo thofe for prohi- 

 biting the exportation of all kinds of grain, malt, flour, &c. were again 

 renewed. [13 Geo. HI, cc. 1-5.] 



The free importation of rice from the Britifh colonies in America to 

 Great Britain was alfo permitted till the firft of May 1780 ; and the ex- 

 portation of it was fubjefted to a duty of 27 per cent ad valorem. By 

 the fltme adt all perfons were at liberty to make flarch of rice, notwith- 

 flanding a patent granted to William Prince for that manufacture, Mr. 

 Prince having confented to refign his exclufive right. [13 Geo. Ill, c. 7.] 



The Eaft-India company's affairs in India ftood more in need of re- 

 gulation now, than when the three fupervifors, who unfortunately pe- 

 rifhcd on their padlige, were fent out. They therefor refolved to lend 

 out other fupervifors ; and General Monkton, together with MefTieurs 

 Gumming, Devaynes, Lafcelles, Wier, and Wheeler, were appointed to 

 that important truft (23'' Oilober). But before thefe gentlemen could 

 proceed on their million, they were prohibited by an adt of the legil- 

 lature, whereby 



December 24"'' — The Eaft-India company were rcftrained for a limit- 

 ed time from appointing commiflloners for fuperintending and regulat- 

 ing their affairs at their prelidencies in India. [13 Geo. Ill, c. 9.] 



The company found it necelTary, in confequence of the embarrafled 

 ftate of their affairs (which will be more fully explained in the tranfac- 

 tions of the enluing year) to reduce their dividend from tzvelve and a 

 half, at which rate it had been paid from Midlummer 1771 to Midfum- 

 mer 1772 inclufive, tojix per cent per annum. 



Mr. Foivre *, who had traveled over a great part of Afia as a na- 

 turalift and philofopher, having made a voyage from the French lettle- 

 ments in Madagafcar to fome iflands producing fpices, and independent 

 of the Dutch, arrived in June 1770 at the Ille of France with a great 

 number of plants of nutmeg and clove trees, as well as of the fruits 

 themfelves fit for lowing. A fecond, and larger, importation was made 

 of them this year, and great hopes were conceived of their thriving in 

 the ifland. But, though they were treated with the greateft care by 

 very able botaniils, moil; of them perilhed, and thofe that furvivcd 

 were of a poor quality, and afforded Uule profpecl; of fuccefs f . 



* The author of Vayagei i/'un bliilofoplie (Tra- tlierc were I1544 iiutmc)!; trcts and 4,163 clo»e 



Tcls of a philofopher) and fcvcral otlicr valuable tires in the king's buunie (;arjvii, icajy, with 



works. rtiiwy other rare plants, 10 he ^ivcn to any uf the 



•f 'I'hey appear to have thriven better after b«- inhabitants, who <lcfiied to cultivate them. \_Huti- 



ing naturalized to the foil. VV'lieii J.,iiutenant l,r'i Journul ul I'ori Ja.kjon, f>. ^6.] 

 King was at the ifle of France in Auguil 1790, 



Vol. III. 1 X 



