walked in procession from the Merchants' Hall to the High Church, where he was received by the Magistrates and Town-Council in their robes. Among other distinguished persons in the procession, we observed the Earl of Hopetoun, the Earl of Moray, the Earl of Wemyss, Lord Gray, Lord Ashburton, Lord Robert Kerr, the Bishop of Kildare, Sir James Douglas, Sir H. Elphinston, the Lord Provost, Lord Advocate, General Hope, Sir Gregory Way, General Duff, Colonel Wauchope, Hon. Captain Napier, Colonel Wallace, and other officers of the 88th regiment, the Lord Chief Commissioner, Baron Sir John Stuart, Baron Clerk Rattray, Commissioner Fothringham, &c. &c. The streets were lined by detachments of the Scots Greys and the 88th regiment. After divine service, his Grace the Commissioner went to the Assembly Room, when the members proceeded to choose a Moderator. The Rev. Dr Campbell, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, and secretary to the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge in Scotland, was unanimously elected. The Prince Regent's commission in name of his Majesty, a letter, and also a warrant for two thousand pounds, to be employed towards the propagating Christian knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland, were read. After which the Assembly was opened by his Grace the Commissioner, in a speech from the throne, to which the Moderator made a suitable reply. Friday, May 22.-The Assembly appointed Mr James Strachan, minister of Cavers, to preach on Sunday, in the forenoon, and Mr Robert Buchanan of Peebles, in the afternoon ;-Mr John Paul of Straiton, on Sunday the 31st, in the forenoon, and Mr William Shaw of Langholm, in the afternoon. Monday, May 25.-The Assembly heard the reference and appeal from the Presbytery of Paisley, with respect to the patronage of Kilmalcolm. The case, as stated by the parties, was this, viz. "Whether the right of a patronage can be acquired during the vacancy of the church, and whether that right can be exercised by the patron in giving away the presentation of that vice ?" After much reasoning, the Assembly found, that it did not appear to them that there was any law of the land to prohibit such a right from being acquired and exercised, and therefore sustained the reference, dismissed the appeal, and desired the Pres bytery to proceed to the settlement of the presentee, according to the rules of the church. Tuesday, May 26.-Dr Nicol gave no tice, that he would, in a future diet, move for the appointment of a committee to take the proper steps for obtaining a legislative enactment to prevent the sale of a patronage during the vacancy of a parish; a measure which, he confidently trusted, would meet the cordial approbation of the church and of the country. The Moderator stated to the Assembly, that he had received a letter from Henry Brougham, Esq. chairman of a committee of the Hon. House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the education of the poor of Great Britain. Ordered to lie on the table. The Assembly took under consideration a reference from the Synod of Moray, for advice on a decision in the cause of Mr John Clark, minister of the gospel, and teacher of the academy of Inverness, which cause had been brought before them by protest and appeal against a sentence of the Presbytery of Inverness, deposing the said Mr Clark from the office of the holy ministry. It was admitted on the part of the Presbytery, that they had proceeded irregularly, and that there was no adequate evidence in proof of the libel. Parties being heard, the Assembly found that the libel against Mr Clark had been irregularly laid and proceeded in; that there was no evidence of the articles contained in the libel; and therefore they unanimously agreed to reverse the sentence of the Presbytery, and acquit Mr Clark from the whole charges laid against him; and they ordered the whole proceedings in this cause to be expunged from the minutes and record of the Synod of Moray, &c. &e. Wednesday, May 27.-A Committee was appointed to draw up an answer to the queries contained in Mr Brougham's letter, and to transmit the same to London as soon as possible. In the mean time, the Moderator was instructed to write a respectful letter to that gentleman, to inform him that the Assembly will pay the earliest attention to the subject. The Assembly had transmitted to them, from their Committee of Bills, extract minutes from the Presbytery of Stirling, referring to the Assembly a libel which had been given in to them against Dr Robert Moodie, minister of Clackmannan, and a member of that Presbytery, by certain heritors and parishioners of that parish, and one of the elders. The Assembly unanimously agreed to instruct the Presbytery of Stirling, at their first ordinary meeting, to serve the libel on Dr Moodie, thereafter to proceed to judge of its relevancy, and if no appeal be taken against their judgment, to go on to the probation of the libel without delay, according to the rules of the church, and to finish the same, notwithstanding any appeals which may be taken against their proce dure; but the Assembly enjoin the Presby. tery, if any such be taken, to sist pronouncing a final judgment, until these ap peals be disposed of. The Assembly had also transmitted to them, from their Committee of Bills, extract minutes from the Presbytery of Dunfermline, referring to the Assembly, for advice and decision, a cause relating to the ringing of the bells of the parish church of Dunfermline on the Lord's day of the 12th of April last, which had been brought before them by a reference from the Kirk Session. The extract of the Presbytery being read, and Mr Bryce, a member of the Presbytery, having been heard on the subject of the reference, the Assembly agreed to sustain it. Francis Jeffrey, Esq. was heard as counsel for the magistrates of Dunfermline; Henry Cockburn, Esq. Mr A. M'Lean, and Mr Peter Chalmers, for the ministers; and Robert Thomson, Esq. for the Presbytery and Kirk Session; after which the Assembly found, that the power of regulating the time and manner of ringing the bells of the parish church, as connected with ecclesiastical and religious purposes, belonged exclusively to the minister or ministers of the parish, and that the proceedings in this cause, on the part of the magistrates of Dunfermline, were irregular and reprehensible. At the same time the Assembly remitted to a Committee, to consider what steps may be proper for preserving the rights of the church. Thursday, May 28.-The Assembly took under consideration the petition of Dr Macknight, appealing against the sentence of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, of 5th May current, reversing a sentence of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, of 1st December 1817, refusing the petition of certain inhabitants of Edinburgh, craving that the Cowgate Chapel be received into communion of the church as a chapel of ease. Parties being called, there appeared in support of the appeal, Dr Macknight, Dr Inglis, Sir H. Moncrieff, Mr Andrew Thomson, Dr David Ritchie, Mr Dickson, jun. members of the Presbytery of Edinburgh; and Dr Meiklejohn and Mr Buchanan, members of the Synod, appeared as dissenters against the sentence of the Synod. Messrs Mackenzie, Ramsay, Mackellar, and Ritchie, members of the Synod, appeared for the Synod. Mr Somerville, complainer against the sentence of the Presbytery, appeared for himself, and Francis Jeffrey and Henry Cockburn, Esqrs. appeared as counsel for the petitioners. Parties having been fully heard, it was moved to sustain the appeal and complaint, reverse the sentence of the Synod, and affirm that of the Presbytery. A counter-motion was also made to dismiss the appeal, &c. The vote being called for, there appeared for the first motion 98, and for the second 32; majority 66. And the Assembly thereby sustained the appeal and complaint, reversed the sentence of the Synod admitting the chapel into communion, and affirmed the sentence of the Presbytery. Friday, May 29.-Dr Gibb presented a letter which he had received from Sturges Bourne, Esq. Chairman of the Committee of the House of Commons, upon the Poor Laws, which was read and ordered to be recorded. The names of Sir Henry Moncrieff, Dr Macknight, and Mr Andrew Thomson, who are not members of Assembly, were ordered to be added to the Committee upon the Portobello Chapel. The Assembly then took under consideration the petition and appeal of the Rev. James Russell, Minister of Gairloch, with concurrence of upwards of 150 of his parishioners, against certain proceedings of the Presbytery of Lochcarron. Parties being fully heard, it was unanimously agreed to sustain the appeal, reverse the sentence of the Presbytery, dismiss the accusation and petition against Mr Russell, of 2d September 1817, as irregular and incompetent; acquit Mr Russell from all the charges contained in said petition, prohibit all further procedure thereon, and ordain the minutes of all proceedings already held on these charges to be expunged from the records of the Presbytery and Synod. The Assembly then took into consideration a petition from the Marquis of Tweeddale and others, heritors of the parish of Channelkirk, appellants, against a sentence of the Synod of Merse and Teviotdale, of the 28th of October 1817, affirming a sentence of the Presbytery of Lauder, of 24th June 1817, refusing to serve with a libel Mr John Brown, Minister of Channelkirk. The appellants charged Mr Brown with a wilful and continued dereliction of the duty of public preaching, and other duties and functions of his office. All parties being heard, after a short debate, it was moved to dismiss the appeal, and affirm the sentences of the Synod and Presbytery. Another motion was made to sustain the appeal, and reverse the sentence of the Synod and Presbytery, and remit to them to serve Mr Brown with that part of the libel which charges Mr Brown with giving up the performance of public worship within his parish, and to proceed to judge of the relevancy thereof. A vote was then taken, when the first motion was carried by a great majority; therefore, the General Assembly, in terms of said motion, dismissed the appeal, and affirmed the sentence of the Synod of Merse and Teviotdale, and the sentence of the Presbytery of Lauder. Saturday, May 30.-The report of the Trustees of the Ministers' Widows' Fund was given in by Sir Henry Moncrieff Wellwood, the Collector, and ordered to lie on the table till Monday. The thanks of the Assembly were then given from the chair to the Collector, for his diligence, tenderness, and fidelity, in the discharge of his duties, and for his attention at all times to the interests of the Fund. The report of the Committe upon the management of the Poor was given in by Principal Baird, Convener of the Sub-Committee, together with various schedules and documents referred to in the report, or connected therewith. The unanimous and cor dial thanks of the Assembly were given from the chair to the Sub-Committee, and more particularly to Principal Baird, their Convener, for the singular zeal, diligence, and assiduity, he had shown in the accomplishment of the very important business entrusted to him. The Assembly also renewed the appointment of the Committee, Principal Baird to be Convener, and directed them to proceed in their usual labours, until they shall complete the report respecting the few parishes which had not returned an answer to the queries of the Committee, authorising them at same time to communicate, if necessary, with the Committees of the Houses of Lords and Commons, upon the Poor Laws, with respect to every subject connected with the object of their appoint ment. Dr Nicol, in pursuance of a former notice, moved that a Committee be appointed to take proper steps to procure a legislative enactment to prevent the sale of the patronage of a parish during its vacancy; which was agreed to, Dr Nicol to be Convener of said Committee. The Assembly took into consideration extract minutes of the Presbyteries of Strathbogie and Aberlour, referring to them the conduct of Mr John Macdonald, Minister of Urquhart, in preaching in other parishes than his own, within the bounds of the above Presbyteries. Mr Cruickshanks, a member of the Presbytery of Strathbogie, was heard in support of the reference, and Mr Macdonald in explanation. After long reasoning, a motion was made and seconded, that "Having considered the references, the Assembly declare, that the performance of Divine Service, or of any part of public worship or service, by ministers of this church, in meeting-houses of Dissenters, is irregular and unconstitutional, and ought on no occasion to take place, except in cases which, from the peculiar circumstances of the parish, its minister may find it occasionally necessary for conducting the ordinary religious instruction o: his people; and the Assembly further declare, that the conduct of any minister of the church who exercises his pastoral functions in a vagrant manner, preaching during his journeys from place to place in the open air, in other parishes than his own, or officiating in any meeting for religious exercises, without the special invitation of the minister within whose parish it shall be held, and by whom such meetings shall be called, is disorderly, and unbecoming the character of a minister of this church, and calculated to weaken the hands of the minister of the parish, and to injure the interests of sound religion; and the Assembly enjoin Presbyteries to take order that no countenance be given by ministers within their bounds to such occasional meetings proposed to be held for Divine Service, or other pious purposes, as may, under the pretext of promoting religion, injure its interests, and so disturb the peace and order of the church; and in case such meetings take place, the Presbyteries within whose bounds they are held, are enjoined to report the same to the meeting of the General Assembly next ensuing.' Another motion was made and seconded, that "the Assembly having considered the references, find it unnecessary to emit any declaration relative to the subject thereof, the existing laws of the church being sufficient to prevent the irregularity complained of; and recommend to the ministers of this church to exercise their usual vigilance in giving all due effect to these laws." A vote was taken on these motions, when the first was carried by a considerable majority, and therefore the General Assembly declare, and enjoin in terms of the first motion. Monday, June 1.-The Committee on the Portobello Chapel made their report, which went to admit the chapel into communion of the church, as a chapel of ease, and to approve of certain regulations that had been drawn up for its government. The Assembly entirely concurred in the sentiments of the report, and unanimously approved of it accordingly. The Assembly added to the instructions already given the Committee appointed to draw up answers to Mr Brougham's queries, that they take all competent and advisable measures for inquiring into, and ascertaining the state of the means of, education, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, and to communicate with the clergy and others, as to all useful matters for attaining the object of their appointment. The next cause was a petition from Mr Andrew Thomson, as member of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, and of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, appealing against a sentence of that Synod of 5th May last, affirming a previous sentence of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, which refused to sustain the certificate of Mr George Crone, attendant on the Second Divinity and Church History Class in the University. Mr Thomson and Mr Dickson, jun. appeared as appellants against the several sentences. Mr Robert Buchanan appeared for the Synod, and Dr Inglis for the Presbytery. Parties having been heard, it was moved to dismiss the appeal, and affirm the sentence of the Synod and Presbytery. It was also moved to sustain the appeal, and reverse the sentence, &c.; and the votes being called, there appeared for the first motion 57, for the second 24, affirming the sentence of the Synod and Presbytery by a majority of 33. The usual routine business being disposed of, his Grace the Commissioner, in a speech from the Throne, dissolved the Assembly in name of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, on behalf of his Majesty. The Moderator then dissolved the Assembly in the usual form. The next General Assembly is appointed to meet on the 20th May 1819, COMMERCIAL REPORT.-June 11, 1818. Sugar. The market is now generally better supplied with new Muscovadoes, and the business considerable, at about Is. per cwt. lower in price. The refiners and grocers only purchase small quantities at a time, in order to supply their immediate wants, in antici pation that, as the arrivals become more numerous, the prices will decline. Fine Sugars are, generally speaking, scarce. About 1000 hhds were sold in Liverpool last week. In London, 5255 bags East India Sugars were disposed of at a decline of 2s. to 3s. per cwt. in price. The Refined market was heavy and declining. The demand for Molasses was steady and considerable. The arrivals from the West Indies may now be expected to be. come daily more numerous, and the crops in some of the islands are now ascertained to be only equal to that of the preceding year, which was short.Coffee. The yery great advance which had taken place on this article, rendered it probable that a decline would take place. Accordingly the market of late has rather been dull, and prices on the decline from 2s. to 3s. per cwt. The last advices from the Continent, however, are more favourable; and the market has accordingly become more steady, and inquiries more numerous. This article is, however, so very high in price, that it is not probable that any great advance can now take place upon it. At the India House, 2658 were last week brought forward and disposed of. The price of Coffee may fairly be stated to be generally on the decline, and the market heavy.- -Cotton. The sales of Cotton at Liverpool have been regular, but by no means brisk. The supplies have of late been considerable; but the demand has, generally speaking, been in proportion, and the prices, accordingly, tolerably steady. The sales in Liverpool, of the former week, amount to 3800 bags. In London the purchases amounted to 1600 bags; and the East India Company have declared a sale, on the 26th inst. of 16,860 bags. Advices from the Southern States of America state, that considerable damage has been done to the young Cotton by black frosts in the spring.Corn. The Corn market has been, in several instances, not only steady but on the advance. The supplies, either of home or foreign Grain, have of late been but limited. There is little doubt, however, but the present uncommon settled and warm weather, which seems to be general, over all the northern hemisphere, will produce early and abundant crops, and at last reduce the price of Grain greatly.-Irish Provisions. The shipping demand for prime Provisions continue. Bacon is heavy, and good Butter is scarce. Some parcels of new Butter are, however, beginning to come to market, and the supply will soon be equal to the demand.Rice. The market for Rice has been heavy, and the price declining. A sale of 6652 bags at the India House, some days ago, went off better than could have been anticipated. Carolina Rice, for home consumption, continues in regular demand. Hemp, Flax, and Tallow. The price of Tallow is merely nominal, and sales limited, In Flax there is no variation. Accounts from Petersburgh, stating that an advance of five roubles had taken place in the price of Hemp, had no effect on the London market. -Naval Stores. There are no sales of rough Turpentine. Spirits are declining; and in the other articles there is no variation.Oil. Every description of Oil may be stated at a decline in price, and the market very heavy. The stock of Palm Oil in Liverpool is very low.-Tobacco. In this article there has lately been few transactions. There is very little doing in Shumac. There is a fair demand for Pearl Ashes. American Tar, offered for sale in Liverpool, was withdrawn on account of the low prices offered.-Pine Timber is very dull of sale, as is also Quercitson Bark. All other articles in commerce may be stated as in our last Report.Rum, Brandy, and Hollands. The Rum market has been heavy and declining. Geneva is lower; and Brandy, chiefly of inferior quality, is still declining in price.-Wine. There is no alteration in price since the late great rise on Port Wine, though it is rumoured that a still farther advance will take place on almost every description. The exchanges have become much against this country, which, of itself, has occasioned an increase of 5 per cent. in price. The Revenue of the country continues to improve in a regular and progressive manner; and the declaration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that he would neither require loans, nor have recourse to funding any more Exchequer Bills, either for this year or next, cannot fail to have a beneficial influence upon the money market, and consequently on trade in general. The amazing quantity of goods sent out to the West India market, had lately rendered the market dull, and consequently the same thing was felt in our manufactures; but there is now greater activity displayed, and the preparation for shipments becoming more numerous and extensive than these had been for some weeks back. Since the success of the Spanish Royalists in Mexico, and other parts of the main land of America situated within the tropics, the trade with our West India settlements for manufactured goods has been more steady and extensive. It is with the settlements which continue in peace and in subjection to the royal authority that our trade is greatest, or with these, indeed, that we have any trade at all. The provinces in a state of rebellion are completely laid waste, and there is no security in them for either persons or property, and consequently commerce must fly from these distracted abodes. In our next we expect to shew this from the important fact of the real amount of the exports, from the Clyde, of our Cotton and Linen manufactures to the different depots from whence Spanish America is supplied. Ex. Course of Exchange, June. Amsterdam, 6:10. B. 2 Us. Antwerp, 11: 9. Hamburgh, 34. 2 Us. Frankfort 1414. Ex. Paris 24: 25. 2 Us. Bordeaux, 2425. Madrid, 39 effect. Cadiz, 38 effect. Gibaltar, 35. Leghorn, 514. Genoa, 474. Malta, 52. Naples, 44. Palermo, 130 per a Rio Janeiro, 66. Oporto, 58. Dublin, 11. Cork, 11. Agio of the Bank of Hollnd 2. Prices of Gold and Silver, per oz.-Portugal old, in coin, £4, 1s. 6d. Foreign gold, in bars, £4,1s. 6d. New doubloons, £0. New Dollars, 5s. 6d. Silver, in bars 5s. 54d. New Louis, each Os. Od. |