October 31, 1757.--Sunday last, died at his seat, at Nacton, in Suffolk, Edward Vernon, Esq., member of Parliament for Ipswich, and elder brother of the Trinity-house. In the sixth and seventh Parliaments of Great Britain he represented the borough of Penryn, in the eighth the town of Portsmouth. On the 20th of July, 1739, he sailed from Portsmouth for the West Indies with nine men-of-war and a sloop; and on the 5th of November following sailed from Jamaica with the Burford, Hampton Court, Princess Louisa, Strafford, Norwich, and Sheerness; and on the 21st of the same month took the fort of Porto Bello; as also Gloria Castle, and Castle of St. Jeronimo, with five ships only (the Sheerness being then cruising off Carthagena), with the loss of only seven persons killed, and twelve wounded. In this expedition the principal engineer in the mining work was Captain (now Admiral) Knowles of the Diamond, assisted by Captain (now Admiral) Boscawen, who desired he might serve in this expedition as a Volunteer, his ship the Shoreham not being then fit for the sea. For this service the Admiral had the Thanks of both Houses of Parliament, was presented with the Freedom of the city of London in a gold box; and in the ninth Parliament of Great Britain, summoned to meet the 25th of June, 1741, was returned for the city of Rochester and borough of Ipswich, but made his election for Ipswich, which he also represented in the last, and in the present Parliament. After the affair of Porto Bello, he took Chagre, and continued in his Majesty’s service till the year 1748, when several matters which had passed between the Lords of the Admiralty and Mr. Vernon being laid before his Majesty, he was struck off the list of Flag Officers. (Public Journals.) [104] He lost the battles of Fontenoy and Laffelt against Marshal Saxe, and all Flanders. [105] Sir John Legonier was a French Protestant and Knight of the Bath. [106] General Hawley was so severe, that he was called in the Army the Chief Justice. [107] Youngest son to the Duke of Dorset, and Colonel of a regiment. [108] Eldest son of the Earl of Derby. [109] The great promoter of the Colony of Georgia, had been surprised and put to flight by a party of the Rebels at Clifton. CHAPTER V. Prince George created Prince of Wales--The Regency Bill--Murray’s case in the King’s Bench--Speech of Lord Bath--His character--Speeches in the House of Lords on the Regency Bill--It is brought to the Commons, and opposed by the Speaker--Character of Speaker Onslow--Debate in the House of Commons on this Bill--Character of Horace Lord Walpole--Speeches of Pitt and Fox--The Regency Bill read a third time in the House of Commons, and passed. April 25th.--Prince George kissed the King’s hand on being created Prince of Wales.