TEWKESBURY,  GLOUCESTERSHIRE

     An ancient, large, and populous, borough town, is situated in a fine fertile plain at the confluence of the navigable rivers Severn and Avon. It sends two members to parliament, and is governed by two bailiffs and four justices, annually chosen out of twenty-four chief burgesses; it has also a high steward, recorder, town clerk and chamberlain. This borough is not under the immediate influence of any individual. Its independence is evinced by the honour it derives from so exemplary a representative as Mr. James Martin, whose integrity has manifested that rigid virtue which so deservedly ennobled the Grecian and Roman character. To the honour of the British senate it should be recorded, that, being offered a share in the very advantageous loan of 1783 to a very great amount, he displayed the true dignity of parliamentary independence, by communicating to the house the insult that he conceived to be offered to the legislative assembly of the nation. --- The other representative ( in the new parliament of 1796 ) is W. Dowdswell, esq.

     The town received its full privileges from Edward II. which were confirmed by several of his successors; but it did not return to parliament before the 7th of James I. The right of elections is in the magistrates and the inhabitants paying scot and lot, supposed to be about 500; returning officers the bailiffs

     Tewkesbury was formerly famous for its monastery, built by two brothers Odo and Dodo, who were then dukes of great account in the kingdom of Mercia. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and at first only endowed with the manor of Stanway.Hugh earl of Mercia was the patron of this priory in the year 800, and Brichtric king of the West Saxons was buried here.Robert Fitz-Hammon, in the year 1102, new built it, and made great endowments, advancing it to an abbey. His daughter Mabilla, wife of Robert earl of Gloucester, built the priory of St. James's at Bristol and subjected it to this abbey. Gilbert de Clare earl of Gloucester and Hereford, with several of the families of the Despencers and Beauchamps, were great benfactors to it, some of whom are buried here; it was valued at the suppression at 1598l a year. the abbot was mitred, and sat in parliament. The church is still standing, and is now the parish church above described.

     The place is famous for a bloody battle fought here between the two houses of York and Lancaster, when Edward IV. entirely defeated Henry VI.taking the queen, Prince Edward, and many of the nobility who sided with Henry, prisoners. The young prince, who was but eighteen years of age, being brought into the king's tent, appeared before him with an undaunted countenance; and Edward asking him, how he came to be so rash as thus to enter his kingdom in arms he bravely replied " That he came to recover his own inheritance, which had been njustly usurped." On which the king, instead of admiring his intrepidity, struck him on the mouth with his gauntlet, and turning from him withdrew, when the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, the king's brothers, the earl of Dorset, and Lord Hastings, stepped up to the young prince, and barbarously stabbed him with their daggers-----

     Here is a bridge over three of the four rivers that run by it; and a church, which is a large noble structure, with two handsome turrets at each end, and a stately tower, also adorned with turrets. the communion table consists of one entire piece of marble, thirteen feet eight inches long, and three feet and a half broad,and stands in the middle of the choir. this structure is adorned with a number of funeral monuments, particularly several of the earls of Gloucester and Warwick, Prince Edward the son of Henry VI. and the Duke of Clarence brother to Edward IV. Here are also several meeting-houses of dissenters, and a free school, erected by William Ferrers, in 1675, who gave 20l a year for the maintenance of a master, to which several other benefactors have made considerable additions. Here is also an hospital, endowed with 40l a year by the Late Queen Mary, to be paid out of the Exchequer, for the maintenance of thirteen poor people, and a reader, who is appointed by the corporation; and in the church-yard is an alms-house for ten poor widows, but without any endowments.

     The town carries on a considerable trade in malt; and the cotton manufactory is making great progress, to the great advantage of the proprietors, and no less beneficial to the poor, to great numbers of whom it gives employment and support. The town has recently been much improved in the appearance of the buildings; the streets have been also lately well paved. A handsome town-hall has also been erected at the expense of Sir William Codrington, Bart, and the corporation have built a neat and commodious market-house. In short, for trade, situation, and neatness of streets and buildings, Tewkesbury may vie with most market-towns in the kingdom. the chief manufacture here is woollen cloth and stockings; and its clothing trade is better accommodated, by reason of its nearness to Cotewold hills, for the fleece, and lso to Stroud-water, which is impregnated with that secret quality for the scarlet dye. It has been long noted also for its manufacture of mustard-balls. The Ham, near this place is noted for horse-races This parish is six miles round.

     By the late inland navigation it has communication with the rivers Mersey, Dee, Ribble, Ouse, Trent, Darwent,Severn, Humber, Thames, Avon, &c. which navigation, including its windings, extends above five hundred miles in the counties of Lincoln, Nottingham, York, Lancaster, Westmoreland, Chester, Stafford, Warwick, Leicester, Oxford, Worcester &c.

     Tewkesbury has two good weekly markets, viz. Wednesday and Saturday and five annual fairs, March 7, May 12, June 22, September 4 and October 10.

     It is distant from Gloucester ten miles, Worcester fifteen, Pershore eight, Evesham thirteen, Cheltenham ten, and Upton six.----Principal inns are, the Swan, Hop-pole, Star and garter, Fleece, and Cross Keys.

Bankers:---Glover, Embury, and Cross; draw on Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, London---James Pynock; draws on Messrs. Langton, Towgood, and Amory, London.

Post in and out daily.----John Pearce, post-master.

Coaches to Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, worcster and Gloucster, daily.----Waggons to London, Birmingham, and Bristol, weekly.----Trows to Bristol every spring-tide; to evesham and Stratford weekly.----Market boat to Gloucester and Worcester every Saturday.---The following are the principal inhabitants:

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