DARTMOUTH, (Devon) is a corp. formed out of Clifton, Dartmouth, and Hardness, which were originally 3 distinct Ts. 'Tis
165 cm. and 192 mm. from London. The r. Dart, which rises in Dartmore-Forest, runs into its harbour. 'Twas called Clifton,
from the cliffs on which most of the houses were founded; and out of which many of them were dug. 'Twas burnt in the R. of
Rich. I. by the French, and again in the R. of Hen. IV. They attempted it afterwards, but were repulsed; and chiefly by
the bravery of the women, who fought so like amazons, that, besides a great slaughter which they made, they took M. Castel
the French general, 3 Lds. and 23 Kts. prisoners. 'Tis governed by a mayor, 12 masters, or magistrates, 12 C.C. men, a
recorder, 2 bailiffs, a town-clerk, and a high steward; the 3 last chosen by the mayor and magistrates, who have a power
to make freemen. The mayor, bailiffs and coroner, are chose yearly. Here is a court of session, and a water bailiffwick
court, holden by a lease from the dutchy of Cornwal for 3 lives, for which they pay 14 l. a year chief rent. The T. which
is a m. long, stands on the side of a craggy hill, with streets very irregular, being sometimes 2 or 3 one above another;
yet the houses are generally very high. 500 sail of ships may ride in its harbour, which is defended by 3 castles, besides
forts and block-houses; and its entrance may, upon occasion, be shut up with a chain. Here is a large key, and before it a
spacious street, where live some considerable merchants, who trade to Portugal, Italy, Newfoundland, &c. and from the
latter to Italy, &c. with fish. Here is the greatest pilchard fishery also of any place in the W. except Falmouth. The
property of the manor is vested in the corp. Here are 3 Chs. besides a large dissenting meeting-house. The shipping and
trade of this port and T. was the most considerable of any in the Co. except Exeter, till Plymouth's late increase in
both. It gave the title of Baron to Geo. Legg, formerly governor of Portsmouth, as it does now of E. to his son Will.
Legg. Its Mt. is F. The freemen, who vote for its members of Pt. are 78, and the return is made by the mayor. This was
first made a mayor and Bor. T. by K. John. K. Edw. III. granted that the burgesses should be toll free, throughout
England, &c. Rich. II. in consideration of their having assisted him with ammunition and provisions in his war with
France, enacted, that tin should only be exported from hence. K. Edw. IV. to reward their courage against the French,
translated the port hither from Fowey, and gave them 20 l. a year in fee-farm; to which Rich. III. and Hen. VII. added 20
l. a year more. The high rents bel. to this corp. amount to about 69 l. a year. It began to send members to Pt. the 26th
of Edw. I. but no more, till the 14th of Edw. III. Here was formerly a chantry.