a town of Cornwall in England, about 229 miles distant from London. It is a well-built town, where are kept the common gaol, the weights and measures for the whole stannary, and the county courts. It stands on the river Fowey, which brought up vessels from Fowey, before it was choked up with sand coming from the tin mines, and therefore its once flourishing trade is decayed; but it holds the boroughage of coals, salt, malt, and corn, in the town of Fowey, as it does the anchorage in its harbour. It was made a corporation by Richard earl of Cornwall when he was king of the Romans, and has had other charters since. It consists of seven capital burgesses (whereof one is a mayor), and 17 assistants or common council. It is part of the duchy of Cornwall, to which it pays £11. 19s. 10d. a year for its liberties. Its chief trade is the woollen manufacture. It first returned members to parliament in the 33rd of Edward I. They are chosen by the burgesses and assistants. It was anciently the shire town. The number of inhabitants in 1821 was 1743.