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pore, state that a celestial edict had been published, granting permission to foreigners to go between Canton and Macao in fast boats, on the payment of sixty dollars for each chop. This is about onefourth of the sum formerly exacted for chops, and is considered a special mark of favour granted to the Fang Quys (stranger devils).

Australia.

MELVII LE ISLAND.

Most of our readers have heard of the new settlement in the Gulph of Carpentaria which was formed last year by H.M.S. Tamar. It was called Port Cockburn, and is situated upon Melville Island, in lat. 11 south, and near the end of Endeavour Straits. The chief object held in view by the projectors of this settlement was understood to be the opening of a commerce with the Malays and Chinese, who repair annually to that quarter for the purpose of collecting beech de mar.

We are sorry to learn that these expectations are likely to be blasted, not from any fault in the choice of situation, as far as regards locality, but from the inhospitable nature of the soil, and the debilitating effects of climate.-[Sing. Chron. July 21.

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND AND NEW SOUTH
WALES.

Hobart Town and Sydney papers to the 18th of September state, that the Medina had arrived, with 179 convicts, who were assigned to the service of the settlers. A tribe of natives is said to have been discovered at the distance of four or five hundred miles from the river Brisbane; they are nearly white in complexion, are clothed in skins, and are superior to all the natives of New Holland. Accounts from Sydney state, that the bush-rangers over the mountains had become troublesome, and the military were sent in pursuit of them,

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announce the death of the King and Queen, and the expected arrival of the Blonde with the bodies. It was regarded as a remarkable circumstance by the natives, that just previous to the period of Mr. Charlton's arrival at Woahoo, certain natural phenomena such as the extraordinary overflowing and recession of the tide, an eclipse of the moon, &c. had taken place, which impressed them with a belief that some fatality had happened to the King or Queen; similar occurrences being observed when Tamahama the First died, the first sovereign who conquered all the seven islands, brought them under one Government, and afterwards ceded them to Vancouver, in 1794. This omen, or presentiment, was confirmed by Mr. Charlton's arrival. When the Blonde arrived at Honoruru (the anchorage of Woahoo) in May last, she was, however, immediately saluted by nineteen guns from the fort. The day afterwards Lord Byron and all his officers had an audience of the Regent (Karaimoku, the brother of Boki, the governor, who came to England), at his house, at which were delivered, in the presence of all the heads of the nation, the presents sent out in the Blonde by our King. The present king of the islands is Kaukiauli, a lad about eleven years of age, brother of Rio Rio, who died in England. On the 23d of May (four days after the arrival of the Blonde), at eleven A.M. the bodies of the king and queen were landed, attended by Lord Byron and all the officers of the Blonde, dressed in their full uniforms. On the arrival of the boats at the landing point, they were placed on two funeral cars, and drawn by native chiefs (forty to each car) to the late room of audience belonging to the Prince Regent, the tomb-house not being finished. Kaukiauli (brother of the late king), and the Princess Nahienaena, were the chief mourners, supported by Lord Byron and the British Consul; the numerous chiefs of the island and the officers of the Blonde formed an extensive funeral cavalcade. The Blonde continued at the island about six weeks, during which Lord Byron attended the meetings of the chiefs, who gravely deliberated respected the succession of the young king and princess to the throne, as, heretofore, might had constituted right. This important matter was, however, very amicably arranged, the heads of the nation and all the chiefs expressing their earnest desire to conform themselves strictly to the laws of legiti macy and of consanguinity. This island is described as the most fertile of all the Sandwich Islands. The inhabitants, by a late census, amounted to about 40,000,

Postscript to Asiatic Intelligence.

THE negociations at Prome and Ummerapoora are at present almost the sole objects of attention in the Indian papers. Sir A. Campbell and Sir J. Brisbane met the Burmese commissioners, Kee Woongee and Lay Mayn Woon, in a Lotoo, or Hall of Audience, at Nemben-ziek, the spot chosen for the scene of negociation, on the 2d October. That day was not devoted to business: compliments and courteous speeches passed on both sides; the Burmese commissioners politely inquired after our king's health, and offered to accompany Sir A. Campbell to England, or any where else! The discussion took place the succeeding day. On the part of the British were present, Sir A. Campbell, Sir J. Brisbane, Brig. Gen. Cotton, Capt. Alexander, Brig. McCreagh, Lieut. Col. Tidy, and Capt. Snodgrass. The following chiefs appeared on the part of the Court of Ava: Sada Mengee Maha Mengom-kee Woongee; Munnoo Rut'ha Keogong-lay Mayn Woon, Mengee Malia Menlajah Attawoon, Maha Sri Sencra Woondock Menjee, Maha Menla Sear Sey-Shuagom Mooagoonoon, and Mengee Attalla Maha Sri Soo Asseewoon. The Burmese chiefs endeavoured to prevail upon the British commissioners to withdraw their demands for territorial cessions and indemnification for the expenses of the war, referring to the example of our difference with China. Finding that the

former would no recede, they requested a prolongation of the armistice, to admit of consulting their court; it was accordingly extended till the 2d November. An exchange of prisoners was proposed by Sir A. Campbell and agreed to by the chiefs.

The next day the Burmese Woongees, Attawoons and Woondocks, to the number of twelve, dined with the British commander, agreeably to appointment. The report was served up in the Lotoo. The Burmese officers did justice to the dinner; a bumper was drank to the health of the king and royal family of Ava; and Manjee Maha Menlajah, with reference to the unfortunate difference between the two nations, observed that the sun and moon were now eclipsed, but when peace was restored, they would dazzle the astonished world with increased splendour.

Brig. Gen. M'Creagh and Lieut. Col. Tidy have since proceeded to Ummerapoora, whither the negociations will probably be transferred.

Sir A. Campbell, in announcing this event to the army, impresses on them the necessity of unremitted vigilance, and active preparation for the emergency of renewed warfare. In such an event be intends to strike a decisive blow. The army at Prome is in excellent health, and is well supplied with provisions and cattle.

HOME INTELLIGENCE.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, March 14. Singapore. The Marquess of Lansdown, on rising to move for an account of the exports and imports of Singapore for the last three years, observed that these papers, when laid upon their lordships' table, would serve to show the importance to which that port had risen in the commerce of the east. They would prove that the advantages anticipated from declaring it a free port had been fully realised: that in a country so remote and barbarous, inhabited by nations so different in language and manners, by tribes under the influence of ignorance and all sorts of vicious propensities, there had been so quick an apprehension of the benefits of free trade, such a feeling of the interest to be derived from a commerce carried on under the protection of the British laws, that an un

exampled increase had taken place in the exports and imports of that port, in the short period during which the new system had been in operation. In 1822 the commerce of the port had doubled, and amounted to 8,568,000 dollars. In 1823 they increased to 13,268,000; and in 1824 they were no less 15,772,000 dollars; thus exhibiting, in the course of these three years, an actual doubling of the amount, which had, even previously to that period, already increased in a very considerable degree. It was impossible to look at the map without perceiving the importance of the situation of Singapore, and the action of the principle was not limited to the little island in which this port was situated, but extended its effects over the vast empires in its vicinity. It served to elicit a commercial spirit in those extensive and populous regions, of which it was of high importance that this country should avail

itself;

itself; and if, from any narrow principle of policy, the East-India Company should be induced to put a period to the system which had been so happily introduced, the trade, so far from increasing, would gradually sink into insignificance, and all the prospects of advantage to ourselves, and of improvement in those great empires with which the intercourse had been opened, would at once be cut off. The number of vessels which had entered the port had been 2,889, of which only 383 were British property, or commanded by British officers. Such being the advantages which had already resulted from the measure, and such being the prospects from the immense population of the countries with whom this commerce was carried on, his Lordship strongly deprecated any return to the system of restrictions, and hoped that no considerations of immediate lucre would prevent Government from adhering to their present liberal policy.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 16. Writerships. Mr. C. W. W. Wynn rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to suspend the operation of one of the clauses of the 53d Geo. III. cap. 155, respecting the appointment of writers in the service of the East-India Company and to remove doubts as to the payment of allowances of officers dying while absent from India. By that act, which was passed in the year 1813, no person could be sent out as a writer to India unless he had studied during four terms at the East-India College. There was at present an arrear of seventyfive writers. It was calculated that fifty in number would be requisite to supply the annual deficiencies from death and other causes, but there being a still greater deficit, it became necessary to suspend the Act of Parliament in question for three years, and to select such persons as were best qualified, although they might not have served four terms at the College. He begged to be understood that he did not make this motion from any distrust of the institution to which he had alluded; on the contrary, he thought it had been productive of essential benefit, though, if its formation was then to become the subject of choice, he might have preferred its being grafted upon some of the existing seminaries of the country. With respect to the payment of the allowances of officers, according to the Act of Parliament in question, during the absence of officers upon leave in this country for the reestablishment of their health, they were not permitted to draw for those allowances until their return to India. This was a wholesome regulation established for the purpose of inducing an early return to their duties; but its operation was found to be injurious. Many officers, sooner than give up their allowances, remained in In

:

dia until too late and others who came to this country in time, and who might have recovered by remaining, returned too soon, in order to obtain their allowances to relieve themselves from pecuniary embarrassments, and in each case they fell victims to their necessities. His object was, in case of the death of an officer upon his return to India, at the Cape of Good Hope, or within the dominions of the East-India Company, to enable his relations to receive the allowances which might have accrued during his absence.

Mr. Hume was of opinion that no speech ever did any man greater credit than that of Lord Grenville, when he opposed the establishment of this college. He had no doubt but those who had proposed and advocated its establishment were actuated by the best motives; but it ap peared that so far from instilling lofty notions of honour and exalted feelings of virtue, there was not a college in the kingdom where "rustications" were so frequent-not one whence so many were sent away in disgrace for habitual misconduct. He cordially agreed in the motion, but he hoped the right hon. gentleman would select a proper means of examination, and submit all to the same test, whether educated at the college or otherwise. He thought the proficiency of cadets in the native languages should be a sine quâ non of their appointment. In fact there ought to be an examination of every public servant that went out to India. Before he sat down he wished to state, that during the two last years the College had been better conducted than heretofore, but its existence ought not to be continued at all.

Colonel Lushington spoke as follows: "It was not my intention to have troubled the House, conceiving that the principle and propriety of the bill proposed to be bought in by the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control, were generally admitted, and did not meet with any opposition; but the hon. member for Aberdeen having departed from the question before the House, and indulged himself in observations regarding the necessity of cadets being instructed in the native languages, and that their proficiency should be considered a sine quâ non of their appointment, I hope I shall meet with the indulgence of the House in making a few observations on that subject. I consider that very great inconvenience would result from cadets being compelled to submit to an examination previous to their embarkation from India. It would operate as a complete bar to many young men, whose parents might be enabled to procure a cadetship, but whose circumstances would not permit of their being sent to those seminaries where the native languages are taught; and I certainly do believe that great difficulty would be experienced

perienced in procuring a sufficient supply of cadets, were such a regulation established. The hon. member is mistaken in supposing that young officers are put into situations of command on their first arrival in India. It requires a considerable time to instruct them in the military duties they have to perform; and while they are learning these, they have also great facility in making themselves acquainted with the Hindoostanee language. There are many orders and regulations on the subject, both by the Government and the Commander-in-chief; and half yearly reports, specifying the progress and proficiency of every young officer, are regularly sent in by officers commanding corps. Of the good effect of these reports I can speak from my own knowledge; for having reported the deficiency of one of the young officers in the regiment I commanded, an immediate reply was sent from head-quarters, that the Commanderin-chief would not allow him to have the command of a troop if he did not apply himself to the study of the Hindoostanee. -(Hear!) This was attended with the desired effect (Hear!) and I certainly can assure the House that, in my opinion, there never was a period when the knowledge of the native languages was more generally diffused throughout the officers of the army than at present; and that there is no necessity whatever for cadets being compelled to submit to the test of examination proposed by the hon. member forAberdeen."

Mr. C. Grant would not at this moment enter into any discussion as to the existing system for qualifying young men for the service in India: it was enough for him at present to declare it to be his humble opinion, that the foundation of this college furnished an exception to the usual remarks made with regard to the education of men destined to serve in that empire, and which Dr. A. Sinith had said was applicable to the education of all those persons who might one day become sovereigns of the East. That eminent writer had observed that such persons were apt to forget their duty as sovereigns in their anxiety to regard their interests as merchants. Notwithstanding the united force of all those conflicting interests by which the college had been opposed, he would defy any man to prove that there had been more irregularity, or more evils, either in number or degree, existing in it than were to be found connected with any other institution of a public nature.

He

would venture to state this broad fact as being incontrovertible, that during the last twenty years there had been a marked improvement in the character, in the conduct, and in the qualifications of public servants in British India-( Hear, hear!) Whenever this subject should come to be

It was

fully discussed, he should be quite prepared to prove that when this college was founded there existed an absolute necessity, according to the opinion of the wisest men in India and of this country, for some such institution to be formed. He should next be able to prove that this institution was peculiarly planned to meet that necessity; and that no evils attended this institution in any degree beyond those usual to institutions of a similar public description; and finally, that the result of this establishment, according to the concurrent opinion of the ablest men, had been, that there had been formed such a mass of public men, both in respect to number and acquirements, as could not be matched in any former period of our history. proposed to establish a test by examination, to which every person destined to go out to India should be obliged to pass; but the test was, in his opinion, imperfect, and not calculated to attain the object desired. Something had been said as to exciting a competition among the young men. But the stations in India were not open for any such competition. That argument was therefore founded on a fallacy. If competition were to exist, he would then ask what was proposed to be done with the patronage of the East-India Company as to their power of appointment to the writerships? It was very true, if these writerships were opened and made objects of competition, then, indeed, hon. members might apply the word competition to some purpose. But was that the case at present? On the contrary, it was well known that these appointments were given by the Court of Directors at their own will; every appointment was treated, not as a prize for which students were to contend, but as a species of vested property; and it had been considered improper to disturb such an appointment, after it had once been made, even to an infant.-Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.

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Also, for a return of the total number of cadets sent out by the Hon. Company to the East-Indies for their military establishments, in each year from 1821 to 1825.

A return of the number of assistantsurgeons and chaplains sent out to the East-Indies from the year 1814 to 1825, both inclusive.

Also, a return of the names and ranks of civil and military officers in the service of the East-India Company, who have died at the Cape of Good Hope, or elsewhere within the limits of the Company's trade, during their absence from the several presidencies, since the year 1821, stating the offices held by them at the date of their several departures from such presidencies, and also the pay and emoluments attached thereto; together with an estimate of the amount of pay, &c. which will be due and payable to the heirs of

such deceased officers.

After a few words from Mr. Hume, the return was ordered.

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Henry Alexander, Esq. was, on the 8th March, elected a Director in the room of John Hudleston, Esq., who had disqualified.

The following Proprietors have announced their intention of becoming candidates for the direction at the ensuing election of six Directors, 12th April next, viz.

John Bebb, Esq.; James Rivett Carnac, Esq.; John Loch, Esq.; Charles Mackinnon, Esq.; Sir William Young, Bart.; Charles Mills, Esq.; James Pattison, Esq.; James Stuart, Esq.; Henry St. George Tucker, Esq.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FARQUHAR.

We have pleasure in publishing the following correspondence respecting this gentleman.

(No. 1.-Translation.)

To Lieutenant Colonel Farquhar.

His Majesty the Emperor of Austria having been graciously pleased to confer upon you the honour of Knight of the Order of Leopold, as a mark of his Imperial Majesty's grateful sense of the humane and important services rendered by you to the crew of the ship Carolina, suffering under the ravages of the cholera morbus, when at Singapore on her voyage to China, the insignia of the order were transmitted by me to the Foreign

Office, for the purpose of being forwarded to you, but an answer was returned, of which I have the honour to annex a copy.

His Imperial Majesty will learn with regret that the regulations of your government do not permit you to accept of this mark of distinction, merited by a conduct as humane as generous.

Accept the assurances of my most distinguished consideration. NEWMANN. Chandos House, 31st Aug. 1824.

(No. 2.-Copy.)

Mr. Canning presents his compliments to Mr. de Newmann, and has the honour to acquaint him, in answer to his note of the 4th ult., that the services rendered to the crew of the " Carolina," by Colonel Farquhar, the British commandant at Singapore, do not appear to come within the regulations adopted by his Majesty with respect to foreign orders.

Mr. Canning is therefore extremely sorry to state to Mr. de Newmann, that as he is precluded by those regulations from taking his Majesty's pleasure on the subject, he is under the necessity of returning to Mr. de Newmann the insignia of the order of Leopold, which his 1mperial Majesty had been pleased to signify his gracious intention of conferring on Colonel Farquhar.

Mr. Canning has the honour to enclose to Mr. de Newmann a printed copy of regulations alluded to, and avails himself, &c. &c. dc.

(Signed.) GEORGE CANNING. Foreign Office, May 8th 1824.

(No. 3.-Translation)

Prince Esterhazy presents his compliments to Lieut. Colonel Farquhar, and has the honour to assure him that his Majesty the Emperor of Austria had conferred upon him the cross of Knight of the Imperial order of Leopold, in gratitude for the assistance given to the crew of the ship Carolina when afflicted with cholera morbus in the port of Singapore, and for the signal services rendered by him on that occasion. But in consequence of the regulations established in England not having permitted Lieutenant Colonel Farquhar to accept of his decoration, his Imperial Majesty being nevertheless desirous of conferring upon him some special mark of his personal consideration, transmitted the snuff-box* for him, which Prince Esterhazy had the honour himself to present.

Chandos House, Feb. 10th 1826.

*The snuff-box is of gold, of the most beautiful and chaste workmanship, richly ornamented with brilliants, and bearing the initials of his Imperial Majesty.

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