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ASIATIC INTELLIGENCE.

BENGAL.

Calcutta, July 31, 1815.-An inquest was holden on Tuesday last on the body of Chummon, a native washerman, The circumstances which were proved to have occasioned the death, were sufficiently singular to justify particular notice. It was stated by Gunness Dobee, another washerman, that about dusk in the evening of Monday, he was sitting in Buddum Tollah Road in Chouringhee, near the road side, and observed the deceased walking with a bundle of clothes on his shoulder, that an adjutant-bird (argeelah) in crossing the road, struck the deceased with its beak on the right side of the neck, whereupon the deceased immediately sat down-that he shortly after arose and walked towards the witness, and asked for assistance that the witness then observed a wound on the neck of the deceased, and at his request bound it up, after applying some chunam to itthat the deceased afterwards attempted to walk with the assistance of the witness, but soon complained of a giddiness, became unable to proceed, and fell on the ground-that the wound then bled copiously, and the witness heard a noise like "a rattling in the throat "-that the witness then left the deceased for the purpose of calling some of his people, whose residence the deceased had previously mentioned-and that when the witness returned, he found the deceased dead on the spot where he had fallen. The witness also stated, that the bird, after striking the deceased, did not fly away, but remained on the road side whence some children afterwards drove it-and it appeared from the description of the witness that the bird had inflicted the wound in attempting to cross the road, at the instant when the deceased was passing and did not pounce on the deceased, as has been incorrectly reported. The wound was examined by Mr. Hornett, a professional gentleman attached to the Native Hospital, who found the jugular vein divided; and declared himself to be of opinion that the wound had not been occasioned by any sharp. edged weapon or instrument: but must have been inflicted by a stake, or some substance similarly pointed. The jury. found a verdict of accidental death.

August 1st.-After a long interval of blanks, the Kedgeree report of Sunday, announced the arrival in the liver of the ship Jessie, Captain Lonsdale, from the Isle of France, whence she sailed on the 21st of June. The following passengers

are arrived in her. Colonel Keating, commanding the Mauritius Brigade, Major Hall, Acting Adj. Gen. Capt. Spinks, D. A. Q. M. G. Tuberville, his Majesty's 12th foot, Lay, his Majesty's 22d foot, Lieutenant Jenkins, 12th foot, A. D. C.' to Colonel Keating, Burrowes and Lawson, his Majesty's 12th foot, Raban and M'Donnough, his Majesty's 22d foot, and Assistant Surgeon Owen, of his Majesty's 87th foot, and 196 non-commissioned officers and privates. The Jessie parted company from the fleet of transports, consisting of the Hoogly,, Royal Edward, Shaw Alum, Mauritius, Harriet, Covelong and Guide, having on board his Majesty's 87th foot, the flank companies of his Majesty's 22d Regiment, and the Rifle Company of his Majesty's 12th regiment, in south latitude 7° 30', east longitude 602.-Letters from the Isle of France mention that the Cornwallis, Captain Graham, and the Delhi, Captain Meik, were to sail from Port Louis to England on the 22d of June.

Oct. 3.-The Governor-General (Earl Moira) arrived at Sultanpore on the 3d' September, and proceeded on his voyage, to Benares the same day. His Lordship and Lady Loudon visited the numerous factories of that celebrated city. The fleet continued its course down the river on the following day, and was expected to reach Dinapore on the 8th, Headquarters would probably be re-established at Calcutta about the 25th ult.

The Countess of Loudon and Moira, accompanied by the Ladies Flora and Sophia Hastings, and Lord Viscount Hungerford, proceed to Europe in the Honourable Company's ship William Pitt, Captain Graham, which ship has been allotted for their accommodation.

Three hundred and eighty-two convicts, sentenced to transportation for life, have been ordered to be sent from this Presi

dency to the Isle of France. The object of this measure is to provide the island with labourers, instead of those hitherto brought from Mozambique.

The heavy storms which took place in Bengal, in the early part of June last, did very considerable injury to the crops of indigo, which had before exhibited a promising appearance. In a part of Jessore, the weed was covered with ten feet of water, and the hopes of the planter were entirely blasted.

MADRAS.

Aug. 17,-Arrived at Kedgeree, the Jessie transport, having on board Colonel

Keating and the staff of the brigade. The Jessie parted company from the Hoogly, Royal Edward, Shaw, Allum, Mauritius, Harriet, Ceylon, and Gende transports, in lat. 7. 33. S. long. 60. E.

Futteh Hyder, eldest son of the late Tippoo Sultan, died at Russapugla on the 30th of August.

Births.

On the 25th August, the lady of Major Vans Andrew of a daughter.

At Yanam, on the 21st August, the lady of Augustus Rayneaud, Esq. of a daughter."

At Verdachellum, on the 6th August, the lady of Brook Cunliffe, Esq. of a son.

At Pondicherry, on the same dav, the lady of A. de Lasselle, Esq. of a daughter.

Marriages.

At Nagapatam, 17th August, Mr. E. W. Penman, to Miss M. C. Sober.

On the 11th September, Mr. William Hunter, to Miss Adelaide Desjardins.

On the 13th, at S. George's church. Lieut Cleveland, of the 19th Native Infantry, to Louisa, daughter of the late G. Thomson, Esq. Sept. 4, Capt. Hugh Scott, Miitary Secretary to his Excellency the Commander-in Chief, to Emma Jane, eldest daughter of Henry Harris, Esq. M.D.

Aug. 22, Lieut-Col. Richard Podmore, 2d batt. 10th reg. to Miss Denton."

Sept. 2, Sir John Gordon, Bart. 22d Dragoons, to Miss Margaret Erskine Campbell.

Mr. John Kickwick, Farrier-major, 6th Lt. Cav. to Miss Jane Morris.

Deaths.

Sept. 18, at Trichinipoly, Mrs. Catherine Frieze. On the 9th instant, Alexander Tait, Esq. Assistant-Surgeon.

On the 30th of August, at the Presidency, Lieut. A. G. Grirson, 90th Nat. Inf.

On the 19th, at Bangalore, Lieut. and Adj. Reid, of the 12th Light Infantry.

BOMBAY.

September30.-Extract of a Letter from

an officer:

A party under my command, of one Jemedaur and eight Sepoys of the 2d batt. of the 3d. regt. shot five royal tigers on the 21st September in the jungle about Vameira. The largest measured, from the tip of the nose to the extremity of the tail, ten feet three inches and a half, and was three feet ten inches three quarters in height. The smallest measured five feet four inches and a half in length, and was two feet two inches and a quarter in height.

September 20.---The Government of Bombay, with the sanction of the Bishop of Calcutta, has authorised the immediate construction of a chapel at Surat, near the Castle. The building is intended to hold about a thousand persons, and is estimated to cost about thirty thousand rupees.

September 3.--Arrived the country-ship Cambrian, Captain Cooper, having left England on the 1st of May, and touched at Madeira. The following is a list of the Passengers.-Dr. S. Meek, Lieutenant Watkins, H. C. Marine, Capt. Hickes, M. S. Captain Mc. Quaker, late of the Hannah, and Mr. Bond.

September 21.-Arrived the Country ship Castlereagh, Captain Laing, from England, which she left on the 16th of June.-Passengers:-Rev. Mr. Carr and lady, Mr. Evans, Free Merchant, Mr. De Vitre, ditto, Mr.Baillie, surgeon, going to Lucknow, Mr. Marshal, cadet, and Captain Basden.

The following official letter, containing an account of the capture and restoration of the Nautilus. has been published at this presidency :

To Henry Meriton, Superintendent of the •Hon. Company's Marine.

SIR, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity to inform you of the capture of the Honourable Company's cruizer Nautilus, by the American sloop of war Peacock, captain Warrington, mounting 22 guns, and 230 men, on the 30th June, off Anjeir, in the Streights of Sunda, after a gallant and spirited defence of a quarter of an hour against so superior a force. I regret to report that the Nautilus had seven men killed and seven severely wounded, amongst the latter, Lieutenant Boyce, the Commander, and Mr. Mayston, first lieutenant.

As Lieut. Boyce and Mr. Mayston (from the dangerous state they have been in) have not been able to send any official report to government, the following particulars of the action have been received from the Resident and Commandant at Anjeir, in wh ch place the wounded were landed, the morning after the action, when the Nautilus was given up by the American to the master, Mr. Bradley.

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The Nautilus sailed from Batavia on the 29th June, with dispatches for Calcutta, and the next day, towards evening fell in with the Peacock off Anjeir. vious to the departure of the Nautilus, intelligence of the ratification of peace between England and America had been received at Batavia, and a copy of the treaty was on board the Nautilus. Lieut. Boyce suspecting that the Peacock was an American ship, although under English colours, sent his boat on board with the master, and Cornet White (an officer going as passenger to Bengal). The commander of the American, disregarding intelligence they gave him of peace having taken place, confined them and the boats crew below, and ranged up alongside the Nautilus under English colours, when Lieut. Boyce hailed, and demanded to know whether he was coming as a friend or an enemy; the answer, " as an enemy," and the English colours were shifted for the American; Lieut. Boyce then told him that peace had been concluded between the United States and England, and that he had the Proclamation on board.-The American answered, "if peace has taken place, haul down

your colours instantly," which on Lieut. Boyce's refusing to do, a gun was fired into the Nautilus, which wounded Lieut. Boyce in the hip; the Nautilus returned a broadside, and the action commenced, and continued about a quarter of an hour, when Lieutenant Boyce having received a second wound from a 321b. shot, shattered his knee, the first Lieutenant being severely wounded, and no officer left to fight the vessel, (the master and a boat's crew being prisoners on board the American) the Nautilus was compelled to surrender. The conduct of the American commanders appears to have been most unwarrantable, as there is no doubt but he was in possession of the accounts of peace having taken place, before he fell in with the Nautilus, which he got from a merchant ship he took at the straits of Sunda, besides the master-attendant at Anjeir had boarded him half an hour before he came alongside of the Nautilus, and informed him of the peace; which he equally disregarded, and detained him as a prisoner of war; although the next morning (upon the same information) he allowed the master-attendant to go on shore at Anjeir for the purpose of producing to him American papers, containing the proclamation of peace. On seeing the papers, he professed himself satisfied, and wrote an official letter to the masterattendant, saying, "that from the documents produced, he had not a doubt but peace had taken place, he felt himself bound to desist from further hostilities, and regretted that the commander of the brig Nautilus did not comply with his reasonable request."

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The Nautilus was delivered to the master, on the 1st of July, and anchored at Anjeir, where the wounded were landed with the Surgeon, and the vessel returned to the Batavia roads on the 4th. On her arrival Government ordered a commission from the Bench of Magistrates to proceed on board and take the depositions of the crew respecting the transaction, copies of which I have the honour to enclose.

As Lieutenant Hepburn, commander of the Malabar, was the senior officer at Batavia, when the Nautilus returned, I understand he has ordered one of the officers of the Malabar to take temporary charge of her, and she was sent in company with the Malabar to Samarang, for the purpose of getting repaired, being much shattered in her hull.

I am happy to say that the latest accounts from Anjeir, give great hopes of Lieutenant Boyce's recovery; his leg has been amputated above the knee, and he was as well as could be expected. The first Lieutenant, whose wound was at first thought to be mortal, had been declared

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Marriages.

Sep ember 6, William Aitken, Esq. assist-surg. to Miss Ann Kitson, only daughter of the late Robert Kitson, Esq. of the Civil Service. July 23, Mr. Marcus Joseph, to the relict of the late Mr. C. Satoor.

September 3, Lieut. J. Brackenbury, H. M. 17th Light Drag. to Mrs. Urixon, widow of Lieut. Urixon, H. M. Dragoons, and daughter of the late John Sandwith, Esq. formerly president of the Medical Board at this Presidency, and niece of Maj. Gen. Boyé, commanding the forces on this establishment.

Deaths.

September 11, with Colonel East's detachment, near Dhurol in Kattywar, George Skene Keith, Esq. Assist. Surg.

In Kattywar, Captain Edward Jones, 1st batt. 8th regt.

Brevet Major Hutchins, H. M. 65th regt.
Ensign Jopp, Engineers.

Lieut. Hutchinson, Artillery.

At Cambay, Edward Coleman, Esq. Veterinary Surgeon, H. M. 17th Dragoons.

Lieut. Col. Bland, H. M. 47th regt. aged 45 years. September 14, in the 78th year of his age, Charles Northcote, Esq. H. M. Naval Storekeeper at Bombay. Mr. N. was first cousin of Sir Stafford Northcote, Bart. of Pynes, in the County of Devon.

September 15, in the 13th year of her age, Miss E. M. Steuart, eldest daughter of Dr. Steuart.

Mrs. Bryerly, wife of Mr. W. Bryerly, of the Accountant-general's Office.

On the 22d of August, W. C. A. the infant son of Major Haynes, H. M. 47th regt.

On the 23d July. Maria, the infant daughter of Jonn Leckie, Esq. aged 11 months and 3 days.

CEYLON.

Columbo, Aug. 8.-An express reached Columbo yesterday, from Calpentyn, the 29th instant, with a letter from Lieut. Fenton, of the 17th regiment, dated on that day, notifying his having the preceding day landed from the Arab ship Shaw Allum, at anchor off Caridivoe island, and forwarding a dispatch from Major Fluker, of the Bourbon regiment, com

manding detachments of the 22d and 87th regiments, embarked on board that vessel. The Major reports the Shaw Allum to be one of eight transports which sailed from the Isle of France, on the 21st of June last, bound to Calcutta, that by the ignorance and mismanagement of the Captain (an Arab), they made the western side of Ceylon, iu lat 8. 2. N. when they expected they were on the eastern side: that when they found themselves in the Gulph of Manar, every exertion was made to remedy the mistake, but from the vessel being very badly found, and sailing ill, they were driven towards the shore, and had been obliged to come to anchor in ten fathoms water, surrounded by breakers and rocks off the island of Caridovie, with a heavy sea rolling in upon them, which rendered it doubtful whether, if the wind increased, the cable would not part, aud the vessel be wrecked. Major Fluker's dispatch is dated the 27th, and says, that he has permitted Lieutenant Fenton to attempt reaching the shore through a dangerous sea and heavy surf, in the only small boat which they had with them. In addition to this distressing intelligence, Lieut. Fenton reports, that while ashore at Calpentyn, two vessels under jury-masts were seen proceeding up the Gulph, which he feared were two other of the eight transports. On this news reaching Chilaw, Mr. Walbeoff, the Collector of the district, immediately set off to render every assistance in his power, that we trust the troops, about 250 in number, are now safe on shore, and have every accommodation the thinly populated part of the island on which they have been thrown will afford. His Majesty's armed brig Kangaroo, belonging to New South Wales, now here, with one of the vessels of this government, has been dispatched from Columbo, with provisions for the troops, and for the purpose of aiding the Shaw Allum, and bringing the detachments on board her to Columbo; and another government vessel immediately follows, as, from the reported state of the other transports, it is supposed they will have been obliged to come to an anchor off Condatchy.

Aug. 9.-The vessels which were sent to the aid of the Arab transport, Shaw Allum, were, owing to the weather, obliged to return without effecting the object for which they were dispatched, it not being safe to approach the coast sufficiently near to reach the Shaw Allum. We are happy, however, to announce the safe arrival of all the troops. Mr. Walbeoff, with several large boats from Calpentyn, have succeeded in reaching the Shaw Allum on the evening of the 2d, and, by the 5th, the detachments of the 22d and 87th on board, were safely dis

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embarked at Calpentyn, and are now ou their march to Columbo.

The cutter of the Kangaroo brig, in crossing the bar, upset from the violence of the surf; fortunately all in it but the Captain's clerk were good swimmers, and reached the shore in safety. The latter buffetted with the waves for some time, but at last, overpowered by their force, twice sunk, and was in imminent danger of drowning, when some lascars of a brig in the inner harbour, and two grenadiers of the 73d regiment, swam off to his assistance, and succeeded in bringing him on shore, though totally insensible, and apparently lifeless. The skill, however of Dr. Carter, of the 73d regiment, was successfully exerted, and respiration shortly restored to the young man.

CHINA.

The following is a list of ships at China in September last :-Cuffnells, Royal George, Charles Grant, David Scott, Inglis, Essex, Marquis Camden, Vansittart, Princess Amelia, Alnwick Castle, Hope, Warley, Warren Hastings.-Four Madras ships were daily expected.

JAVA.

On the 11th of April, the atmosphere was so obscured by smoke and ashes, that at eight o'clock, there was little or no day-light, and at four o'clock in the afternoon, it was perfectly dark. Many of the accounts we have seen may possibly have been exaggerated, but that there has been some tremendous convulsion to the eastward, there can be no doubt. Letters from Solo and Djocjocarta state, that the ashes have fallen very thick in those districts, and at the latter place the light battalion was in motion to ascertain the cause of the heavy cannonade so near the Sultan's court. On the 15th, 16th, and 17th, the smoke was exceedingly thick at Buitenzorg and in the Preanger Regencies. It extended to Batavia, and the atmosphere has been more or less obscured ever since. Several parties have gone out to ascertain if possible the exact situation of the volcano, which is said to be in the Soosoohoohnan's dominions. Letters received yesterday from the eastward, mention that another mountain in the neighbourhood of Besookie had burst out. As Lieutenant Cruikshanks, however, is at the head of one exploring party from Sourabaya, and Lieut. Pemberton, at the head of the other from Solo, we look confidently forward to these gentlemen for a satisfactory account of this phenomenon. Subjoined are extracts from two letters, dated Solo the 14th April, and Sourabaya the 12th.

We have been involved in a cloud of ashes for the last four days, occasioned by the eruption of a mountain in our

neighbourhood.-Major Johnson and the Emperor have sent to ascertain where it is. Some suppose it is a mountain called Dukatoonga-others suppose Clute. The former is three days journey from hence, and the latter six. The explosions were extremely violent and very frequent, and resembled the discharge of mortars. It commenced on Wednesday the 5th in the evening with repeated explosions, and ceased about eight o'clock. It again commenced on Monday night or Tuesday morning, and continued extremely violent until a late hour the next night. Yesterday the ashes fell so thick that it was quite uncomfortable walking out, as it filled our eyes and covered our clothes.

Dhukatoonga is situated in the districts of Wadeon and Sukatwis. Clute is to the eastward of Kaderee as soon as it is positively ascertained, our hospitable Resident intends to make an excursion in that direction, with a large party, composed of the principal cognoscenti of the centre division.'

Sourabaya, the 12th.-A violent eruption of some volcano in the neighbourhood has lately taken place. There was hardly day-light yesterday at eight o'clock, and we dined by candle-light at three. A party have left Sourabaya to ascertain the exact situation of the mountain; but, from the tremendous explosions and clouds of ashes in this neighbourhood, I should imagine they will not be able to get very near the crater.'

So many different reports and speculations have been passed during the last week, regarding the late volcanic eruption to the eastward, that we request our readers will suspend all curiosity until some satisfactory accounts can be received. It is now positively affirmed, that the eruption has taken place on the island of Sumbawa, which, if it be the case, must have severely suffered during this awful convulsion of nature. By the arrival of the Antelope, Capt. Hall, we understand, that a vessel from one of those islands had arrived at Sourabaya, and reported that it had been forty-three hours pitch dark in the straits of Lom bock. It is difficult to say what may have been the consequence in the immediate vicinity of the volcano, when it is beyond all doubt that the explosions were distinctly heard such an immense distance to the westward. One account mentions that the rise of the sea was considerable at Sumanap, but letters of a late date from that place mention nothing of the circumstance.'

CELEBES.

Letters from Macassar, of the 20th and 27th of June communicate the melancholy intelligence of the death of Lieutenant T. C. Jackson, of the 1st regiment of Asiatic Journ.-No. III.

native Bengal infantry, and assistant resident of Macassar, during an attack on a fortified village, dependant on the dethroned Rajah of Boni. The following are the particulars. The inhabitants of two villages, named Soopa and Langa, situated on the coast of Celebes, about 70 or 80 miles north of Macassar, having been instigated by the emissaries of the expelled Rajah, had commenced a system of piracy, seized several trading vessels belonging to subjects of the Company, and sold their crews as slaves to the neighbouring Rajahs. Capt. Wood, the resident, deeming it necessary to take some measures, to put a stop to these unwarrantable depredations, detached Lieutenant Jackson, with Ensign Davison, and a party of sixty Europeans and thirty Sepoys to root out the marauders. On the 7th of May, they embarked on board the Honourable Company's cruizer Teignmouth, and on the 9th arrived at Sooppa. Next day Lieutenant Jackson wrote to the resident that the strength of the village rendered it impregnable, except to a larger force furnished with guns. A reinforcement, with some pieces of field artillery, was instantly sent to their assistance; but before their arrival, the original party sailed for Langa, which, being within the reach of the ships guns, would, it was supposed, surrender immediately upon being summoned. The Teignmouth anchored before Langa about ten of the morning of the 12th. The detachment immediately landed; and, having driven the enemy from behind a high sand-bank near the beach, closely pursued him to the village. This was surrounded by strong stockades, the only inlet to which was a closely barricadoed gateway, which could not be forced. Lieutenant Jackson finding he could not gain entrance by this passage, attempted to make his way by cutting a road with his sword through the brushwood which intersected the paling. He had made considerable progress, and was in the act of pulling up one of the stakes, when he received a fatal wound from a spear, pushed by an unknown hand through the bushes. He fell into fhe arms of two sailors, and expired immediately after being conveyed on board the Teignmouth.-Ensign Davison having been likewise wounded in the head by a spear, the attacking party was left without a leading officer, and forced to retire without the accomplishment of its object....

ISLE OF FRANCE.

Letters from the Isle of France, received at Calcutta in August last, state that an epidemic disorder raged throughout that colony in the month of June, and carried off nearly three hundred persons. VOL. I. 2 Q

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