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most respectable gentlemen at the presidency, requesting him to call a meeting of the British inhabitants, for the purpose of publicly expressing their unfeigned sorrow at the loss sustained by the country in the death of the late right hon. William Pitt; with which the sheriff was pleased to comply, and appointed Wednesday the 18th, for the meeting; when the following resolution were entered into.

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RESOLVED. 1st. That the British inhabitants of Bombay, yielding to none of their fellow subjects in loyalty to their king, and attachment to their native land, do deebly deplore the irreparable loss, which both have sustained by the death of the right honourable WILLIAM PITT, the most distinguished supporter of the throne, and the liberties of his country.

2d. That they are anxious to offer (in common they doubt not, with all ranks and classes of their countrymen at home,) an early tribute of veneration, for the memory of so virtuous and illustrious a statesman---at once the pride of England, and one of the chief ornaments of his age.

3d. That to perpetuate the sense entertained of the inestimable blessings which have resulted, even to the remotest parts of the British empire, from his able, upright, and disinterested administration, a statue of this eminent and ever-tobe-lamented patriot, be erected in Bombay, as a lasting memorial of the gratitude of its present inhabitants, and as a sacred legacy to their successors, of the admiration entertained of so much human excellence.

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Colonel Whitelocke,

Colonel Macquarie,
Lieut.-Colonel Williamson,
Mr. Elphinston,

The Rev. Mr. Burrows,

6th. That the following noblemen and gentlemen be requested to form a committee, at home, for the purpose of effecting the object of these resolutions :

The right honourable lord Grenville, the most noble marquis Wellesley, the chairman of the Honourable the East India company, John Forbes, Esq. late of Bombay.

7th. That a subscription be immediately opened, for the purpose of defraying the expences of the statue.

8th. That thanks be given to the Sheriff, for the readiness with which he convened this meeting, and for the able manner in which he opened the proceedings of the day.

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9th. That the thanks of meeting be given to the chairman for his impartial conduct in thi chair.

Signed by seventy-nine prir cipal inhabitants of Bombay.

CEYLO

CEYLON.-Occurrences for July, 1806.

The conduct of the late Dutch government of this island, to their Roman Catholic subjects, was the most tyrannical and oppressive; and though these measures were never acted on since the island came into our possession, still they hung in terrorem over the heads of this numerous and peaceable body of people. A regulation of the 26th May, 1806, removes the restraints under which they laboured, and places them on a level with their fellow subjects. This measure, wise as it is humane, must promote the welfare of the country, strengthen the executive, and attach those people to our interest by the strong tie of gratitude, and a sense of their improved situations under the British government.

It being his majesty's most gracious intention, that all persons, who inhabit the British settlements in this island, shall be permitted liberty of conscience, and the free exercise of religious worship, provided they can be contented with a quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the same, without giving offence to government,-and it appearing, that the Roman Catholics, who are a numerous and peaceable body of his majesty's subjects, are, by several laws passed under the late Dutch government, rigorously excluded

from many important privileges and capacities; and that, although these laws have not been acted upon in all cases by his majesty's government, yet that they are still unrepealed, and a cause of anxiety to those who profess the Catholic religion,--

The governor in council enacts as follows. First.---The Roman Catholics shall be allowed the unmolested profession and exercise of their religion in every part of the British settlements on the Island of Ceylon.

Second.---They shall be admitted to all civil privileges and capacities.

Third.---All marriages between Roman Catholics, which have taken place within the said settlements since the 26th of August, 1795, according to the rites of the Roman Catholic church, shall be deemed valid in law, although the forms appointed by the Dutch government have not been observed.

Fourth.---This regulation shall take effect on the 4th day of June next, that day being the anniversary of his majesty's birth day.

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Fifth. Every part of any law, proclamation, or order, which contradicts this regulation is hereby repealed.

BENGAL.-Occurrences for August, 1806.

[The occurrences of this month present the establishment of an Admiralty Court at Bombay; several addresses have been presented to distinguished persons; and in our nautical correspondence there will be found much useful information.]

The committee appointed by a of Calcutta, of the 21st February, resolution of the British inhabitants 1804, to present a sword to the

right hon. lord Lake, commander in chief, as a testimony of the sense entertained by them of his public services, attended by a number of gentlemen of the settlement, proceeded to his lordship's house, and on being introduced, the Chairman of the Committee addressed his Lordship as follows.

My Lord,Marquis Wellesley having communicated to your excellency a resolution of the British inhabitants of this settlement, to present a sword to your excellency, as a testimony of the sense which they entertain of the services rendered by you to the East India company and to your country, I bave now the high honor to fulfil their resolutions by presenting this sword to your excellency.

His excellency the commander in chief was pleased to return the following answer :

I accept, sir, with sentiments of the most sincere pleasure, the sword which the British inhabitants of Calcutta have been pleased to present to me, as a testimony of their approbation of my services.

So high an honor, from so respectable a body of my countrymen, has impressed me with the most lively gratitude; and I am proud to reflect, that this valuable mark of favour is intended to distinguish my exertions in the execution of the measures of that exalted character, the marquis Wellesley, from whose administration our empire in India has derived such a signal increase of power, of prosperity, and of glory.

I request that you will convey to the British inhabitants of this settlement, my warmest assurances of esteem, gratitude, and attach

ment; and that you, sir, personally, will accept my best acknowledgements for the very flattering manner in which you have been pleased to fulfil their resolutions.

There are five regiments at the Cape, viz. 23d, commanded by lieut. col. hon. G. Mc Donald,--38th, colonel Vassal,-72d, major Tucker,-83d, major Trotter, and 93d, lieutenant-colonel Halket.The 71st,-lieutenant colonel Pack, sailed on a secret expedition with sir Home Popham, K. M.

Copy of a letter from the Gentlemen Cadets, at Barasut, to Lieutenant Russel Martin, accompanied with a piece of Plate of the value of one Thousand Rupees.

To Lieut. Russel Martin, Commanding the Cadet Company, Barasut.

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19th July, 1806.

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Sir,---It is a maxim we believe universally inculcated in the army, that there is but one general line of conduct which can fully entitle a man to the high and exalted character of an officer and gentleman. Permit us then, sir, to indulge our feelings by confessing that in this particular light only has your conduct always been observed by us; we conceive it no eulogium, it is a just tribute, which we are happy in having it in our power to pay you.

In your present arduous situation both in your military and literary capacity, we have always regarded your conduct as unexceptionable; and while, in private life, we esteem you as a sincere friend, your official character claims equally our admiration and esteem. In a word, sir, so highly sensible are we of

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your good qualities, and the advantages we have derived from them, that we shall ever acknowledge them with the strongest marks of gratitude.

Allow us, Sir, with these sentiments, to present you with the accompanying trivial testimony of our esteem, and to add our sincerest hopes that your many and excellent qualities may be effectually rewarded by those whom we have the honor to serve,

We are, dear Sir, &c. [Here follow the signatures of all the gentlemen Cadets.] Copy of Lieutenant Martin's letter in reply to that from the gentlemen Cadets.

Dear Gentlemen,---I receive with much satisfaction the very flattering expressions of esteem, conveyed in your letter of this date, with the handsome, but unexpected, testimony of your remembrance accompanying it.

Allow me to offer you my grateful acquiescence in whatever restrictions have been found necessary; to which, and assiduous attention to your different duties, must be ascribed whatever progress has been made towards attaining the objects of this institution.

Permit me to recommend perseverance in the same laudable conduct, which will ensure you the approbation of government, and soon enable you to join the army with honor to yourselves, and advantage to the public service.

Accept my best wishes for your welfare, and believe me I shall ever feel warmly interested in it.

I am, dear gentlemen, RUSSEL MARTIN, Lieut. commanding at Barasut. Barasut, 19th July, 1806. To the gentlemen Cadets, at Barasut.

The following copy of a Letter received from Captain Andrew Barclay, dated the 1st of July, 1806, is published for general information.

Sır,---Induced,

from having touched at St. David's Island, in the North Pacific Ocean, in our way to China, in the Mangles, and not knowing of any correct account yet being obtained of their danger, natives, &c. I beg permission to present you with a short description and a small chart of them.

The latest account given of them is by capt. Williams, when commanding the honourable company's ship Thames; he saw them on his passage home from China, coming the Eastern route, and places them from latitude I. S. to O. 55. S. their longitude from 134 17, E. to 134. 25. E. which, at the distance he passed them, must be considered as very accurate; by a good observation at noon, when close in with them, .we made the centre of the reef to be on O. 54 S. and by one of Margett's chronometers, No. 209, whose rate had been regular for upwards of two years, 134 20 E. The full extent of the reef and islands is above fourteen miles North and South, and their breadth East and West five miles.

Captain Williams not passing close enough to perceive the danger on which they are situated, or what refreshments might be procured, I considered the first an object of some moment, as the Eastern passage to China in all probability may be more frequented than formerly by the Bengal shipping, should the cotton trade increase.

The islands are very low, and ships falling in with them in the night, would be close in before they

they perceived the land, and if not acquainted with the danger, might attempt a passage between them, in which case they would unavoidably run on the reef, as they are situated upon one cutire shoal, that it is not possible for a boat to pass between the islands. The view of the reef on which they are placed, was taken from the mast head, from whence the eye could extend over the whole space of both islands and reef; therefore can vouch for its accuracy.

The natives came off in great numbers, and on approaching near the ship, performed extravagant gestures, and held forth a long harangue, which neither our Malays, or any other person on board understood, after which they made no scruple in coming on board, and freely parted with their ornaments of dress, and cocoa-nuts, for pieces of iron hoops or old nails. Their dress consisted of a treble string of coral stones, and shells round the waist, a narrow piece of cloth up between the legs, made out of the fibres of cocoa-nut, a tortoise shell round the right wrist, two square pieces of mother of pearl suspended round the neck by hair, one piece hanging down the front of the body, and the other down the back, a collar round the neck of fish teeth and black coral; this was the dress of the men, and the

only difference we perceived in that of the women, was a small mat tied round the waist, which reached as low as the knee.

The natives of these islands are particularly well proportioned and robust, their features regular and manly, some of them so symmetrical, that I was astonished, having never seen any to equal them in either Asia, Africa, or America; there is not the least resemblance between them and the Malays, or the inhabitants of New Guinea, nor can I form the smallest conjecture from whence these islands could have been first inhabited; their only produce, and chief food, is the cocoa-nut, (fish excepted,) consequently but little refreshments can be obtained by touching at them; and water, if any to be procured, I conceive, must be brackish, from the low situation, and small extent of the islands. Anchorage there is none, as you have 50 fathoms close to the edge of the reef; a quantity of mother of pearl might be collected, but I question if sufficient to induce a ship to touch for.

I conclude, with begging your forgiveness for this liberty, on so trifling a subject, and remain, Sir, &c.

(Signed) ANDREW BARCLAY. To John Shore, Esq. Sec. to the hon, company's Marine Board.

MADRAS.-Occurrences for August, 1806.

To the Hon. Sir Thomas Strange, knt. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature, at Madras. My Lord Chief justice,---The grand jury beg leave to offer to your lordship their sincere congratulations, on your return

to this presidency, and on the resumption of your high and important functions.

We cannot refrain from availing ourselves of this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction we feel in having regained to our society,

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