SIR,

I have had the honour of receiving your polite and obliging letter of the 30th ult. conveying the flattering address of the officers of the army serving in Guzeraut, on the occasion of presenting me a most handsome and honourable pledge of their esteem, and request you will have the goodness to forward, by the first opportunity, the accompanying letter to their address, being expressive of my

sentiments thereon.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,

Your most obedient
humble servant,

(Signed) ROBERT HOLFORD. Bombay, 5th May, 1804.

To the Officers of the Army,
serving in Guzeraut.
Gentlemen,

I have had the honour of receiving your flattering letter, with a handsome service of plate, which you have been good enough to offer, as a testimony of respect and esteem, for the hospitality and attention which you are pleased to say you received from me, while resident at Cambay.

That my humble endeavours to prove useful to you, Gentlemen, who led our gallant soldiers to victory and renown, and by whose active and spirited exertions, a most valuable tract of country has been added to our empire in India,

should have succeeded, is to me the proudest and most satisfactory recompence; I therefore, with real pleasure, accept the highly honourable and distinguished mark of favor you have thus conferred, as being peculiarly gratifying to my private feelings, at the same time, begging you to be assured, that I shall ever retain the most grateful sense in possessing so valuable a testimonial of your remembrance. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

Your most obedient servant, (Signed) ROBERT HOLFORD.

Departure of Suliman Aga.

On Thursday morning last the honourable the governor gave a public breakfast at his house in town, to Suliman Aga, the ambassador from his highness the Basha of Baghdad, who, on the same day embarked for Bengal, in prosecution of his mission, to his exnor-general; his departure was cellency the most noble the govermarked with the same ceremonies and military honours as were observed on his arrival.

The Vakeels of the Peishwa.

On Wednesday last, arrived at the Presidency, Perwicker Punt, Ittul Punt, and Crustnajee Punt, the Vakeels of Amurat Row, and on Thursday, arrived also Beejee Nair, and Ramrow Trimbuck, Vakeels of his highness the Peishwa; we trust it is needless to add, that every attention on the part of government has been paid to the comfort and accommodation of these strangers.

Brilliant Action.

The following account of the action between the China India

men

is

men and Linois's squadron, written by an officer of one of the former, and affords a clearer and more minute detail of that gallant and interesting exploit than any published.

The China fleet of Indiamen, consisting of sixteen sail, none of which were under 1200 tons, and all the country ships in China, eleven in number, which had previously resolved to avail themselves of the convoy of the Indiamen, sailed from Macao, on the sixth of February, proceeding by the passage inside of the paracels; we had sight of Poa Aore, on the fourteenth of February, at daylight; and at 9 A. M. the Royal George made the signal for strangers in the S. W. shortly afterwards the signal was made, by commodore Dance, for the Royal George, Alfred, Bombay Castle, and Hope, to chase. Their mamœuvres soon made us suspicious of the strangers; their weathermost ships bearing down to join their ships to leeward, and then heaving to; the Royal George first made the signal for an enemy, when the chasing ships hove to on the same tack with the enemy to windward of them, and reconnoitred their forces. We very soon perceived them to be a line-of-batthe ship, two frigates, a corvette, and a brig and shortly afterwards were convinced that it was admiral Linois and his squadron.

As soon as the chasing ships made sail to windward to join the conmodore, the enemy made all sail towards the fleet, working to windward; at 6 P. M. the chasing ships fell into their stations in the line of battle a head, which had been formed at 2 P. M. lying to on the starboard tack. The enemy, before sun-set, were directly in the

VOL 0.

wake of our line of battle, and tacked to gain the wind. From this period until day-light they kept us in constant expectation of an attack, as they bore down three times towards our rear, and as often hauled their wind again. At daylight, on the fifteenth, the enemy were lying to on our weather quarter, in a close line a head, and about four miles distant; we could perceive them communicating, but they shewed no decided intention of attacking us until at eight o'clock, we made sail, by signal, and kept in a close order of sailing, hoisting our colours: the enemy then hoisted French colours, except the brig, which shewed Dutch colours, and made all possible sail; the Maringo carrying admiral Linois' flag at the mizen, leading the attack in a very close line of battle a head, and edging down towards us, our fleet being now under such sail as to accommodate our worst sailors.

We did not perceive what would be the enemy's mode of attack until a little after noon, when he clearly bore up to attack our rear. The situation of the ships in the rear now became very critical, and they must have been cut off from the vain and centre, which would have lost us the day; but it was now that captain Timins, of the Royal George, by the most masterly and daring manoeuvre, saved the rear, and perhaps the fleet. He hailed Dance, our commodore, and told him the enemy were going to attack our rear. then asked him what he thought should be done? he replied, that the van should immediately tack under all possible sail, and engage the enemy. This was put in excution, and the Royal George led the attack, followed by the Ganges,

Dance

Camden.

Camden, Alfred, and Warley; the other ships all tacking and following in succession.

This seemed to throw quite a new face upon the business, Linois now appeared wavering and undetermined, and by the time the Royal George was abreast of him he had wore and brought his starboard side to bear in this situation the Royal George for some time sustained, alone, the united fire of the enemy's

the attack, the ships in the rear cheered them as they passed to go into action, and thus pledged themselves to stick by each other. Never was the genuine spirit of British tars more manifest. Whilst our fleets are manned with such seamen, and they are led by enterpris ing officers, the British empire has nothing to apprehend.

this ship, and the spirit of the manœuvre, so astonished Linois, that he soon made all possible sail on the larboard tack, running away as fast as possible. The whole fleet now chased until 5 P. M. when we certainly were gaining on the enemy; but the commodore very prudently made the signal to tack, when they were allowed to make the best of their way to Batavia, as we suppose, from whence they had last

come.

The Royal George had one man killed and one man wounded, many shot in her hull, and her yards, sails, and rigging, a good deal cut with the enemy's shot. We arrived all safe at Malacca on the 18th and 19th, when we watered; and, on the 28th, we fell in with the Albion and Sceptre, of seventy-four guns each, off Pulo Dending; they went into Pulo Penang to fill up their water and here we are under sail, going in sight of Trincomalie, into which port the country ships are to go in quest of convoy; and then we are to proceed on our voyage with the men of war.

This affair affords a decided proof of the superior courage of British seamen; and their animation and spirit never were more strongly exemplified than on the eve of the attack; and when the van ships had put about, and were leading

"the Peace in India.

The hon. the governor gave a ball and supper to the settlement at Parell, in honor of the late very advantageous and highly glorious peace, concluded between the British government and the lately confederated Mahratta chiefs.

The anticipation of this entertainment drew together a numerous assemblage of beauty and fashion, who beheld a spectacle as brilliant as our island ever exhibited; whilst the recollection of the ever memorable events which gave rise to it, added in no small degree to the pleasure of the scene.

The ambassador from his highness the basha of Bagdad, to his excellency the most noble the governor-general; the vakeels of his highness the peishwah, those of Dowlut Rao Scindiah, of Amurat Row, of the Colapore rajah, of Purseram Bow, and of the Gokala sirdar, were all present, together with several of our principal native inhabitants, the whole of whom seemed highly gratified with the attention which they received.

Parell house and gardens were well illuminated, and the principal avenue intersected by a transparent building, forming a triumphal arch, decorated and divided into three compartments. In the centre was

the

the word WELLESLEY; over which, in a pediment, was the British lion: on the right, the word PEACE, with a wreath of laurels surmounted by the olive branch on the left, the word GLORY, with another wreath, cemented by the palm. On the top of the whole was the crest of the Wellesley family.

an

The daucing commenced soon after ten o'clock, and continued till twelve, when supper was nounced, which formed an exquisite repast of every thing that was good, and procurable at this season of the year.

The company having arisen from table, were conducted through a promenade of variegated lamps, to a terrace at the top of the gardens, where seats were prepared for their reception; and at the extremes of which were also two other transparencies. From this part of the gardens was seen a large sheet of water, curiously illuminated; and, on the opposite side, commenced a brilliant display of fire-works, which, in appearance and effect, could scarcely be surpassed; while the surrounding fields were covered with a concourse of spectators, who had crowded together from all points of the island, to view and partake in this animating scene.

This part of the amusements having been concluded, to the general satisfaction of every one present, the company again repaired to the ball-room, and renewed the sprightly dance; after which, they all retired, highly pleased with the splendour and conviviality of the entertainment, which, we must say, was conducted throughout with a degree of order and regularity that reflects the highest credit upon those who were entrusted with its management.

The ambassador has expressed his entire satisfaction at the conspicuous attention which he has received during his stay here; and, indeed, the pleasing affability of his manners, and the regular deportment of all his attendants, have been such as to realize every expectation which was originally formed of this respectable embassy.

On the same day, Josiah Webb, esq. and colonel Barry Close, quitted this place for their respective presidencies; the latter gentleman, we are truly happy to add, has derived considerable benefit from the change of air to which he resorted, and that his health is nearly re-established.

Presentation of a public Address to

Major-General Wellesley.

Yesterday being the day appointed by Major-General the Honorable Arthur Wellesley, to receive the address from the British inhabitants of this settlement, Mr. Henshaw, attended by the other gentlemen of the committee, proceeded to the government-house for that purpose.

The committee waited first on the governor, and delivered into his hands the address to the most noble the governor-general, accompanied with a request that he would be pleased to forward it to his excellency, through such channel as he might make choice of, to which the governor having expressed his willing assent, the committee then proceeded to the hall of the go. vernment house, where they were received by major general Wellesley, attended by some of the officers of his suite. Mr. Hen†12 shaw,

shaw, in presenting the address to the general, expressed himself as follows:

SIR,

"This committee have the honour of being deputed by the general meeting of the British inhabitants, to present to you their congratulations on the glorious and happy termination of one of the most decisive, brilliant, and rapid campaigns, ever known in the annals of British India; a campaign in which you have personally borne so conspicuous a share, and proved yourself, at its close, equally great in the cabinet as in the field."

The address, in the following words, was then read by Mr. Henshaw.

To Major General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, &c. &c.

SIR,

We might be justly deemed in sensible to the signal benefits which your late brilliant carcer has conferred upon your country, if we did not avail ourselves of the opportunity which your temporary residence in this island affords, to express the high sense we entertain of your memorable and important services.

To you, Sir, in an eminent degree, are owing, not only the immense advantages resulting from a successful campaign in the Deccan, but, those having been attained, the blessing of an early peace in India. The enemy's systematic inclination for desultory and protracted warfare, was met on your part, as it likewise was, with equal energy and success in another quarter, by a wise and gallant re. solution to bring affairs to a speedy as well as glorious issue. And the battle of Assye, which displayed how justly you relied on the disci

plined valour of your troops, and the zeal, courage, and conduct of every officer under your command, struck a damp on the hopes of the adverse powers, which may almost be said to have decided the fate of the campaign.

But it is not in your military career alone, that we have observed the effects of an active, able, and determined mind. The difficult negociations which you carried on with two hostile powers, while, at the same moment, your attention was occupied by the operations of the field, do the greatest honor to your talents as a statesman, and display a happy union of political skill, and military science.

Your victories have taken place in our neighbourhood; they immediately affect our future interests, and are intimately connected with our present prosperity. They lay the foundation of a peace to us, and our successors, which is no longer likely to be interrupted by the feuds and combinations of a Mahratta aristocracy. They open to the trade, and to the industry of Bombay, the ports of an extensive and populous country.

Under these circumstances, when assembled to express our gratitude towards your Noble and Illustrious Relative, we should have felt our duty only half discharged, if we had omitted this tribute of respect to one, who is so justly dear to him, and under whose auspices the troops of every description have shewn themselves worthy of such a leader, and of their former renown.

We have the honor to be,

SIR, Your obedient humble servants, (Signed) ROBERT HENSHAW. And by 123 other British

Inhabitants.

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