The Sun. — London, England, 1824-06-24 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE. Yesterday the Quarterly General Meeting of the Proprietors of East India Stock was held at the India House —the Oairman of the Court of Directors (Wm..AsTEL, Eeq., M.P.) in the Chair. After the Report of the proceedings of the last General Meet ing had been read— The CHAIRMAN declared a dividend of 5i per cent. upon the capital Stock of the Company, for The half year ending on the sth of .July nat. The Resolution of a former Court (of 26th May) was then proposed, for granting to the Commissioners an additional sum of 3001. per annum each so long as the should continue to act as Commissioners for investigating the Tanjore Claims. After a short discussion, in which Mr. RANDALE JACKSON and the lion. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD opposed the vote, Mr. H UME moved that the question be postponed, •in order to af ford time for considering the propriety of ordering a separate Commission. The original question was however carried in the affirmative • but Mr. Hume tendered a protest to the Reso lution, signed by nine Proprietors. REDUCTION OP INTEREST ON THE BONDS. General THORNTON rose, pursuant to the notice which he had given, to propose that the interest on the Bonds of the Com pany should be reduced from 3 per cent. to 23 per cent. per:. annum. It was in the knowledge of every one who heard "him (the Hon. Gentleman observed) that the Bonds were at the pre sent moment at a premium of 88.—a-full proof that the interest was too high. The interest on Exchequer Bills had recently been lowered to l Ad. per day, or 2l per cent. per annum. India Bonds 3i per cent. Were the interest on them reduced (in imitation of the conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer respecting Exchequer Bills) to 2i per cent. a saving would ensue to the Company of 39,2221. per annum. If reduced to 2 per cent. the saving would be upwards of 49,000/. per ann.; t.nd if reduced to 2 per cent. the saving would be 59,0001. Mr. ADINELL seconded the motion, which was opposed by Mr. LOWNDES. The CIIAIRMA,e said, the question resolved itself into one of expediency. The proprietors would recollect that / since the year 1770 the interest on the Bonds of the Company had been frequently increased and decreased always at the suggestion of the Court of Directors, whenever they thought such alteration necessary. The Court of Directors had thus established their claim to the confidence of the ProPrietors. He thought there fore that the propriety of proposing the reduction of the interest of the Bonds ought (and might safely) be left to them. He reminded the Court of the great financial operation now in pro gress. Within the last two years the debt of the Company had been reduced (as we understood) betweep three and =four ; he therefore thought the attention of the Directors ought not to be distracted by the consideration of apaltry saving of 10.000/. per annum. Mr. HANDLE JacmoN protested against the proposition, which would go to break down the annuitants and promote emigration. In another country (Ireland) absenteeship had blighted and blasted the prospects of its inhabitants . He trust ed that a similar disposition to abandon the soil would not be forced upon persons possessing only limited incomes. Sir. Hu 31E thought the right to reduce the interest on the public debt belonged to Government. The debt of the 'East India Company was as secure as that of the public, and he therefore thought that if the Company could borrow at 2 per per cent. they ought to do so. But as the Gallant General had attained his obje et, by calling the attention-of the Court of Di rectors to the subject, he begged leave to suggest to him the propriety of withdrawing his motion. 'After a few words from Mr. Twixt.NG, Sir C. FORTIES, and Mr. D. KINNAIRD, GeRerarTHOUN-TON withdrew his mo tion. THE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS. Some routine business being called on, r..D. KINNAIRD rose, and said; the Court was aware that all the clocnments-•and papers necessary for the consideration of the Government of India for seven years, and for enabling the Proprietors to come to a decision upon that important sub ject, had been ordered to be produced. In consequence a list of papers hail been laid upon the table; but by whom selected or on what principle, did not appear. When he came to look at t:lem he found them quite insufficient for the purpose of coming; t a decision on a case of so much importance as that of the Coverntnent of the Marquis of Hastings. One most neces sary and important document was wanting—tlie expost; of the Noide Marquis of what be thought the principal topics at' his administration or government. He recollected that having said on a former occasion, that other and additional papers were ne cessary, the then Chairman volunteered to say that the requisite additional papers should be supplied. He could not, therefore, cos:ceive upon what ground the document he had just referred to had been withheld. • . The CRAIII3IAN said, the paper in question had not been laid before the Court, because the Directors were of opinion that it was not a document coining within the meaning of the vote of the Court of Proprietors. The paper was a letter from the Marquis of Hastings, dated Gibraltar , and giving his view of the state of India at the period of his entering upon the Go vernment. A letter to the Chairman of the Court of Directors from the Noble Lord of the same date (sth of May), accom patiied that document,- and both were laid before the Court of Directors by the Chairman on the 18th May ; and the Court of ,Directors came to a resolution, that after the most mature ccet sideration of the. subject, they were of opinion, that the paper in question, not being an official or recorded document, was not of the descrlptiou called fbr by the Court of Proprietors to be laid before them. _ _ _ ~ Sir J. Dovr. E was sure he was not mistaken when he so posed that every Member of the Court was anxious that the • ellest information on the subject ought to be laid before them; he could not therefore view the statement of the Chairman as a -s•Jfficient rewon for the non-production of the paper. He would put it to the Court, was not full investigation the object ?—let not the documents, necessary to its • completion be withheld merely front poinv of form. The Gallant General concluded by moving, that the paper alluded to, though not officially re corded, should he made a document fit for production before the Court. The Hon. D. KINNAIRD seconded-the motion, and said no reason bad been given why the Directors had not considered the paper moved for an official document; - no other ground had -been stated than want of form. The CHAT]: MAX begged the Hon. Gentleman's pardon ; there were • many other grounds. The paper referred to con tained allusions to the conduct of antecedent Governors of India., and however inclined to serve the Marquis Hastings: the Diree aors might be, they had to take care that no injury to others should be offered. The Directors could. not suffer the docu anent sought for to go forth tO the world, without accompany ing it by the declaration of their own opinions respecting it. Mr. D. Kix - NA= felt happy in having at length elicited 'from the Hun. Chairman the Motives which influenced the Court of Directors to refuse the production of the document. Mr. PATTisoN said the opinion of the Court of Directors was upon record, and stated that the -document was withheld - solely because it was not an official one. - • Mr. KINNAT RD thanked the Hon. Gentleman for the.infor ,mation, and challenged every fair and honest man to read the Pamphlet in question, and say was there in the breast of the ;Marquis of Hastings any intention to injure the fame of his qpredecessors in the Government of. India ?—(Applause.)— Wherever a suspicion of that nature was entertaired, there must exist a desire to draw down censure upon the' Marquis of - Hastings; and he would call upon Lord Minto and„his friends to declare whether they entertained such a suspicion of the i'oble Marquis. Lord Hastings had only mentioned the state of India at the time of his entering upon its Government. Did he in that document • mis-state one fact ? [lad he done so he _would have been the most foolish man in the world to put upon record circumstances which he might be certain of immediate ,contradiction. On his arrival in India the Marquis of Host -inns found-it involved •in'six different disputes ;he found it at a crisis, produced by causes much more r emote in p oint of dat e than that of Lord Minto's Governorship Whosoever read th a t . statement, and attributed to it motives different from those of truth and public spirit, interpreted them ignorantl y_...he would not say maliciously. He therefore, in the na me of Lord Hast ings, protested against the belief that the statement was written 'vita the view to reflect upon Lord Minto or any other previous Governor-General.. Mr. T RANT thought the answer of the Chairman bad been quite sufficient and conclusive, yet he felt himself under all the c i r cumstances bound to support the motion of the Gallant Ge .neral (Sir J. Doyle). •• Mr• R. JACKSON i had understood, from Newspaper reports, that the late.Cnan had stated there would be no difficulty in producing allhe docum e nt s required. He a dmitted that the particularly t paper then sought for was not upon record ; but nothing could be by any friend of more or easy than to give it that official character ouof Hastings's sending a copy of it to the Chairman, which a- course be received, and thus become a record and document, for the production of which, subse quently, it was competent 'for any proprietor to move. lie s hould, under all the e i actu ustances of the case, support the motion. Mr. IMPEY defended the conduct of the Court of Directors. papers, m The call had be en for official to anion which the docu ment in question was not to be und, g pardon for inter rupt i n Mr. MILLS begg ed g the H on. Di rector . The document was already an official docu • not already so staled;' and he won- It had been won dered the. Chairman had read in the Court of Directors, and was therefore a recorded document.—(Applause.) The CHAIRMAN called the lion. Director to order. Mr. laivE Y proceeded to argue that the paper was not an official document., - _ Mr. D. KINNAIRD rose to speak to a point of order. He thought it better that the Law Officers of the Company should be called upon for their opinion, whether the paper was or was not an official or recorded documuit, than that the time of the Court should be occupied in squabbling about it. The CrtAIHMAN here referred to the Records of the Court of Directors, to chew that on the sth May they had, resolved that the letter of Lord Hastings not being an-official document could not be produced. Sir C. FORBES wished to know if the present proceedings were quite in order. The CHAIRMAN said that was a general meeting, at which it was competent to any Proprietor to propose whatever he deemed proper. Mr. HU ME asked, was the Resolution of the Court of Direc tors declaring the letter of Lord Hastings not to be an official document, subsequent or previous to the Resolution of the Court of Proprietors calling for its production ? The CriAruarAN—Subsequent. Mr. Hu tux submitted that such a resolution was disrespect ful to the Court of Proprietors. Mr. IMPEY said the letter had not been addressed to the Chairman in his official character, but as an individual; and he begged leave to say that he could not consider that such brow-beating, or the use of such language as he had heard in that Court, at all necessary to the defence of Lord Hastings. Mr. MILLS would commence the few observations with which he should trouble the Court by asking of the Secretary whether or not the paper in question was upon record ? The late Chair man had felt as he did, that it was competent to the Court of Directors to produce the document. It ought to be produced ; and he thought it would have been more manly to have con sented to its production at once, as sooner or later it must be brought forward. The Hon. Hum{ LINDSAY supported the motion, and re gretted he had not been present when an lion. Proprietor (Mr. Elphinstone) had done himself so much honour by his defence of Lord Hastings. He hoped the Gallant General (Doyle) Would persevere in his motion, which should have his (Mr. L.'s) • most hearty support. Mr. PAT TISON considered that the proof that the document had been recorded was as clear as the sun at noon day, for the truth of which he would appeal to the Chairman himself. Mr. R. JACKSON repeated his former observations. Mr. HUME denied the right of the Court of Directors to withhold from the Proprietors whatever documents they might think proper to move for ; and contended that the reading of the document rendered it official. He would also deny the right of the Court of Directors to say what teat or what was not official. It was not in the power of the Court of Direc tors to withhold the document; and it was unjust in the highest degree to the Marquis of Hastings to refuse to produce it, knowing as they did that it was necessary to that Noble Lord's defence. Sir G. A. ItoßrlrsoN'toncurred with those gentlemen wko .wished for the production of the paper in question, on the un. derstanding that the production of other papers, which would thereby be rendered necessary, would not be opposed. 13DDIONSTONE also supported the motion. Sir J. DoYLE replied. He would not at that late hour go at length into the subject, but he would say that the Almighty had never created a human being who would he so far from attempting to raise himself upon the fall of another as Lord Hastings.—(Applause.) Colonel BAILLIE concurred in the call for the production of the paper, at the same time he could not help saying that there were passages in that document, to the correctness of which lie could not subscribe. The CHAIR:RA:4' wished to express his opinion, that the Court of Proprietors could not call upon the Court of Directors to produce the paper, without adding that its production should be contingent upon the approbation of the Board of Controul, and upon the production of the other papers referred to. 'Mr. IltritE thought it would be fully competent to the Court of Proprietors to request of the Board of Controul to allow the production of that paper. Mr. I3trty was clearly of opinion that all the papers neces sary ought to be laid before the Court of Proprietors. After a few words from the lion. D. KIN xarnri and Mr. R. 'JACKSON, Sir CHAS. FORBES MOVeIi.AS an amendment, that the words " that the paper be accompanied with such observations as the Court of Directors might think fit," be subjoined to the original motion. Sir G. ROBINSON" said there was such a diversity of opinion on the subject amongst the Court of Directors, that it wag im possible to obtain their collective sentiments. Mr. Tit-mixt; saw no objection to the production of the paper, but thought too much importance was attached to it. the question was then put, .1..,1d carried unanimously in the affirmative. Mr. EMIONSTONE the:: moved, that the Secret'Committee be instructed to apply to the Board of Controul for permission that there be laid before the Committee copies of all such minutes in Council, and other papers, that might have been passed between the month of Nov. 18P and 1817, as had re ference to the Government of the Marquis of Hastings in India; also for copies of such documentS as might serve to exhibit the state of India at the period when the Marquis of Hastings en tered upon its Goverment. Mr. PATTISON objected to the motiori, as not sufficiently comprehensive. Mr. WEEDING supported the motion, which being put was carried in the, affirmative. Sir G. A. ROBINSON moved •that there be laid before the Court copies of all correspondence which had passed be tween the Governor General in Council and the Resident at Lucknow, respecting the .reform in the administration of the Vizier, and on the employment of British troops in his domi nions from the Ist of .January 130 a to the 31st of December 1815. Also copies of all such documents as related to the ne gociation of a loan to the Vizier between the months of October 1814 and May 1815. These Resolutions were carried in the affirmatiie. - • Sir C. FORBES moved that there be laid before the Court of Proprietors a copy of the expose of the Marquis of Hastings, and that the Court of Directors be requested to favour the Court with their observations and opinions thereon. Mr. WEEDING seconded the motion. • Sir Joux DOYLE said this was a new question, and of such a nature that respect for the Hon. Proprietor who proposed it could alone prevent his applying. to it the epithet which it merited ; and contended that to call for the opinion of the Di rectors would be most unjust to the Marquis of Hastings. Mr. D. KINNAIRD had no objection whatever that the " reasons" of the Court of Directors should be put upon record. Sir C. FORBES disclaimed any intention whatever of pro posing any thing the object of which was to injure the feelings or the interests of the Marquis of Hastings. Mr. TRAM T opposed the motion. The CHAIRMAN begged leave to express his dissent from the motion. It was impossible that the Court of Directors could express their opinion as proposed by the Hon. Baronet. He trusted, therefore, that the motion would not be pressed. Sir C. Fo REES declared his intention to persevere. After a few words from Sir J. Doyle, Mr. Pattison, the Chair. man, Mr. D. Kinnaird, Mr. Impey, Sir G. A. Robinson, Mr. Weeding, and Mr. R. Jackson, the motion was negatived. Mr. D. KINNAIRD moved that there, be Laid before the Court of Proprietors, in a printed form, certain documents relating to the Organisation of the Indian Army, and the Financial Ar rangements connected therewith. Mr. R. JACKSON contended that his Hon. Friend ought not to propose such a resolution without notice. Mr. D. KINNAIRD consented to withdraw his motion, if permitted by the Court. • Mr. IMPEY moved that - the Court do now adjourn. Mr. D. lirsNAlnD moved as an amendment, that the Court do adjourn to Wednesday next. The CHAIRMAN said, it was not competent to the - Honour able Proprietor to move an amendment to a motion for ad journment. After a desultory conversation of great length, the Court di vided on the general question for adjournment, when there were— For the adjournment - 20—Against it • - 20 The numbers being equal, the Chairman said he would exer cise his privilege, and give his-casting vote for the adjournment. The Court was accordingly dissolved at a few minutes past seven o'clock, having sat upwards of seven hours. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. • MARLBOROUGIT-STISF.ET. —A LLEGED FRAUDS. —fir. BODKIN' attended to state that Hawkins, against whom a war rant had been issued, was discovered to bea prisoner in the King's Bench. Mr. Bodkintead some letters, wbich stated that in ad dition to other sums obtained by Hawkins for pretended cha ritable be had at different ti mes o b ta i ne d of the late Lord e ati Ward (whose human e an d c h ar i ta ble heart Dudley pur was proverbial) to the amount of 3 , 000 /., and a considerable sum also from the .late Duke of Kent. V ar i ous ot h er acts of minor fraud were alleged; and the Magistrates promised to do every thing in their power to bring the accompli ce s of Haw kins, as well as himself, to justice. The Memoirs of the Ex-Emperor ITURTIIDE were advertised in the French Papers, to issue from the press .on the 10th instant. JA:1111ICA PAPERS. We have received - further advices from Jamaica to the 16th ult. We aro happy to find that the reported death of Mr. Dawson , the brother of Lord Portarlington, was wholly unfounded. , The' House of Assembly has been further prorogued from the 4th of May to - the Bth of June. The following Proclamation has been received with ._ the greatest 3 0 y by the Colonists : BY T A PROCLAMATION. GEOROER II . II-KWi:Nhert' e i ft it has been represented to us, that the slaves in our West India Colonies, and of our possessions on the Continent of South America, have been erroneously led to believe that orders bad been sent by us for their emancipa tion : and whereas such belief has produced acts of insttbor:i- nation, which have excited our highest displeasure: We have thought lit, br and with the ad v i ce o f our P r i v y C ounc il, to issue thi s o u r Royal Proclamation : And we do hereby declare and make known, that the slave population in our said Colonies and possessions will b? undeserving of our protection, if they shall fail to render entre submission to the laws, as well as du tiful obedience to their masters : And we hereby charge and command all our Governors of our said West India Colonies and po s se ss ions to give the fullest publicity to this our Procla mation, and to enfore, by all legal means in their power, the punishment of those who may disturb the tranquillity and peace of our said Colonies and possessions. " Given at the Court, at Carlton-House, this 10th day of March, 1824, and in the Fifth Year of our Reign. " GOD SAVE TuE KINGr." • KINGSTON, MAY B.—We are happy to state that the Hon. Lieut.-Cot. Dawson, who was lately reported in The Guiana Chronicle to have been murdered in St. Domingo, but which was, however,afterwards contradi c t e d, arr iv e d s a fe and sound in the Forte rigate. Ile is Colonial Secretary at St. Vincent's, and the brother of Lord Portarlington.—The Grecian cutter, 10, Lieut. Cawley, sailed frolll Port Royal on Sunday morning for Carthagena, having on hoard dispatches from Vice-Admiral Sir Lawrence W. Halsted, K.C.8.; for the Vice-President of Colombia.—Vice-Admiral Sir Lawrence W. Halsted, K has addressed the following communication to his Honour the Mayor (COPY.) " Isis, Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica, May 4, 1824. " big you will be pleased to make known, for the information of those interested therein, that the result of the demand made on the Authorities of Porto-Rico, for reparation in the case of the slooop Eliza, of this island, piratically plun dered by the Fortuna privateer, is, that judgment (an official copy of which is in my possession) has been given against the offenders, to the full amount of the claims made by the British merchants; but, although every effort has been' made to that effect, the poverty of the parties is such, that there is little or no prospect of obtaining payment at Porto-Rico. The matter, therefore, now remains to be finally settled by the Governments of Great Britain and Spain, to the former of which this result will be duly made known. " If any Gentleman, interested in this affair, will call upon me, I shall be glad to receive, and give him any information in my power. • • " I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) "L. W. HA 1 iSTE 1), " Vies-Admiral " To the Hon. the Mayor of Kingston." Remain in Port-Royal harbour the following vessels of war, viz. riO, Capt. T. Forreat, C.B. ; Forte, 46, Captain Sir T. J. Cochrane, Knight ; Hyperion, 42, Capt. G. F. Rich ; Surinam (brig), 18, Capt. C. Crole; Bustard (do.), 10, Capt. It. 111 4 14ean ; Helicon (do.), 10, Capt. W. E. Dawkins; Rinal do (packet sloop), 6, Lieut. Moore; Renegade (schooner), 4, Lieut. W. E. Fiott ; Union (do.), 4, Lieut. R. W. Hender son ; Assidlous (do.), 1, Mr. Warren, Commander, and Sera pis (flag and convalescent ship), Lieut. 0. A. Jackson. INDIA. FEMALE EDUCATION. (From the Calcutta Monthly Journal.) " We very much regret that the interesting account of the examination of the Native Females, educated under the au spices of the Church Missionary Society, did not reach us in time for our last number. " It is indeed a most gratifying circumstance to be able to record the success of this most charitable and humane measure, and particularly that it receives the countenance and support of the highest female characters tr. the country. here it is th a t the lustre of ltritish female Virtue shines to the greatest advan tage : in the whole range of active benevolence, of which the various objects that -claim the attention of the philanthropist are prominently exhibited by humane individuals for the con sideration of those who, althou g h equally disposed to deeds of charity, are prevented by various causes from personal exer tions, there is not. one which has the strong claim to public support, which in every point of view attaches to the education of the female population of India. " With every claim which can be adduced in favour of any other similar measure, this has some peculiar to itself,—of a nature the most strong, and it carries with its success conse- Wquences the most grateful to every good feeling of our nature. With all this there is not one single objection. The only pos sible objection (though the word is too strong) which could be at all urged against it, was not dependent upon its principles or its utility, but on what should al wa y s b e ta k en i n t o th e con sideration of every object having any moral change in view, viz. its practicability. In almost all similar cases, prejudices of some kind were to be overcome. Those who remember the first general establishment of the Sunday Schools in England well know the prejudices and opposition they had to overcome before they even obtained a secure footing.— The objection to them was on the principle, yet have its soundness and rectitude being. securely established on the very best test—that of experience. These schools were the parents of all those Institutions which have since risen in every _part of the British Dominions, and which, having been transplanted into other countries, have introduced a new era in education, the good effects of which are felt in almost every quarter of the Globe, notwithstanding the dissemination of doc trines, in every shape and form, subversive of all moral principle. But to return to the immediate subject in hand. It is one of the characteristics of almost every charitable and benevolent insti tution emanating from the Church of England to become known more by its fruits than by a vain display of its beneficent ob jects ;—to plant the tree and administer support to it as it ap proaches to maturity. Nor has it ever happened that any institution, having charity and the cultivation of moral prin ciple for its objects, thus formed has been left unsupported.— If then public support and encouragement has never been yet 'withheld from the demands of other institutions with minor claims to consideration, we trust that the one whose cause we are new unsolicited advocating from the bottom of our heart, will not be left to sink under the pressure of want. We would especially address ourselves to the female portion of the com munity, ,and if we knew any expression or could flatter our selves that.any language we could use would have the effect of strengthening those kind and benevolent feelings which they imbibe in their earliest childhood, we would not fail to adopt them. But we are satisfied there can be no occasion ; it is im possible hut that every one of them must at one time or other of their residence in India have seen and admired the beautiful and interesting female children of this country. With these feelings we are sure also that pity, at the degraded state in which they leave hitherto been kept, must have been mingled, and nothing more can lie necessary than to make them ac , quainted with the institution of means to elevate them a step in the moral scale, to induce them to aid those means : The object of such, an appeal as this, is sometimes lost from an idea of its being common place and a matter of course— neither of these ought to — have any effect here. The ob ject is one of the very first importance, and its success is obviously so productive of incalculable advantages to the whole population of India, male as well as female, that so far from being common place, it is paramount. Neither is this appeal a matter of c ourse Far we have been alone induced to make it from the sen se w e entertain of those advantages. " As we stated before, such institutions as these are in general silent in their own praise ; and we rather imagine that it will he new to some of our readers to learn that a Lady has been in Indiasome time, wh o l e f t E ng l an d under the auspices of the British and Foreign School Society for the express purpose of undertaking this task. We cannot lengthen this article with a detail of the difficulties which presented themselves; it is suffi cient that by a perseverance and steadiness beyond all praise, aided by the bene vo l ence an d exper ience of the Chu rc h Mis sionary Society and ot h ers, she has triumphed over them all, and nothing now is wanted complete the success of the under ' taking, but the liberal support o f the public. gratifica tion to o t will ua if sa n v feed be t we influence, how ever small, in promoting that support." have a ale source said of ah theall THE 818 MANS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BENGAL HIIRICARI7. Sin—The promptitud e w ith w hich Government has checked the intrusions, or politi c al experiment, made by th e A rra can department of the Birman Government, by taking possession of the Island of Shuparee, will have powerful influence in con vincing that arrogant nation, that the British Government has now the p?wer and resol u ti on to punish those that dare invade its territories or insult its Flag. It however is not sufficient, that t h e King or -Court of Av e are sensible of our national strengt:i. But the Birzan people, particularly those under Government, ' whose insolent behaviour to strangers is only equalled by their ignorance of their national insignificance when compared with the British nation, must bemade conscious of our strength like. wise. The King's judgment is notunfrequently most unjudiciou s ly Overruled: The circumstance of the Governorof Rangoon re maining in power contrary to this desire. is a case, in point of notoriety, to confirm the fact. With a knowledge of this and other facts and anecdotes of similar import, together with the non-arrival of the ship Aram, which ship (according to the ac count brought by the last ship from Rangoon) is about due, I should not be surprised if an embargo was laid on the English 'vessels at. Rangoon, as a retaliative mea sure for our taking re-possession of the island of Shuparee, which Island the Government of Arrakan, to justify its own measures, has no doubt used every argument and artifice with the view to convince the Court of Ava that Shuparee is bone _fides part of the Birman Empire. For these reasons it is to be regretted that one or snore armed vessels were not sent to Rangoon about the time the troops were dispatched to Shuparee ; as these combined measures would have demonstrated most forcibly the facility with which our forces could co-operate simultaneously, if an attack on their country became necessary, particularly if they were overawed by a strong force on our S. E. frontier at the same time. I conceive nothing more easy, with regard to warfare, than for our government to compel the Court of Ava to defray all the expellees occasioned by their acts of aggression. Or to crumble that empire into pieces. A detachment of about 3,000 troops, with artillery and roc kets, &c. to take up their position on the height of Rangoon, about the great Pagoda, or about the Syrian Pagoda, to act in concert with three armed vessels (having patent boarding pikes affixed around the ship) and a dozen gun-boats, would prove invulnerable to all the forces which that empire could direct against them. Our power and contempt for their forces being thus manifest to the nation, all the Pegue artificers that arc slaves to the great Pagoda, about 1,000 men and their families, and all the discontented Birmans and foreigners, who arc numerous, would immediately seek our standard' and protection. In addition to this Siam, Pegue Assam, Arracan, and other countries, would readily avail them selveS of our assist ance to recover their lost territories and independence. Taking this view of the relative power of our countries, itniust appear evident to every person of common sense, that none but mad men or the vilest traitors to the King of Ava could advise him to commence an offensive war against the British Government. Yet the massacre of the English at Negrais was advised and executed with impunity—experience, therefore, spews the imprudence of adopting measures to avert the like from hap pening again. . •• . . • Ll • All whi p s being a kind of floating colony, to insult them is to insult the country to which the ships belong. The Birmans consider themselves invulnerable ; it therefore cannot be fear that induces them to disarm and search our ships. But it is a systematic :,tempt to indulge their national arrogance at the cxpence of our Flag and national pride. When a vessel arrives at Rangoon, all the guns, .munition, fowling pieces, &c. are obliged to be landed—a petition presented for leave not to land the sails and rudder. Every part of the ship and every parcel is twice searched, our persons on landing are searched, 300 rupees is paid as anchorage money for the ship, and 50 rupees must be paid for permission to take away a feinal.:: that has ar-. rived at Rangoon in the ship. In no other country is our flag subject to these insults. The Birman vessels, when in our ports, are not thus treated. Then why, in the name of justice, does Great Britain suffer this nation thus to insult her mer chant ships. There is a prevailing opinion among the Birmans, that we are dependent on their country for timber, and considering their general ignorance, it is not sarprizing that they should not know that the coast of Malabar, Golconda, the Island of Cey boa, Holland, &c. can supply us with timber in abundance, independent of their country. In point of fact, to receive the produce from a country where the people so ill requite our friendship, in preference to receiving the timber from our own colonies, is really doing injustice to ourselves in a double ratio. The magnanimity with which Great Britain restored many valuable conquests made during the war, at a considerable sacri fice of men and money, to the French, Duteh,and other nations, cannot be unknown to the King of Ava, from the many foreign. ers that surround his court capable of informing him on this subject; and this circumstance ought to satisfy him that conquest is not our object. At the same time it would be well for him to bear in mind, that when our territories are invaded or our flag insulted, we never fail to adopt the most safe and certain guarantee for our future seed rity, namely, by conquering or dismembering such country as bath the temerity to insult us. Considering the inability of the Birman Government to collect a sufficient revenue to pay sala ries even to the executive officers of Government, renders the idea of our attempting to conquer a country thus poor perfectly ridiculous. Instead of the members of government having a salary to enable them to perform their duty to the king and his people with equity and honour, every one of them has to give a bonus to the court for their situation, and to perform their duty without salary. Here, then, is the grand cause of the people's poverty anti discontent, and the nation's weakness. From this cause the pec:ile are frightened, goaded, and fleeced of their property, to reimburse the Judge the bonus paid for his situa tion—to pay him his salary, or rather to support him and a host of parasites and panders attached to him,—and, lastly, to enable him to accumulate a larger sum, in order to purchase a higher situation on his return to court, which takes place be tween one and three years. From this line of policy, the Bir man empire, which possesses all the requisite elements to be come rich and powerful, having a good robust population with dispositions naturally good, a fertile country, abounding with natural resources, is poor, weak, and powerless. No King can be powerful whose people are poor and discontented, as the power of state consists in the wealth and patriotism of the people. If the King of Ava, instead of suffering the British flag to be insulted in his country, were to endeavour to cement the friendship, or obtain a commercial alliance with Great Britain, to establish through his empire an equitable financial system for collecting hivrevenue, he would soon obtain the confidence of wealthy merchants and of the underwriters, consequently the trade with his country would greatly increase—his people would become industrious, wealthy, and contented—his revenue greatly increase—and his empire become powerful. He must be fully sensible of the benefit which accrues to his country, and of the increase to his revenue and that of the Queen's, (a great proportion of a ship's port-charges being part of the Queen's revenue), by even the present limited British trade to his country, and therefore his Majesty is perfectly competent to estimate the loss which himself and country would sustain were the British Government to interdict their merchant-ships from trading to his country, and also to disqualify ships built under the Birman flag from the privilege of sailing under that of the British, and this, I trust, will be the case if any further I insult be offered to the British flag. Your obedient servant, HORATIO. His Grae the Duke of BEDFORD has at length let, on building leases, the whole of the valuable land surround ing Tavistock-square, so that the north and west sides of this picturesque spot will now be finished uniformly with the others. The mansion recently occupied by JAMES PERRY, Esq., with its beautiful pleasure grounds and garden, is going to be converted into three handsome houses ; and, at the end of the garden, a mews upon a novel and extensive plan will be erect ed, for the convenience of the inhabitants of Tavistock and Russell-squares, to whose residencies coach-houses and stables are not already appended. This quarter of the town will be exceedingly improved, and the Duke of Bedford's pro perty much increased in value, when these buildings shall be completed. FATA r, A cci D ENT.—Stirling, June 17.—The following particulars regarding . the overturning of the Glasgow and Perth mail have been received from an authentic source : I —On Wednesday, the 9th instant, at nine o'clock, the coach was on its return from Perth, and had one inside, and four outside passengers. As the coach entered the east end of Crieff, the horses became unmanageable, and made off.— The guard attempted to throw on the drag, but without success. They accordingly drove through the town at full gallop, the coachman quite unable to restrain them : the consequence was, that when near Mr. Robertson's inn, the coach was overturned on the middle of the street, and the pas sengers, guard, and coachman, were dashed to the ground. An uiside passenger, Mrs. Fenton, from Leith, but originally of Crieff, and who had again returned to reside there, had her arm broken above and below the elbow. She is, however, in a fair way of recovery. John 111‘Gregor, gamekeeper to Wil liam Stewart, Esq., of Ardvorlich, and officer to the Saint Fillan's Highland Society, had his skull fractured, and from the quantity of blood which issued from his mouth, it is sup posed he had received some severe contusion from his dirk, pistols, or powder-horn, when he fell, as he was in full High land costume when the accident happened. Unfortunately for his wife and family, he died at eleven o'clock the same night, much regretted by all who knew him. A gentleman from Dunfermline, who was sitting beside the coachman, and who actively assisted to stop the horses, had his leg much hurt, and his body injured ; but was, in course, of the afternoon, able to resume his journey in a postehaise. Peter M Laren, from Dalremch, near Comrie, overseer of Mr. Angus's woods, had his shoulders dislocated, and his face and knee much cut, but is now in a fair way of recovery. A young girl from Perth, going to Gen. Drumnaond's, of Culdees, received some contusions, but she is also in a fair way of recovery. The guard and coach man received some contusions, but not of a nature so serious as to prevent them from resuming their occupations. One of the . horses is since dead. 4 1 11 17 1 ' .4r Witn , v • MASONIC NOTICES FOR NEXT WEEK. ENGLAND. Monday, June 28, LONDON. Nos. 4, 46, 71, 91, 194 305, 321, 407, 458. COUNTRY. Nos. 227, 246, 320, 490, 5-46, 578, 707. Tuesday, - 29, LONDON. Nos. 86. Coo NT nY. Nos. 66, 668. Wednesday, - 30, 14,5ND0N. Lodge of Benevolence.. , CouNT in:. Nos. 112, 549. Thursday, July 1, LONDON. Nos. 61, 239, 277, 325, 499. CorsTnr. No . ;. 48, 113, 171, 182, • 234, 416, 451, 4:53, 466, 40, 555, 561, 599, 627. -2, LONDON. Na. 210. COUNTILY. Nos. 13, 28, 30, 55, g 3, 470, 538. No. 173. Fpitlay, Saturday, 3, LONDON. CO I; N I I: ELAND. Saturday, - July 3, Cott:. Nv. 3 PRICE OF BTOCKS TIIIS Bank Stock 3 per Cont. Bed_ I per Cent-Con% libuc per Cent: ( Dissd. 4 per Cent. A rsd. New shut hong A nn. Imp. 3 per Cents. India Stock A RUINED. 1 France 1 Flanders 1 Jamaica DAY AT ONE 0 'CI,OCK. Intlia Bonds South k;ea Stock Old Annuities New Ditto Ex. Bills .4:1000, ?d. 22 19 21 Ditto 500 2l Ditto Small Bank for Act India for icot. Cons. for Account ... PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS,. AT ONE OCLOCK. Prussian, 5 per cent. Ditto New Ilus , tian, New, 5 per ct.... 951 Spanish 11121, 5 per ct. ... 214 1823, ditto Alliance Shares 15a Palladium Equitable Loan Irish Ditto Alanchester Ditto French Rentes Scrip Austrianßds, 5 per ct. ...94 --Scrip Chi Dan, Bds, 6 per ct.... . 76 Colombian Bds. 6 per:ct.... 85 Scrip lii pr. Danish, 5 per cent. Greek Scrip V Mexican Scrip l (} pr. Neapolitan, 5 per cent.... Pcruvian Bonds — Scrip Portuguese Bonds MAILS. DUE. I Gottenburgh 1 Harllburgh 0 America BRIDGE TO-MORROW- I Evening, 5-1 minutes after 0. FOREIG HICII WATER AT LONDO Morning, 21 minutes after 0. HEM s AJLA_4 k . QUIS nlcr,rlE FALSUM AVDIZAT LONDON, THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1824. We have the pleasure to confirm our interest— ing information of yesterday, that His MAJESTY will to-morrow deliver, IN PERSON, the Speech on the Prorogation of Parliament. We have reason to believe that the Royal Speech will present a very flattering picture of the condition of that we we c al o a u y ntry, and will preiumc tor gv el i y e o s n tr t o h n e g co a n S t S i tt u rd e ua n n C ce S of peace. , 'We have received the Jamaica Courant, con.. taming the Speech of the Vice-President SANT.. ANDER, to the Congress of the Colombian Re public. It is of great length, and we must therefore, (having received it at a late hoer), reluctantly defer its insertion till to-morrow. It enters into a full exposition of the domestic state and foreign relations of the Republic. It dwells in strong terms on the advantage gained to the cause of South American, Independence, by the declaration of North America, that any attack on the South Americans by the Powers of Europe will be regarded as an act of hostility against the United' States.-- = - The Vice-President also expresses his opi nion that there is no danger of a hostile attack from France or the Holy Alliance, In consequence of England having declared that she will not view with indifference the extension of foreign aid to Spain against her Foreign Colonies. He, however, does not seem to be quite satisfied with the policy of Great Bri tain ; and he states, that an attack upon South America will certainly be made by Spain, and that it is necessary to be prepared to re sist it. In speaking of the war in Peru, the Vice-President says that BOLIVAR is there fighting the battles of his own country (Colom bia ;) and that his presence alone had saved Peru from a civil war. He adverts to the enormous .1- penditure entailed on the Republic by all its sacrifices and exertions, and calls upon the Con- grog to take the necessary measures fur meeting it. The French Morning and Evening P:Lpers of Monday do not contain the least intellig<•nee of any importance, except the information derived from the German Journals, that the reported in terview, said to be in contemplation between the Emperors of AUSTRIA and RUSSIA, is void of all foundation, and that the reported assembling of a body of troops on the Rhine, whither the King of Pnussu was to repair, has not received the least confirmation. The state of the French Funds is •extracted from the Etoile PARIS, JUNE 2l.—Five per Cents. opened at 102 f. 65 c., and closed at 102 f. 45 c. for Mo ney ; and for the end of the month, they opened at 102 f. 85 c., and closed at 102 f. 60 c. By the Belmont, FERGUSON, arrived at Liver pool from Demerara, advises have been received