The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-05-23 00:00:00

WEST INDIA MEETING.

Yesterday a very numerous and respettable meet-
ing of the West India Merchant., resident in Lon-
don, was held at the London sfavern, for the pur-
pose of taking int-) co.isideration the late occur-
rences in the West India. Islands, and for other

purposes.
Lord PEN a ti vs in the Chair.

After the Requisition, signed by a great number
of Gentlemen present, was read ;
Mr. MANNING rose, and, in a most impressive
speech, addressed the Meeting. He adverted to
the very important purpose for which they were as-
sembled, and pressed the necessity of taking some
measures, with respell to their colonial possessions.
He said he had some resolutions to propose to the
Meeting, expressive of their acknowledgments to
the officers and soldiers, who had so bravely de-
fended the Island of Dominica, from the late at-
tacks of the enemy ; and expatiated with great elo-
quence upon the gallant and meritorious conlol of
General Prevost, to whom, in the first instance, he
moved their warmest thanks; which was agreed to
unanimously.
He nett called the attention of the Meeting to
the gallant and almost unprecedented conduit of
the officers in His Majesty's service, and those
serving in the colonial fat ces, to whom so much
Was due for their spirited resistance of an enemy of
so very superior a force, in their attack on St.
Ruperts, the ‘22.1 of February last. He then
moved the thanks of the meeting to those gallant
heroes, which was unanimously carried.
After some conversation between Mr. MANNING,
Mr. LONG, Mr. GLOROZ HIBBLIt T, Mr. HANKLY,
and some other Gentlemen, it was also agreed that
the Chairman should transmit a letter from the
Meeting to General Prevost, expressive of their
acknowledgments to the non-commissioned officers
and privates belonging to His Majesty's Regular
Forces, and also to the con-commissioned officers
and privates composing the Colonial Forces of the
Island of Dominica, for their very gallant and
spirited resistance of the enemy on the 22J of Fe-
bruary, to be communicated to them by that Ge-
neral in the warmest terms. 'fliis motion was also
unanimously carried.
Mr. M A 0011 NC then observed, that a further tri-
bute of their gratitude was due to General Prevost,
as a small token of their obligations for his services ;
he had originally intended to propose, that a sword
(the most appropriate gift to a brave officer) should
be voted to him, as was usual in most cases of the
same nature; but this had been anticipated by the
Patriotic Society at Lloyd's, which had already voted
him a sword of considerable value; he, therefore,
thought, the next most acceptable gift would be a
piece of plate, with an appropriate nc.cription ; and
ano-ed, that the same, of the value of 200 guineas,
should be prepared, under the inspeCtion of the
L:hairman and a Committe to be appointed for th.rt
purpose, and presented to that gallant General ; the
expenee of which should be defrayed out of the ge-
neral funds.

Mr. Law observed, that these funds were in a
very prosperous state, and, therefore proposed, that
the value of the piece of plate, instead of being
'2OO, should be 300 guineas. After a few observe-
Sons, the residution, with this amendment, was
unenimousiy agreed to.
Mr. Lowe t tea called the attention of the Meet-
ing to another übj-..11, relative to a communication
which he had ha t by their dire Lions with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, niacin the subjea of
the average prizes of sugars and rice, in reference
t ) the pew duties upon those articles. After some
conversation with the Minister an I Mr. Flitskisson,
he received for answer, that the propositions sent
in by the West India Mere:tents, were not suffi-
ciently specific ; and, until more particular and pre-
cise propositions were laid before him, he could not
form any conclusion upon the suiujett. He, there-
fore proposed, that these propositions should be re-
ferred to the Standing Committee, for the purpose
of their considering the matter, and aCting ac..ord.
ingly. He then stated, that Le also had a commu-
nication with the Minister relative to the late attack
upon our West Indian possessions, and the measures
adopted by Government for the better security and
defence of those Islands. To all his observations
and interrogatories upon that subject, he had re-
ceived only a general answer, that Goverment had
taken the necessary steps for the secur:ty and pro-
maims of the %Vest Indies, without going into any
particular information upon that head.
Mr. Ilemetv rose, and, in a most impressive
speech, addressed the Meeting. He thought the
subject before them should be treated on a much
more extensive and comprehensive scale ; and called
upon them to lay all the circumstances at large be..
fore Government and the whole kingdom. He
considered that the late unfortunate events which
occurred in the West Indies were intirely owing to
two causes : First, the want of unanimity amongst
themselves ; and, Secondly, the gross negled of Go-
vernment, with regard to the defence of thine
Islands, against the attacks of a foreign enemy. In
the first place, with regard to the question be-
fore them, on the subjen of the average prices,
he could not but observe, that there were no
part of His Majesty's subjeCts already so overbuy.-
timed as the \Vest India Merchants. For his own
part, as a planter of the Island of Grenada, he felt it
us a very considerable degree; every man who
krew him, was well assurtd he was a man most
firmly attached to his country and government, and
he would most willingly, at any time, give not only
50, but WO!. per Cent. of his property towards its
welfare and security ; but he could not pass over
the idea which had gone abroad with respell to
the West India Merchants, without some observe.
tion. The public had formed the notion, from the
vafous misrepresentations that had gone forth, thitt,
let what misfortune soccer happen to that part of
the globe, either by hurricanes, insurrections, or at-
tacks of the enemy, no matter which, the West
India Merchants were able to bear all ; they were
rich enough to sustain all such losses ; and, what
between the slave trade, and various other local
circumstances, which had been most grossly mis-
represented, they were held in general disrepute.
No allowances whatever were made for the failure
of crops (which so frequently occarred) from the
nature of the climate. the insurration of slaves, or
the attacks of an enemy ; the latter of which haul
so recently happened; and, tells% all the circana-

stances into consideration, the West Indian propri-
etors were already overburthened more than they
well could bear; he therefore was of opinion that
some measures should he adopted, in order to lay
the whole matter before Government, and the
public, and to convince the world that the
West Indian Merchants were grossly misrepre-
sented, calnmniated, and abused. The next point
he referred to was, the measures adopted by Go-
vernment for the proteCtion of the West Indian
Islands ; and, vim taking a general view of the
subjed, he contended, that in almost every instance,
there was a gross neglect on the part of the Govern-
ment of this country towards those most valu-
able possessions. lie begged leave to ask, if the
French squadron, who had so Lately visited those
parts, had the slightest idea that the Government of
this country had been so dilitory and negligent in
taking steps for their defence, and that so long a term
could have elapsed, since their first appearance in
that quarter, without any effort being made, or any
force sent out to resist them, whether they world
have been satisfied with the few depredations they
had committed, or whether they would not have
followed it by much more serious and decisive ope-
rations ? Even at the present moment, there was
no certainty whatever as to the destination of the
Toulon fleet, nor any assurance from His Majesty's
Ministers, that any positive steps have been taken to
augment the forces in the West In4ies, and in the
event of their ptu`suing their course to that quarter,
what was to be expeded ? He was one of the last
men in the world who would willingly depreciate the
conduCt of Government ; he had never been in the
habit of doing so, but q'uite the contrary. Howe-
ver, in the present case, he could not but make
those observations, an I he did not so entirely blame
Government; for, he again repeated, the primitive
cause of the present alarming dilemma in which
they were involved, arose from the want of unani-
mity amongst themselves ; he, therefore, thought,
that, under all the circumstances of the case, it
was absolutely necessary they should adopt some
plan, to lay the subje.ft, in the fullest manner, be-
fore the country at large ; for which purpose, he
moved, " That the subjs.& should be taken into
consideration, and means adopted for effeding that
most desirable objefl."
Mr. Grosoz litearar perfedly coincided in
the observations made by the Honourable Gentle-
man ; but he considered the first objet of the meet-
ing was respecting the average prices, which should
be settled. Hereafter the motion might be very
well made ; and, in the mean time, he moved that
a Committee should be appointed to devise the best
way of bringing the subjed before the public.
Mr. HA..KEY said, he had not the least objtdion
to withdraw his motion for the presents but express-
ed his firm incention of bringing the subject for-
ward on a future day, of which he would hereafter
give notice ; he pettedly agreed in the motion pro-
posed by the Honourable Gentleman, which was
accordingly carried unanimously.
The me.eing, after some further general conver-
sation, broke np.

TILE COMBINED FLEETS.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

WESP.II REPORT.

Monday. of April, sun set, the Tower of
Rota bearing N E. by E. akiout two miles distant,
ssw at anchor, in the Road of Cadiz, 28 sail of men
of war, 20 apparently of the line; top-gallant-yards
across, and sails bent, except two very large Spanish.
No top-gallant yards up ; one of these a Vice-Ad-
miral's; eight flags flying, viz. one Spanish, at the
main ; one French (as a Commodore's broad pen-
dant) at the fore ; and three Spanish, two at the
mizen ; the outer ship very large, with a French
gag at the fore, at anchor very near the Porpoises.
Copy of the Extract Lom the Journal of His Majesty's Cutter
Viper, Tur-sday, April 23, I80:r
" Light airs and fair weather, p. tn. at three
abreast of the Town of St. Mary's, observed two
line-of-battle ships, each with a red flag at the
fore, and English colours at their ensign-staffs; the
one had her top-sails bent, the other no sails ; also
nine polacres, and several smaller vessels, with
pendants (the colours I could not make out).—
Displayed our number, which was not answered—
hauled to the wind.—At five, we plainly perceived
they were enemies. A fort at Saint Mary's fired
four shut at us :—half-past tacked. A. an. at ten,
spoke a bark from Malaga for Sr. Lucia, from
whom we gained intelligence, that ou the 9th, the
French fleet from Toulon, consisting of eleven sail
of the line, hove to off Cadit ; the Spanish fleet,
consisting of eight sail of the line, then joined them,
and on the 10th they bore away to the westward
(the wind being then fresh to the eastward), with
nineteen sail of the line, besides frigates and smaller
vessels, amounting to thirty, and twenty-three
thousand troops ; this man gained his intelli•
gence from the master of a Danish vessel that was
At Cadiz at that period, and had arrived at Malaga
previous to his departure. At noon Cape Trefalgo
East nine leagues distant. Monday, the Gth, fresh
breezes, hazy, wind S. E. p. in. brought to and
hoarded the Sp/cm/a/or cutter privateer of Guernsey.
he intelligence I gained from the master W.ts, that
on the 3d instant, in lat. 44. long. 15. W. from the
mast head observed seventeen sail, which appeared
to he line of battle ships, steering about S. W. At
I two filled and made sail. At noon the Land's End
N.N.E. 67 leagues distant."
•

COVENTRY ELICTION.—State of the third day's
Poll, May 20:—Mr. Mitts, 5;2; Mr. Niter,
327 ; Majority for Mr. Mit Ls, 245. It was ex-
petted on Monday, when the post came away. that
Mr. PA R nv would decline any farther contest.
The whole of the Volunteers of the county cf
Surrey, those only excepted which are within the
Bills of Mortality, will, on Wednesday, the 12th of
June, be reviewed by His MAJESTY on Epsom
Downs. It is supposed they will amount to up-
wards of 8000 cavalry and infantry.
The Earl of Zeiss. ot, with that true benevolence
1w which his Lordship's changer is distinguishable,
has allotted from the Waste, a piece of garden
ground to nearly every cottage io the parish of
Chedburgh, Suffolk, and he some time since did
the same at florringer ; thereby affording to the
poor inhabitants a permanent benefit, for which
they are more grateful than for any ternforary boon
that ;odd be Ipos‘owod upon them.

- "77,

LIST INDIES.

CALCUTTA GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.

B.turday, NorembPr 10, 1214.
His Excellency the Most Noble the Goveru-Ar
General has this diy received dispatches from the
Resident at Poonah, transmitting Letters from
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, of His Majesty's 19:h •
Dragoons, of which the following extrafts are pob.
Inheififur general information :

TO COLONEL CLOPR, w:AIDENT AT BurPeAV.
had the pleasure on tie 27th nit. of ioiforming yon
of the junfiron of my fo,cl. web Lieutenant
button ; I marched from Fool I.a 'a I on the :291:s of Septenaer,
and err the .401 h my canary; Laving foxed the GooLootery, e
lirtle above 'fnka, joi vii me
On the sth inst. I halted sonar to the Ali ige of Onieronl„
in which there was a small gorry, grrt:toned
,by If alitar's
S.poys; of this I took ter •••ion, and twee ilelivnre.d it over
(Rallahah, the Peisheraii's Repre•nntirle foo Affa,rs,
being absent) to Rajah Moheput Rim, the other who /cwt.-
stnts the Nizam's Government, with the troops t 4 hie 144.
nes, now with me, acquainting loon that the place is to be at
the future dispo:al of the Most Noble the Governor General.
Thee village ii sai•lformerly to have belonged to
On the Bth mater detached a battalion, with two teeter
pounder, against the small fort of I,aussooipqm'
there MA a gar, ison of ilolkat7s, ant whicii.is about -tae
mules dinaht from Chindore. The batt.jion socceeed,
that night. in p .""‘inn of the Pzttah, but husinl 110.
fortunately lost its command to% °lacer; Cart. Browne, and
finding a most dasperale re istanee made from the Cat, it took
post in the Pettali. (to roc ovin% intelligence of its 'multiuse.
I immediately sent a reinforcement unshrr 14Iainv Simone,
which arrived during the night; end nn the inoroing of the
9th, the plane WA. stormed with comolete socce4s.
Li this affair, I have to regret the Inas of Captain Joh"
Browne, of the 2d battalion of 7th regiment, a snot valuable
Uf6cer; and of Lieutenant Purnsofttie %faJras.rtillery.
!arrived before Chandnre on the morning of thy. Bth Linwrit,
and oil the evening took poiesonn of the P.:nab without oopo.
silvan. I have driven in a:I the advanced poste of the f.r. and
have lodged parties within 'IOU or 400 yiltdi of the Gateways
which appears to be the weakest plats. It apparently the
only part of the whole fort fortified by art, and N iture hay 1
think, rendered all others inueceisib:e. I have fined on a spot
for the battery, which. I hope, will be openei with good end
on the morning of the 12111 instant. The diAc.iPe, tv,wever,
of dragging runs up the hell, which is extremely high, steep,
and tugged, ahoy occasion some delay.
I have the honour to he, le.
WM. WALLACE.
Camp before Chantliwe, O. in, 1804.

COLONEL CLOSE. RESILIZNT AT 1,001114111•
SIR—I have mach pleasure in anhounciog to yin,, that the
Fort of Cliandore wocat ten o'clock this day nomass;on of
by the forces owlet my corm:land. I . ury lett,r the 10th
itissatit I acquainted you •vd:t my arrival at this ;vises on the
fith, and of my having that eveiniig occupied th, Petah ; ass
that I had ,:arried my approielias to within 300 or IS'n, yard* Ar
the Rate of the fort Shindy after I had writtau to )33. I 7.10
ceiezd a lever from the ellthdat, which tudicatol ati
ti%G gt 3 113 past to coividite. The V 2,3111 W4TS last melt
aereed noon, and were, Oat my Von's should ha pot in po-vos-
ston of t'oe Gaol at ton o'clock this day, and dear et, Gorman

_
be sPowei to insoch out with thri:r ;tittle property 4
every asscription, amt go where.o•ver they p;t:te. Ti,e term,
Of this espitulatiun have been punetutty wiihrr.:4 to on beds

The detertrOtettioe of t!-it berleged re evacuate the fort rots
vented my op:ning, this inuentak, a battery (:rem Wivitacel es.
Pertcd soon to bru.sch the w..-is Our 'Ay possession of title
tonrem, I must, in justice to the troops coder my command,
attribute to the rardsty and ga.:antry with which the opera-
lions arainet it have been cothluctud; my thanks .ens due to '
all, fee their ra'reir when outaosert to the enemy, and for rho
steady eertevernace and soirit with +bleb 'hey und, rwin.t the „
fatigue n(dragztitg the ordastier ei the cunt fixed crest ••• -
battzry. vr,tit pleasure i Jeknossledite, that the
Lot ready -mesaperaVer. I hsre at 311 t'..mre met y,th firm Ursula
Col 1-1111Staren, cammenehng the Nesnia •strhe4sll,farett,
los much condos-id to the seems of the. • ev,e. fn pit
Carupb..ll, of IN Majesty's 9stie Rerinent, my ths,iss are
pa•licularly due for the soccer ful •urt.ct..u• attack in.. 141 by
him on Int advanced pima . f the enemy, on the morning of
the 10th inst. and to Ciptain Johnnon, ..f the Itoon/r1 rogi-
livers, fn. the activity and pride's', nal knosslcdps rt...1...1ed by
him on MSS and on every other OCCalnal
The acquisition of the fort of Chaodors to the fir.a,ls ernes
mutt be deemed of 'moot-niece. It co,nina ids erre o• the
b.st passes in the range of hills, on •ht h A at 'l,s, 111.0 Cad-
d •.sht and the possession of it will ensure a sate conionints.=.
hat to my camp, ?hint the At-iweery by the Rowell tihaer,
and troth oar ofirti to the southward. The 1..11 on w•lich it
stands, or rather which forms the fott, is naturally the strongest
I ever saw, being quite inaccesnble every where but at the
• etteway, where atone it is furtif!e4 by art, Awl wh ne it is ty
means weak. There is hut one entrance of any kid

The garrison eauiiited 4 betueea four alai five laundria
MY loss, I believe to be extremely trigin; ; perlispe two ut
three meu wuunleyi. W,!en 1 receive the returns .r
tier, theyeliall Ile forwarde,l; as also regime 4 the ordna"ce,
military storm, sod gram, found in the fort, of e.iy of withchil
belivks, there is but little.
. _ _

1 hate the honour to br, dm.
W. WALLACE., Licut
Camp at Chandore, October 12, 104.
Abstract retim of killed and wounded, at tb. mirk et
Laussonlitauin, un tlieeth and 914 of October, 111144.
Fumpeans, killed—.l3 wounded,
Nativos, i kiiled-24

s
A Meeting of the Noblemen, Gentlemen. Clergy,
and Freeholders of Kent, convened by the High
Sheriff, for the purpose of taking into consideration
the violation of law, and the abuses in the manag :-
ment and expenditure of the public money, which
have been lately deterred by the Commissioners tuy
Naval Enquiry, &c. was held at Maidstone, on
Monday. The business of the day wei owned by
the Sheriff, and condoned by GIORGI?. POLHILL,
Esq. who, after a very able speech, touching the
delinquency of Viscount blat.vscrq moved several
Resolutions, which being afterwards read by the -
Sheriff, were unanimously agreed to.
Deputy Pursers, according to report, are to be
appointed to all the gun-brigs and Knstes cutters,
as the duties of that station, which has always been
slummed to the Lieutenant commanding, has heed
• found to interfere too much with his other duties.

The Betsey, of Portland, from Charleston, for
Liverpool, out twenty-six days, was spoke with 0Q
the 12th inst. in lat. 46. 23. long. 22. 13.
At the close of the Wrexham Theatre, on Satur-
day evening the 4tki instant, Mr. Groats( Sta v roe
had the miifornane, to have his leg broken, by a
party of disc.rderly fellows throwing him violently
down stairs, as he was endeavouring to prevent their
going into the Theatre without plying. He tow
lies very
As Mr. and Mrs. LA et ism it, of Seymour-street,
were driving yesterday afternoon in their carriage
down Oxford-street, opposite Stratford•place, the
axle-tree snapped in two, the carriage fell back-
wards, but was not overset, We are happy to state
there was no injury sustained.
Considerable bets are laid that Lot:ery Tickets
will he upwards of Thirty Guineas before hie King's
Birth Day, when the first-drawn Ticket is entitled
to 40,0001. and if no other great capital is drawls
on that day, Tickets will be upwards of Fifty •
Pounds before the llth of June, what I'e first.
draws 'risk's is entitled to 90,0001.