The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-05 00:00:00

AFRICA.

[From an American Paper.'
AMERICAN COLONY.
The ship Indian Chief has arrived at Norfolk, in 33 days from
Cape Itlesaurado, the seat of the American colony on the African
coast. Dr. Woodside came passenger 'in the above vessel. The
colonists were in good health, and were progressing in every
thing appertaining to wholesome government. The trade with
the natives was increasing. A letter from C. M. Warring, one of
the emigrants from Virginia, dated Monrovia, 19th April, gives a
flattering account of the number of vessels which todelted at the
colony, and al' traded more or less. The Colon, of Portland, had
sailed with a full cargo of camwood and ivory, which was put on
board by the colonists in live weeks. The beet time to arrive is
said to be October.

Not satisfied with acting on the defensive, we learn that the co-
lonists hid made attacks on the establishments fifty to sixty miles
distant, made by Spanish and French traders, to further the pur.
poses of the slsve traffic, and had succeeded in breaking them up.
In one of these attacks, Dr. Woodside, who generously volunteered
his services, was severely wounded. Two decked boats of about
thirty feet long and ten beam, to carry about 100 armed men, were
nearly in tea liness, which were intended to be employed in sup-
pressing any combinations of these trailers against them, or the na-
tives within view of their establialupent. With the natives they
were on the most friendly terms, and it is said they regarded the
colonists with respect and fear.
The following interesting items of intelligence from the colony
were obtained by Mr. Lyford from Dr. Woodside, a passenger in
the Indian Chief

Dr. Woodside states that advice, having been received by the
llovernor of Messurado, that two or three Spanish vessels were at
Trade Town, about 90 miles to the leeward of Messurado, in the
business of trading with and trepanning the natives. wade applica-
tion to Captain Chase. of the Colombian schooner ha Jacinta, to
proceed thither, promising him at the same time the assistance of
from 30 to 10 of the American Colonists who had volunteered
themselves for the purpose, and endeavour if possible to defeat
their plans. Captain Chase accordingly proceeded down, and on
his arrival on the 14th of April, found there the Colombian brig
Vencedor, Capt. Cottrell, who had captured a Spanish brig, and
with the asaistance of the Jacinta, afterwards took two Spanish
schooners, all 'of which were engaged with a party of negroes from the
shore in making arrangements for iaking off about 400 blacks as
slates. The Jacinta effected • landing of Capitals Chase, with a
party of men, in doing which, however, three of her boats out of
five got swamped. but the native traders, headed by the Spaniards.
resisted them with all their force, in doing which some of the
Jacinta's men got wounded by musket shots. The native traders
had been sufficiently active to remove their slaves into the interior,
with the exception of fifty-five, which were surrendered by the
King of that section of the country, but not until his town, con-
sisting of about one hundred and fifty houses, had been burnt, and
it was to save himself and hisother possessions from further devas-
tation, that he was probably induced to make the surrender that he
did. The prisoners and prize• were taken by their captors to Cape
3lesurado, where the latter were lying when the Indian Chief loft.
The 55 slaves were taken care of by the Rev. Mr. Ashman.

EAST INDIES.

[From the Calatttaiiovernment Gazette.]
(or riCIAL.
POLITICALDEPAIITAIENT

FORT WILLIAM, FEB. 6, 1826.
The following copies of despatches received from the Commis-
sioners in Asa and Pegu, and from Alajor-General Sir Archibald
Campbell, K.C.B. and K.C.T.S., Commander of the British
forces in Ara, are herewith published for general Information.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD AMHERST, GOVERNOR-GENERAL
IN INDIA, &C.
Mr Loan—lt is with extreme regret that we have to report, for
the information of your Lordship in Council, that the treaty eon.
eluded with the Burmese Ministers, on the 3d instant, not having
been ratified by their Sovereign, and none of the conditions hay.
ing, within the stipulated period, been fulfilled, all amicable in-
tercourse with the Authorities at Mention was immediately broken
off, and hostilities recommenced on the morning of the 19th in-
stant, with the attack and capture of the enemy's position at that
place.
The particulars of this action will be communicated in the mill.
tary despatches, and we almll take an early opportunity of sub.
:flitting out sentiments upon the ulterior policy which it may, in
consequence, be expedient to pursue.
In our present add.cia we conceive it sufficient to
rrltt:drour
Lordship in Council. to the detailed account of our p ings
given in the documents transmitted by this opportunity to the Se-
cretary to Government in the Political Department, for the most
clear and convincing evidence, that every admis-ible effort has, on
our part, been made to avert an event which, however deeper to
be regretted, will, we feel confident. be admitted by the Govern.
ment to have been, under the reculiar circumstances of our situ'.
tion, altogether unavoidable. IVe have the honour to be, my
Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,
(Signed) ARCH. CAMPBELL,
Major-Gen. and Sen. Commissioner.
(Signed) T. C. ROBERTSON,
The Commissioner's Office, Camp, Civil Commissioner.
Patanagolt, 211th Jan. 1826.
TO GEORGE SWINTON, TM SECO:TART TO GOVERNMENT,
RILCRET AND POLITICAL DEPARTMENT, &C.
FORT WILLIAM.
despatch of the 31st ult. brought the operations of the
army under my command down to that date, and expressed my
sanguine expectations, that it would prove the Lot communi-
cation which I should have to address to you, relative to the war
in this country.
These hopes have been, unfortunately, frustrated by the po-
licy of a Court, apparently destitute alike of every principle of
honour and good faith.
The signature of a treaty of peace, by the British and Birman
Commissioners, on the 3d instant, and the pledge on the part of the
latter, that the same would be ratified by the King of Ava within
fifteen days of that date, and some specific articles, as therein stated,
carried into effect within the same period, has already keen brought
to the knowledge of the Right Honourable the Governor-General
in Council, by the proceedings of the British Commissioner", re.
corded in their despatches under date of the 3d instant. All occur.
rences of a purely political nature since then will now, in like man.
ner, be furnished by the same authority. I shall therefore proceed
I to the detail of military events resulting therefrom.
On the 18th, the day appointed for the return of the ratified
treaty, &c., the Commissioners finding, that instead of a fulfilment
of this promise a further delay of six or seven days was solicited.
under such unequivocal circumstances as left no doubt that a total
want of faith guided their councils, it was definitively declared,
that their request could not be complied with, and a secret article
proposed to them, in which it was stipulated (together with the
performance of others already agreed to) that they should evacuate
the fortified and entrenched city of Melloon by suit-rise on the
morning of the 20th. On their positive rejection of this proposi-
tion, they were told, that at 12 o'clock that very night (the 18111),
hostilities would recommence. Deeming it of the utmost import.
once that no time 'Mould be lost in punishing duplicity of so Ha.
grant a character, i ordered the eons ruction of batteries, and land-
ing of heavy ordnance from the flotilla, to commence immediately
after midnight, and every requisite arrangement be made for an
early attack upon Melloon. His Lordship in Council will be en.
aided to apprecia.e the zeal and exertion with which my orders were
carried into effect, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Hop-
kinson, commanding the artillery, and Lieutenant Underwood, the
chief engineer (aided by the indefatigable corps the first battalion
of Madras pioneers, under the command of. Captain Crowe). when
I state, that by ten o'clock the next morning I had eight and
twenty pieces of ordnance in battery, on points presenting a front
of more than one mile on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy, which
corresponded with the extent of the enemy's line of defence on the
opposite shore. I yet cherished hopes that the formidable appear-
ance of our preparations would have indeted them to make some
further communications in the morning, instead of again risking
the renewal of hostilities with troops of whose decided superiority
they had so recently experienced the mo-t convincing and humi:
hating proofs. In this I was disappointed. At daylight I per.
ceived that the preceding night had been devoted by them to pre-
paration!' equally laborious, and the construction of extensive and
well-planned works, with a view to die resistance on which they
had resolved.

At eleven o'clock. A. at. (the 19th), I ordered our batteries and
rockets to open their fire on the enemy's position ; it was warmly
kept up, and with such a precision of practice, as to reflect the
highest credit on this branch of the service.
During this period, the troops intended for the assault were em-
barking in the boats of his Majesty's ships and the flotilla, at a
point above our encampment at Patanagoh, under the superintend-
ence and direction of Captain Chads, of his Majesty', ship Alli-
gator. senior naval officer. on whom this charge devolved, in the
absence of his Excellency, Commodore Sir James Brisbane, in con-
sequence of extreme indisposition.
At about one r. at. the decided impression having been produced
by the cannonade, and every thing reported ready, I directed the
brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Sale, consisting of his Majesty's
13th and 311th regiments, to drop down the river, and assault the
main face of die enemy's position, near its south-eastern angle ; and
Brigadier General Cotton. with the flank companies of his Ma-
jesty's 47th and 87th regiments, and his Majesty's 89,11 regiment,
under Lieutenant. Colonel Hunter Blair; his Majeaty's 41st re-
giment. and the 18th Madras Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Godwin; and the 28th Madras Native Infantry, with
the flank companies of the 43d Madras Native Infantry, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Parlby, to cross above 3lelloon, and after
carrying some outworks, to attack the northern face of the prin.
cipal work.
Although the whole of the boats pushed off together from the
left hank, the strength of the current, and a strong breeze from the
north, carried Lieutenant-Colonel Sale's brigade to the given point
of attack before the other columns (notwithstanding every exertion)
could possibly reach the
opposite shore; Lieutenant-Colonel Sale
was unfortunately wounded, in his boat, but the corps of his brigade
having Vended, anti formed with admirable regularity, under the
command of Major Frith, of his Majesty's 38:h regiment, rushed
on to the assault with their usual intrepidity, and were, in a short
time, complete masters of a work, which, although certainly not so

! well chosen in point of position as others we have met with. yet
had been rendeted most formidable by labour and art, and at the
sane time, such as to afford the enemy a presumptive assurance
of security in their possession of it. This is fully es'eed, by the
circumstance of the chiefs, with !Bernie:us) at their head. (am-
' trry to the Burmese custom in all such cases,) haring remained
111:thin their defences lilt they saw the troops crossing to the assault.
When Brigadier-ficnetal Cotton saw that the works were car-
ried by the 13th and 311th regiments, he very judiciously ordered
the brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel Ilunter Blair, to cut in upon
the enemy's line of retreat, which was dohe accordingly, and with
much effect.
Titus was accomplished. in the course of a few hours from the
recommencerhent of hostilities, forced upon us by perfidy anti
duplicity, a chastisement as exemplary as it was merited. Their
loss in killed and wounded loan been severe, and the accompanying
returns of captured ordnance, ordnance-stores, arms, and ammo-
' nition, will aufnciently demonstrate how seriously they have suf.
feted in these particulars--a species of disaster which their Go-
' vernment will, doubtless, more deeply deplore than the sacrifice of
lives, or the shame of defeat. Specie to the amostnt of about
30,000 rupees 1•46 fotind in Memiaboo's house, and a very ample
magazine of grain, together with about 70 horses, have also fallen
into our hands. It will prove highly gratifying to his Lordship
in cuuncil to learn, that advantages so important have been secured
with so small is numerical loss as is exhibited by the returns of
killed and wounded. Amongst the wounded I include, with par-
ticular regret, the names of Lieutenant-Colonel Sale and Major
Frith ; the latter having succeeded to the command of the column,
on his senior officer being disabled, received at his head in the
moment of success • spear wound, which I fear is of a serious
nature. Major Thornhill, of his Majesty's 13th Light Infantry,
was the third on whom the accidents of war threw the perilous
distinction of leading these troops, and fie conducted their move.
ments to the close of the affair in a style worthy of his predecessors
in command. in!

Where zeal displays itself in every rank, as amongst the officers
whom I have the happiness to command, and all vie with each
other in the honourable discharge of duty, the teak of selecting in.
dividual names for the notice of hi. Lordsrip, becomes difficult and
embarrassing . • and I am compelled to adopt the principle of par-
ticularizing those alone on whom the heavtext share of exertion
happened to devolve on this occasion. It fell to the lot of the ar-
tillery to occupy the con.picuous station in the events of the day :
in behalf, therefore, of Lieutenant-Colonel Ilopkiamon, command-
ing the whole, and of Lieutenant. Colonel Pollock, commanding
Bengal Artillery, and Captains Lumsden, Bengal florae Artillery,
and Montgomerie, Madras Artillery, commanding the batterie.„
I have to solicit yeur recommendation to hi. Lordship's favourable
attention. The rocket practice, under Lieutenant Blake, of the
Bengal Horse Artillery, was in every way admirahle : of 304
rockets which were projected during the day, five alone failed of
reaching the spot for which they were destined, and uniformly told
in the works, or in the ranks of the enemy, alth an elect that has
clearly established their claim to be constdered a most powerful
and formidable weapon of war.
The conduct of his Majesty's 13th and 33th regiment. during the
advance, and their gallantry in the storm. far exceed all that I can
write in their praise. I sincerely hope that 1 shall not long be de-
prived of the services of their two brave commanders.
Brigadier-General Cotton's arrangements for intereeptirg the
retreat of the enemy, and the movement of Lieutenant-Colonel
Hunter Blair, to effect the same object, merit my warmest com-
mendations.

To Captain Chub', of the Royal Navy, and every officer and sea.
man of hia Majesty's ships, anti the Hon. ComFany's flotilla, I am
deeply indebted, for the able and judicious manner in which the
troops were transported to points of attack so near to a formidable
work which they had to assail. I have the honour to inclose Capt.
Chads' report, together with his return of killed and wounded.
Upon this short but important service I derived every support
from the zeal and ability of my stia, general and personal.
Lieutenant Wilson, of his Majesty's 13th light infantry, Aide-
de-Comp to Brigadier-General Cotton, who will have the honour of
delivering this despatch, was present during the whole affair, and
is well qualified to give any further information which may be re-
quired by his Lordship on the subject. I have, &c.
(Signed) A. CAMPBELL, Major-General.
Headquarters, Camp Patanegol), Jan. 21.1.
General Return of Killed and Wounded in the Army under the
command of M ijor-General Sir Archibald Campbell, K.C.11.,
in the attack on the entrenched position at Alelloon, on the 12th
of January, 11126. •
Comp Patanagoh, before Melloon, Jan. 20.
His Majesty's 13th Light Infantry. —Killed, I rank and tile ;
wounded, 1 Lieut.-Colonel ; 3 rank and file, and 2 ftheesties.
His Majesty's 311th Regiment.—Kilied, 4 ran!: and file: wound-
ed, IAI or, I sergeant, drummer, .1 rank and file, and 6 bearers.
Bengal Engineers.—Wounded, 1 Lieutenant.
Flotilla.—Killed, 4 Looms ; wounded, 5 European seamen, and
I'Lascars.

Names of Officers Wounded—Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Sale, his
Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, connnnniling brigsde. ly„ not
dangerously ;Major H. Frith, his Majesty's 31ith Regiment, se-
vetely ; Lieut. W. Dixon, Bengal Engineers,
(Signed) F. S. TIDY, Lieut... Colonel,

Return of Ordnance and Military Stores captured on the 19th of
January, 1026, in the operations against the enemy at Boon,
by the forces under the command of 31ajor-General Sir Archi-
bald Campbell, K.C.8., Bre.
Brass Guns—One 42-pounder, one 6 ditto, one 4 ditto, one
1 ditto, and ten jinjalls.
Iron guns—Two 41-pounders, two 2 ditto, one 31 ditto, three
3 ditto, ten 2 ditto, thirty-one 1 ditto, two half ditto. and 80 jinjalls.
Iron guns, long—Seven 12-pounders, ten 9 ditto, and two 61
ditto.
Iron carronades--One 24-pounder and one 12 ditto.
Iron rcund shot, of different sizes, 11,000.
Ditto, ditto, for jinjalls' 7,000.
Gunpowder destroyed, 20 tons 1 cwt. 3 qrs. in boxes of 431bs.
each.

Muskets, 1,700; musket balls, 100,000; spears, 2,000.
An immense quantity or refined saltpetre and sulphur, iron un-
wrought, upwards of one ton ; al'o a quantity of grape, quilted and
loose, but the exact stnount of the above articles cannot be ascer-
tained for want of time.

(Signed) C. HOPKINSON. Lieut.-Colonel,
Commanding the Artillery with the Forces.
(The return of killed and wounded on board the flotilla was
given in our paper of the 20th ult.)

Return of Boats captured at Melloon, 19th January, 1826 :
War-boats--Three gilt, fifteen in good condition.
Large Accommodation-boats—Seven in good condition, one
sunk.
Large Store.boats—Thirty-three In good condition, sixteen sunk.
Canoes and boats of various descriptions, 200 to 300.
(Signed) H. D. CHAOS, Captain of his Majesty's ship
Alligator. in Command of the flotilla.
(7'rue copy.)
(Signed) F. S. TIDY, Lieut.-Colonel, D A.G.
By command of the Right Hon. the Governor-General in
Council.
(Signed) G. SwINTox, Sec. to Government.