The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-01-12 00:00:00

have been amenliced. Tn this eve they were re•
hewed from any thing like the facts which consti-
tuted the crime of retarder. as alpinist Captain
Drake there wee not eves a sctsilla of evidence in
support of the charge made against him. With
respect to Clements, the slight degree of evidence
which stood to idled him was Wally frittered sway
by the variation, in fact, the positive contradiction
of statement,. made by the wituesses themselves
for the prosecution. The people of this country
are greatly indebted to the Government, fur the
pains it has taken to rt►ake a full inquiry into the
grounds of the pre.ent charge. A great nundter of
witnesses hare hero brought from •broad to
in the inquiry, and the most laudable $llllll. have
been taken to put the Jury in possession of all the
facts of the care.
The Prisoners applied for their discharge, but
were told by the Court that this could nn► be con-
ceded until it was ascertained whether the Grand
Jury lied considered other bills rehttitig to the same
transaction, which had been submitted to them.
The Grand Jury shortly after, appeared in Court,
and returned a true bill against John Drake, Alex-
raider Deicer, and Christopher Burstead, for mur-
der.

LONDON,

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1819.

By the arrival of the Kisgsion from Java, we
have derived from various sourcea itstelligence of
great importance as affecting British interests it' the
Indian Seas. The Governor of Fort 51w:borough
has displayed his characteristic energy and activity
since his arrival in Sumatra, and has anxiously en-
deavoured to extend the British influence over the
whole of that valuable and extensive island. We
lately apprised our readers of the encroachments and
aggressions of Dutch commercial speculators in
that interesting quarter of the globe, hut we cuip-
fidently anticipate that the measures which he has
taker, as Political Agent for the Archipelago, to
check the 'progress of Dutch dotniitation until
orders shall have been sent out from Europe, will
prove -efficient. Sumatra has hitherto beeti very
little known. The European establialmieuts are
entirely on the coast—Europratis hail never pene-
trated into the interior—and, judging from the
ruinous establishments maintained by England, the
island itself was considered of but little value.—
Nothing could exceed the apathy, indifference, and
ignorance which prevail among Europeans respect.
jag the island gratrally. All attempts 144 penetrate
into the interior were reckoned &operate ; no
European won hl embark in them. The popula-
tion of the interior were considered as savages, and
the mountains itnpassable, and yet the natives
*mild still bling down their gold and cassia, and
camphor. &c. for which Sumatra had fmin the
earliest ages been famous. The Governor felt there
was but one alternative, and that was, to open the
rued by going himself. Ilis enterprise was crowned
with *pieces.. Ile penetrated into the interior
in three different directions—to the southward
iu-
land of Nlaritis, to the important provinces occupied
by a people called the Passtiminalie—to the
northward to Nlenangcali ))))) the far-famed capital
of the Malay Empire—and inland of Bencoolen,
across the Island to Palembang.

The facts of this charge are precisely the same as
that for which John Drake was already tried—only
inakto.z. it fur the murder of one of the other per-
sons killed on hoard the Chapman, nil the night of
the t?Sili April, 1817.
The Graml Jury also found a true bill against
TitAnzio Eittikmald, for au assault. They returned
the hill nut found against Joliii Hogan and Alex-
ander Wuldegrave, for murder.
Captain Drake, against whom the second bill
was found, applied to the Court fur per 00000 mon to
reinaiii out on bail until his trial was brouAlit on.
The COURT refused the application. and ordered
that Alexander Dewer (the Ductor, who surrender-
ed in Court) and John Drake should remain in
custody. Their trial will take place tmitturiow.
The soldier Clements was discharged.
-

The Grand Jury wr►'e OM) disci:arod until the
19th April oext, wl,en the Court w►II next nrect,
alter the &odious. 1111 l cut .ir the present Sesksiour.
The Court, which wus crowded to excess thrtruuth-
out the whole of this dry, *ldiom-tied art hall past
►.tutu tilt et'r►lltag until to-morrow mmu-
Mg.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

The result has been the discovery of a mine of
wealth—a country highly culti.ated, and abound..
iug in precious metals. The Passinnanalis are au
uthletic line race of men, as superior to the people
on the coast as it is possible to conceive; they are
agricultural and numerous. At Menangcalion
he was gratified with a population and country fully
equal to any part of Java. Within the space of
twenty miles the population does nut fall short of a
million. In short, it is the Governor's opinioe,
that, with a little encouragement, far greeter re-
sources are to be found in Sumatra than the British
could have derived from Java. fist snitch remains
to be done. A Central Government must be es-
tablished; the whole Island must be brought under
control ; and the avenues of commerce, now closed
till, re-opened. Our readers are aware, thst
Menungcabon was the plaice whence all the grdd
that gave Malano the mime of the Golden Cher-
sonsus was carried, and that in opening a trade with
that country we shall find a great vend for our
manufactures. and in return receive what we molt
want—money; nosier existing circum-
stances, will be more profitable than colonial
produce.
These discoveries have not, however, been made
without gre.st person-al risk and fatigue. The
country could only be explortrt on foot--"nountoins
6,000 feet high were to be crossed, and rocks, pre.
cipices, and forests, to be traversed. For many
nights the party had no dither but the leaves
they could collect after their day's journey, and
their joureies were seldom less than from twenty to
thirty miles a day over the very worst roads that
ever were passed. Iu this expedition the Governor
was accompanied by Lady RaFet.es. She W:111
occasionally carried on a mins's back, but ge-
nerally walked, as the roads were too had to
admit of her being carried in a chair. Doctor
ARNOLD. Physician, and Naturalist, fell a sacrifice
to the fatigue, and died of a violent fever. Dr.
Illoasetet.o, who accompanied the Governor to
filenangcabon, was, on the lith of August, the
date of our last intelligence from Fort Mat lborough,
dangerously ill, with a clyseutery, but we hope hist
life will be spared to carry home the important
collections he has made, both in Java and Sumatra.
As this was the first appearance of the Europe's')
authority in the interior, Lady Eaeriss was the
most peaceable standard the party could hoist. It
was impossible for the natives to consider.their ob.
ject warlike, when the Governor proceeded smarm-
ed, and confided his wife to their hospitably.

_
They found the country beautiful slid magnifi-
cent. Sir THODIAII STANFORD Ratings has
thrown the trade open. end reforu►rd all the esta-
blishments. Treaties have been now tittered into
with the Princes of Menstigcsboit, and it only re.
mains for the gritish Onvertuneut to iiphoid and
support the system he Las cotnineneed upon.
As 'night be expected film the intelligence

already ;;men in this Parer, he is at issae wilh tile quaiiited both Houses 1.41:1i as soon as the Itrnibers
Dutch iu mooy essential points, but the question I were sworn, the Pat:rec REGENT would Itt them
has at last been brought to such a crisis, that unless know the causes for which he had summoned their;
the authorities in Europe immediately interfere, together, mid it being necessary that a Speaker of
we can never think of holding up our head again, the Douse of Commons should be first chosen, it
The British character has been insulted and de- was the pleasureof his Royal Ilighnesstlist the Get:.
graded in the grossest trims, and the tiovrooor bas itlemeo of the House of Commons should repau ti,
personally protested against the, pretensions and I their usual place of sitting and .procred to tlit
principles on which the Dutch act. This Protest choice of a Speaker. and that they should present
we propose to publish to-stiorrow, hint au the neat day, at twelve o'clock, at the
It would seem that they look upon him to I.n of the i:ppri• for the PRINCE REG IA
fully MI dangerous in those seas, its N A u•. "pnrolt..llom The Lord, Ihen proceeded is: '

•
would be in Europe—they would proscribe him, the oath...
and confine him in untidier St. Helena, if they i In the House of Commons, a great number I,t
dared. i Members who had beets previously sworn before du
Jr Ministers would but turn their attention to the LORD STEWARD, appeared about two o'chtek,una
v.slue of these Islands, they would see the import- at a quarter before three, the Gentleman Usher of
auce to Great Britain of the struggle he is making. the Black Rod summoned the House to the Hone
Every one must know under what circuinstancis j of Peers, addressing himself Particularly to Mr.
the Dutch obtained the Convention of 1814. in I.r.T, the Chief Clerk. On their return from Co.

contemplation of an union between the Houses of I House of Lords, they proceeded immediately to
Ilatiover and Orange. fled they ti it been too i elect N Speaker, when, on the motion of Sir Joky
greedy, that Convention might still have stood seconded by Mr. -CARTWILIGIIT, the
untriodilied ; but by grasping, at tim 111111C11, ;choke of the Ilouse fell unanimously on lite Meta
we hope they will now receive a complete check. • I-lon. Cu.surats Mitsui., now Baron CoLctlinta.,
lllllyptolsionet,,C,
17:why:flit it
itimen c
Dutch ou the ltittloiii
iti.e
nA3
r.yi As
the house lli
nbuutisie ii conilialddebe sa
of
ram nstc;et.ed until
iter
i the choice
recriveJ
1803, ate to revel,. Not stritslied with the rho y i the Royal approbation, the rjoettion of adjourn.
claim nil they ever had in those sea., although many ; anent was carried nein. dir.
of them have not bad the Dutch Big (hi 11..., bit. the At tv.elve o'clock on IVednes fay the Lords w-
hist fifty years. Is it not time they were citet•ked sernitled, when 3lr. ABOUT, accompanied by se.
Their system is, ill the titsi insituice, a beige I viral lleinhers of the lionse.of Commons,

force to overawe wul intiniiilute the siati,e,, and
Irwin;; once got them to sign a deed, studious.
lv prevent the English front ever after hav-
ing comitinniention vii:lo the poll. It tv:is mere-
ly °whit!: to his position in Siiia:itra
vernor RAFFLEs h:O4 been emilitril to know t it

• they were doieg• iu l'alletoKing, the pos!.ilnlity
his crossing the island over Ilse
311°110111.1M had never
occurred. It may be fairly presumed that tk•ir
conduct has been t uslly cli•grnreful at Banjo
ohi.,,ct is to obtain o despotic. iiiitho-
rily over all the Archipelago, and to esrlode the
Esiglisli from all trade at the itoilrpeutiletit ports ;
I and in order to effbct this objto, thry io the first
instance sacrifice evei y unforttionte l'since b. Ins
was ackitowledged by, and attached to the Eng-
' 11.11.—The discoveries made Iby Governor
eics in his expedition into the interior, in a wilie-
r:di/gird and botallie4 view, are not less interesting
than in a political one.

td at the bar, and notifiet: to the I..nrclo, Coot rn>_
',loners then present, the election of
Speaker, owl received the Royal approbation. Oa
the return of the Commons to their own Chatither,
the Clerk called over the names of the Igenilrei,.,
when rill preerrit took the oaths of allegisoce,

prentory, alijunition, &Intl qualification, tetalerta4
at the same time to the Clerk such qualttication
writio;;. Thursday anti Friday wete whoEv
pied in the sante proceedings ; and sin NLai.l.iv
his 'loyal !light-less the PRINCE HEGENT !tract ed-
et] iu s ate to the Mute of Peer., au,l deliven.tl
the Royal Speech ito person.
This pteeeilent will of courve be folltevetl closely
in the present iiistaliee, with the exception of the
hitter nal?, for the recent death of her late Nimje•ty
the QuEEN %%IA must probably prevent iiis
'fig: 1 front meeting his Parliament tliis
canton.
A• nn oppositiou ie intended to the re-election of
the Hight lion. CHARLES IIANNEI4 SUITuN
the chair, the Slie.,ker will be chosen no Thiireila.
Fritir.y. 54111111.4. anti Monday will be occupied
to sireatio4 Metuliets, anti receiving their qualiti-
cotton, awl proleddy on %Veiltiesdity the latils
Commissioners a ill &liver the Speech.

I We hive arrived Pork Papers of Thumloy tind
Friday I:ist. There Itas beet' no meeting of the
I.rioglattve Chambers; lent, it to said, th2t the
KlNn's Cabinet k Inktly twinged in prelrartog n
project of u lativ, to he presented immtiltately to
Ilse Chombrii. in con fmmity with the proposttinni
made kspeetively to the Peers :tint Deputies by the
Mutquk 1)F. LA /.I.Y-TUT.END A I. ;I'M IIIC Baron
IDut.ti,,EuT, for granting w Iliti• ttl recompence to
the Duke Du 111CHE1.11.U. The amount of thk
offetiotz, to be made to eminent merit by national

Yertterday, of three o'clock, another Cal•iiet
roosted was held at Lord Ctistr.msE.Atat's house
to Si. Jatnev's-sqllitre, in consequence al the Nnhle
Vi-il:utit continuing indisposed, so us nut to h. ;tblt
to :mend •A the rnreigii Office. The Colwell
till about live o'clock. The delibetations of tl
Connell underttood to be arrangetairtits for !Le
I ineeting of Parliament.
The Emperor of Itussu Ins conferred tior
Order of Si. George of the Second Class on II:-
I so the, PRINCE ROYAL of the Netherlands;
that td St. Alexander Ntvr,ky nu his Kopf! Dig!-
, Prince CUAIILI sof Bavaria. on the ill tmoi-
i TA ILY PRINCE, anti on Prince Pim'. of Ilesw.
littinburg, ; the Order of Saint Vladimir, of the
Second Class, on the Princes lIF.NItY and A UGES•
TUS. of ; on Prince ADAM, of Wittetti-
! burg ; told Duke CHARLES, of Meckleubtirg.

gratitude, is not uteutic•ued.
Accounts from A 'giros' state that the plague has
at length completely terminated its ravages in that
miserable country. but that at Constantine it still
carried 011 from 40 to st) persons daily, I that it
continued to guts ground at Bona, which cawed
apprehensions still to be entertained at Algiers that
its discontinuance was but for a season. It was
calculated that in the town of Algiers not less than
'24,000 persons, nod in the country ‘2oiiim, have
fallen vivtinis to the plague. A famine is now
dreaded us the inevitable cosistittrolee of the plague,
arid will probably complete the devattaliais or that
wretched country.
Time Funds maintain their late rise. On IVed-
isesday the Five per Celli 4. elOrWd at 67 f. c. ;
Bank Stock, 1,500 f„—On Thursday the Five per
Cents. were (7 f. 80 c.; Bank Stuck, 1,5051.

Extract of a Letter from the River Plate, thoril
Monte Video, October 10:—" I sent a few tfas
ago the Gazelles of the battle of Nlaipo. since winch
time nothing particular has happened. SAN 314 as
TIN IS in Mendoz.,, and is about to cross the Cur•
dilleras, to resume the command of the army:
matte suppose that lie will make an attempt a
Lima, although others serus to fear that differritc,,
here mistil between Oat Buenos Ayreans mod Cu--
loots."

Letters received from Amsterdam ymiterdsy o:kte
the intenseness of the fog there, on the evening ;
Tuesday preceding Christinas Day, anti besides tip.
tni•rhief dune to the shipping. no less than eighty
souls perished in the water, between the howr
six and iodate o'clock at night. Lights and rupee
were of no avail.

IGerman Papers have arrived, hut the
Bence they c 000000 nunicate 14 not very interesting.
Thi y notice that the Federal Goverinneut of
Switzerlind has received a letter 1:oun Monsieur
the Coniit RTOI3, announcing that the recruiting
for the Swiss regiments w the French service has
commenced. The Emperor of artived at
! Biotin 011 the ,23d of December, on his way to Ins
! own States. He did not alight from leis vantage.
IHarmony und good miler are to he completely
restored in the University of Cottitigtio.

Some doubts baying urii.cti re.pecting the mode
of procterling usually pur*ned at the connettee-
tnetit of a new Parliament, we have thought it right,
for the gndifit•atiott (Sour tender!, to give a enori•e
eve 1111 l it or what took r :it the cominencrioent
of the lint Session of the I .te Parloiment, beiil the
fifth of the United Kam:thou of Great Britain and
Ireland.

On Tuesday. the 2.11 h day of November. IRI4,
the Loan CHANCELLOR took the Woolsack at hdlf-
part two o'eltick. •nd apprised the House of Pews
that thy PRINCE REGENT wig* not aide to attebri

A letter from Ramsgate or the Sth instant says—
" Arrived from Calais the Amt packet,
beard the V.:citeel GOOLAM MINDEN SAHIB slot
suite, on el 1111,Si011 from the NA)Oh of BEDNORI.
to the Court of Great Britain. 'flat Vackeel came
by the way of Egypt. whither he had arrived by
the lied Sen. Has Excellency, who is a fine portly
man, of noble mien, apparently about 96 )ears of
age. and dressed after the Per Assn fashion. is
tins to reach the English capital with the kart pos.
Pible delay. His Excellency is accompanied 11l
England by Dr. RAMSAY. iu the character of inter-
preter. After taking breakfien toasted font, tk‘•
at the Reels, Oak inn, his Eicvelleticy and sone
forwaill for Loodon ma coach arid funs."

This day La Blonde, a tine frigate of 46 goo..
will be launched at Deptford dock-yard soon af.tr
One o'clock. fler length on the gun-deck is l 5:,
feet one inch, her extreme breadth 39 fret 91 inch.,
and the builder's tonnage I,loa 75•94i1i5. She is
b+llt of well-s.-msoned umber, and will, whenev.i
she may usidtrgo a thorough repair, evince the
comparative durability of green ard seasoned tim-
ber; several timbers in one part of the alai) haviog
been ivied, *birth could not receive the same lenAin
of time for seasoning as the rest of the Piny. lir('
length was increased 10 feet, her breadth our loot sis
inches, and her depth three inches, after the from a
were cut, according to the plat. first proposed.
frigate is fitted with the diagonal framing, one of 11:e
principal improvements. lately imroduced tutu c
Icience or natal architecture. •

person, but had hem pleased. under the Gtent Seal,
to empower certain Counnisrionets to open the
PArlisment. The Gentlemen (Niter of the Bleck
11 was then emotnatoled to order the ottendmire

of the Commune, or whom a loge number ximear-
ed •t the bilt, preceded hp the Cheer Clerk of
their Home. The Loki) CHANCELLOR