The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-04 00:00:00

TOWER REGATTA.

Yeeterday, the river below bridge, presented a scene of unusual
animation, in consequence of a boat-race ter a prize wherry, and
other prizes, given inc the encouragement of the young watermen
in the neighbourhood of the Tower. Those who were the donors
on the present occasion were resolved to have plenty of amusement
for their money, having ordained no less than five Items for the de-
eittion of the victory. The prizes were announced for distribution
as follows :
First man, new wherry and sculls, value 211. 10s. ; second man,
cash 41.: third man, cash 31.: tourth man, cash 21.; fifth man,
cash 11. 10s.; sixth man, cash 1/.
The following persons contested for the prizes in the order an-
nexed
First Elem. Second Heat
John James . Blue. William fitigp - Red.
John Cartwright Yellow, Joseph Bean . Green.
Jo.e! It Paul . Purple. William Finnis . Pink.
The third heat was to be contested by the second and third men
from each division. The fourth heat by the two first men of the
first and second heats, and the first and second men of the third
hes.. The fifth heat to be rowed for by the two first men of the
fourth heat. The distance to be from off the Tower-stairs, twice
round the Eel-chain and St. Catherine's lower tier, up to the prize-
boat, moored off the Tower.
The first heat was won after a sharp contest by John James. and
the second by Wm. Griggs. The third heat was won by William
Floods and Joseph Paul, both of whom rowed for the fourth heat
wi.h James and Griggs. which was decided in favour of James and
Finnis, who consequently were destined to contend for the princi.
pal prize.
About half.paet seven the signal was given for the last heat, and
expectation was alive as to the result, although the general opinion
hsd already given the prize to Blue, who was less fatigued than
Pink, having rowed one heat less, and of course having enjoyed a
longer interval of rest. Nor was this opinion disappointed, for
although Pink worked hard for the victory, and pressed his com-
petitor very closely. lie coon not. pass him, and the prize was finally
adjudged to John James; Finnis however, being enabled to con-
sole -himself with the 41. to which as second man he is entitled.
The dav was very fine, and the river was crowded with boats,
cutters, &c., all enjoying the amusement, which we are happy to
say was uninterrupted by any of those accidents which someumes
occur upon these occasions.

PUBLIC DINNER
GIVEN BY THE EMANCIPATED CONVICTS AND
OTHERS. OF NEW SOUTH WALES. TO HIS EX-
CELLENCY SIR T. RRIsBANE, S.C.B.

ewe
- IPrent die Seivireele Gmeete.l
Pursuant to public advertisements published in the papers, the
Free Inhabitants of the Colony assembled at Nash's Inn, Para.
matte, for the purpose of welcoming their retiring Governor-in-
Chiet, at the festive board of Australia. The efliwts that had been
resorted to, in almost ten demand, ways, to overthrow this dinner,
would surprise any one who might be uninformed of the existing
circumstances of the Colony. The perfidy that has been unmasked
to the Colonists, within the last very few weeks only. tenth to in-
crease the splendour of that triumph, which will mark the annals
of Australian history while she continues the Queen of the
Southern World ; and when, after a successful termination of those
conflicts that have more or less agitated every circle, we contemplate
the achievements that have been wrought in so small a compass of
time, gratitude and astonishment are at their acme, because we
know that a stone has not been left timurned, nor a Pr"iett vneone
ceived, that did not threaten destruction to every individual con-
nected in the moat renio e degree with the late happy change
in favour of that portion of the globe, which has received a stimulus
so powerful, that no attempts at counteraction will be able to annihi-
late. The Colonists are indebted to a personage that has not long
been amongst us, but who seems, nevert hetes', to entertain all that
li-
heathy of sentiment thy which Governor Macquarie, Lieutenant.
Governor O'Connell, Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane, and Lieute-
nant-Governor Erskine, have rendered themselves pre-eminently
distinguishable—we mean his Honour Lieutenant-Governor Stewart.
About half-past six o'clock his Excellency, accompanied by his
staff, reached the Inn. We were much struck with the splendid
manner of the Governor's entrance into the yard fronting the Inn.
We have conversed with many, and all agree in asserting they
never witnessed a more dignified and elegant deportment than
was exhibited by his Excellency, when, with the Lieutenant-Go-
vemor on his left, and the Staff and other guests in his rear, walk-
ing two and two in measured step, he received the salute from the
band, "See the conquering Hero comes !" which was played in
the first menial style. The Stewards received his Excellency at
the door, and, after paying their respects, ushered their Illustrious
Guest into an anti-room. In a few minutes dinner was announced,
and the Stewards proceeded to escort the Governor upstairs. The'
moment his Excellency made his appearance iu the dining-
room, the band struck up " God save the King ;" and the
gentlemen, who were previously seated, now rose simultaneously,
and continued standing until the Governor took his chair at the
right hand of the President (D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq.) His
Excellency was accompanied by the guests; and among the
number (independent of the Stahl) tie distinguiehad the Lieut.-
Governor, Judge Stephen, the Colonial Treasurer, Colonel Dams-
reeque, the Sheriff, Captain Kingcombe. R.N. of the lame. the
Clerk of the Council, the Commiseary of Accounts, the Naval
lifficer, the Superintendent of Police for Sydney, the Supetinten-
dent of Police for Parrainatta, and the Military Commandant of
Parramatta. Every eye beamed on the King's Representative with
u ifeigned pleasure, and his Excellency seemed eqnally gratified
with the undialembled testimonies of respect and affection which
lit up every countenance. The Governor wore a moat supetb dress
of blue and gold, and was adorned with his various honours. The
Lieutenant-Governor was in the full uniform of his regiment, and
comenaeded universal attention for his mild and dignified deport-
ment towards the company, whom he had thus honoured with his
presence. We shall now proceed to give something of the detail*
of this interesting event, which has no doubt panic-struck many
parties, who predicted that the dinner would not succeed—that the
Governor would not go—and that the whole would end in a farce !
These were prophets with a vengeance—lying prophets ! The
speciiies, particul irly those of his Excellency. will be hailed with
universal delight ; we must, however, leave them to speak for them-
selves.
Af er the cloth was removed, the PRESIDENT proposed as a
toast—
'' The King,"—" God save the King."
" The Duke of York and the Army. '—Duke of York's March.
" The Duke of Clarence and the Navy."—New Clarence and the
avy.
The Pntsinesyr then rose, and addressed the Assembly :
" Gentlemen,—l now rise to propose to you a toast, immediately
connected with the principle of the Meeting—l mean the retirement
of the illustrious personage whom we have met here to compliment,
and who has this day honoured us with his presence. Gentlemen,
were Ito enter into a detail of what the Colony owes to that indi-
vidual, I should run a chance of being *ought to he obliged to be-
cane a panegyrist in his presence, and also of paining his feelings.
The benefits which this Colony Nut received front his administra-
tion are incalculable; but, happily, the powerful expressions
of public approbation and esteem which are manifested to.
wards him, render any dilation from me on the subject an act
of supererogation, and would only detract, if such were possible,
from the public effusions of gratitude and respect he has received ;
in fact, it would be presumptuous in me to add my opinion to the
public and conscientious sanction of a united Colony, or to suppose
that their simultaneous expression of approbation could receive
validity from anything I should offer. It therefore only remains
for me to propose that toast, which I do most unwillingly, front
the circumstance that ghee rise to it, and the conviction that we
are met here unwillingly to deplore a general loss—a loss w' ich we
shall all feel most sensibly, in the retirement of this Excellency
from the Government of this Colony. Gentlemen, I propose to
you " The health of his Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane, and
may he soon be seated In the hall of his fathers !" Drank with
three times three and tremendous applause.
" acre's a health to them that's far awa."
His EXCELLENCY then rose, and spoke nearly as follows:
" Gentlemen,—For the highly flattering manner in which your
at-etrobation of toy public conduct has been expressed. I return you
my most sincere and hearty tl:i.nks. Gentlemen, from recent

seats which bsve occurred In the colony, you are so fully po •
•.ssed of arty monuments with 'Tort to it y wishes for its priespetity,
is to render any repetition at this filliiiiniit wholly unnecessary.
Ily opinion has already been c‘pressed, that any of the free insti-
tutions of Great Britain should not tiny longer be withheld from
.he country, 3.4 I ant decidedly of opinion that it has arrived at a
state fit for their reception (hear, hear ;) and I hope 1 need not
say, that your best Interests have always commanded my best ex-
lotions, in giving effect to which I considered myself only as acting
Mitisterially. Gentlemen, my services abroad hare enabled me
vi contrast the situation of other countries with that of
(heat Britain, and I sm fully convinced, that to those free
inszitutiorai she owed all her superiority during the late coali-
tions homed against her. *1 hose institutions, coupled with her
moral superiority, enabled her to acquire that mastery over her
!natty encodes by which she has raised an empire In the Eastern,
and lately in the Western World. No other country has done so
touch as Great Britain, because no other country enjoyed such tree
institutions. Gentlemen, I hare been a pleated witness of the
ptosperous state of this colony for the last tour years; mil I shall
conceive it my ditty to make such representations to his Majesty's
Ministers, as I have little doubt will induce them to grant the lull
benefit of the privileges of Englishmen to this important branch of
the British dominions. (Neer, hear, and applause.) Gentlemen,
my reputation has been assailed—misrepresentations have been cost
upon it—but you have cleared it (hear;) and " I shall now retire
from this colony under different circumstances from what I other-
wise should have done." You have nut only given me a free clear-
ance, but you have furnished me with a deal bill of health, such
as no ship IRIS ever quitted the Colony with before, and under simi-
lar cirrunistances. (Hear, hear, and shouts of applause) Gentle-
men, it is impossible for me to do justice to toy feelings on the sub-
ject. and t shall now propose a toast, coupled watt a sentiment
which shall only cease to animate my breast when I no longer exist.
Gentlemen, I shall propose as a toast—" Happiness sod Prosperity
to New South %Vales." Drank with four times four, and continued
applause. Air, " Hail, Australia!"
" The Memory of Governor Phillip, the Founder of the
Colony."
" Gentlemen (said the Prtr.vtfle.t.r) I next rise to propose a
toast, which I would give simply and without any mooniest, were
it not from recent occurrences, and some tliversit in opinion, which
perhaps render a few observatioas necessary. With respect to the
advantages which are derivable from the institution to which I ant
about t 3 allude, there can be but one opinion in a Colony, com-
posed as this is, of Englishem, and inheriting as they do,
their predilections in favour of the Constitutional institutions
of the mother country. But, Gentisnicn, I find there is a produc-
tion in circulation, in which the introduction of those grand poli-
tical blessings, those birthrights of every British subject in this
Colony, is sought to be deptecated, and the Colony represented to
be unfit for freedom, as the last effort of an expiring faction.
(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I have myself always held the parties,
who are the movers in this transaction, in the most sovereign con-
tempt, as they have opposed the free principles of the age which
they should have considered invulnerable. (Cries of " Hear.")
Gentlemen, the numbers, the weight, and the ability of that
party are well known, together with their absolute nothingness in
comparison with the community; and that underhand piece of paper,
to which I allude, only shows their own opinion of their positive
insignificancy ; for, if that paper contained the genuine principles of
the Colony, Friday fortnight afforded fair opportunity of giving
them tnll effect. But they were too good political chymists ' • they
well knew they would Dot bear the test, and wisely refrained from
making the trial. No, Gentlemen, their numbers and their prin-
ciples are well known. God forbid that, in any society, we
should wish that any individuals should drop ; but it is a calcula-
tion that must unavoidably present itself to the mind, " that these
parties cannot last long ; the old stock must tell oft', and a new one
spring up ;" but it is to be hoped that they will fall off prema-
turely, or at least before they have mWupted the morals of the next
generation.
The Sits stir, rose, and observed, that the present Meeting was
assembled for the purpose of giving a complimentary dinner to the
Governor, and that no subject ought to be introduced which was
not immediately connected with the object of the 31 eeting. (Cries
of" order, order!" and "do not interrupt the speaker.") But,
Gentlemen, much yet remains to be done; a last effort is now on
foot by that party who wish to counteract our object, and which
mar prove availing if the Colonists do not take proper steps and
petition the Government, as they lately addressed his Excellency,
by a constitutional county meeting ; and 1 entertain no other im-
pression that no effort will be wanting, on the part of his Excel-
lency, to give full effect to the wishes of the Colonists, and thereby
add new claims on our gratitude. Gentlemen, I shall conclude
these observations by giving, " Trial by Jury, as established in
England." Three times three, and rapturous applause.
His Excellency the GoyEalletit • nee—Gentlemen, as so
much has been said on so vital ase t, I think it necessary to
state that such a mass of irrettistible roof of the absolute issceasity
for the full establishment of this inestimable privilege has gone
home by the last ship, that 1 think it impossible for his Majesty's
Ministers not to concede it. (Great cheering.) Air, "Britons
strike lunne."
The PRESIDENT next proposed the " Liberty of the Pima."
He was pure that the advantages which the colony had received
from this boon would be fur ever moat deeply felt Imibe pplpte.
His Excellency had emancipated a press which was immediately
under his own comma. As far as it was It hie powse, he Slid kw
stow the liberty of the press; it tem Os Mess 'Works igi lee bad
bestowed on them, and one which the colonists would never forget.
" The Liberty of the Press," three times three. Air, " Old Eng-
land for ever."
His Excellency the Govetistost observed, that he felt a most
partial gratification in being in any way instrumental in giving the
freedom of the press to the Colony. It was one of the best friends
he had in the Colony (hear, hear), and the best friend he should
leave behind him. He would carry the same feeling to the British
shore, and most heartily concur in the same sentiment throughout
the world. (Great cheering.) •
Mr. Howe—Sir, it would ill become me were I not to speak in
behalf of the Liberty of the Press. !lad it not been for the Free-
dom of the Press, the illustrious personage who is present would
have gone home loaded with calumny, instead of carrying away ho-
nours unknown to former Governors : but, Sir, he has bestowed a
boon upon the country which will never escape recollection, and
the oame of Brisbane must run coeval with the existence of Aus-
tralia. (Hear, hear.) All the blessings which the Colony now
enjoys spring from that liberty • it will ultimately produce the final
extinction of every enemy of Australia, and is only the prelude to
that other great boon so anxiously desired—a House of Assembly.
(Hear, hear.) Sir, I would not have risen, or have so long Rea-
passed on your indulgence, had it not been out of sheer gratitude
to Sir Thomas Brisbane, for his Excellency has done mote for the
Colony than it can ever be aware of in this respect.
His Excellency and suite retired about ten o'clock, followed by
the acclamations of the assembly, the band playing " St. Patrick's
Day."
The Po EMDEN'S' proposed as a toast, " Brisbane, and Freedom
for ever."—Three times three, anti loud cheering.
Dr. Dountas, after some prefatory observations, proposed
" The Health of D'Arcy Wentworth, " Bonnie
Laddie."
Mr. E. S. HALL—Tn proposing the next toast of the Meeting,
a House of Assembly, as being the must powerful instrument,
next to Trial by Jury, for composing the dissensions of the Colony,
and to advance our best interests, I may be opposed by numbers
who have not considered the subject. Still I cannot (milt
this opportunity of impressing the expediency of the lass
of the Colony being made by Members elected by the body of
the Colonists. All the great fundamental rules of our society
were already tinctured by the transplanting of the juris-
prudence of England to the Colony, and that jurisprudence is
the ornamental stone on which the most useful results might
be built. If we are able to bear a Free Press in any mate's
hand, how much more are we able to bear the free sober dis-
cussion of a House of Assembly ? This Colony can be no longest,
considered a mere penal settlement, but as ono of the first Colonies
attached to the British Crown. Jamaica is more populous, but
infinitely less moral. Canada was first peopled by French emi-
grants, but from the influx of British settlers, is now blessed with
two Houses of Assembly. In France they have a House of As-
sembly, but no free press; in this country It is tweeted that we are
all able to bear a free press, bat not a House of Assembly. Herein
the anomaly consists, that we are able to bear a free press, only re-
strained by the law of libel, which, notwithstanding, I contend is
a liberal law ; but that we are not able to bear a sober and tenipe.
rate discussion on those subjects which of the most vital im-
portance to the Colony. I shall thereftwe, Gentlemen, propose,
A House of Assembly, as the most powerful engiue of aug-
menting our prosperity." Three times three.
WAanr.x, of the Australian Company, then rose, and ex-
pressed himself thus :—Gentlemen, 1 rise to propose a bumper to
the health of the eloquent and consistent advocate of Australian
liberty. Ile has raised the standard of good feeling in the Colony,
which we shall never again be deprived of; we have now sealed
the bond of union. which nothing can set aside; we have joined
the hand of fellowship with real worth and honour; and if Mr.
Canning had been in the country for the last six weeks, he would
oft this evening have been seated on the right hand of Mr. Went-
Mardi. (Loud cheering.)
Mr. it. C. PRITCHETT.XentIeMen, I came to this Colony
from the East Indies with a small investment, prejudiced, I intuit
confess, against the people, whom I looked upon as a set of rogues
anti vagabonds, anti assigned servents. (Hear, hear.) But, Gen-
tlemen, I am proud to say, that, upon an acquaintance with the
Colonists, my former prejudices were removed, and 1 have ever
since continued among them, and this public acknowledgment I
consider as a tribute due to the uniform integrity and honour I have
ever found amongst them. (Loud applause.)
The Rev. %V. IVatimit, accompanied with some forcible re-
marks, proposed " Civil and religious liberty all over the world."
" Chief Justice Forbes." (Three times three, with loud cheer.
Inge.) This toast was prefaced by some pertinent observations from
Mr. W. Parker.
Several songs were, in the course of the evening, sung zty Messrs.
llindson, Pitman, and B. Levey.

Cotlparattee Import and Export of Cotton, Rice, and
Tobacco, at the port of New York,first six mouths in each
year—

COTTON.
htiport 1824 . 79,046 -
111.15 - 158.189 -
11126 . 90,281 -
pEport 2124 . 37.045 -
T 825 . 1191422 •
1828 . 51,698

ItICE.
Tcs.
r..t000
h.ft
11,273
9,975
12,460
7,007

TOBACCO.
iihils.
6,065
6,193
2,Ti3
2,743

• 1:43
. 1,13C0