The Sun.
London, England, 1803-12-16 00:00:00

MADRAS, Mar 7.

Tti e Settlement was thrown into the greye_st
consternation•on Saturday last, by the raging, of an
alarming and .formidable fire—at the Godowns and
Banksalls to the Northward of the Government
Custom-house.

About the hour of one in the morning-, a link..
sail was observed by the Guards to have taken tire,
which, from the combustible nature of the bilild;ng
and the dryness of the season, speedily communi.
.rated to. the adjacent Godowns ; and before any as.
sistance could be procured, it had taken a wide and
extensive range.
Immediately on the alarm being given, every
precaution to prevent the, progress of this dreadful
calaMity was resorted to, the whole of the men
employed in the Beach Department, -the available.
Garrison of the Fort, together with detachments
from His Majesty's ships in.the Roads, were speedily
in motion.

The Right Ilonnurahle the. Governor, with his
personal staff, arrived.at the Beach about six, in
order to dired and give energrip the general exer-
tion. ' • -
At this time the fire was at its greatest height,
having communicated to about 7o buildings, which,
with their contents, was one continued blaze.
Ranges of Godowns were, however, speedily re.
moved, with every other building which, from its
situation, could endanger the public safety.
By these and other judicious arrangements, a
stop was put to its further extension, and as a great
supply of water was now obtained, the efforts of
the multitude were diteded to overcome 'the power
of the flames.

The wind during the night had been very mo,
Berate from the Southward, which fortunately pre_
served the immense and beiniful-range of buildings
lately ereaed by Mr. C.oppRANE.
About noon a considerable-. diMinution from the
violence of the confiagiation had taken place, and
towards the evening the mind of the Public avas
cOnsiderably relieved•.
Every precaution was taken by Government for
the protedion of individual property, and to guard
against any further spreading of the flames, one
hundred men of Hitt Majesty's 34th Regiment,
with four hundred Sepoys, and their proportion of
European Officers, 'were ordered on duty during the
night.
It is impossible to estimate the loss sustained
by this dreadful calamity—as mush of the rice and
other articles may yet be- saved, as soon as it is _
possible to.remove the ruins which now surround
them, and which in many parts yet continue on
fire.

We are happy, however, to add, that no lives
Were lost on this melancholy occasion, many se.
vere wounds, however, were iniliOed. on inditri,
duals, in their endeavours to stop the progress of
this dreadful and all.devouting enemy.
jortri Cit AMIE a, Esq. was on Tuesday lastsworn
in a Member of Council at ,this.Presitieney, under
the usual discharge of artillery.
• On Wednesday. evening the Right ilmourable
the Governor gave a ball and supper to the
'dement, it being the at niveFsary of the capture of
Seringapatans.
Major General 'BAIRD, who so gallantly led the
storming party on that memorable day, was pre_.
sent;at the entertainment. The General was de.
carated with the Order of the Crescent, and wore
the sword presented to him by the Field (At:cis of
the Army. -

His Royal Highness the Nnuou entered the
riall.room shortly after ten o'clock, and being con-
dutled to his seat by-the Right Honourable the Go.
vernor, daricing immediately commenced, and, with
the interval of supper, continued to a late hour on
Thursday morning.