MISCELLANEOUS. Account of the Reception of His Highness at The Rajah having written to the heads of departments at this station that his Highness would arrive here at about eight o'clock in the morning of the 26th inst., this intelligence soon became public, and throngs of people lined the Madras road at the early hour of daylight of the above date, from Nellore to a distance of about five miles. At about six o'clock the Judge of the Zillah moved in procession to meet his Highness, and having received the Rajah at a distance of about three miles from Nellore, his Highness, the Judge, and Mr. Surgeon Sutton proceeded, at the head of an innumerable cavalcade of inhabitants, the Rajah's troops, the Judge's court servants in palanqueens, Chocadars, Peons, &c. &c. &c. to the Rajah's tents, on the north side of the fort. Here the troops of the garrison were formed into a strect, and received the Rajah with presented arms, drums beating, &c.; and it is impossible to describe the grand effect of the spectacle as it now appeared; countless multitudes of people all moving in one mass; the Rajah, Judge, and his Highness's Attendant Surgeon in the centre; drums, fifes, trumpets, horns, banners, pikes, horsemen, palanqueens, &c. &c., all heard or seen in this numberless multitude; and, as if to make this imposing spectacle more grand at this particular time, the Collector and Commanding Officer now met his Highness, where the Rajah, dismounting, received these gentlemen in the way of Eastern Princes, and the whole party having regained their conveyances, proceeded with the Rajah to his Highness's Durbar tent, where, after a short visit, paun, &c. and flowers and utr were distributed, and the gentlemen returned with their respective attendants to their houses. Here they were visited by his Highness on the succeeding day, who expressed himself much gratified at all the attentions which had been shewn to him, and proceeded early the next morning on his journey. The arrangements made by the gentlemen to meet his Highness the Maharajah were certainly well calculated to produce the effect of public shew, and the Rajah appeared throughout the procession to be exceedingly gratified : and indeed he ought to have been, for the orders of Government to the public Authorities stationed on the route of his Highness from Tanjore to Benares, “to pay him every proper respect," could not have been better attended to than they have been at Nellore; throughout which Zillah the Judicial and Revenue Native Authorities have paid his Highness, by orders from the Judge and Collector, every mark of respect; and the same respect was shewn in the most flattering way possible by the gentlemen on his arrival at the Sudr station. I never saw in my life before such a grand sight, and such a crowd: for not only were the roads utterly im passable, but all the houses in the fort and the ramparts were crowded with men, women, and children, of all castes and ages, to see and salute the procession as it moved along.-Mad. Cour., Nov. 7. MILITARY APPOINTMENTS. Staff and other General Appointments. Dec. 31. Capt. C. Whitehill to be Assist. Adj. Gen. to the Baroda Subsidiary Force, vice Stannus, promoted to a Regimental Majority, 19th Dec. 1820. Capt. John Morin to officiate as Assist. Quart. Mast. Gen. during the employment elsewhere of Capt. Wilson, or until further orders only, ditto. Jan. 2. Lieut. Col. Hessman, of Artillery, is appointed a Member of the Clothing Board. 3. Maj. Jackson, 6th Dragoon Guards, and Aide-de-Camp of His Excel. the Commander in Chief, is appointed to the situation of Military Secretary to Maj. Gen. Smith, C. B., commanding the Expedition preparing for the Gulf of Persia. 4. Lieut. Iredell, Sub. Assist. Com., is directed to proceed in that capacity with the Expedition to the Persian Gulf. Dec. 31. Assist. Surg. J. Woolcott, 2d bat. 13th reg. Madras N. I., to Europe, on sick certificate, for three years from date of embarkation. MISCELLANEOUS. PREDATORY HORDES. The predatory hordes in Guzerat still continue troublesome, and we have to record a spirited little achievement of Major Ballantine's against a party of Komaun Katties, consisting of 70 horse and a party of infantry, who, after a smart action, were completely routed. Govind Row and the Bownuggur people came up and pursued them to the mountains, within a coss of Meeteeala; Gala Kurreem and three others of note were killed. 15 men and 25 horses were taken prisoners, and upwards of 200 head of cattle, their spoils from the interior. They passed by Umrallee in the night, but Govind Row declares he knew nothing of the business until word was sent to him to join. --Bom. Cour., Jan. 6, 1821. EXPEDITION AGAINST ARAB PIRATES. The detachment of H. M. 65th, under Major Digby, to receive which the transports James Scott and Cornwall sailed on the 29th ultimo, arrived here from Dwarka in boats, on Sunday last. The expedition to the Arabian coast will sail, it is said, about the 10th instant. The embarkation of the troops, &c. will commence on Monday morning.-Bom. Cour. Jan. 6, 1821. ESCAPE FROM PRISON. Two of the convicts of the last Sessions, Daoud Dossa and Aja Poonja, sentenced to transportation to Prince of Wales' Island, effected their escape from the Bombay Jail during the night of Sunday last. They had been double ironed, and two sepoys were placed sentry over them; but notwithstanding these precautions, they succeeded in disengaging themselves from their irons, cut through a thick stone wall, passed their sentries, got over two walls, and passed a third sentry undiscovered. A third prisoner, confined till he could procure bail, effected his escape at the same time. It is conjectured that the families of the convicts, who had been humanely allowed to visit them, furnished the felons with the files and instruments by means of which they were enabled to escape.-Bom. Cour., Nov. 18. LOSS OF THE DIANA. (Further Particulars.) "A little before 11 o'clock, Capt. Williams, his two officers and myself were * See Asiatic Journal, vol. xi., p. 522. awoke from our sleep with the alarming information that the ship was close upon the land. We were all immediately on deck, and you will easier imagine than I can describe our feelings at the appalling scene which presented itself. The ship was alsolutely at this moment within 150 yards of a tremendous elevated precipice and rocky shore, extending as far as the eye could reach on either side; and between us and the shore, close to the then situation of the ship, the sea appeared breaking with the greatest violence over the sunken rocks. I must here bear testimony to the promptitude and coolness displayed by Capt. W. and his officers, at this trying crisis, and every effort was instantly made by them to extricate the ship from her perilous situation. All endeavours made with this view proved in the end fruitless; and so rapidly had the ship at this time been impelled towards the shore, that it was found perfectly impracticable even to turn her head outwards, owing to her having already come under the lee of a projecting part of the shore, which, intercepting the wind from the sails, rendered the ship from this moment quite unmanageable. I am convinced that the short space of five minutes did not elapse from our coming on deck until her actually grounding and striking with considerable violence upon the sunken rocks; a leak had been sprung at the same time, by which we found her rapidly filling with water, and the violence of the sea and surf setting inwards, she was soon afterwards thrown completely on her beam-ends. All hopes of extricating the ship now terminating, our attention became solely directed to the considering by what means the safety of our lives might be secured. The ship was, before striking, as near as 30 yards to some parts of the projecting shore, and our endeavours were long and ineffectually occupied in attempting to convey a rope ashore from the end of the driver-boom for this purpose, but which the violence of the surf rendered impracticable, and there remained no other alternative but swimming or floating ourselves ashore by pieces of the wreck, exposed as we were to the most imminent hazard of our lives, by the violence of the breakers dashing us upon such parts as were perfectly inacessible: and it was to this circumstance alone we ascribed the deaths of those who ultimately perished. A few natives having preceded us, I left the ship at the same moment with Capt. W. and his first officer, but it never was certainly ascertained whether they had reached the shore or not; we found that 54 in number ultimately reached the shore, where we remained until daylight, in order to inspect the situation of the wreck, and ascertain what prospect there might be of recovering any part of the cargo or property: all of which we found, however, to be irretrievably lost; so rapidly did the ship break up after our quitting her, that the space of an hour had not elapsed when no part of her was visible above water. "Being still ignorant on what coast we had been lost, our party set out in order to ascertain this point; and keeping generally an easterly direction, and as near as we were able along the sea-coast, there being no trace of human path, we found it totally impracticable to penetrate into the interior; and after scrambling over the same rocky hills and precipices which the coast first presented to us for the space of eight hours, we began to despair of finding either human being or habitation; and over the whole extent we had gone not even the smallest vestige of soil or vegetable production had been discovered. We however at last had the gratification to find what appeared a footpath leading into the interior, and after pursuing it a short time, were happily conducted to the miserable habitation of four Arabs, literally living in the caverns and holes of the rocks; in short, we found they were the only inhabitants, and that we had been cast upon an island, or rather a rock, whose entire extent was of the same character, and equally destitute of soil with the track we had passed over, and the truth of which we had ultimately but too much reason to find confirmed to us. They said they were only induced to remain in such a deplorable situation from the great abundance of fish which the shores of the island afforded them; that we must resign ourselves to our fate, as there was little likelihood of any boat or vessel touching till the cessation of the south-west monsoon, by which we might be conveyed to the main land; that they would in the mean time contribute their aid in subsisting us with fish, as far as they could, and that we would find shellfish in great abundance along the rocky shores. We ultimately found, however, their engagements but ill-performed, and that avarice alone, or expectation that we would be able to reward them, by having concealed money or valuables amongst us, had only induced them to make this early offer. "By this minute detail I am, however, going into unnecessary length; it may therefore be sufficient to say, that for the period of two months and 27 days we have been doomed to suffer the greatest distress and privation of every thing necessary to human comfort; our only subsistence has been shellfish, and we have literally lived like the Arabs in the holes of the rocks; any thing in the shape of vegetables, rice or bread, we have been entirely destitute of as the Arabs themselves were. There were only two parts on the shore of the island where, having the advantage of water, we were enabled to reside and procure subsistence. On the 15th July, four Portuguese Seacunnies of our party, impatient under our circumstances, and entirely of their own accord, proposed our constructing a raft, and that they were determined, though during the prevalence of the monsoon, to set out upon it, in hopes of reaching the main land. The weather being then unusually moderate, and the Arabs admitting, and indeed suggesting the measure as perfectly practicable, we accordingly, with considerable labour and difficulty, having the materials to convey to the opposite side of the island, constructed a raft, and having committed to them a letter to his Highness the Imaun of Muscat, the four Seacunnies set out accordingly on the raft the 15th July. Having however obtained no tidings of the fate of these men, by inquiries made on the coast, I am much inclined to fear they may not have been destined to reach the land, and hardly a hope to be entertained of their safety. We were finally conveyed from the island by the providential arrival of two Arab buggalows belonging to Muscat, from Zangibar, with slaves, which the want of water had induced to put in." Bom. Gaz. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. The Partridge, Betham, from Bengal to London, having been on shore near Madras, put into Bombay to repair, but proved so leaky that she was run on shore, and became a wreck.-Lloyd's List. Arrivals. Dec. 29. Ship Lady Nugent, Hunter, from Calcutta 17th November. Cruiser Sylph, Lieut. C. Wright, from Mangalore 8th Dec. Vestal, Lieut. Robinson, from Mangalore 20th Dec. 31. Ship Hyperion, Norfor, from London June 21. Jan. 1. Ship Edmonstone, Brewer, from Calcutta 1st Dec. Departures. Dec. 29. Ship James Scott, Boon, to Cutch. Ship Cornwall, Richardson, to Cutch. Jan. 1. Ship Minerva, Trill, to Coromandel Coast. H. C. Cruiser Prince of Wales, Lieut. J. Stout, to Muscat and other ports in the Persian Gulph. 2. Ship Regret, Welbank, to London. BIRTHS. Nov. 18. At Colaba, the wife of Mr. W. S. Pollock, Conductor, Commissariat Department, of a son. MARRIAGES. Dec. 28. Quart. mast. Serj. Peter Smith, H. C. regt. of European Inf., to Mrs. Elizabeth Holbrook, widow of the late Conductor Holbrook. It appears that a war with Siam has been seriously determined on at the Court of Ava, and great exertions have been set in progress for commencing it with effect. Large supplies of money had been required from all the provinces; and, in consequence of the operation of this measure, money had become very scarce at Rangoon, and the markets were of necessity very dull. A body of men was expected there, amounting, with followers, to ten thousand, under the command of an officer of high rank. This was to be the nucleus of a great army, since it was to be augmented by a man from every family in Pegu, and to be afterwards increased further in the same manner as it passed through other provinces to the enemy's frontier. Where it was impracticable to give a man, the family was to pay a sum of from 80 to 100 ticals; and by this and other exactions the funds necessary for keeping the army on foot, and in efficiency, were to be provided. London Paper, June 9. RANGOON. American Baptist Missions. The unsuccessful visit of the Missionaries to the new Emperor of Burmah has been already stated. We shall here detail the circumstances which led to that visit, and the curious particulars which attended it. In December 1819, when about to proceed to the Court at Ava, the Missionaries transmitted to the Board their reasons for the step on which they were about to enter, in the noble spirit, as our readers will see, of Christian Confessors : "From last Spring till within a month or two ago, our affairs appeared to be in a prosperous state. Many daily heard the Gospel; cases of hopeful inquiry frequently occurred; no serious opposition appeared. "The former Emperor was known to be, in heart, hostile to the Priests of Buddhu and he frequently manifested his sentiments in such acts of persecution, as kept the religion in a low and declining state. On his death the hopes of the Priests and their adherents began to revive, and every discovery of the new Emperor's disposition has tended to restore the religious establishment of the country to its former privileges and rank. change effected, even in Rangoon, under our own eyes, is very remarkable. The "Soon after these events began to transpire, and probably in consequence of learning and influence, was accused bethem, our fifth inquirer, a teacher of fore the Viceroy of having embraced heretical sentiments. The Viceroy gave no decisive order, but directed farther inquiry to be made. Upon this our friend went to the principal informant, who is at the head of Ecclesiastical Affairs in Rangoon, made his peace with him, and discontinued his visits to us. This circumstance spread an alarm among all our acquaintance; and, combining with the general state of things, and the prevailing expectation that our attempts would shortly be proscribed, occasioned a complete falling-off: with the exception of the teacher above-named, who has lately visited us in private, and those who have already joined us, we are entirely deserted. "Under these circumstances, it appears to us that there remains but one course of proceeding: to go directly into the Imperial presence, lay our Missionary Designs before the throne, and solicit toleration for the Christian Religion. By this proceeding we hope to discover the real feelings and sentiments of the Emperor. We hope to ascertain, as distinctly as possible, whether he is devoted to Buddhism, or has imbibed, in any degree, the opinions of his grandfather, and disguises them, at present, merely from motives of policy. If devoted to Buddhism, he will prohibit our Missionary Work, and we shall be *See Asiatic Journ., vol. xi. p. 405. : under the necessity of leaving his dominions if he has imbibed his grandfather's opinions, and be, in any measure, pleased with the Christisn system, he will, we hope, give us such private encouragement, at least, as will enable us to prosecute our work, without incurring the charge of rashness and enthusiasm." After toiling up the river 350 miles from Rangoon, in almost continual danger from the daring robbers who infest it, the Missionaries reached Ava on the 25th of January. The following extracts of their Journal detail the particulars of their interview with the Emperor. "We repaired to the house of Myadaymen, former Viceroy of Rangoon, but now one of the Public Ministers of State. We did not disclose our precise object, but only petitioned to behold the "golden face." His Highness committed our business to Moung Yo, one of his favourite officers; and directed him to introduce us to Moung Zah, one of the Private Ministers of State. "In the evening, Moung Yo called on us to say that he would conduct us tomorrow. We lie down in sleepless anxiety. To-morrow's dawn will usher in the most eventful day of our lives: tomorrow's eve will close on the bloom or the blight of our fondest hopes. "The next morning we left the boat, and put ourselves under the conduct of Moung Yo. "He carried us first to Myadaymen as a matter of form; and there we learnt that the Emperor had been apprized of our arrival, and said let them be introduced.' We therefore proceeded to the palace. "At the outer gate we were detained a long time, until the various officers were satisfied that we had a right to enter; after which we deposited a present for the Private Minister of State, Moung Zah, and were ushered into his apartments in the Palace-yard. He received us very pleasantly, and ordered us to sit before several Governors and petty Kings, who where waiting at his levee. We here, for the first time, disclosed our character and object; told him that we were Missionaries, or propagators of religion;' that we wished to appear before the Emperor, and present our Sacred Books, accompanied with a Petition. He took the Petition into his hand, looked over about half of it, and then familiarly asked everal questious about our God and our religion. Just at this crisis, some one announced, that the 'golden foot' was about to advance; on which the Minister hastily rose up, and put on his robes of state, saying, that he must seize the moment to present us to the Emperor. "We now found that we had unwittingly fallen on an unpropitious time, it being the day of the celebration of the late victory over the Cassays, and the very hour when his Majesty was coming forth to witness the display made on the occasion. "When the Minister was dressed, he just said, how can you propagate religion in this Empire? But come along.' Our hearts sunk at these inauspicious words. He conducted us through various splendour and parade until we ascended a flight of stairs, and entered a most magnificent hall, He directed us where to sit, and took his place on one side: the present was placed on the other; and Moung Yo and another officer of Myadaymen sat a little behind. "The scene to which we were now introduced really surpassed our expecta tion. The spacious extent of the hall, the number and magnitude of the pillars, the height of the dome, the whole completely covered with gold, presented a most grand and imposing spectacle. Very few were present, and those evidently great Officers of State. Our situation prevented us from seeing the further avenue of the hall; but the end where we sat opened into the parade, which the Emperor was about to inspect. We "We remained about five minutes, when every one put himself into the most respectful attitude, and Moung Yo whispered that his Majesty had entered. looked through the hall, as far as the pillars would allow, and presently caught sight of this modern Ahasuerus. He came forward, unattended, in solitary grandeur, exhibiting the proud gait of an eastern monarch. His dress was rich, but not distinctive; and he carried in his hand the gold-sheathed sword, which seems to have taken the place of the sceptre of ancient times. But it was his high aspect and commanding eye that chiefly rivetted our attention. He strided on. Every head, excepting ours, was now in the dust. We remained kneeling, our hands folded, our eyes fixed on the monarch. When he drew near, we caught his attention. stopped, and partly turned towards us: "Who are these? "The Teachers, Great King," I replied. "What! you speak Burman-the Priests, that I heard of last night? When did you arrive? Are you teachers of religion? Are you like the Portuguese Priest? Are you married? Why do you dress so ?" These, and some other similar questions, we answered; when he appeared to be pleated with us, and sat down on an elevated seat; his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intently fixed on us. 66 He Moung Zah now began to read the Petition; which ran thus : "The American Teachers present themselves to receive the favour of the excellent King, the Sovereign of Land and |