Ralph Darling, to the command of the troops in this island, and to invest him with the administration of the civil government during the absence of his Exc. Governor Farquhar, the maj.gen. takes the earliest opportunity of announcing his arrival, and his having assumed the temporary administration of the government accordingly.

CIVIL APPOINTMENTS.

Sept. 23.-Mr. Felix Ducray to be civil commissary and commissary of police for the district of Sevanne, in the room of Mr. Blancard.

Oct. 1.-Wm. Bund, Esq., assist.paymast.gen., will act as assistant collector of customs in lieu of Mr. Salter, who is transferred to Mr. Bund's situation in the pay-office.

Chas. Mylius, Esq., act.sen. clerk on this establishment and now attached to the customs department, is transferred to the paymast.gen's. office.

Oct. 15. R. Erskine, Esq. to the joint charge with Dr. Sebbald, of the civil hospital at Grand River, from 1st Nov. Nov. 4. The notification of Mr Stokes's admission to practise as an advocate in the vice admiralty court, which appeared in the gazette of the 24th ult. having been inserted without the approbation of the acting governor, this ap

pointment to be cancelled.

Jan. 8.-F. E. Viret to be sworn interpreter to government, from the 1st inst. Jan. 13. Surg. H. W. Markham, Esq.,

to be vaccinator for the district of Grand Port.

Dr. W. Bell to be vaccinator for the district of Flacq.

Assist.surg. J. R. Gillespie, Esq., to be

vaccinator for the district of Black River. Jan. 15.-Wm. Bund, Esq., assist. paymaster-gen., to resume his duty in the pay department; and Patrick Salter, Esq. assist. collector of customs, his situation in the customs department.

March 1.-Mr. Asselin to be clerk of the market in the room of the late Mr. Doublé, and Mr. Louis Laroche Souvestre to be inspector of internal revenues.

ANSWER OF THE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS. The address which was sent last year (1817) from the inhabitants of this colony to the Marquis of Hastings found him in the camp at Bundlecund. His answer to it bears date Feb. 7, 1818, from which we extract the following passages. "In endeavouring to expedite relief to your island when it had been afflicted with dreadful calamity, I simply fulfilled my duty to a British settlement: and I can confidently assure the inhabitants of Mauritius, they will find this advantage in their island's having become a portion of the British empire, that the most eager Asiatic Journ.-No. 44.

and active exertions will be used by every description of their present fellow subjects to promote their welfare or to alleviate their difficulties. Though the call on me was duty, I will not say that no other impulse mixed itself with that motive. I will avow my feeling that the promptness of succour afforded on the occasion would be received with approbation by the beneficient spirit of the Prince Regent, and would be earnestly applauded by the Honorable East-India Company.Even then there remained a further sentiment could I forget the cordiality with which I had been received at Port Louis ?" (Signed) HASTINGS.

LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL.

Jan. 28. This island has just felt the visitation of another hurricane, which commenced on the 25th inst. Of its destructive course vestiges are strongly marked in the plantations which are injured, the buildings shattered or blown down, and the shipping sunk, damaged in rigging, or driven on shore.

April 3.-We experienced another hurricane in the night of Sunday last, March 28, which has almost entirely destroyed the crops of mais as well as other plantations. In the country several buildings have been blown down. The shipping

particularly has suffered much; but the houses in town have in general escaped any material injury. The gale principally blew from S.E. to S.W. and exerted its greatest violence between midnight and 3 o'clock the next morning. The quantity of rain was inconsiderable. It appears that the barometer did not descend below

have already been made on the South East Coast of Africa, where the finest wheat

is produced with little labour, namely, Algoa Bay, St. Catherine's Bay, and the new settlement on the Knysna, a considerable river, which is navigable for large vessels to the northward.

It is said to be the intention of government to convey all the future settlers at the Cape of Good Hope colony to Algoa Bay, on the south-east coast of Africa, about 520 miles from Cape Town. These settlers are to be located in the province, called by the Dutch "Zunre Veldt ;" and situated between the Sunday and the Great Fish Rivers. Mails run between Cape Town and Algoa Bay; they leave both places every week. Each coach is at present nine days on the road, going a distance of about 600 miles. It is easy to foresee how soon these roads and conveyances will be improved, when a mass of our intelligent and industrious countrymen shall be settled in this country, so favoured by nature in soil and climate. A gentleman in an official situation, whose habits of life and general knowledge, obtained by travel in every part of the word, well qualify him to further this laudable project of providing for our surplus labouring population, is zealously co-operating with government, by submitting plans and collecting information, in order to accelerate its execution.

The merchants interested in the Cape

trade intend, we understand, to make an application to government respecting the corn laws, to put the corn from the Cape of Good Hope on the same footing as grain from the British North American colonies.

(Official Circular.) Downing-street, London, 1819. I have to acquaint you, in reply to your letter of the that the following are the conditions under which it is proposed to give encouragement to emigration to the Cape of Good Hope.

The sufferings to which many individuals have been exposed, who have emigrated to his Majesty's foreign possessions, unconnected and unprovided with any capital, or even the means of support, having been very afflicting to themselves, and equally burdensome to the colonies to which they have proceeded, the government have determined to confine the application of the mouey recently voted by address in the House of Com

mons, to those persons who, possessing the means, will engage to carry out, at the least, ten able-bodied individuals families, the government always reserabove 18 years of age, with or without ving to itself the right of selecting from the several offers made to them those which may prore, upon examination, to be most eligible.

In order to give some security to the government, that the persons undertaking to make these establishments have the means of doing so, every person engaging to take out the abovementioned number of persons or families, shall deposit at the rate of £10 (to be repaid as hereinafter mentioned) for every family so taken out, provided that the family does not consist of more than one man, one woman, and two children under 14 years of age. All children above the number of two will be to be paid for, in addition to the deposit abovementioned, in the proportion of £5 for every two children under 14 years of age, and £5 for every person between the ages of 14 and 18.

In consideration of this deposit, a passage shall be provided, at the expense of government, for the settlers, who shall also be victualled from the time of their embarkation until the time of their landing in the colony.

A grant of land, under the conditions hereafter specified, shall be made to him at the rate of 100 acres for every such person or family whom he so takes out; one-third of the sum advanced to government on the outset shall be repaid on landing, when the victualling at the expense of government shall cease. A further proportion of one-third shall be repaid, as soon as it shall be certified to the governor of the colony that the settlers, under the direction of the person taking them out, are actually located upon the land assigned to them, and the remainder at the expiration of three months from the date of their location.

If any parishes in which there may be a redundancy of population shall unite in selecting an intelligent individual to proceed to the Cape, with settlers under his direction, not less in number and of the description abovementioned, and shall advance money in the proportion above mentioned, the government will grant land to such an individual at the rate of 100 acres for every head of a family, leaving the parish at liberty to make such conditions with the individual, or the settlers, as may be calculated to prevent the parish becoming again chargeable with the maintenance of such settlers, in the event of their return to this country.

But no offers of this kind will be accepted, unless it shall be clear that the persons proposing to become settlers shall have distinctly given their consent, and

the head of each family is not infirm or incapable of work.

It is further proposed, that in any case in which one hundred families proceed together, and apply for leare to carry out with them a minister of their own persuasion, government will, upon their being actually located, assign a salary to the minister whom they may have selected to accompany them, if he shall be approved by the Secretary of State.

The lands will be granted at a quit rent to be fixed, which rent, however, will be remitted for the first 10 years; and at the expiration of three years (during which the party and a number of families, in the proportion of 1 for every 100 acres, must have resided on the estate), the land shall be measured at the expense of government, and the holder shall obtain, without fee, his title thereto, ou a perpetual quit rent, not exceeding in any case £2 sterling for every 100 acres ; subject, however, to this clause beyond the usual reservations, that the land shall become forfeited to government, in case the party shall abandon the estate, or not bring it into cultivation within a given number of years. I am, your most obedient humble servant, &c. &c.

P.S. In order to ensure the arrival of the settlers at the Cape at the beginning of the planting season, the transports will not leave this country until the mouth of November.

IRRUPTION OF THE CAFfres. Cape Town, April 17.-Information has just reached us, that a detachment of troops that had been sent to act against the Caffres, strengthened by the junction of an armed body of the inhabitants, had succeeded in driving them back, and had compelled them to cross the river. The corn districts were in a great measure cleared of the savages, and the country people were returning to their homes, where they considered themselves secure from any further attacks, at least for some time to come.

LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL.

Precautions against Scarcity-April 3.-The fears of an alarming scarcity, in consequence of the late ravages of the Caffres in the corn districts, have been averted by the active and judicious measures of the governor, in co-operation with the provident regulatious of the Burgher Senate. To guard against this danger, so complete a provision has been made, that unless unforeseen calamity frustrate the present favourable prospects, the stock of wheat and rice fit for bread

The usual reservations are the right of the Crown to mines of precious stones, of goid and silver, and to make such roads as may be necessary for the convenience of the colony.

already in store, together with the quantity to be imported before the end of the year, will be fully sufficient for the supply of the inhabitants, as well as of the mili tary in garrison.

Climate. By the meteorological diary at Cape Town, the mean temperature for the month of March was 72.

ST. HELENA.

As many conspiring representations have found their way to public notice, through the channel of the daily press, intended to impeach the climate of St. Helena of insalubrity, it is material to collect evidence on the subject from persons of local experience, candour, judgment, and credit.

The following is an extract of a letter to the Editor of the Courier, signed A. A. Harvey, Surgeon, Bath.

"In the year 1809, the Alexander East Indiaman (of which ship I was surgeon) was at Bombay. On our leaving that harbour for England, we had ten' patients sent on board by order of that Goverument, as incurable, all in a most pitiable state, with diseased livers, accompanied with dysentery, &c. They were amongst the worst cases of the long list of liver complaints, some with abscesses, others the most vitiated secretions of bile, some torpor, others with schirrosity of the liver and dropsical swellings of the legs, and the whole abdominal viscera diseased; indeed, when they were first put on board and under my care, I could have fancied them ghosts, or any thing else but human beings. The thermometer was then 86 in the shade; however I summoned my best efforts to keep life in them, and I am happy to say was so far successful (during a tedious voyage and a rough tossing off the Cape), till we arrived at St. Helena, where we had not been more than four days, when I found a most wonderful change for the better, and in less than fourteen days they became couvalescent; many of my ship's crew who were likewise sick, enjoyed equal benefit from the healthy air of St. Helena. During my stay in India, my own liver became greatly affected from the increased heat which too often acts on the constitution of Europeaus; and from my recovery there, I have every reason to say, that among the islands Providence bas St. Helena stands with the first." blessed with a fine salubrious benign air

CAUBUL.

The country of Afghanistan is agitated by three disturbing forces, of which the first, both as to its weight and the time

of impulse, was the invading Seikh army under Runjeet Seikh. The next convul

sive movement arose from the perfidious conduct of the Afghan prince Kamiran, in contriving and effecting the assassination of his father's vizier, though he supports the external demonstration of intending to support his father's authority. The maze of complicated hostility received a third involution from the efforts made by Shah Shovja to regain his kingdom, by leading what forces he could raise in the country, which had so long given him an asylum across the Chenaub and Indus. The account of the actions between the Seikh and Caubul armies is a perplexing series of victories and reverses.

Actions with the Seikhs.-It appears by the Ukhbar of Lahore, that on the 24th of November last the Afghans came up unexpectedly, and having crossed a river, they marched towards the army, with a determination to cross the second river after making an assault upon Surdar Bahaudur, commanding the advanced guard of Runjeet Singh. Hereupon a party under Bhola was ordered to go and observe the Afghans on their approach; accordingly he crossed the river Sindh, where he met with a body of the Afghan horse, which were dispatched by Feeroz Khan Khutuk. A skirmish immediately ensued which lasted for about an hour; but the force commanded by Bhola Singh being very inferior to their enemies, he thought fit to retire. A few persons only belonging to his force were wounded.

On the next day, 25th Nov., when the troops of Surdar Bahadur had arrived on the other side of the Sindh, about midday, the Afghans came upon them, and continued a confused fight with them until midnight, although the troops were superior in numbers and force to those of the Afghans. On receiving this intelligence, a reinforcement, consisting of four battalions with irregular horse, were immediately dispatched by Surdar Bahadur, and every preparation was made for his own troops to march.

On the 26th, the whole of Surdar Babaudur's force, with a train of artillery, crossed the river and joined them, upon which the Afghans fled. Immediately afterwards, the troops crossed the second river and came up with a body of Afghans, commanded by Feeroz Khan Khutuk, who also retired from that position to the other side of the third river. SurdarBahaudur overtook them, and continued a running fight for about ten hours. At midnight the Afghans turned and attacked the army of Surdar Bahaudur. The engagement was very obstinately sustained,

and a number of Sikhs were killed and wounded.

P.M., Surdar Bahaudur attacked the AfOn the 27th, at about three o'clock, ghans and killed one of their chiefs, when they fled towards Jahangeerguru, with the loss of many of their men and a considerable property. Surdar Bahaudur continued however to pursue them, and having arrived at a Gurree near Juliangeerguru, Khan, he sent word to the killedar to surwhich was then in possession of Feeroz render the fort.

On the 28th, the killedar abandoned the Gurree, and Surdar Babandur entered it without the least opposition. Discharges of cannon from the conquering party announced this victory. Surdar Bahaudur then advanced five coss on the other side of the Sindh, and expressed his determination to continue the pursuit after establishing garrisons in all the forts taken from Feeroz Khan.

After the battle, Runjeet Singh pushed on and got possession of Peishawur; but finding that the Patans had got into his rear and sent off some small parties, he began to be afraid for his own safety, and fell back again to the Attok. Runjeet Singh had put a Patan overnor in Peishawur, and wrote to Prince Kemiran that he had come there to punish certain people, but that the governor he had put in Peishawur was to consider himself under his government.-(Calcutta paper, Jan. 6.)

Runjeet Sing has not, we believe, made any further attempt to the northward. His invasion of Peshawur was as disastrous and sanguinary, as it was sudden and unexpected. The Afghans, when they recovered from the panic into which they were there thrown, attacked and pursued the retreating Sikhs with the utmost fury.-(Madras Courier, Feb. 16.)

Assassination of Futtik Khan.-Information from Caubul of a late date, communicates an account of the perpetration of a most diabolical act of atrocity. The Prince Kamraun, son of Shah Mahmoud, appears to have invited Futtih Khan, his father's vizier, to a meeting, under promises of friendship, and as soon as he had got him in his power, arrested him, together with several of his officers, who were treacherously put to death. He then deprived the captive vizier of sight and of light. Immediately after torturing the minister and burning out his eyes, Kamraun's cruelty was glutted with his death.-(Calcutta Government Gazette, Oct. 8 and Nov. 21.)

Enterprize of Shah Shooja. Shah Shooja left Loodeana, and is proceeding towards Caubul, in the hopes of being enabled to re-ascend the throne, said to have become vacant by the death of his

brother Mahmood. He is accompanied by a very slender retinue. From the amiable character of this prince, recorded in Mr. Elphinstone's excellent work, we wish him success, but owing to the turbulent character of Mahmood's sous, now governors of provinces, it is to be expected that the country will be thrown into great agitation, before any one of the candidates is settled on the throne. Shah Shooja did not proceed direct to Caubul, but is taking a circuitous course. From Loodeana he went south west, and accounts have been received that he has arrived at Buhawulpore. The chief of that province, Buhawul Khan, is said to have received him with great kindness and hospitality. Some years ago, when Shah Shooja was on the throne Buhawul Khan was subject to the Caubul government. The Khan of Bahawulpore warmly espoused the cause of that unfortunate prince, and placed under his command a respectable force, which a short time ago crossed the Chenaub and Indus. Near

Dera Ghauzee, Shah Shooja was opposed by the troops of Prince Kamran, his nephew. These, after a smart engagement, he dispersed. We have not heard that any of the Affghan tribes have yet flocked to his standard.-(Calcutta, Gov. Gaz., Nov. 21 and Dec. 17.)

--

General Review. The irruption of Ranjeet Sing and the renewed efforts of Shah Shoojah to regain his kingdom, are to be attributed to the state of things produced by the treacherous putting to death of Futtih Khan by the Prince Kamran. Considerable commotion still exists in the Caubul dominions. Runjeet Sing was driven from Peishawur by the brothers and followers of Futtih Khan, and they still hold possession of that city in defiance and contempt of the royal authority. If, therefore, this party succeeds in uniting with that of Shah Shooja, now, it is supposed, marching along the banks of the Indus, the cause of Mahmood may receive a formidable shock. Meantime, however, the Prince Kamran, the present governor of Kandahar and heirapparent, is not likely to be an idle spectator of the contest. His alarm about the succession, a short time ago, possibly stimulated him to remove his enemy, Futtih Khan, from the counsels of his father, and deprive the old vizier of life, -(Calcutta Govt. Guz. Nov. 21.)

The possession of Cashmeer appears to have again excited the ambition of Ranjeet Sing, and it is said that he has sent a considerable force in the direction of that delightful province. The Affghan governor of Cashmeer is the brother of Fattih Khan, recently put to death by the Prince Kamran, and it is possible that this atrocious proceeding, coupled with the demise of Mahmood Shah, may

induce him to throw off his allegiance to the throne of Caubul. In that case, the designs of Runjeet Sing may have some chance of success. Shah Shooja must have proceeded through the Punjab in his way to Caubul, but whether with the concurrence and support of Runjeet Sing or not, there is no information. The long residence of the former on the frontier at Loodeana, may have enabled him privately to concert measures with the Sikh sovereign for the future accomplishment of his views; but native combinations in particular are seldom very durable, excepting when strongly cemented by interest.- (Madras Cou., Dec. 22.)

ror.

PERSIA.

POLITICAL.

Relations with Russia.-Our letters from Persia extend to the end of Jan. 1818. The Russian embassy has left Persia without having effected any material object in the contemplation of the EmpeIt is rumoured that Gen. Jermaloff refused to touch upon any question counected with the restoration of territory. The Persian court sustained in the conferences a high and dignified tone, and finding that the Russians would not listen to the topics they were anxious to discuss, his Majesty referred the ambassador for a final arrangement to his son Abbas Mirza, prince of Azerbaijan. This is supposed to have been intended as a courteous mode of dismissal, and this prince, who from the frontier situation of his territory, and his continual squabbles with the Russians, was fully prepared to second the views of his royal father, very soon got relieved from their unpleasant visitor. On the first entrance of the ambassador into

Tabreez, Abbas Mirza had betrayed strong

marks of dissatisfaction to his illustrious guest, in consequence of which, the discussions between them on the plains of Sooltaniah were not of the most cordial description.

It was generally understood at Bushire, that Gen. Jermaloff on his return to Tabreez had demanded the restoration of all Russian prisoners and deserters, and in answer to this demand the prince had declared that no subject of Russia should be constrained to stay in Persia, and that all who wished to return to their native country were at full liberty to do so. Not one of the Russians however would avail himself of the opportunity, but preferred the Persian service, and this circumstance, and the prince's reply, appear to have expedited the departure of the embassy from a country which it had entered with the most sanguine expectations of success.

From these occurrences and transac