northern pirates; and I have much satisfaction, in conveying to your excellency and to captain Vashon, and the other commanders, officers, and men, employed on the service in question, this testimony of those gentlemen's thankfulness and respect, in which your excellency will believe that the members of this government collectively and individually concur, as my colleagues would have been happy at the opportunity of again expressing, by annexing their signatures to this letter, but that, in view to your excellency's being on the point of sailing, I have thought proper to expedite it with mine

alone.

and trade at this port, expressing the high sense they entertained of the benefit which the trade with the northern ports has derived from the measure, jointly adopted by your government and myself, in the equipment of the late expedi. tion under the command of captain Vashon, against the northern pirates, and therefore requesting your honourable board to convey their grateful thanks to myself, and officers under my command, employed on that service. I beg you will inform these gentlemen, that I feel most sincerely and sensibly the honour done me on the occasion, being well assured his majesty has nothing more at heart than that the commanders and of ficers of his navy, of every description, fhould in their several capacities afford every protection to the trade and protection of his faithful subjects, both against enemies and pirates-I shall most their chearfully comply with wishes, in communicating their sentiments to Captain Vashon, and the officers and men employed on that service accordingly.

I have only to add, honourable sir, my acknowledgments to yourself, for the readiness you have shewn in forwarding a copy of the above address to me, and for the polite letter accompanying it, as likewise for the kind wishes you are pleased to express on your own behalf, and that of your most respectable colleagues for my prosperity, and, for the success of his majesty's squadron under my command.

It is incumbent on me to express my satisfaction, for the great assistance at all times afforded to his majesty's squadron at this port, and particularly from the honour

able company's marine yard, under your government, during my command; and I beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks for the convenient and pleasant accommodations provided for me by your kindness and attention on shore.— The success of your honour's government of this important island, and its several subordinate establishments, will always afford me the greatest pleasure, as well as your individual prosperity, and that of your most respectable colleagues.

I have the honour to remain,
With the highest esteem
and respect, hon. sir,
Your most obedient
humble servant,

(Signed) PETER RAINIER,
(True copy.)

FRANCIS WARDEN,

Sub. Sec. to Government.

The monsoon having set in on my way into quarters, 1 was informed, in consequence of his excellency's orders, of a very strong battery (called Rathmalgalle) at the village of Walgam Porte, in the three Corls, on the border of the Hina Corl. As it was within reasonable distance, I thought it my duty to look at it.

We reached it by a very fine moonlight, at nine last night. The enemy immediately distinguished our white jackets, and scarcely challenged, before they began a very sharp firing of musketry and grasshoppers; notwithstanding which we were, thank God, with out the loss of a man, in the battery in ten minutes. They continued firing till we began climbing up the work: they then escaped instantly into the wood.

Had not the battery been of a great perpendicular height, I think must have made some pri

we

soners.

This work is on the side of a woody mountain, about forty yards in length, and commands a ravine, (the only approach to it of exactly this width.) It had twelve embrasures.

I destroyed a good deal of the work, and have engaged the inha bitants to do the rest to-day.

The country, through which we marched 15 miles to it, is so very difficult, that the headmen of Attegalle tried to dissuade me from the attempt. My force was one sergeant, 5 privates (65th regiment,) Jhavildaur, 8 sepaoys.

N. B. One seapoy wounded, I have the honour to remain, sir, Your most obedient

humble servant,

At this time the fire was at its greatest height, having communicated to about seventy buildings, which with their contents was one continued blaze. Ranges of godowns were, however, speedily removed, with every other building, which, from its situation, could en danger the public safety.

By these and other judicious ar rangements a stop was put to its further extension, and as a great supply

supply of water was now obtained, the efforts of the multitude were directed to overcome the power of the flames.

The wind, during the night, bad been very moderate from the southward, which fortunately preserved the immense and beautiful range of buildings lately erected by Mr. Cochrane.

About noon a considerable diminution from the violence of the conflagration had taken place, and towards the evening the mind of the public was considerably relieved.

Every precaution was taken by government for the protection of individual property, and to guard against any further spreading of the flames-one hundred men of his majesty's 34th regiment, with four hundred seapoys 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 much 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 severe wounds, however, were inflicted on individuals, in their endeavours to stop the progress of this dreadful and all-devouring enemy.

We cannot close this account without expressing the obligation the public are under to the exertions of colonel Dickens, the officers and men, of his majesty's 34th regiment, and to captains Wood, Bingham, and Lord George Stuart, their officers, and the crews of his majesty's ships Concord, St. Florenzo, and Albatross, together with

the Honourable Company's officers in garrison, and the gentlemen employed in the marine department.

ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL.

GOVERNMENT-HOUSE, FORT WILLIAM.

May 3, 1803.

Yesterday being the anniversary of the reduction of the fortress of Seringapatam, a public breakfast was given at the new government house.

The company assembled on the upper-floor, and at half past eight eight o'clock were conducted to the breakfast tables, prepared in the centre and south rooms of the marble-floor, the columns of which were beautifully ornamented with a variety of flowers corresponding with the ornaments of the tables, which were also decorated with various emblems in the forms of columns, temples and trophies, commemorating the principal political and military events which contributed to the fall of the hostile power of Mysore, and to the final restoration of peace in India.

Four beautiful standards of colours, taken in the fortress of Seringapatam, were displayed during the entertainment. Two of the standards were particularly remarkable, one of them having been the standard of state used by Hyder Ali, and both having been always borne on elephants before Tippoo Sultaun, whenever he took the command in person of his army. The head of each of these standards is ornamented with a golden Punja, or hand, the emblem of sovereignty; and the gold is embossed 'with Arabic characters, expressing various sentences of the Koran.

CEYLON.