Monday 26 November 1781 · Extraordinary

H ICKY 's BENGAL GAZETTE; EXTRAORDINARY. MONDAY November 26th 1781. WE HAVE the pleasure to inform the public that success Crowned with victory, seems to attend all our Mili- tary Operations on the Coast, as will eppear by 'the follow- ing. Extract of a Letter from a Gen- tleman at Madras dated No- vember 5th 1781 ON the 28th Ulti, at Night General Sir Hector Munro attacked the Dutch Lines, E rected in front of the weakest part of the Pettah Wall, the Lines were supported by a Bat- tery of 21 pieces of Cannon and 3000 Men. But the Myn- heers soon began to cry out Dunderham blixham for our Brave British Sailors and Ma- rines, together with our Sea- poys, so cut hacked and pep- pered the Mynheers, that they were very soon obliged to ab- bandon their Cannon, (with a considerable loss on their side) and leave them to our brave fellows who know well how to make a better use of them. The Mynheers retired to the Citadel, but it is supposed that, it Cannot hold out above 24 hours against our truly brave enterprising British Sea- men and Marines; the Seapoys have behaved most Galläntly, on this Occasion. "THE HONOURABLE GEN- ERAL SIR EYRE OCOTE, March- ed the 1st. 1nst. In the Morn- ing from Bomerauze 's Pollam, with 14 Days provisions for the relief of Vellore, it is four Days march, and Hyder is moved directly into the road to that place, so that we hourly expect to hear of our truly brave and invincible General having an Engagement with him. Our whole Settlement are anxious for the success of our Valiant General; our own situation added to the great esteem we have for that good Man makes us so. But inde- pendant of every selfish consi- duration, we should be worse than Brutes not to wish every possible success to so brave and indefatigable a Soldier as GE- NERAL COOTE. "Who tho' advanced in Age, and oppres- sed by illness, exerts every Nerve for the good of his King and Country, the Hon. Company, and our support! May success, health, and long Life attend him, when he will doubtless be loaded with Honours by his King and Coun- try in return for those Laurels that he is now plucking from the brows of the Enemies of the British Nation. Extract of a Letter from Ne- gapetam dated 14th Nov. 1781 "THE Sloop Chacer Cap- tain Parr Anchored in this Road last night, and is to Cruize between this and Gan- jam in thirty fathom Water 'till the 14th of January; for the protection of the Grain Vessels. ———— Acknowledgements to Correspondents. THE Editor of the original Bengal Gazette embraces this opportunity to return his grate- ful acknowledgements to all his friends and Correspondents, for their friendly and Virtuous support of the Original Bengal Gazette, and for the useful intelligence which they have from time to time supply'd him with; and which he hopes (will by the continuance of their assistance,) be productive of the greatest utility to the Honble East India Company, and to the BRITISH NATION in General.

H I C K Y's BENGAL GAZETTE; OR THE ORIGINAL. Calcutta General Advertiser. ———— [ VOL II ] A Weekly Political and Commercial Paper, Open to all Parties, but influenced by None; ———— 98 From Saturday December the 1st to Saturday December 8th 1781. [No. XLVI] ———— To Mr. H ICKY, SIR, IT has been observed by one of our most ingenious Writers "that human politics present us with nothing but a crude Composition of Villainy and blunders."— However severe such a declaration, when taken in a general sense, may appear, yet I much fear that a retros- pect to the Conduct of public affairs in this Country for the last five years, will afford us abundance of proofs to justify the assertion. Were we to attempt to enter into a recapitulation of the various Instan- ces within that Period, which have contributed to fix an indelible stigma upon the British Councils in the East, they would exceed the bounds of any periodical publication:— The Mahratta War, carried on in favor of a patricidical Usurper; and the prodigal waste of the public treasure are of themselves, themes, which would afford matter sufficient to fill a number of Volumes, and must hereafter become the subjects of national enquiry.—but it has been reserved for a late journey to Benaras to shew us how much further we are capable of going in the roads of Rapacity and extortion.—and now, the Finis coronah Opus of the whole, is likely to fill the measure of absurdity, and to leave us nothing more either to take or to give away!— To all who are in the least acquainted with the State of the East India Company affairs in this Country, it is well known, that they have for some years past drawn their chief re- sources from the northern provinces, the advantages derived from which have amply rewarded the pains hi- theto taken for their preservation; they have enabled the Governme't to support a considerable Army, beyond our Frontiers without the least ex- pence incurred to the Company from their own Provinces, by which they have been the means of securing our dominions in a state of perfect tran- quality for a number of years: and the surplus arrising from the subsidies granted by the Vizier for the support of our Troops, have formed a chief part of those remittances to Madras, which alone at present empower us to dispute with Hyder the Empire of the Carnatic. Holding such advantages—advan- tages so essentially necessary to the ve- ry existence of our power in the East, could it have been supposed that the utmost infatuation of which the de- pravity of the human heart is capa- ble, could ever have induced us to abandon them? yet, Sir, Strange as it may appear, and much as it must astonish the World, it is no less true, that an order has arrived from Bena- ras for the Final and Total evacuation of the stations of Daranaghur and Futty Ghur, with a View to throw these Countries entirely into the hands of Almass Ally Cawn, who has undertaken to raise and pay his own Armies and to take upon himself the entire Management and Protection of these Provinces. These Districts were formerly un- der the Government of the Pahan Afghanes, who wrested them from the Moguls in the General Dismem- berment of this un wieldly Empire, and for many Years held them against all Oppositions, and as these Pahans are (I believe justly) esteemed the best Soldiers in the East, I may bold- ly affirm that nothing but British Valor, and British Discipline could ever have subdued them.—But, Sir, that flame which was smothered by our Victories in Rhohil-Cund, and which has since been kept un- der by the presence of our Forces, and the terror of our Arms, when we offer to retire, will not fail to burst out with a Violence that must involve these Countries in total Ru- in, and induce consequences to our- selves of the most serious and alarm- ing Naturel. Tregzouley Khan and Zabry Khan being the Sons of those Chiefs, who were considered as the Leaders and Supporters of the Afghan Party, are exceedingly popular throughout these Countries; the first of these claims, the greatest part of Rhohil-Cund as his rightful Inheritance—the latter joins him in these claims; and both have long wished for an Opportuni- ty to exert themselves in their reco- very.—That Opportunity will now present itself.—The Order has al- ready gone for Major Briscoe to leave Rhohil-Cund "immediately". The moment that this Event takes place, Zabty Khan, who has a con- siderable Force and a large train of Artillery will get possession of the Guutts, and push forward his Troops into Rhohil-Cund, where he will be joined by a Body of Thirty of Forty Thousand Pahans, rising from their obscure recesses in the Hills and Jungles of Kuthahan, to recover the Dominion of their Ancestors.— There are not less than Forty Thou- sand Pahans in Ferockabad, and the Neighbouring Countries, ready to rise on the least appearance of a Re- volution; these will directly fly to Arms; the principal Cities and Towns will be plundered; the Au- mits driven away or cut off; the Revenues will fail, and the whole of the Country from the Stirdewar to Cawnpore will present one universal scene of Havoc and Devastation. WHEN Matters are brought to such a Crises, I doubt, Sir it is not the presence of Almass and his army of Matchlock Militia that will be sufficient to quell such an Insurrec- tion!—It would, indeed, be an insuit to common sense to suppose, that what Sifdar Jung and Sujah Doulah so often attempted in vain, in the plentitude of their power, should be affected by a contemptible Eunuch, with a Body of raw undisciplined Ragamuffins.—the British troops will of course be again called into the Field (when the Country is no longer in a Condition to support them,) and more expence will be incurred in a single Campaign, than would have been sufficient to support the whole Estab- lishment for three years. The Consequences which must attend such a scene are too manifest to require a recital:—so evident do they appear, that all the natives who have ever taken part in our favor, regard our intended Maneuvres with terror and dismay, and are preparing

[ILL] in which [ILL] not offer to remain after on [ILL] with on draw- ing, [ILL] Destruction upon their [ILL] heads'!—Is flex, Sir, the manner in which we support our [ILL]?— [ILL] the orious fruit of our Mah- [ILL] Campaigns,—This the Reward of our [ILL] Victories?— I would ask our overgrown Despot, [ILL] powerful [ILL] Mover, whether the [ILL] Revolution is the Effect of nature and serious deliberation?— [ILL] he conceives it can in any [ILL] send to the [ILL] or advantage of the company?—And whether he [ILL] been induced to adopt his [ILL] system, more from certain [ILL], though private Arguments [ILL] at Benaras, than from either of the above Considerations? To the first of these Queries, it is [ILL] to answer, for him, that the [ILL] has been adopted at once, without conducting the other Mem- bers of Governments and without any helps taken to investigate the im- mediate Necessity, or probable Con- sequences of so precipitate a Measure. The least Reflection (without the Gift of Prescience) will enable him to say how far the change of a rich and for- tile tributary Frontier from a state of Prosperity, Peace, and Tranquility mate universal Poverty, Anarchy and confusion, is likely to tend to the life and advantage of the Compa- ny—But the last Question, Sir, in- volves in it Ideas of 100 Delicate a Nature to bear to be enlarged upon; and to it no sincere or direct Answer (unless in the Negative) can ever be expected. However, when Mea- tures are adopted, evidently injuri- ous, to the State, and to which no ra- tional Cause can be assigned, Man- kind will endeavor to look deeper than the surface, and in such a Case conceive themselves justified in their severest suspicions! Perhaps it will be said that the Nabob has declared his inability to support the Large Body of English Troops now in his Dominions;— I do believe He has frequently re- monstrated upon this subject;—But Government must have known the Falsehood of the assertion, as no re- gard was paid to his Complaints, &c. a large Military Promotion took place at the Presidency at the very Period when a measure was in Agitation at Benaras, which must indispensably occasion the reformation of several Regiments, so that if the above should be produced as a Reason in support of the Plan, it must argue, either the most improvident and ex- travagant thoughtlessness on the one Hand, or the most contemptible Ig- porance on the office. But it is to be hoped, Sir that when the Members of Government at the Presidency take this Matter into that serious Consideration, they will not suffor one Man to pass lris Jpse dixit upon the solves and Proporties or Milions, or permit whole Nations to be made a saorafice to the rapacious Avarice or whimsical Caprice of any Individual. ARISTIDES. Caunpore 20th Nov 1781. ———— BY LETTERS Lately received, we are informed or the Surrender, of a Gartson called Chittoor—GENERAL COOTE brought is whole Army against it and they Capitulated, on the third day. The Terms the requested were that they should be allowed to march out of the Garrison with all the Honours of War, this the General granted them for their Gallant behaviour in defending the place. Out Loss, is well as that of the Enemy, has been very inconsiderable—The Captain of the Engenier 's was Killed. Extract of a Letter from Madras dated 16th November. WE have this moment received accounts of the Surrender of the Fort of Chittoor, in which Hyder had a Garrison of 1400 Men and we found a Week's provision, Capt. Theo bald of the Engineer Corps was killed and SIR EYRE COOTE received ascratch on the neck from the sprinter of a Stone. Dur- ing the absence of our Army on this service Tippoo Saib made a forced March into the Pollams and got possession of 4 Eighteen pounders and two Field Pieces which were left under charge of the 18th Battali- on of Sepoys whom he surprised at polypet. Our Troops got clear off, but the Town was burnt, No News from Sir Hector Munro since the 30th, we anxiously expect to hear that he has taken Negapatam The Weather continues remarkably fine. ———— Extract of a Letter from Madras 14th Nov 1781. "VELORE was relieved the 3d after changing the Garrison the Army set out on the 5th on it's Return. Hyder with his Army keeps about Amboor it will be next year before we shall get clear intirely of this Invader. BON TON INTELLIGENCE. A FEW days ago a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Ca [ILL]cut- ta Assembly was held at the Harmon- ic Tavern, when it was RESOLVED nemine contradicente that the Stewards should be vosted with full powers.— The Caledonian SPOKES MAH madean eloquent harangue on the occasion and concluded with saying that The Siew- arus kenned their duty right week and would a go through it cera cannily. For the better [ILL] of many of the Arguments he used; he quo- ted select passages out of ALLAN RAMSAY and other beef brated Au- thots.—His speech was allowed by all his accomplished Country men to be polished to the highest degree of Calodonian pierity and it was allowed that his voice could not have been more Harmonious, even if it had been properly pitched by the drone of a Bag-pipe.—As an ack now- ledge ment for his learned Oration it was voted by a great Majority that the freedom of Calcutta should be presented to him in most elegant carved and Gilt SNUFF MULL and that he should be appointed spokesman to the MOBOCRACY of this City for Life. This respectable and enviable appointment, added to the applause of his Countrymen, if we may judge from the various contontions of his features and writhings of his round Shoulders, highly delighted the Scotch Orator. N. B. One uncouth Englishman said the Spokesman tun into discordant Notes, which greatly annoyed his ears—but the Sawneys soon silenced poor Jobn Bull, by crying Out with him, Out with hine. JACK PARADISE LOST, having gone through the operation of Surgery and being almost funca- mentally cured is, we hear; very soon to proceed to his Employment of Matter of the Music Band to his Excellency ASIPH's Seraglio—for which dignisied station his physician, docor Mc. Sarcasin, says he is vera weel cut uut. THE following Anecdote is much mentioned in the bean monde.—A Scotch Gentleman visiting the Mina- ture painter, the other morning, was particularly struck with many of the pictures—but when he came to that of a certain Lusus naturo and, he asked whose it was, observing it remarkably delicate—Being told it was Jack Paradise Lost. The Cale- denian exclaimed—An—guide troth- so it is,—for it takes like a CAS- TRATA. MESSILINA being asked by her spiritual Brother, Doctor Emolument, what she thought of the Account given of Jack Paradise Lost 's untoward Case, replied from Mackbeth. It is a Tale. Told by an Ide [ILL]t, full of found Spite and fury, fighisying No-THING Turban Conquest has been advised by her Chutta Guardinn, Pigdanny Durgee, to reinain a few weeks long- er it C—ah, in order to let the persent froeas, respecting her [ILL]

[ILL] and [ILL] blow over. It is hop- ed the [ILL] Hilland will [ILL] her manners—for she has hitherto the we too much vivacity. Counsellor Feeble, who is mighty fond of appearing the Man of Im- portance, has taken incredible pairs to find out the Author of the South lately published describing his pret- ty figurein the Minuet Delacour.— suppose this Non-entity could enra- vel the mysterious enigma.—What then? would the World believe him [ILL] Coxlomb? certainly not. But it is a [ILL] he has for some [ILL] past verified and Illustrated [ILL] [ILL] simper curani minimi. Yesterday, about 10 o' Clock in the forenoon, a fellow with a greasy Coat and Spectacles was seen running up and down the street, next the Espli- nade, raving Mad, biting, and tearing with his Nails, Men, Women, and Children.—He was at last secured by Justice Balance 's Tip-Staff and carried to the Mad house where he still remains.—Nothing was found in his pockets but a Challenge to the Author of the Paragraphs re- dicusing his Minuet Delacour, a Trin- ket containing a Lock of the Chin surah Belle's Hair and a Seal on which was the following Motto Voluntes pro facto which may be translated.—The Spi- rit is writing, but the Flesh is weak. N. B. It is believed the poor un- happy Man's name is FEEBLE. WE hear that the,—having in all his Actions no other object in view but the interest of the public, has actually ordered the Captors of Bija Ghur to refund every Rup. of the prize Money so honorably and dearly ear- ned by them, and that he means to Employ It in new Conauests on the Bund ecund Country.—An illustrious [ILL] but ways and means are too much practiced it this period by him, Charley Bullock and others to be censured without fear of reproach. RACING INTELLIGENCE. "On Thursday Afternoon was run a Sweep Stakes for 400 Gold Mohurs by Mr. Touchet's Horse Restive, Mr. Pren- sep 's Horse Japan, Mr. Smoult's Horse Snip; and Mr. Rotton's Horse Clumsey when Japan distanced the other three. After the Race was over, the Ladies and Gentlemen adjourned to a Tent, pit- thed on the Course, where Ten &c. were provided for them. Lucy Chinless and Sanimy Tallow fat chirp 'd and caroused it, as usual; till three in the Morning; both as merry as Grigs:—They are a pair of right congenial fouls honest jolly Topers, made, one would think of the Stone ASBESTOS which Philosophers tell us [ILL].—It would do any body's heart good to hear them roar out the following Duet. Lacchus drinking, Joys reveals; Drinking make Jockey's pleasure; Sweet the pleasure, rich the treasure, Sweet is drinking after meals. RACING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE COURSE. Thursday Evening December 6th 1781. THE [ILL] March this day between [ILL] well known HORSE SUGAR-CANE, and Mahohy O Blunder's Irish Mare Ragged and Rough afforded excellent sport.—The betts before Starting were 5 to 3 in favour of Mr. O Blunders Ragged and Rough, but owing to some foul play Mr. Swabe who Rode suger- Cane himself ran Ragged and Rough against one of the Posts and threw poor Mr. OBlunder into, [ILL] near the Hospital, this created a [ILL] among the Black Leggs in the stand, the Lye was given, some of the Jockies, proceeded to blows, and a Ring was immediately formed, one, or two Bye Battels fought to the great Diversion of the spectators assembled at the Post. RACING CALENDAR. A Grand sweepstake will be run sometime this Month over the Calcutta Course, by the following well known Hunters and Hacks, to be rode by the Gentlemen themselves. 1—Mr. Deighton's—Black-Guard. 2—Counsellor Davis famous Mare— Miss Biddy. 3—Mr. Mc' Kenzie;s—Marplot. 4—Mr. Levius' favourite Horse, Rupee 5—Mr. Taylors Mare—Thimble. 6—Mr. Bristow's Gelding, Duke, and no Duke. 7—Mr. Cooper's Fazzy Male Coquet 8—Mr. Touchet's—Swabb. 9—Counsellor Hare's well known hack Rabbit Arse. This sweepstake is for a Purse Sub- scribed by the Gentlemen who Compose the COMMUNITY, or SCAVOIRE VIVRE:—Great short is expected, and some crossing and joining, the odds at present are in favour of Black-Guard 6 to 4 is betted, that Swabb, and Rabbit Arse wil be distanced.—That Miss Bid- dy will run on the wrong side of the Post.—Thimble and Male Coquet, are likely to break down, and Duke and no Duke it is expected will draw several o- ther Capital Bye-Betts, and Matches are in comtemplation; and will be given in a future Paper. The Jockey Clubb have a difficulty to find Riders of Suitable weight and Cha- racter, for them, but against next—Season a brace of approved Jockies it is hoped will be Provided.—Idea George, and Murplot; are both a- greed to start their famous silly St. Hele- na against them, who has been a long time in trainings and from experience they know her bottom to be good.—The last time for late favourite Groom Idea George (who had her a long time in hand, brought her to the Stand, she was ex- tremely restive and Skittish, broke loose from her rider, (tho' a Shrewd Jockey,) & ran off the Course, but the knowing ones are very doubtful of her, ever since ha- ving strained her shoulder, against Squire Simples Vis a Vis.—tho' George who is partial to her figure and paces persists in his opinion, and is desirous to bring her to the Starting most having provided black Jack, a knowing hand, to be her rider and Groom, and it is imagined by Sammy Hogs face, C—[ILL]. Tasty Trifle, and Feeble, and other Members of the Clubb, that George will win thro' the merits of Black Jack, who has been for this purpose some weeks in sweating Cloaths, which has reduced him 2 Stones below Horse mans weight, Betts run high and great sport as expected. Heber Asiaticus, 6th Dec. BIRTH,] the Wife of Colonel Hampton on Tuesday last of a Boy. ———— Now in the Press, and speedily will be Published. Price 4 Rupees. AN Almanac for the ensuing Year, containing the Christi- an and Bengal Calendars, with the Mahometan, Æra of the Hogira,— The Conjunctions, Square, and Op- positions of the Luminaries.—The Moons Southing Calculated agreeable to apparent Astronomical time to the Meridian of Calcutta, and may be reduced to any other Meridian by a Note inserted for that purpose.—The Moons culminating the Meridian, being very useful for determining the time of High-Water at any Port or Harbour provided the time be a certained at which it is high Water at the full and Chang!—The [ILL] bing may also have it's use by taking Her Miridian Altitude; the Equation of time necessary in regulating clocks; Also a Table of the Suns Rinng, and Setting, independent of Refractions with derections how to find the Moons full and Change at any other Meridian on the Globe where Long- etude is ascertained. N. B. this Almanac will be printed with a beautiful hew. Type on a fine paper, and sold at the Printing Office, the 28th of the present Month. Acknowledgements to Correspondents. ARGUS' Letter is received, but will not be inserted, as the Editor is deter- mined to avoid national reflections.—. Observations Letter is in the same predicament the remarks being too severe,—He thinks there has been quite sufficient said relative to it Celebrated Laays and hopes she has received it as intended; and as her VIRTUE is equal to her BEAUTY, and her Vivacity intirely owing to her youth and innocence; he thinks she is justly intitled to our best wishes for her prosperity; and success in Life.—Little Durgey we hope is a god youth, and the better for being in Love, GOD made his person, and we cannot [ILL] it. [ILL] or Arrivals or Departures this [ILL]