[ 78 } 
[Aug. 1, 
POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN JULY. 
—=__ 
GREAT BRITAIN. 
UBBLES in every form abound, 
iy and their daily production cha- 
racterizes the time. For many years 
our state-quacks told us we were to 
manufacture for all the world; and 
they contrived, on this speculation, to 
delude thousands. Haying failed in 
trade, we have now turned money- 
lenders, and expect to derive a re- 
venue from all nations, in high rates of 
interest, as long as they choose to pay tt. 
Others of our overgrown capitalists 
embark in sharing-companies; and 
projects are supported for public 
works, and utopian schemes, all over 
the four quarters of the world. After 
the recorded mischiefs of the South 
Sea and Mississippi schemes a century 
ago, we hoped that such scenes would 
never be repeated; but the world 
seems doomed to perpetual infancy, 
and the grown children of this age 
take no warning from the suflerings of 
their great grandfathers. ‘They think 
themselves wiser, but we fear it will 
not prove so, 
Owing io the innumerable specula- 
tions afloat, the public funds have ac- 
tually declined from ninety-five to 
ninety-two; and in spite of the mea- 
sures adopted by the Bank, the ten- 
dency of which seemed to be to raise 
our national stock to par. 
Rumour has mingled the British 
court with continental politics ; and, it 
is said, that some thousand Hanove- 
rians are to be embarked in British 
ships to prevent that worthy legiti- 
mate, the King of Portugal, from con- 
ceding more to his subjects than 
pleases him and his advisers. Russia, 
100, is said to dictate to other cabinets, 
in a tone which proves its own con- 
fidence, and its opinion of their 
weakness, 
The King, or Emperor, of the Bir- 
mahs, after various manifestations of 
contempt for the British government, 
has at length become involved in hos- 
tilities; and, owing to the temerity of 
our officers, has gained some advan- 
tages in the first onset. Of the result 
no doubt can be entertained, but the 
encouragement which this despot will 
derive from his temporary victory 
must bring great calamities on his 
subjects. extr 
a 
The following ct of a letter ap- 
peared in the Calcutta Gazette of the 
11th March, 
“On the River under Tailyn in Cachar, 
Feb. 29, 1824. 
Having returned from visiting the stock- 
ade at Doodpatlee, I embrace a leisure 
moment to give you an idea of the gallant, 
though unfortunate, attack by our troops. 
This indescribably strong possession was 
north and south across a narrow slip of 
level country, having hills on its north 
face and the river Soorma on its south, 
with a deep ditch abont fourteen feet 
wide in front of a fortified wall, cannon- 
proof to the front or western face; witha 
double fence, thickly planted at the bot- 
tom with bamboo spikes over-topped with 
longer ones sloping outwards, and very 
strong. ‘The ditch was covered with long 
grass, and quite hid from view until you 
arrived at it; the road up-the bank was so 
steep and rugged, that a few determined 
men might bid defiance to hundreds, 
Lieutenants M‘Lean and Barbarie, witha 
few men, however, were near succeed- 
ing at this point; but the fire was so well 
directed upon them, that the few men 
who were with them were constantly 
knocked over, 
Lieut.-Col. Bowen, on the morning of 
the attack, came on a-head with five com- 
panies to reconnoitre, leaving Major New- 
ton to follow with the guns, and remainder 
of the force; very shortly after the Lieut.- 
Colonel’s departure firing was heard in 
the rear, when the guns which were drawn 
by elephants came on with such rapidity 
that the column was kept at run, and no 
time was lost in bringing them to within 
120 paces of the stockade; here the ele- 
phants were unharnessed, and Major 
Newton, assisted by Lieutenant-Adjutant 
M‘Lean, laid the three gunsand keptupa 
very sharp and well directed fire for a 
considerable time; the men working, 
they were trained by Major Newton to 
the exercise from the wing of the corps 
with which he was originally dispatched 
from Dacca; and their conduct on this 
occasion was very conspicuons, and worthy 
of notice. The execution of the artillery 
excited admiration, on discovering the 
effects inside the place. One of the Bur- 
mese chiefs was cut in two by a round 
shot, and the grape slaughtered a number, 
After an exposure to the enemy’s fire 
for more than three hours, Lieut.-Col, 
Bowen, who had been wounded in the hills 
to the northward, arrived, formed the 
troops into line, and ordered a charge on 
the west face—a more gallant one cannot 
be imagined—the men did all that could. 
possibly be expected of men; the charge 
was 
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