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and is much harassed by the Mahrattah reprehension by Admiral Duckworth, but cavalry. the particulars are not mentioned. He ap pears to have exercised shocking cruelties at the Cape, not only on the Blacks who were opposed to him, but on his own countrymen, who are said to have been with difficulty restrained from venting their rage upon him after his surrender. He is now in England, with several more of his general officers. The number of persons who surrendered is stated to be about nine thousand; most of them were taken to Ja maica, and will probably be brought thence to Europe.

ADMIRAL LINOIS's squadron effected their escape from Pondicherry Roads in the night time, although a British squadron of superior force lay near them. A corvette had arrived from France the evening before and given Linois such information respecting the rupture which was about to take place, as induced him to slip his cables and put to sea. He is supposed to have gone to the Mauritius.

ST: DOMINGO.

We stated in our last that accounts had been received of the evacuation of St. Domingo by the French. We shall now lay the particulars before our readers. The Cape was so closely invested by the Negro army under Dessalines, that General Rochambeau, fearful of falling into their hands, and of experiencing the effects of their vengeance, proposed to capitulate to the British vessels which blockaded the harbour. The terms offered to him, however, he conceived to be inadmissible, and the treaty was broken off. He then entered into a negociation with Dessalines, who was about to commence his attack on the Cape, which terminated in the following agreement, viz. that the Cape should be given up to General Dessalines in ten days from the eighteenth of November; that the forts and all military stores should be left in their present condition; that the ships of war and other vessels should be free to depart with the troops and inhabitants on the day appointed; that the garrison should carry with them their arms and private property; that the sick and wounded should be taken care of by General Dessalines; and that all the natives of the country, whatever be their colour, confined by General Rochambeau should be set at liberty. It was evidently the intention of the French General to effect his escape, if possible, during the continuance of this truce; but his design was frustrated by the vigilance of the British squadron.

The Blacks having threatened that, as soon as they got possession of the forts they would sink the ships in the harbour with red hot shot, Rochambeau renewed his offer of surrendering to Captain Loring, who commanded our squadron; and on the day previous to that fixed for the evacuation of the Cape, terms were agreed upon to the following effect, viz. that all the ships of war and merchantmen should be delivered up to the English; that the garrison on board should be prisoners of war; that private property should be sacred; and that none of the inhabitants, who had voluntarily accompanied the French army on board, should be again landed in St. Domingo. Three frigates and two corvettes were captured on this occasion. General Rochambeau's conduct is spoken of in terms of pointed

The conduct of our officers does not appear to have given perfect satisfaction to Dessalines. The circumstance of our spiking the guns and destroying the ammunition at Fort Dauphin and other places captured by us, instead of transferring them to the blacks, would naturally give offence. Accordingly we find when Captain Loring applied to Dessalines for pilots to conduct his ships into the harbour of Cape Francois, in order to take possession of the French shipping, the latter civilly declined the request. "I shall refuse, though with regret, to send you the pilots which you require. I presume that you will not stand in need of them, as I shall force the French ships to sail from the roads, and in that case you will deal with them as you think proper." Indeed it is stated to have been with reluctance that Dessalines even complied with Captain Loring's request not to fire on the ships, after they had surrendered to his majesty.

Cape Nicola Mole has been since evacuated by the French, and five of the six vessels, on board of which the garrison had embarked in the hope of escaping to France, have been taken. Thus has the First Consul's attempt to subjugate the Negroes of St. Domingo ended in his own disgrace, and in the final establishment of their independence. Thus too has another practical proof been exhibited of the wretched futility of those reasonings which would degrade the African below the level of our species, and make him merely the link which joins us to the brute. An additional proof, were any wanting, might also be found in the proclamation of the St. Domiugo chiefs on taking possession of the Cape, and which may be considered as a declaration of rights on the part of the Negroes of St. Domingo. Its language is, doubtless, borrowed from the French school, but still the degree of moderation shewn in it forms a striking contrast to the sanguinary proceedings of the French commanders. In this proclamation the independence of St. Domingo is declared, and the Negroes swear never to yield it to any power on earth; the planters who have renounced their claims to the personal servitude of the Negroes are invited to return to their estates-they will be re

ceived as brothers; those who have not, are threatened, if they return, with chains and deportation." We have sworn, they add, not to listen to clemency towards all those who would dare to speak to us of slavery; we shall be inexorable, perhaps even cruel, towards all the troops who, themselves forgetting the object for which they have not ceased fighting since 1780, should come yet from Europe to carry among us death and servitude. Nothing is too dear, and every means are lawful, to men from whom it is wished to tear the first of all blessings. Were they to cause rivers and torrents of blood to run; were they, in order to maintain their liberty, to conflagrate seven-eighths of the globe, they are innocent before the tribunal of Providence, that has not created men to see them groaning under a harsh and shameful servitude*." The proclamation

*The extravagance of this language is certainly somewhat palliated by the circumstances of the writers. This publica

closes with an apology for those excesses which have unfortunately taken place during the continuance of the contest, and which the chiefs feelingly lament.

A descent was made at two places in the island of MARTINIQUE, by a party of men from some of our ships cruizing off that station, and two batteries were taken possession of and completely destroyed with scarcely any loss on our part.

tion of Negro rights however, backed as it is with military skill and prowess, and the confidence arising from the complete discomfiture of one of the finest and best dişciplined armies in the world, ought to induce West Indian proprietors to take dispassionate view of their situation, and to consider, whether it will be for their advantage to continue to swell the Negro population of our islands, with those whom a sense of recent injury will make the fittest fuel for the flame of rebellion, should it by any accident be kindled in our islands.

GREAT BRITAIN.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. PARLIAMENT met on the first day of the month, pursuant to adjournment.

On the 8th inst. the Secretary at War obtained leave to bring in a bill to consolidate, explain, and amend the volunteer laws. The most material provisions of the bill, so far as it varies from former acts, are those which secure to volunteers, in general, the right of resigning, and to effective volunteers an exemption, not from the ballot, but from the obligation to serve in the militia or army of reserve; making them, however, liable, if ballotted, to serve whenever they cease to be effective.

The rank of volunteer officers shall be as youngest to officers of the same rank in the regular and militia forces. In the course of his speech, Mr. Yorke expressed himself to be determined to resist every claim on the part of volunteer corps to elect their own officers, where there had not been a previous compact with government to that effect. The discussion of the subject was deferred till the second reading of the bill, which has not yet taken place.

Mr. Wilberforce on the 13th inst. gave notice, that he meant shortly to move for the abolition of the Slave Trade. He then moved, as preparatory to that step, for copies of the correspondence which had taken place between the Secretary of State and the Governors of the West Indian islands, with a view to the gradual abolition of the trade; and for copies of the accounts of the number of ships and their tonnage employed in the African

Slave Trade, and of the number of Slaves imported in such ships since the 5th of January 1797.

'The public attention for the last two weeks has been almost entirely absorbed by the alarming illness with which it has pleased the Almighty to afflict the king. The danger in which he was at first reported to be, spread a very general gloom over all ranks of men in the kingdom, and the fear of invasion seemed to give place to the apprehension of what was deemed a still greater calamity. It is with sincere pleasure and with feelings of gratitude towards the sovereign dispenser of all good that we have observed the more favourable representation of the state of his Majesty, which has been published by authority during the last week; and we earnestly pray that he, with whom alone are the issues of life, may restore him to his family and to his people, and grant him yet many years of health and increasing comfort and happiness. The illness of our king, at such a moment as the present, is, doubtless, an awful dispensation. May it produce its proper effect on the minds of the nation at large.

It is very difficult to ascertain the state of political parties in this country at the present moment. A coldness has evidently subsisted for some time between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Addington, but the breach has been greatly widened of late by pamphlets which have issued from the friends of those gentlemen. It does not, however, appear that Mr. Pitt means to en

gage in any active opposition to the measures of administration; and we do hope that he will have the magnanimity to rise superior to all party feelings, and to consult, in his public conduct, only the good of his country. By such a proceeding, high as he already stands with the nation, he will not fail to obtain a still larger share of its esteem and confidence.

In the West Indies a considerable number of captures have been made from the enemy, besides those already mentioned. In the channel several of the French gun-boats have been taken in passing from one port to another. They are very fine vessels, entirely new, of about one hundred tops burthen, and carry three twenty-four and eighteen pounders. They are weh built and well found, being eighty feet long and eighteen wide, and are said to be good sea boats. They row about forty sweeps and are made for taking the ground.

The case of Mr. Astlett, (who was found guilty of embezzling Exchequer Bills to a large amount, the property of the Bank,) reserved for the opinion of the twelve judges, was solemnly argued before them. Their judgment was, that the embezzlement of the prisoner subjected him to the penalties of the statute. Sentence of death has accordingly been passed upon him.

When we first adverted to the case of this unhappy man (Vol. II. p. 251) we took occasion to express a clear opinion respecting the iniquity of gambling in the funds. Subsequent events have tended to confirm the opinion which we then gave;

and a recent melancholy instance of the effects of this species of gaming in stifling the voice of conscience, and in hardening the heart to all the motives which a regard to reputation, natural affection, or religion, could furnish, seems to call upon us to repeat our animadversions. A man who had for a series of years borne a very high character, not merely for honesty and punctuality, but for strict religious principle, having large deficiencies to pay, was tempted to borrow, for that purpose, sums of money from his friends, whose confidence in his integrity was almost unlimited. He likewise purchased £.2,600. three per cents, from a brother broker, for which he gave a draft, which was refused payment by the banker, although he himself had received the value of the stock from his principal. Losses to the amount of £.27,000. have already been discovered, and the defaulter has disappeared. We cannot help expressing our astonishment that religious people are still to be found who will not only defend, but themselves engage in the mischievous, and let it be remembered also, unlawful, practice of gambling in the funds. The gaming table and a religious profession are generally thought to be wholly inconsistent; but can any thing be alleged in favour of gambling in the funds, which would not apply with equal force to any other game; excepting that the former may be practised secretly? This, however, will be considered as no recommendation of it in the eye of those who are really influenced by that fear of God, which is the same in the darkness as in the light, in secret as be. fore the eyes of the world.

OBITUARY.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. THE acknowledged excellence of Mr. Drewitt's character, of which a just outline was inserted in your Obituary for October last, induces me to think, that the following communication may not be unacceptable to the readers of your work.

D.

The health of Mr. Drewitt, which was never robust, was visibly on the decline some time previous to his death. An attack of the influenza, at the time that distemper was general in this country, gave a shock to his constitution, of which he never recovered; and which, uniting with his other bodily infirmities, accelerated his dissolufion. His last illness continued about a week, during which he was confined to his bed; and on the 11th of October, 1803, he closed his eyes on this mortal scene. CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 26,

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His complaint, which was an infiammation of the lungs, produced a considerable degree of mental lethargy. A general indifference to external objects was observed in him, forming a direct contrast to his constitutional vivacity. His extreme debility rendered him so much averse to conversation, that during his last days but few words escaped his lips. As the inflammation upon his lungs went off, a putrid fever succeeded, and put a speedy period to his existence in this world.

This account of the last days of one, whose christian character is established upon the fullest evidence, may, in some degree, check the extravagant value which some pious persons are disposed to put upon that confident, and even ecstatic, state of mind, with which some christians quit this world. As such a state is not to be undervalued, so neither is it to be exalted above its just value. It is a truth as

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small publications, particularly of one entitled, "Why are you a Churchman!" of which some thousands have been sold, the tract having passed through six editions. He was the author also of the anonymous pamphlet "A Call to Union, &c.*" which deserves to be generally known The rest were of inferior importance.

ndisputable as it is seriously to be consi- Mr. Drewitt was the author of several dered, that such exultation and assurance may be the effect of delusion; and as they may be experienced by self-deceivers, so may sincere believers, from various (auses, be strangers to them. The least questionable state of mind on a death-bed, is that awful apprehension of the condition into which the departing soul is about to enter, and that humiliating sense of personal guilt and infirinity, which ought to accompany and temper even the most animating, the most just, and the most vivid anticipations of future felicity.

There is, however, another lesson, perhaps of greater importance, inculcated by the foregoing account-the danger of deferring to the last hours of life a preparation for the world to come. Had not this preparation been made, and made effectually by the subject of these few lines, what opportunity would a period of morbid indifference have afforded for the perform ance of that great work upon which the everlasting salvation of the soul is suspenda? And upon what evidence do sinners ground the presumption that this shall not be their case?

The tribute of affection and respect paid to the memory of Mr. Drewitt at his funeral, which was solemnized on the 17th of October, has not been often exceeded. Many of the clergy, the children of the Chedder school, and the Chedder corps of volunteers, attended to express their esteem and sorrow for his loss. The congregation assembled in the church was unusually great. A sermon was preached on the occasion by the Reverend Mr. Biddulph, which was worthy of the subject; dignified, eloquent, and impassioned, and delivered with impressive energy.

It is the intention of the parishioners to erect a monument by subscription, to the memory of their beloved and lamented pastor.

"Our

The general character of Mr. Drewitt has already been drawn in your work (Vol. II. p. 643). The sermon before us contains some additional information upon the same subject; and it will not be amiss to transcribe a passage or two. dear brother now departed," (says Mr. Biddulph, p. 7), "affords another instance of the same kind,”—of the fine natural talents by which St. Paul was distinguished. "Those who knew him well, and were capable of estimating aright the extent of his abilities, saw with delight an uncommon assemblage of brilliant qualifications for the ministry in his character. Very few labourers in the Lord's vineyard can be put on a level with him. In knowledge, human and divine, in an aptness to teach, and a command of expression in communicating his knowledge to others, he ex'celled not my his equals in age, but most of his seniors who had been much longer practised in the holy art." p. 8.

There is one part of Mr. Drewitt's character that peculiarly requires to be set in a fair light, and ought to be more extensively understood. It is a part too, to which Mr. Biddulph was so well qualified to do ample justice, that nothing more is necessary than to hear him in his own words. "But that branch of the uniformity of his character, which I have prineipally in my view, is his unshaken attachment to the Church of England. And advert principally to this, because the integrity of his character, as a minister of the establishment, has been impeached; and, (through the misrepresentations of ig norance, I trust,) his principles and conduct have been traduced both privately and publicly. I believe that I was both intimately and fully acquainted with his. sentiments of ecclesiastical polity; and can attest, from personal knowledge, that he was a strict episcopalian, in consequence of a full conviction of the apostolical origin of the episcopal institutiont; that he was warmly attached to the discipline as well as to the doctrines of the reformed Church of England. He had studied the point with close attention, and had formed his creed on the subject from the evidence that was brought before him. He had learned to honour his father in heaven that begat him with the word of his truth; and to reverence his mother that bare him and nourished him with the sincere milk of her doctrine. Had his general conduct been observed, and credit been given to his declaration (and surely credit ought to have been given to the declaration of such a man,) no suspicion could have arisen respecting the sincerity of his regard to our holy mother the church‡.

*Reviewed in the 1st. vol. of the Christian Observer, p. 381.

Mr. Drewitt was engaged at the time of his death, in abridging the excellent work of Bishop Hall on the subject of episcopacy.

Another proof of uniformity in Mr. Drewitt's character, may be founded on the patriotic efforts which he made to serve his king and country in the present awful crisis. It may, perhaps, be assum ed with great propriety, that a clergyman, who has solemnly engaged to "give himself wholly to the office" of the ministry, has, in general, little to do with worldly politics. But the present emergency is an exempt case. Mr. Drewitt exerted himself to the utmost in raising a corps of vo

"I have been frequently struck, when conversing with my dear departed friend on the subject just mentioned, with the meekness which he shewed under the repeated insults with which some of the public prints and private calumuy had loaded him. No asperity of language dropped on these occasions from his lips; nor did I ever see his spirit ruffled by the unmerited reproach which he received. But he committed his character and cause to Him that judgeth righteously; indifferent to the opinion of men, while conscious of his own integrity in the matter. May those who were the agents in the defamation of bis character, blush, repent, and be forgiven."

ABSTRACT OF AN ACCOUNT OF TWO NATIVES OF OTAHEITE, CHRISTIAN MYDO, AGED 17, AND JOSEPH OLEY, AGED 19; WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT MIRFIELD, IN YORKSHIRE, 1803*, THOUGH Missionaries had arrived at Otaheite in 1797, and these two youths were not altogether ignorant of the doctrines taught by them, yet it was the will of God that they should come to England, and there first obtain a knowledge of salvation. Mydo came to England in the Cornwall, a South Whaler, in which he made two voyages to the South Seas.

Mr. Gillham, a surgeon, who had accompanied the ship which carried the Missionaries to Otaheite, in 1796, had conceived a great affection for the natives of Otaheite, and soon after the Royal Admiral returned from that island, he being requested by Captain Wilson to inoculate Movee, a native of Otaheite, who had arrived in her, with the cow-pox, he went immedistely on board for that purpose, where he met Mydo, who had just arrived from his

lunteers in the parish of Chedder, and succeeded beyond all reasonable expectation; no less than two hundred and twenty persons having enrolled themselves out of a population not exceeding two hundred and ninety-six of the four classes liable to be called out by the bill for General Defence. Frequently he attended the drill; and by his animated addresses excited among the parishioners a spirit of exemplary zeal for the common cause. On one of these oocasions, when he had been stating to the rustic patriots their duties and obligations, one of them stepped forward, saying, "Sir, you have spoken enough; do get us some arms, and we will try what we can do."

The account is inserted in the periodical accounts of the Moravian brethren, and is signed by two of their ministers, the Reverend Dr. Okely and the Reverend Charles La Trobe.

second voyage in the Cornwall, and was come to see his countryman on board the Royal Admiral. As soon as Mydo saw Mr. Gillham he burst into tears, and said, he had known him well at Otaheite; he also informed him, that Oley was just arrived from the West Indies. Mr. Gillbam immediately repaired on board the West India ship and found Oley, who also recognized him, having been a page to Iddeah, the queen, when he was at Otaheite. Movee obtained a passage home, but Oley and Mydo were taken by Mr. Gilllem to his house, and introduced to the Reverend Dr. Haweis, Mr. George Collinson, and Mr. Hardcastle, from whom they expe rienced the greatest kindness and hospitality.

Oley came first to England in a South Whaler, in 1800, and was then indebted for protection to Mr. Hardcastle, who provided him with a passage to the West Indies, in one of his own ships, and on his return from thence extended his kindness to him in providing means for his instruction.

Mydo related, that he had waited upon the Missionaries as a servant, and expressed himself in terms of affection towards one in particular, whose conduct had left a good impression on his mind. Oley likewise cultivated an acquaintance with them, and resided for some time in the house of one of them. From the Missionaries they had probably heard the first principles of christianity, which were more particularly explained to them in London; so that when they came to Mirfield they were not quite unacquainted with them.

What induced them to leave Otaheite does not clearly appear. What they themselves alleged, namely, "that they wanted to see the land from which the ships came," was probably the real motive; or rather the good Providence of God led them to adopt a measure which ultimately became the happy means of bringing them to the knowledge of himself,

Mydo, by his behaviour on board the ship, had gained the regard of the captain, who would not part with him but under an assurance that he would be well cared for; and it is worthy of remark that, though in the midst of men who, in general, pay no regard to religion, they contracted no bad habits, if we except a propensity discovered in Oley to indulge in the use of strong liquors, in which, however, as he was ashamed of it, it was found easy to restrain him. They were never guilty of any indecent expressions, and on hearing some people in the country use profane language, they declared their contempt of such an abuse of words.

On consulting about the best means of giving them christian instruction, the above-mentioned gentlemen determined to apply to the brethren to receive them

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