On Wednesday the 24th instant a Court of Directors was held at the East-India House, when the undermentioned ships were thus stationed, viz.-For Bengal and Bencoolen, Northampton, Capt. C. Teebutt; and Lord Keith, Capt. J. Freeman.-For Bengal and Bombay, Henry Porcher, Capt. J. P. Anst ce; and Fairlie, Capt. T. F. Ward.-For Bombay direct, Lady Lushington, Capt. T. Dormer.

The following captains were sworn into the command of their respective ships, viz.-Lady Lushington, Capt. D. Dormer, for Bombay direct. Heury Porcher, Capt. J. P. Austice, for Bengal and Bombay.

On the same day the despatches were closed at the East-India House, and delivered to the pursers of the following ships, viz.-Canning, Capt. W. Patterson; and Thomas Coutts, Capt. W. Marjoribanks, for Bombay and China.

Passengers per Canning, for Bombay. -Messrs. Harding and Lewis, and Major Geu. J. Bailie.

Passengers, per Thomas Coutts, for Bombay. Mrs. Alvares, and family; and

Mr. J. R. Duncan.

The despatches were also closed at the East-India House, and delivered to the pursers of the following ships :-For Bombay and China: Duke of York, Capt. A. H. Campbell; Earl of Balcarras, J. Jameson; Marquis of Huntley, D. McLeod; Buckinghamshire, F. Adams.

Passenger per Marquis of Huntley, for Bombay. Mr. John Pyne, writer.

Per Buckinghamshire, for Bombay. Mr. William Grix.

Per Earl of Balcarras, for Bombay. -Mr. Hughes and family, Mrs. Woodhouse, O'Hamilton, and Hawkins; Mesdames F. M. A. and J. Goter, J. Wyse, C. F. West, J. C. and C. E. Williams; Mr. Wallace, Mr. Craw, and Lieut. Gillum, free mariners.

Dec. 22. A detachment of the 47th and 65th regiments has marched from Chatham barracks to embark at Gravesend for India; a small detachment of dragoons has also marched from Maidstone, to embark for the same destination. Detachments of the 17th and 56th régiments and a small party of dragoons are now at Gravesend to en.bark for India.

According to the latest accounts from Alexandria, received in Holland, the Pacha of Egypt persisted in his efforts to revive the commerce formerly carried on between that country and the ports of India. No Asiatic Journ.-No. 25.

General Yermaloff, the Russian ambassador to the court of Persia, arrived at Tiflis on the 16th of October. His return to the capital of his government is said to have occasioned great joy among the inhabitants.

Asiatic Company has acquainted the goPetersburgh, Oct. 8.-The Russian vernment, that its ships which last returned from China have brought the ac. count, that the emperor of Ch na wishes to constitute resident at his cour ambas sadors from foreign powers, on the same footing as at the courts of Europe, in order to keep up constant diplomatic relations with them. The emperor Alex. ander has seized the occurrence, it is added, and has named a minister plenipotentiary. The commercial relations of the two empires are said to increase annually.

of the States General of the Netherlands A law has passed the second chamber with respect to the Tea trade, by the operation of which the import duty upon

teas into Holland will not exceed one half per cent. and the export duty will amount only to one-fifth. The following is a copy of this important document.

"We, WILLIAM, by the grace of God, &c. &c. having taken into our consideration the existing differences in the laws respecting the Tea Trade, as they apply to the two principal divisions of the kingdom, judge it expedient that the same ought to be uniform; and seeing that the law of the 23d of March, 1815, for the establishment in our Northern Provinces of an exclusive Company for the trade to China, has not been attended with the results which were expected but that so far from our mercantile or trading subjects having subscribed for shares in the said Company, in the books which have now been fully two years open for that wish that the trade in the article of Tea purpose, they have expressed a general should be thrown open. So We, having heard our Council of State, and with the common consent of the States-General, these presents do think proper and rehave thought proper, and resolved, and by solve,

"1. That all the laws now in being relative to the Tea Trade shall be, and the same are hereby withdrawn and abolished.

"2. That the holders of shares in the aforesaid exclusive Company shall be immediately reimbursed the amount paid on their respective subscriptions, together with the interest, at the rate of five per VOL. V.

cent. per annum, from the day on which they were received until that of repayment.

That under the following regulations the general law of the 3d Oct. 1816, for the levying of duties on imports and exports, shall from henceforward apply to Tea, and that every individual shall be permitted to import Tea into this kingdom, and have the uncontrolled possession thereof, immediately after the payment of the duties thereon, that is to say on Bohea and low Congou Tea, eight florins per 100lbs., on all other kinds of Tea sixteen florins per 100lbs.

4. That all Teas of which proof shall be given that they are imported direct and in entire cargoes from China, or the Dutch possessions in the East-Indies, for the account of resident subjects, in ships built in this kingdom, the duty shall be only on Bohea and low Congou, two florins ten st. >per 100lbs., on all other kinds, five florins per 100lbs.

5. That Bohea and low Congou Tea shall only be denominated such as are imported unmixed and in whole chests, and in which smaller chests or packages are not included.

6. That low Congou Tea, even in whole chests, shall be denominated such, if its current value bere at the time of its entry shall be, or exceed one guilder per pound; and that all Tea for which entry is made at the low duties, may be taken over by any Officer of the Revenue at one florin per pound, adding twelve per cent. and the duty of the Tea thereto, in conformity to the 2234 and 224th articles of the Law of the 3d of October, 1816, as far as these are applicable to the case.

7. That with reference to direct importations of Tea from China, or from the Dutch settlements in the East-Indies, his Majesty shall have the faculty of extending the privileges of Dutch-built ships to foreign bottoms, which, after strict investigation, shall appear to be Dutch property, at the time of the promulgation of this law, and have since continued to be so.

"8. That in case ships of the above two descriptions should not offer in sufficient number, his Majesty may license for one voyage to China, or the Dutch Settlements in the East-Indies, for the importation of a cargo of Tea, but within the period of four years from the promulgation of this Law, any foreign built ships, which, at the time of commencement of such voyage, shall fully appear to be the property of Dutch subjects.

9. That the holders of licenses grantel in consequence of the Resolutions of the 12th of April, 1815, on the importation of Tea for the periodical Public Sales, which were intended to have taken place before the close of the present, or during the course of the next year, the Tea so already imported, or which may be in

ported on or before the 15th of October, 1818, shall be delivered into the uncontrolled possession of the consignees or importers, upon payment only of the same duties, which, by the present law, are to be levied on Tea imported direct from Chiua, or from the Dutch Settlements in the East-Indies, in Dutch built ships, for account of resident subjects.

"On the payment of the same duties all Teas already imported, and remaining unsold in the warehouses of the Department of Trade and Colonies, shall be delivered to the importers.

"10. That Tea exported shall be subject to the duty (called Tabelle Regt.) of one-fifth per cent. on the value, or 34 stivers per 100lbs. at the option of the exporter.

"11. That transit of Tea through the kingdom shall not be allowed.

12. That in computing the duty upon Tea, the tares to be allowed, provided the packages are of the usual description, shall be, upon chests weighing 110lbs. and upwards, 18 per cent. Upon chests weighing under 110lbs. 25 per cent.

"With reservation, however, of the same remedy as is prescribed in the sixth article of the law of the 3d Oct. 1816, in the case of inadequate tares."

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. HOME LIST.

BIRTHS.

Dec. 19. At Staughton House, Huntingdonshire, the lady of Lieut, Gen. Onslow, of a daughter. -17. In Hans Place, the lady of Capt. S P. Hurd, of a daughter.

At Brighton, the lady of Col. Sir Edw. Kerrison, of a daughter.

At his house in Connaught Place, Hyde Park, the lady of Robert Wigram, Esq. M. P. of a sun, Dec. 8. At his house in Gloucester Place, the lady of Col. Hughs, M. P. of a daughter. -20. At his Lordship's seat, Thorndon, Essex, the lady of the Right Hon. Lord Petre, of a son and heir.

MARRIAGES.

Dec. 22. At St. George's, Bloomsbury, W. A Venour, Esq. of the Bengal Medical Establishment, to Helen, daughter of R. Davidson, Esq. of Findhorn, North Britain.

At Marylebone Church, Capt. Knox, to Jane Eliza, youngest daughter of the late G. Grant Gordon, Esq, of Antigua, and nie ce to the late Sir Willoughby Ashton, Bart.

Nov. 27. At St. George's, Bloomsbury, Capt. Chauval, of the Hon. East India Company's Service, to Charlotte Eliza, eldest daughter of Geo. Watlington, Esq. of Upper Bediord Place. A few days ago, Lieut. Col. Horace Churchill, of the Grenadier Guards, only son of the late General and Lady Mary Churchill, to Emma Anne, daughter of the late Capt. Finucane. At Stokenchurch, by the Rev. the Archdeacon Heslop, Joseph Warner Henley, E q. of Waterperry House, in Oxtordshire, to Georgiana, fourth daughter of J. Fane, Esq. 1. P. for that county, and nicce to the Earl of Macclesfield. At Paris, the Hon. Col. Pakenham, brother to the Earl of Longford and her Grace the Duchess of Wellington, to the Hon. Emily Stapleton, daughter of Lord Le Despencer.

DEATHS. Dec. 2. At Hamble, Hants. at the house of his son-in-law Capt. Bradby, R. N. Admiral Billy Douglas, in his 67th year,

Nov. 27. In Burton Street. Albert Gledstanes, Esq. late Commander in the East-India Com. pany's Service.

Dec. 7. In Broad Street, Vice Adm. W. Bligh, F. R. S. of Faringham House, Kent, aged 63.

At Knowle Farm, near Tonbridge Wells, Stephen Reid, the youngest son of Major Gen. Beatrow, aged 6 months,

LONDON MARKETS.

Friday, Dec. 26, 1817. Cotton. There is some appearance of a revival in the demand for every description of Cotton, with the exception of Bengals, which are still very heavy; and, as the supplies are expected to be very extensive, it is generally believed that Bengal Cotton will rate low. The accounts received this morning, from Liverpool and from Manchester, are very favourable as to Cottons.

Sugars. In consequence of the alteration in the Impor -duty on Muscovades, which will take place early next month, Segars were on show on Tuesday and Wednesday last; the sales were very considerable; and, in several instances, rather higher prices were obtained; generally, however, the market could not be stated at any advance, as the holders continued anxious to effect sales.In Refined goods there is little variation in price; the holders are, however, less inclined to sell; and, from the general appearance of the market and the limited supplies, an improvement is expected after the holidays. Molasses are in more request.

Coffee.-There have been no public sales of Coffee this week; the demand by private contract continues very considerable; much speculation has taken place at Liverpoo!, in anticipation of an advance; the greater proportion of Coffee in this market has been held for some time by speculators.

INDIA SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Arrivals.

Nov. 30.-At Gravesend, Lord Cathcart, Ross, from Bombay.

Deal, Woodford, Brady, from the Isle of France, aud St. Helena.

Dec. 2.-Eliza, Oliver, from Bengal, Madras, and St. Helena.

Phoenix, Thompson, from Bengal, and Cape of Good Hope.

6.-Gravesend, Sisters, Douthwaite, from the Cape of Good Hope.

-Dublin, Staffa, Stirling, from Madeira. 7.-Deal, Malabar, Ascough, from Bombay, 11.-Dover, Venus, Kilgour, from the Cape of Good Hope.

15.-Portsmouth, H. M. S. Melville, from Bombay, the Cape, and St. Helena.

Deal, Bombay Merchant, Clarkson, from Bombay.

14.- Plymouth, Borodino, Transport, Spars, from the Cape of Good Hope, and St. Helena. 13.-H. M. S, Iphigenia, from Ceylon. 14.-Liverpool, Stentor, Harris. from Bengal.

Ceres, Brown, from Bengal and Isle of

France.

22.-Gravesend, Gertrude, Longridge, from the Cape of Good Hope.

The Stentor, Harris, arrived at Liverpool from Bengal, whence she sailed the 21st July, reports that the John Tobin, Kennan, for Liverpool, had been repaired, and new coppered, and was to sail in three weeks. The Wilton, Gratter, of Hull, and the Mary Ann, M'Clure, of London, were ready for sea. The Monarch, Gascoyne, for London, would be ready for sea in a week. The True Briton, Head, of Liverpool, and the Princess Charlotte, of Whitehaven, were in Dock, repairing, and loading for Liverpool. On 22d of July, passed the Minstrel, Bristow, of London, at Meapore, having been on the Meapore Sand, but got off with little damage. On the 23d, passed the Sir James Henry Craig, Brown, of London, at

sea.

Diamond Harbour, having put back with loss of windlass. On the 27th, passed the Atlas, Mohcaise, of Whitby, at Kedgeree, having lost three anchors on her way down, but was then ready for On the same day the Victory, of Whitby, passed Kedgeree upwards. On the 28th, the George Canning, of Greenock, passed upwards. On the 2d of August, off Palmiras, spoke the Orient, of London, to Calcutta. On the 4th, off Ganjamee, spoke the Sir Wm, Bensley, from London and New South Wales, 90 days from Port Jackson, for Calcutta. On the 6th, passed two Company's ships standing up the Bay. On the 12th October spoke the Astrea, of Stockholm, Wilson, from Simon's Bay, for St, Helena, out seven days, informed us the Hannah, from Liverpool, was at the Cape when he sailed, On the 12th, spoke the C. nthia, of Southwold, from the Cape of Good Hope to London, out nine days, in lat. 27. 36. S. lon. 11. 25. E On the 22d, was boarded by His Majesty's Brig Leveret, off St. Helena, who informed as the Lord Catlicart, of London, from Calcutta, was put in there for a supply of water and provisions, out 93 days, having made the eastern passage. On the 27th, called at Ascension Island, and spake the French ship heopolie, for the Isle of France. On the 9th December, spoke the big Neptune, of London, for Newport, out 23 days, in lat. 49. 17. N. lon. 11. 40. W.

Departures.

Nov. 30. From Deal, Busiris Balston, for Bengal and Madias.

Dec. 20.-rom Deal, Surat Castle, Walker, for Bombay.

Nov. 28.-From Plymouth, Redpole, (S. W.) for St. Helena, and the Cape of Good Hope.

Dec. 4.-From Columbia, Webb, for Fort St. George, Fort William, &c.

22.--From Golden Grove, Steele, for the Cape of Good Hope.

4-From Portsmouth, Mary, Lusk, Bengal. 6.-Malta, Lindsay, for the Cape of Good Hope. 10.-From Falmouth, Cornwallis, Huntley, for the Cape of Good Hope.

23.-Betsey. Duncan, for Madeira.

17.-Fort William, Innes, for Bengal and Ma. dras.

6. From Gravesend, Jane, Granger, for Madeira.

9.-From Deal, Partridge, Clarkson, for the Cape of Good Hope.

20.-rom Plymouth, Lord Wellington, Hill, for the Cape of Good Hope and India.

16.-From Gravesend, Lord Lyndoch, Templeton, for Rio Janerio, and Bengal,

20,-From lortsmouth, John Palmer, Saunders, for the Cape of Good Hope and Bengal,

15,-Cæsar, Taylor, for Madras and Bengal. 17.-rom Gravesend, Andersons, Sayers, for Madeira.

20.-Vittoria, Dudman, for Ceylon, Madras, &c. Moira, Hornblow, for Bengal and Madras. 15. From Deal, Standard, Stephens, for Batavia, 19.-From Gravesend, Melpomene, Maughan, for Bombay.

20.-John, Popplewell, Madeira, &c. 21.-From Portsmouth, Lady Castlereagh, Weltden, for New South Wales.

19. From Cowes, Jane, Ossart, for Bengal. 23.-La Seine, Haussen, for Bengal.

SHIP-LETTER MAILS FOR INDIA.

General Post Office, Dec. 27, 1817. Packet Mails will be dispatched to the Cape of Good Hope and Calcutta, by the Norfolk, Capt. Edwards. The detention at the Cape not to exceed seven days.-Letters will be in time on the 5th Jan,

Packet Mails will be dispatched to Madras direct, by the Wanstead, Capt. Young.-Letters in time on 30th inst.

Packet Mails will be dispatched to Bombay, by the Hon. Company's ship Canning, Capt. Patter son.-Sailed from Gravesend 24th inst. for the Downs.

His Majesty's ship Favorite will take Packet Mails to the Cape of Good Hope and St. Helena. -Letters in time on 30th inst.