The oath taken by the directors seems as effectual as any thing which can be devised for the purpose of guarding against corruption, so far as the directors themselves are immediately concerned; and your committee have already remarked, that no one case of corruption or abuse, which has been before them, affects any member of that court. It is, in the passing through several hands, which happens frequently with regard to the more numerous and less valuable appointments of cadets, that opportunities for this sort of negociation are presented, which, without a greater degree of vigilance and strictness on the part of each director, at the time of making such nomination, it will be impracticable to prevent in fu ture. Your committee may perhaps be exceeding the limits of their province, in the further considerations to which this subject leads; but as they decline recommending any special legislative enactment, their view of the proper remedy for these abuses may be incomplete, unless they proceed to suggest some other observations. The unpleasant duty of increased vigilance is not likely to be performed without some incitement of benefit or disadvantage, attendant upon the exercise, or neglect of it; and it is equally conformable to experience to presume, that patronage will continue to be abused, so long as no inconvenience is felt by the person primarily giving, or by the person ultimately receiving it. Where strict examination is a duty, any species of negligence cannot be wholly blameless; and it appears not unreasonable to curtail in some degree, the patronage of those, who have either not been sufficiently watchful in the disposal of it, or whose diligence has been unsuccessful in preventing the abuses which are complained of. As an additional check against those who are inclined to purchase such appointments, it may be expedient that a. bond should be given by the parent, guardian, or friend of every person receiving a nomination, containing a penalty to be paid to the East India company, upon proof being made at any subsequent period, that any valuable consideration was given for such appointment; that species of proof being deemed sufficient to levy the penal ty, upon which the court of direc tors may think themselves authorized to vacate the appointment. The practices which are developed in the present report, and other transactions which this house has recently had under its cognizance, are sufficient to demonstrate, that patronage of various descriptions has, in several instances, become an article of traffic; that an opinion of the generality of such practices has been prevalent to a still greater extent; and that fraudulent agents have availed themselves of this belief, to the injury of the credulous and unwary, and to the discredit of those in whose hands the disposition of offices is lodged. It will depend upon the steps which may be taken in consequence of these inquiries, whether such abuses shall receive a permanent check, or a virtual encouragement. 14th of February, of an attack having been made by our troops on the island of Martinique; the whole of which, with the exception of Fort Bourbon, which was expected to surrender in a few days, was in our possession. The details of the attack are given at considerable length in the Barbadoes Mercury, from which we extract the substance of the narrative. The expedition arrived off Martinique on Sunday, the 29th of January. On the morning of the 30th they separated in two divisions, the Acasta hoisting a broad pendant, and, leading that with the division of the army under the commander in chief, and Sir George Prevost, intended to effect a landing in Bay Robert, while the admiral, Sir A. Cochrane, proceeded with that under Major General Maitland round Maran, and entered the bay of St. Luce. The commander in chief immediately issued a proclamation, inviting the inhabitants to submit immediateto his majesty's forces, holding out on the one hand the advantages they would derive from quiet submission, and on the other, the calamity that would arise from a fruitless resistance. In the afternoon of the 30th, the division under the immediate command of Lieutenant-general Beckwith, effected a landing at Bay Robert; Sir G. Prevost, and Brigadiergen. Houghton, with the first brigade, lauded first, and advanced the same evening some distance into the country. This brigade consisted of the 7th regiment, under Lieutenant-colonel Peckenham, 23d under Lieutenant-colonel Ellis, and five companies of the 1st West India regiment, under Lieutenant-col onel Tolley. The second brigade led by Lieutenant-general Beckwith, having under him Brigadier-general Colville, consisted of the 8th regiment under Major Maxwell, the 13th under Lieutenant-col. Keane, and four companies of the 1st West India regiment, under Major Clifton. The reserve commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Blackwell, consisted of the 3d battalion 60th regiment, under Major Mackey, the flank companies of the 25th regiment, the 4th battalion of the 60th, and the 4th West India regiment. Trinity surrendered on the 31st. The second division, under the command of Major-general Maitland, also landed on the 30th at St. Luce. The first brigade, led by Major-general Maitland, having under him Lieutenant-colonel Barnes, consisted of the 63d regiment, under Lieutenant-colonel Fairtlough, and York rangers, under Major Henderson. The second brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Riall, consisted of the flank companies of the 15th and 46th regiments, under Major Payne, the 15th regiment, under Major Davidson, York L. I. Volunteers, under Lieutenant-colonel Streicher, and 8th W. I. regiment, under Lieut.col. Prevost. The reserve, commanded by Lieut.-colonel M'Nair, consisted of the 90th regiment, under Major Wright, and 31st West India, under Major Allen. The fort of Cape Solomon was taken possession of, and positions were taken for the purpose of attacking with effect Pigeon Island, which held out till the 4th of February, and then surrendered at discretion, nearly sixty men on the part of the enemy having been killed and wounded during the bombardment. bardinent. Five officers and 130 privates of the garrison, surrendered prisoners of war, and were sent on board the Rompee. Lamentin, round the Cul de sac de Cohee, to point Negro; and Major Henderson, with his party, proceeded by water across Fort Royal Bay down to Cass Naviere, and took a position on the heights above it. At the date of the last accounts from Martinique (the 6th ult.), pre In the mean time Major-general Maitland, with the main body of his division, advanced to Lamentin. Lieut.-general Beckwith and sir G. Prevost, proceeded towards Bruno and Sourrier, having frequent skir-parations were making for an attack mishes with the enemy on their upon the works of Fort Bourbon, march. On the 2d of February which were expected to be completthey had a more general action with ed in eight or ten days. the enemy in the neighbourhood of Sourrier, a height which affords a commanding situation for attacking Fort Bourbon. The possession of this height was obstinately contested by the enemy for several hours. They repeatedly charged our troops, who, as often received them on the point of the bayonet. The enemy were at length driven from their position, and our troops obtained possession of the heights. The whole of the details of this affair had not reached Barbadoes at the last date of these papers (the 11th ult.) our loss is, however, stated at 72 men killed and 240 wounded.-Amongst the officers are, Capt. Taylor of the 7th, Major Maxwell of the 8th, and Captain Sinclair of the 25th, killed; and Lieut.-Col. Peckenham of the 7th, Majors Campbell and Turner of the royal West India rangers, and Captain Gladstanes of the 3d West India regiment, wounded. Lient.-general Beckwith, who led the attack, had a narrow escape, a soldier being killed by his side. The loss of the enemy is stated at about 300 men. After this action the enemy concentrated the whole of his force in Fort Bourbon. Major-gen. Maitland with his division moved from The inhabitants of the island were at least neutral, if not friendly to our reduction of it. They had not in any instance annoyed our troops, and towards the squadron had shown great hospitality, having repeatedly supplied them with fruit, vegetables, &c. An offer to surrender had been, it was said, sent by the inhabitants of St. Pierre's, but its immediate possession was considered of no consequence, as it must follow the fate of Fort Bourbon. tion of their constitution, which had been preserved entire and inviolate under the dominion of your majesty and that of your august ancestor, took up arms on the 10th inst., attacked the Bavarian troops at Stergingen, at Inspruck, at Hall, and at the convent of St. Charles; and after having killed or wounded more than 500 of the enemy, compelled them to surrender and capitulate. On the 12th a body of 300 men, composed of French and Bavarian troops, presenting themselves before Wildau, near Inspruck, sustained a similar defeat to that of the former; and a reinforcement of French troops which came up on the 13th did not meet with a better fate. As prisoners are continually coming in, I am not as yet enabled to ascertain the number of them with precision; but there have already been brought in, and sent on their way to Saltsburgh, the French general Bisson, several officers of the staff, from 3000 to 4000 men, of different descriptions, artillery, cavalry, light infantry, &c. and likewise the Bavarian general, Kunkel, col. Ditford, two lieut.-colonels, two majors, about 20 officers, and above 12,000 Bavarian troops. A considerable number of prisoners are brought in every other moment, who have been dispersed in the different attacks. The report then continues to speak in the highest terms of the bravery displayed by the Tyrolese in a variety of desultory engagements; in all of which the enemy were routed, and their cannon, baggage, &c. seized by the victors. On the 19th. lieut.-gen. Jellachich advanced towards the 'Tyrol, across the mountains of the Saltsburgh territory, with a small detachment; but though a double march was made every day, he arrived only in time to admire the victory of the brave Tyroleans, who, armed with every sort of weapon they could lay hold of, were pressing forwards towards Inspruck, to encounter a fresh column of the enemy which was said to be approaching. The march of the Austrian detachment resembled a triumph; they were every where greeted by the acclamations of the people, and the sound of bells mingled with discharges of artillery and musketry. An innkeeper at Hall organized the insurrection of the country, and directed three attacks, in which the Tyroleans lost only 26 men. Twenty thousand florins of the public money were seized at Imbst. The Bavarian authorities have been replaced by a provisional police. Private letters from the French head quarters of the 6th inst. announce, that, on that day an Austrian officer of the staff had arrived with a messenger, bearing a letter written by the emperor Francis to the Emperor Napoleon; in which the emperor of Austria implored an armistice and peace of his majesty in the most humble expressions. The short time of the stay of the parlementaires in the head quarters of his majesty, induced an opinion that the answer was unfavourable; the more so as the army continues advancing. Articles from the American Papers relative to the Restoration of Intercourse with America. New York, April 21. Notice. The Federal Republi can can Committee, of the city of New York, recommend to all ship owners and masters of vessels to display their colours on Monday - next, in honour of the triumph of Federal Policy, in the restoration of intercourse between the United States and Great Britain. The persons having charge of the bells in the different churches, are requested to cause them to be rung from twelve to one o'clock in the same day. And it is ordered that a committee wait on the commandant of artillery, and request that he will cause a Federal Salute to be fired at sun-rise, noon, and, sun-set, on the same glorious occasion. Committee-Room Saturday, Evening, April 22. GENERAL MEETING. Triumph of Federal Policy-No Embargo-No French partyA return of Peace, Prosperity and Commerce. All true friends of their country all who are disciples of Washington, and disposed to support the Federal Ticket at the ensuing election, are requested to meet this day, at twelve o'clock, at the Circus, to consider the present state of our national affairs, and to support that system of Federal Politics which has at last compelled the administration to abandon a fruitless and - self-destructive embargo, and take the first step towards a settlement of our affairs with Great Britain, by accepting terms offered sixteen months ago; thus putting our differences with that nation in a train of being fairly and honourably adjusted, instead of French threats and confiscations abroad, aud French influence at home. April 24. Yesterday, agreeably to notice, our citizens evinced public testimonies of their joy on the prospect of a restoration of commercial intercourse with England. The day was ushered in by a grand Federal Salute, which was repeated at noon, and at sun-set. The shipping in harbour were decorated with their flags at mast-head during the day. The American Eagle, roused from despondency, once more soared among the stars, floating with fond complacency over resuscitated commerce, and expanding his pinions in triumph at her restoration. The ringing of bells and the thunder of cannon spoke the feelings of freedom, and proclaimed to the skies, the virtuous enthusiasm of political friendship. Mutual felicitations were exchanged among our patriotic citizens, and the joys of the heart lighted up a smile on every countenance. At twelve o'clock a very numerous and respectable assembly of Federal Republicans met at the Circus. So large and so animated an assemblage of electors was never before witnessed in this country. Though the place will contain upwards of four thousand, it could not admit the whole who attended. The city, in the evening, was splendidly and fancifully illuminated:-while the chiming of the bells and sounds of joy in the streets which swelled on the breath of eve, filled every virtuous bosom with sensations of delight. What are the reflections which present themselves to the mind from survey and recapitulation of this scene? a A natural association of ideas pourtrays |