Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

On crossing over to the other side of the river, along which a thick jungle extended, the recent tracks of elephants and tigers were distinctly perceptible. They do not seem, however, to be very numerous along this river, particularly as compared with the banks of the Attaran and Chappedong, where there is no moving ten paces, without meeting with frequent tracks of these animals. The villagers here entertain no dread of them, and say that the tiger rarely attacks an individual, unless he enters the jungle alone. The elephants are formidable to the cultivation only; and, until they are very much thinned, or driven to a distance, it will be vain to attempt agricultural operations to any extent.

From this place the Yung-salen channel is distant three days' journey, and from thence to the Yenbyean Khari, one day; beyond which it is hardly possible for small canoes, even, to pass, on account of the rapids and rocks by which the course of the stream is interrupted.

Four miles from the Karean village, opposite to Kow Lung island, and spreading to the bank of the river, is the largest forest of teak that occurs thus far upon the Saluen. The bank here is very lofty, and precipitous, and crumbling, in consequence of which the substrata are exposed. The upper soil was of the same kind as previously noticed, and rested on some coarse quartz, sand, and clay, strongly impregnated with iron, as it descended. The forest runs a considerable way inland, and contains a number of valuable trees, although their growth is impeded by underwood and climbing plants. The greatest length of undivided stem was 47 feet, the Trees, with a girth below 9 feet 7 inches, and at the top five. girth of 11 or 12 feet at the usual place of measurement, generally divided at a low height into two main branches.

From this place the party returned to Moal Mein, which was reached on the forenoon of the 18th March.-Government Gazette.

MIDNIGHT MUSINGS.

In the dim distance doth the city sleep,
As I survey it from the mountain's side-
The mighty monuments of human pride
Are blended with the mass-a shapeless heap:
Here doth such slumbrous, heavy darkness brood,
That Nature veils her visage; and we deem
In the low blast, and in the lightning's gleam,
Some strange intelligences dwell!-Such mood
May sometimes blanch the lone wayfarer's brow
With an unquiet dread; yet doth he find
The workings of the strong immortal mind

Stirring within: Oh! would they tell him how
Or whence he came-what lies beyond the tomb,
And open to his eye Futurity's dark womb!

L.

ALTERATIONS IN THE LAWS RELATING TO India.

THE following Abstract of the principal alterations made in the Laws relating to the East Indies, during the Parliamentary Session of 1828, has been drawn up for the information of the Merchants connected with the trade of India, by order of the East India Trade Committee, of whose labours we should be glad to hear a little more, and a little oftener. Most of these alterations are important, but especially that which introduces the Insolvent Laws into India, a measure undoubtedly first urged on public attention by the Indian Press, though subsequently carried into effect by the efforts of Mr. Wynn, and others at home.

ABSTRACT OF THE PRINCIPAL ALTERATIONS MADE IN THE LAWS RELATING TO THE TRADE, etc. of tHE EAST INDIES. SESSION, 1828.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 33. An Act to declare and settle the Law respecting the liability of the Real Estates of British Subjects, and others, situate within the Jurisdiction of His Majesty's Supreme Courts in India, as Assets in the Hands of Executors and Administrators, to the payment of the Debts of their deceased Owners.

[ocr errors]

[The Honourable the Chief Justice at Calcutta having, in a recent case, given an opinion, that any British subject might have estates of inheritance in that city, and that such estates would not be legal assets in the hands of an executor or administrator for the payment of Debts,' a considerable degree of alarm was excited, as it had been previously understood and acted upon, that lands, houses, &c. of British subjects, whether of inheritance or not, were available for that purpose, as well in the hands of the owner in his life-time, as of his executor or administrator after his decease. To set at rest a question affecting the validity of titles to much valuable property, and the future security of creditors, this Act has been passed.]

Sec. 1 & 2. Declares, that, whenever any British Subject or other Person (not being a Mohammedan or Gentoo) shall die seized of or entitled to any Real Estate, situate within the jurisdiction of the King's Courts at Fort William in Bengal, Fort St. George, and Bombay respectively, such Estate shall be deemed assets for the payment of debts, and may be sold or disposed of accordingly.

Sec. 5. Confirms and makes valid in law all conveyances of such real estates heretofore made by executors or administrators.

Sec. 6. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed as making any alteration in the existing laws in respect to the legal quality or tenure of property.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 50. An Act for regulating the Appropriation of certain unclaimed Shares of Prize Money acquired by Soldiers or Seamen in the Service of the East India Company.

Sec. 1. Prize-Money (of soldiers) remaining in the hands of agents in India to be paid over to the East India Company at the Settlements where such agents reside, and to be applied to Lord Clive's Fund.

Sec. 2. That belonging to officers or men in the Company's sea Service to be paid over in like manner, for the use of Poplar Hospital.

Sec. 3. States the times when such payments to the Company are to be made.

Sec. 5. Requires accounts of unclaimed shares to be delivered upon oath.

Sec. 12. Not to bar claims to prize-money made within six years after the same may have been paid over to the Company.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 72. An Act to extend the Provisions of the East India Mutiny-Act to the Bombay Marine.

The Provisions of the Act 4 Geo. IV. Cap. 81, to consolidate and amend the Laws for punishing Mutiny and Desertion in the Company's army, and the Articles of War made in virtue thereof, are, by the present Act, extended to the Bombay Marine, the officers in which service are hereafter to hold commissions, and the seamen to be enlisted. To take effect from and after the 5th January, 1829.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 73. An Act to provide for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors in the East Indies, until the First day of March, 1833.

Sec. 1. From and after the 1st of March, 1829, Courts for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors shall be established and held at Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay :-Appointment to be in the Supreme Courts of Judicature at those places respectively.

Sec. 5 à 7. Relate to the mode of petitioning the Court.

Sec. 9. Assignments to be made on the presentation of the petitition.

Sec. 10. What constitutes an act of insolvency on which a creditor may petition.

Sec. 12. The filing of a petition by an insolvent accounted an act of bankruptcy.

Sec. 15. Creditors whose debts shall be allowed in Court to share with those under the Commission of Bankrupt.

Sec. 17. Signature to certificate of bankrupt :-its force and effect.

Sec. 20. Notices of the filing of petitions to be inserted in the Gazettes of the three Presidencies, and in the London Gazette. Sec. 22. Where no Commission of Bankruptcy shall issue, the

Assignees of a petitioning insolvent may take possession of real or personal estates within the United Kingdom.

Sec. 24 & 25. Protection from arrest, or discharge of debtors from prison.

Sec. 31. Petitioners must deliver schedules of their property. Sec. 43. Nothing regarding the adjudication or sale of property shall affect the mortgage or assignment for debts of any share in any ship or vessel, according to the provisions of the Registry Act. (6 Geo. IV. Cap. 110. § 46.)

Sec. 53. No dividend to be made to joint creditors from separate estate, until separate creditors be paid in full, nor è converso.

Sec. 54. Part of an insolvent's property may be reserved for a limited time to place creditors in India and England on an equal footing.

Sec. 55. Court to direct what is to be done with the money of absent creditors.

Sec. 57 & 58. Periods when the Court may, in certain cases, discharge insolvents.

Sec. 80. His Majesty's Supreme Courts of Judicature in India may make rules for facilitating the relief intended to be given by this Act.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 74. An Act for improving the Administration of Criminal Justice in the East Indies.

Many wholesome alterations having lately been made in the Criminal Law of England, it has been deemed expedient to extend the same, by the present Act, to the British Territories under the Government of the East India Company.-To take effect from and after the 1st March, 1829.

9th Geo. IV. Cap. 76. An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Customs.

(To commence from and after the 10th August, 1828.) Sec. 3. Repeals the restrictions as to importation of wine, except in certain quantities, and of segars, in packages of 100 lbs.(6 Geo. IV. cap. 107. § 52.)

Sect. 10. Table of New Duties Inwards, by which the Duty on the following Articles of East India produce has been reduced:

New Duties.

Alkali imported from any place within the limits £ s. d.
of the East India Company's Charter, viz.
any article containing soda or mineral al-
kali, whereof mineral alkali is the most
valuable part, (such alkali not being other-
wise particularly charged with duty)

if not containing a greater propor

tion of mineral alkali than 20 per centum,

Old Duties.

£ s. d.

to the 6th of Jan., 1829, the ton 8 10 011 6 8

Alkali imported from the 5th of Jan., 1829, to the 6th of Jan., 1830, the ton.

from and after the 5th of January,

1830, the ton...
And an increase in the duty according to its
degree of strength, on the same scale as
barilla

Bottles of green or common glass full,

imported from any British possession, the
dozen quarts contents....

Castor Nuts or Seeds, imported from any British

possession, viz

[blocks in formation]

Nuts, the cwt.

Seeds, the cwt..

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

Opium, the pound

[blocks in formation]

Common, the cwt.

Powder, the cwt.

0

10

1 10 0 050

[blocks in formation]

Rice, the produce of, and imported from, any British possession, the cwt..

in the husk, (or paddy,) the quarter...

Rhubarb, the pound..

imported from any British possession,
the pound....

Sago, imported from any British possession, viz.
Pearl, the cwt...

Spirits, or Strong Waters, the produce of any Bri-
tish possession within the limits of the East
India Company's Charter, not sweetened
nor mixed with any article, so that the de-
gree of strength cannot be exactly ascer-
by Sike's hydrometer;

for every gallon of any strength not ex-
ceeding the strength of proof by Sike's hy-
drometer, and so in proportion for any

greater strength than the strength of proof 0 15 0 1 0 0

Tallow, imported from any British possession in
Asia, Africa, or America, the ewt.

Tortoise Shell, unmanufactured, imported from any
British possession, the pound..

Turmeric, imported from any British possession,

the cwt.

Wax, (Bees',) imported from any British possession, viz.

Wool, viz.

unbleached, the cwt...

in any degree bleached, the cwt.

Cotton Wool, or Waste of Cotton, imported
from any British possession, the cwt...

010

03 2

[blocks in formation]
« EdellinenJatka »