histr33.htm

History

"The Prince of Wales Island Gazette" as History

by Geoff Wade

Part 5

Vol. I, No. 9 (Saturday, 26 April 1806)

Page 1

* Proclamation signed H.S. Pearson Secretary to Government, dated 24 April 1806 noting that in addition to the proclamation dated 15 March 1806 governing registration of sale of land and houses, the Governor and Council now set down regulations governing sworn depositions by people living outside Prince of Wales Island regarding sale of land and houses on Prince of Wales Island.
* Proclamations signed by P. Kellner, Police Magistrate on Horse Riding and Buffaloes, as detailed on page 1 of Vol. I, No. 8 (Saturday, 19 April 1806) above.
* Proclamation by P. Kellner, Police Magistrate, dated 14 April 1806, requiring that every tenant is required to keep that part of road or street opposite his house free of rubbish and filth. The "Scavenger of George Town" was also directed to remove the piles of rubbish twice a day
* Notice by John Dixon of Malacca that he has all manner of goods for sale (detailed)
* Notice by Peter Chiene, advising that the ship Phillip Dundas will sail before 1 May for Calcutta, and seeking freight for it.

Page 2
* Notice of the arrival in the harbour of H.M. sloop Harrier (Captain Troubridge) on 19 April. Advised that the Blenheim, flag-ship of Sir Thomas Troubridge, had been stuck on a shoal in the Straits. Also notes arrival of Perseverance (Captain D. Chauvet) from Calcutta.
* Account of Russian ships Nadeshda and Neva at Macao and Whampoa. Expansion of story carried in first issue of Government Gazette.

Page 4

* Birth Notice: On 11 April, the lady of James Carnegy, of a daughter.
* Death Notice: Yesterday, Mr Thomas Layton, after a long and severe illness.

Vol. I, No. 10 (Saturday, 3 May 1806)

Page 1

* Government Advertisement, calling for "European and Native land-holders within George Town" to meet at the Customs House on Monday 5 may to elect a new Committee of Assessors.
* Proclamations governing land sale, horse riding, buffalo handling, and cleaning of roads (as detailed in issue of 26 April above).
* Notice by Messrs James Scott and Co. noting that they have "closed the Farm of Tin, Pepper &c" and thanking the merchants of George Town for their pledge of honour given, which aided the facility of collection while they held the farm.
* Notice that Prince of Wales Island Club would meet on Tuesday 6 May at Mr Nicoll's Tavern. Further noted that David M'Cullock was President and Thomas M'Quoid vice President. Notice signed by D. Brown, Acting Secretary.

Page 2

* General Orders by Government: Lieutenant Leonard Whitesmith of the 1st Bengal Volunteers battalion to be Adjutant of the Militia to replace Lieutenant Oaken, resigned. Effective 7 March last. Signed by H.S. Pearson, Secretary to Government.
* On 27 April, ship Scotland (Captain Burns) arrived from Calcutta, from whence she had sailed on 9 April.
* On 28 April, H.C. brig Fly arrived from Bencoolen, and Portuguese ship Antonio (Captain Rangel) arrived from Calcutta.
* On 30 April, the ship Warren Hastings (Captain A. Hunter), arrived from Annalaboo. Had suffered top mast breakage during voyage near Buron on coast of Pedier.
* On Thursday 1 May, H.M. ship Caroline (Captain P. Ranier) arrived from Malacca.
* Friday 2 May saw the arrival of Tweed (Captain Valance) from Malacca, whence she sailed on 26 April. Brought news that H.M. ship Greyhound had arrived in that port with "three small prizes, Spaniards, captured of the coast of Manilla, valued about 15,000 pounds."
* Philip Dundas (Captain Ambrose) left Penang for Calcutta this morning, with passengers G Adams and Mr Hawkins.

Vol. I, No. 11 (Saturday, 10 May 1806)

Page 1

* Public sale: To be sold by A Macintyre by order of Hadjee Yunoos, administrator, on 20 May, a piece of ground, situated in the district of Tulloh Ayer Rajah, the property of Hadjee Yunoos, deceased. Bounded eastward by the beach, westward by the woods, northward by Hadjee Sonien's ground and southward by Hadjee Mohammed Ally and Shah Mohammed's ground.
* Public sale: To be sold by A. Macintyre by order of Abdul Cawdor Bawa Saib, Administrator, a piece of ground situated on the north side of Malabar Street, George Town, the property of Mah Meerah, deceased.
* For private sale by A Macintyre, a curricle together with a pair of Acheen ponies
* Public Sale: To be sold at public auction on 10 May, tar, sugar, cocoanut oil, bar iron, ironwork and Malay tools being part of the cargo of one of the prizes of H.M. ship Greyhound.
* Notice that probate of the last will and testament of Thomas Layton, deceased, has been granted to Morrison Walker Wallace, Joseph Porter and Mathew Farie. Seeks payments from debtors and claims from creditors,
* General Orders by Government: Notice of arrival of Lieutenant Leonard Whitesmith and his orders to join the troops in garrison. Signed by H.S. Pearson, Secretary to Government. Notice that a royal salute to be fired from the ramparts of Fort Cornwallis, to celebrate surrender of Cape of Good Hope. Signed by John Drummond, Town Major.
* On 4 May, H.M. Ship Caroline (Captain P. Rainier) sailed for Madras. Passengers included Captains Keasberry and Eldridge of the Coast establishment.
* On 4 May, H.M. Greyhound arrived with her two prizes: a brig and a pontoon. The cargoes, consisting of mainly cordage, tar, clayed sugar and rice to be sold with least possible delay.
* Ship Henry Wellesly (Capt H.A. Reid) arrived 5 May from Calcutta whence she had sailed on 1 April. Passengers include Mrs Reid and family, Mr M'Gie, Mr Riddel, Mr Mackay and Lt. Whitesmith.
* H.M. ship Phaeton (Captain John Wood) arrived in harbour from Madras whence she had sailed on 20 April.

Page 3

* Reprint from the "Bengal Hircarrah": General Orders by the Governor General in Council - Captain Thomas Robertson of the Engineers of the Establishment is to proceed to Prince of Wales Island, in the capacity both of Engineer and Surveyor in the place of Mr Wood.

Supplement to the Gazette (Undated. Stated in manuscript to belong after issue of 10 May 1806, but actually continues account in issue of 17 May 1806)

* Births: At Malacca on 23 April, the Lady of Billington Loftie, of a daughter.
* Deaths: At Malacca on 3 May, the infant daughter of B. Loftie.
* Deaths: To the Eastward, on board the Forth, Mr Donald Mackenzie.

Vol. I, No. 12 (Saturday, 17 May 1806)

Page 1

* Public Sales: Sales of land by A. Macintyre on 20 May as detailed on page 1 of Vol. I, No. 11 (Saturday, 10 May 1806)
* Sales by Auction: By order of Thomas McQuoid. To be sold by A Macintyre at Mount Patrick on 23 May, the property of Christopher Smith, comprising furniture, cooking utensils, glass and china-ware.
* Public Auction by Court and Bone of household furniture.
* Private sale: by Mr Rogers, a Manilla Horse, late the property of Captain Keasberry. Price 150 Spanish Dollars.
* Government Gazette: On 10 May, the brig Betsy (Captain Snowball) arrived from Rangoon whence she left on 20 April. Cargo mainly oil, timber and stick lak.
* Brig Malcolm (Captain C. Fenwick) anchored in harbour on 11 May, due to leaky state.
* American ship Howard (Captain Benjamin Bray) arrived on 11 May from Boston, whence she had left on 11 November.
* On 13 May, ship Caroline (Captain Groube) arrived from Rangoon whence she sailed on 2 May. Carrying the finest cargo of timber ever imported into the island. To be used for building a 36-gun frigate for Government.
* On 13 May, ship Dundee (Captain H. Ross) arrived from eastward. Passenger: Captain M. Shepherdson.
* Letters from Malacca state that smallpox which had made its appearance "among the natives" had been eradicated through vaccination.
* H.M. ship Phaeton has been fitted with a new main mast and will soon be ready for sea.
* Christopher Smyth has proceeded for England on H.C. ship Warren Hastings.
* On morning of 16 May, brig Martha (Captain H. King) arrived from Madras, whence she sailed on 1 May. Passenger: Mr T. Thomas.

Vol. I, No. 13 (Saturday, 24 May 1806)

Page 1

* Advertisement: Court and Bone offer for sale claret, madeira, other wines and spirits, tea, Chinchew sugar candy, Canton sugar candy etc.
* Advertisement: Court and Bone offer for sale sheet music (detailed)
* Price Current, listing current prices for bee's wax, pepper, rattan, beetle-nut, Perah tin, Lingin tin, cutch, elephant's teeth, Benjamin, sugar, cloves, nutmeg, opium, fish maws, bird's nest, Baroos camphor, beache de mer, sharks fin, tortoise shell, and Batavian arrack.
* H.C. Schooner Albina (Captain Winter) arrived in port on 23 May from Malacca. From this ship, heard that brig Fancy, which had sailed from this port had arrived in Malacca on 1 May and sailed for Rhio on 4 May. Also ship Kadree (Captain Williamson), had arrived in Malacca on 10 May and sailed for Rhio same day. The brig Tweed (Capt. Valance) arrived in Malacca on 10 May and sailed for Rhio on 11 May. Ship Sally (Captain William Roberts) from Calcutta had arrived at and sailed from Malacca on way to China.
* A royal salute fired in consequence of the surrender of the Cape [of Good Hope].
* On 18 May, brig Cauderbux (Nocada Tomby Saib) arrived from Tranquebar, whence she sailed on 5 May.
* On 19 May, anchored in the harbour the brig Abdallah (Captain A Gordon), from the coast of Pedier, with beetlenut.
* On 22 May, the brig Martha (Captain H. King) sailed for Malacca and eastward. Passenger Captain M. Shepherdson.
* Lost notice: "a Heart", bearing the initial M.C. Lost or stole between first milestone and Kelso Bridge.

Vol. I, No. 14 (Saturday, 31 May 1806)

Page 1

* Advertisement: For sale, Bordeaux claret at the godowns of Mr J. Brown.
* Notice: Prince of Wales Island Club announces monthly meeting to be held on 3 June at Mr Nicholl's Hotel in Bishop Street. Mr Thomas M'Quoid, president and Mr Thomas M'Gee vice president. Signed by Thomas M'Gee, secretary.
* To be let: The House at Mt Patrick owned and formerly occupied by C Smith. Rent 100 dollars per month.
* Notice by Mr C. Smith seeking Vol. 2 of his Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
* For Sale: China Flooring Tiles by Court and Bone. Ten Spanish Dollars per hundred.
* Camphor Oil for sale by Court and Bone.
* Two advertisements offering for sale claret etc and sheet music, as carried on page 1 of Vol. I, No. 13 (24 May 1806).
* Price current of goods, as detailed on page 1 of Vol. I, No. 13 (24 May 1806).

Page 2

* The Government Gazette: On 24 May arrived from Goa the Portuguese ship Luz, carrying on board H.E. Senhor Bernardo Aleixo Lemas de Faris, Governor of Macao, and H.E. Senhor Antonio de Mendensa, Governor or Timor, proceeding to their respective situations. Ship remaining for repairs.
* H.M. ship Phaeton (Capt. John Wood), with new mast, sailed from the harbour on morning of 26 May.
* Ship Brisk (Captain Noyal) arrived on 29 May from eastward, touching at Malacca and bringing from there passenger Mr Joseph Cooper.
* News brought by Brisk: Brig Transfer (Captain Matthews) has sailed to Salangore on 26 May to complete her cargo. Forth (Captain Taylor) had left Rhio on 9 May for Tringany. The Swallow (Captain R. Scott) was at Lingin on 14 May. The Clyde (Captain Burnsides) had left Sambas for Borneo proper on 18 April, the General Wellesley (Captain Burns) sailed from Pontiana on same day for Sooloo. Near Pisang, the Brisk had been accompanied by large ship, which had not touched at Malacca. Supposed that it was the Shah Pariah, from Bengal for China. The Duchess of York (Captain Chabot), arrived in Malacca from the eastward on 25 May, and sailed the same day for Borneo. The Brisk also passed the Martha, from this port, near the Sambelongs on 26 May.
* The H.C. extra ship Northumberland (Captain Raincock) arrived on Thursday 29 May from England, the Cape and St Helena, in company with H.C extra ship Euphrates (Captain Herbert). They had lost the Euphrates on 5 April. Accounts from home up to 24 August of 1805. Letters arrived delivered by Post Office, but most carried on Euphrates. Passengers arrived on the Northumberland included: Paul Tate, Assistant Engineer for this settlement; Messrs G. Wilkinson, J tenant, J.G. Napier and T. Brooks, cadets for Bengal; Miss C.F. Cummings and Mr R Cummings from Madeira, Mr and Mrs Plutker and Mr John Plutker from the Cape of Good Hope. The Northumberland and Euphrates also brought out marine stores for H.M. navy and the settlement.
* "Scandal or the Painted-Lady Sweet Pea", a piece of verse composed locally, as indicated by issue of previous date.

Vol. I, No. 15 (Saturday, 7 June 1806

Page 1

* Public auction of foodstuffs (detailed) by Court and Bone.
* Public auction by Court and Bone of the schooner Good Intent (50 tons).
* Other advertisements as carried on page 1 of Vol. I, No. 14 (31 May 1806).
* Government Gazette: The H.C. ship Euphrates (P. Herbert) arrived Sunday 1 June from the Cape of Good Hope, whence she left on 27 march. Passenger: Miss Herbert.
* American ship Laura (Captain Christopher Prince) arrived Monday 2 June, from the Cape of Good Hope whence she sailed on 30 March.
* Details of the celebrations for the King's birthday on 4 June, the salutes from the ship Blenheim, the fashions and the evening dance. Included people from the suites of the Governors of Macao and Timor. 140 persons at the evening event. Tables laid out on avenue leading from Government House to the waterside. Attendance by Governor, members of council, and the Portuguese governors. "His Excellency Sir Thomas Troubridge retired at an early hour".

Page 2

* On 4 June, arrived the ship Swallow (Captain Robert Scott), last from Malacca on 2 June.
* Portuguese ship Bon Amigos (Captain Carvalho) arrived at this port 4 June, from Calcutta whence it had sailed on 13 May. Passenger Mr Rodyk.
* H.C. Ships William Pitt (Captain W. Edmeads), Europe (W. Gelston) and Streatham (Captain J. Dale), under convoy of H.M. ship Fox (commanded by Hon Archibald Cochrane) arrived at this port on 4 June from Madras, whence they had sailed on 18 May. Passengers on William Pitt: Mr Seaton, master builder and Mr Foote; on Streatham: Lieut. Morgan of the Madras Cavalry. Twenty four prisoners had also been brought on the William Pitt and Streatham from Madras.
* Brig Brisk (Captain Noyale) sailed for the eastward on 5 June.
* Signal indicated brig coming from South. Probably grab Transfer (Captain Mathews).
* Details of a riding accident at Ayer Etam. Involved Lieutenants Moser and Herbert on horseback, the buggy of Mr Vandockum, and some unnamed persons.
* Extract from a letter from Malacca dated 1 June, detailing the wreck in the China Sea of a vessel belonging to William Parry and bound from China to New South Wales. Some survivors escaped and reached Banguey, near Balambangan. There several were killed but remainder sailed on to Anamba islands. Attacked by some Malay prows. Detained by Rajah for six months. Then sent in a small prow from Anambas to Rhio, where they were received on board the Kaudree, a ship belonging to Syed Hussain of Penang. Treated well by Captain Williamson and then landed at Malacca on 1 June. Also notes that ship Forth (Captain Taylor) is in sight and that the Martha (Captain King) arrived on previous day, and that small pox rages through Malacca. Dr Loftie, garrison surgeon, has convinced natives of efficacy of vaccination and saved hundreds of lives.
* Penang Sporting Intelligence: Details killing of a racoon.
* Notes that a batch of superior ale is on its way from a sister settlement.
* Notes from Fort William in Bengal: 28 April -- On Sunday arrived the Mangles (Capt Reid) from China and Penang. Arrival of American ship Argo (captain Abathey Northey) from Salem via Batavia where she was for two months. On Tuesday arrived at Kedgeree H.M. brig Albatross (Captain Gordon), from Prince of Wales Island, whence she had sailed on 3 April, giving convoy to ship Mangles.

Page 3
* Notices from Bengal, dated 15 May: Lieutenant Morgan of the First Regiment of Native Cavalry to proceed to Prince of Wales Island on sick certificate.

(to be continued)

From a paper "The Prince of Wales Island Gazette - Penang's first newspaper" read by Dr Geff Wade at The Penang Story conference, Penang

This issue continues the APPENDIX to the paper.

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Index page Baba words Book review Food guide Peace pact (2) Letter from Pulau Tikus Letter to the editor Pulau Tikus discovered Prince of Wales Island Gazette (5) Road names

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The Penang File Issue 33