The Sun. — London, England, 1844-04-04 00:00:00

~n kit V A. from r. ot ie !bo. ditto satiov 3overeigil Janua t i l nmancL er it /ow, nab 0 / id Chid' i i of the the rviv up e st re f e rs r :111 ; 0P 8 / 11 ,:i0 iTOrs to ° oe .ow ft elet oh 115 0 A ), fr°,phogfi cied, Ufl opirtiO ri , beell Pantry was put in orders in their place, when a Oovern inent order directed both to renAin where they were. If it is intended to keep Slade with Bombay troopi, an augmentation of from 5,000 to 10,0(0 men must imme diately be made in the army of the Western Presidency, It present less than 30,000 strung. CALTBUL. The news from this part of Central Asia affords much ratter for speculation. It extends to the 9;h January. We find from our letters direct from that place that the acquisition of Chiva by the Ameer ot Bokhara is spoken o f as a f a i t accompli, and as well known beyond the Hindoo ko'i ; but his conquest seems none of the most complete, as his Mini,ter Surumud than refuses to undertake the governm , nt, because, we presume, he considered the number of troops his master was about to place at his disposal totally i nadequate to the task which was about to be imposed upon him, being only half these by whom the Ameer had conquered the province. The victor had, it appears, some slight apprehension for his own country, originat ing in rumours of an invasion by Dost Mahomed Khan, but which were quite groundless, and wished to return to Bokhara as expeditiously as possible. The reports of political intercourse between Yar Mahomed ot Herat and Dost Mahomed, which have been for some time st rongly bruited, have now resolved themselves into a " tai nty, and it closer connection, through the means of matriatnnial alliance between their families, has been fornied between the two chiefs. A vakeel arrived at Caubul at the latter end of December with letters an d Presents from Yar Mahomed, who, it may be re te„lnetnhered, h av i ng got rid of his master Shah Kamram ther of Shah Soojah of Caubul), usurped the sore- BiltYaholif K amram, rat, in 1841, to the detriment of the sons whom he expelled. These letters I Z:tea the Dost to become a member of a great con ire.ration which h e , Y ar M a h ome d , was f orm i ng at t h e A.3tlgntiott of Persia, b e t ween a ll th e c hi e f s i n C en t ra l -• ft . , 1 . 4 _ and of whi c h hi s b rot h ers at C an d a h ar were re nted to be already members. He offered his daughter `age to M a h ome d Akb ar Kh an , an d th e offer t 3/4 been accepted with some appearance of avidity, )Initiatory ceremonies were performed with great Lhen P c ni ) P on the l ast d ay of the year. The vakeel was honourably di sm i sse d b y t h e D ost, w h o sent w i t h Ana a revresentati ve of his own, and also some handsome .Pt.esenta in return for those he had received. It appears also certain that Dost Mahomed and his son are actively Maga(' in s ecret intrigues with Sultan Mahomed at z'""nore,' and Pe er M ahomed at Peshawur, but do not t consider th emselves in a condition to quit Caubul for ik a Pt!Fse of i nva di ng the trans-Indian possessions of Sikhs, and which it has been for months expected . neYwottld do wi t h as l i ttle delay as possible. But the 17141„ sontnent at lar ge o f S u l tan M a h ome d, t h e b rot h er he Dost, at Lahore, with a ll hi s f am ily, is apparently oeru,lnagbliiffs-block in th e i r way, which is not easily got probable that the moment Dost Mahomed aepeared as an enemy on the east of the Khyber, the life nr Sultan Mahomed would be sacrificed by the Sikhs in their present state of anarchy. Besides, the factions pltich are still powerful in Caubul, headed by .Mahomed • "Man Khan, by Jubbar Khan; and others, render it a -Matter ofeonsideration with the Dust how far it would be ,prudent to leave the capital until his rule is esta °lished on a firmer basis than it now enjoys. It is true that there are symptoms, notwithstanding his in ?rdinate extortions, several instances of which are given by our friend s i n Aff g h an i stan, of the rule of Dust Alahomed acquiring, especially in the East, that de gree of stability which may ultimately induce the long threatened and highly probable invasion, and when it does occur it is more likely that he will not have much • I liffieulty in accomplishing the conquest of Peshawur, and its dependencies, as far as the Attock at least, as the " force of circumstances" is preparing the people of the land for a change arid his brother Pecr, Mahomed n the s p ot, and will,' at the proper time, give him • all the assistance in his power, as his influence is con siderable. The GOverno r o f P es h awur , 'Fej Singh, is disaffected to the present Government of Lahore, in con f!equence of the indignities offered to his most intimate rriendiTemadar Khooshyal Singh, by Raja Heera Singh, • besides which ho is not capable of resisting with troops :1 6 are serving most unw illi ngly at a distance from capital, where their more fortunate brethren are ask ing in the sun of the Minister's favour and bounty. These are all considerations which will doubtless weigh with Dost Mahomed. The forts of the Khyber, at Lail ' Poorah and at Jellalabad, are all in his hands or those o a f , his son, or o f men w h o are attached to him. ' , Ace hfusjid is about being put into a state of repair ; nativ e expresses are passing weekly from Lahore to Peshawur, and from Peshawur to Caubul, between the brothers, and it was only in the beginning of January that Mahomed Akbar Khan's Lieutenant-Governor at Jellalabad, was ascertained, by our news-writer at reshawur, to have come to the latter place in the disguise 'Of a beggar, with dispat c h es f rom C au b u l, w hi c h h e de livered in person to Peer Mahomed Khan, and then re ' fined by a different ro u t e t o Jellalabad. These are all • s igns of the times, and will be found at th e fitti ng p er i o d • to resolve themselves into an attack on Peshawur by the '-Afghans. Many rumours were lately afloat at Lahore, ...at . Verozepore, and elsewhere, respecting the advance of Akbar. Khan to Jellalabad, and the murder ; i Snoisi-ood-Dowlah, son of Nawab Zuman Khan, with 7anY other tales of a similar nature, which gather eiikth as they p rocee d, b u t th e y h ave a ll turned out _ erroneous, or false in fact, as we supposed from the 'be- Caning they would. - GWALIOR. - Matters in Gwaliorhave now become satisfactorily ar 'renged, and the country settled down into complete tran quillity. The late stirring events, however g r ave i n chi ta rational nds, have .arle!!An.glY had bu y t little eff ect with on those of the mi cool Mah . ~,,r:! The ordinary results which might have been 11;4:1,7„avtedfrora a. proverbially sullen, if not exasperated nu n t e. in the wentr instance, give n place to the torchj al .,etY ;an laly reflections . su o egested t _ litwe bretzerers - uy PreParation f or s • ateon. fortress eree ce h a formed „eurnplete overthrow of their boas steel which , With the dismantlement of those bygone recollections ought to alm ost sacred in them—with subjugation 'eyed u p, Y. detested enemy—have been totally swal 4etites . 4 i t ere, in the gratification of their vitiated Lnd th e t sn PPlied them by their numerous holidays, 410 rad unienierable fancy fairs which constitute the -treater cl ~,, of the slggish people, of the East. The MTh • vurt inn of the ir h ein and tendered . Mission, army are com air d osand d os ii and, several of the chief o fficers _ receiv e d have already followed the example, and ' G anDointments nder the re-organized rnniene A • u • h ee r , list of those chiefs w o were _ mental in bringing about the late disturbances be ; h.„,, siini: presented to the Gavernor-General by the be en • te. Rani Rao Phallted ; but a decision had not yet te.... coihe to as to their disposal. Others bad received l r e,_ ItPtory ~.1 eeeers to quit the country, but, being , o _ 4o us to remain, had offered larg e sums to any one ~,") would undertake to bring abo ut a reconciliation. The sons of Colonel Jacob were preparing to leave, and - tee old Colonel himself, who is represented a creditor t rn e i ,,ra to the Government to the amount of about one I , — , l , u t°o sterling, was totally undecided what course to a, s a ue• Above eighty brass guns, have been made over ,7111, i ndependently of those taken on the field of battle; , - k u u about twenty thousand of the treops have laid down "men' arms, and volunteered their services in the contin gent- -The following app o i ntments, which have been `` Aeially announced, m a y th ere f ore be relied on:— To com man d Scindiah's C on ti ngent , an d to b e . g overnor of the fortress of Gwalior, with the rank, ta i Y, and allowances of a Brigadier of the first class— .? e ntenant-Colonel A. Stubbs, 24th R eg i men t Native - n lif e a .„ n trY. Lieutenant Frank Turner, Artillery, Major m ilit' - origade. Bre ve t C a ptain H. S. G r i mes , 46 t h N at i ve -ary, Paymaster. First Lieutenant Alexander Cun ningham, Engineers, Executive Engineer. Artillery. -Ist Company, Lieutenant J. H. Smith. 2d Company, Lieutenant Robert Warburton. 3d Corn- . i tnY, Brevet Captain Vincent Eyre. 4th Compiiy, ieutettant A. W. Hawkins. 18 thl4 Ist Regiment o f C avalry.—Brevet Major W. Minto, Regiment N. 1., Commandant. Captain W. Ander son, 59th Regiment N. 1., second in command. Lieute nant B. N. Rashes, 67th Regiment N.I. Adjutant. Mr. .Assistant-Surgeon J. Hope, Surgeon. 2d Re g i ment of C avalry —Capta i n J. Lumsdaine, 58th Ilegiment N. 1., Commandant. Lieutenant R. H. Sale, 9th negiment N. 1., secon d i n command. Lieutenant W. Alexander, 10th Light Cavalry, Adjutant. Mr. As aistant-Surgeon W. Pringle, M.D., Surgeon. Ist or Grenadier Regiment of Infantry—Captain G. 11. Mitchell, 2d European Regiment, Commandant. Brevet Captain J. Hennessey, 70th Regiment of Native /nfantr y, second in command. Lieutenant the Baron F. A. Von Meyern, Adjutant. Mr. Assistant-Surgeon J. X. Rope, Surgeon. sl2d 2cl Regiment of Infantry—B revet Captain M. T. Regimen ant 54h A. Regiment of N at i ve I nfantry, Commandant; LieuteH. Ross, 42(1 Native Infantry, second in o ommand • Lieutenant J.H. Nembh ar d, 5 6t h R eg i ment ta,Live Infantry, Adjut an t ; M r. Assistant-Surgeon H. '''• uniton, Surgeon. 16thad Regiment o f I n f antry —Captain Harry M. Graves, Regiment Native Infantry, Commandant ; Brevet Captain A. F. Macpherson, 43t1 Regiment Native In 7, • Second in command ; Lieutenant R. H. D. Tul ch, 39th Regiment Native Infantry, Adjutant ; —, S urgeon. 4 h 68th Regiment of Infantry —Captain N. A. P ar k er , r/ , ...egitnent Native I n f antry, C ommandant ; —, - `vnUd in command ; Lieutenant H. B. Shelton, 38th ni •••vgierit Nati ve I n f antry, Adjutant ; —, Surgeon. sth 1e..-: H i ewegiment of Inf an t ry —C apta i n W. . Halford, 41st Regiment Nati ve I n f antry, Commandant ; Captain -;., 'IL Richardson, 57th Regiment Native Infantry, second "4 command j •••••••••• Adjutant ;—, Surgeon. ' 61h Re ' tof Infantry —Cap tain Sommerset J. Men e, 68th Native Infantry, Commandant : —, Coed in com man d ; —, Adjutant , 1 'With s omeportions of territory which have , been ceded, 0 1 0,0 001. have been paid in order to defray the expenses nh te War, with an additional sum of 70,0001. as an ac- Fance to the British Government. The installation ~tas young Maharajah took placeon the 20th January. the G overnor-General, the Commander-in -Chief, and re s' - resi dent, Colonel Sleeman, with the chief political and w _dita.iee •,, authorities, were present. Splendid presents heldere given on both sides. A grand review was likewise dun the 22d, in presence of the Maharajahs and Sir 41ra, with the principal persons about the court. The ceo_iebration of the nuptials of the Maharajah took place ~,,u , _ tile Ist of February amidst the greatest rejoicings, !veer ' Ind a display of fireworks on a grand scale took place, ~ 10,0001. was distributed among the Brahmins in tota l i ty. Lord Eli fl the 23d enborough took his departure from Gwalior on t 3d of January, accompanied by General Grey, VV.left wing of the army, and General Littler, with kiryision, remains for a time behind. Majorprummond, Putt' Q ua rtermaster -General, was the arbiter al) - , .:ted to settle the amount of compensation for tee Th e '6l_one the fields d ur i ng the ad.vadace of the troops. L 'ustian officers and men who'bid been compelled -ilevre previous to the c,owniencemeut of hostilities ' 111, 0401411 the benevolent intervention of IXLaijor THE SUN, LONDON,•THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 4, 1844 70 hhds. Allsopp's at Rs. 65 per hhd. 100 ~ Barclay, Perkins, and Co. at Rs. 50 per „ 80 „ Combe, Delafield, and Co. at Rs. 45 per „ SPIRITS.—The only change is in Brandy, which has advanced about 2 annas per gallon. Sales have had effect at Rs. 1 14 0 and lis. 2 0 0 respectively. EASTERN PRODUCE. COTTON.—Rather an extensive business has been done since our last, and prices of all descriptions save Oomra wuttee and Compta have still further given way. We may now quote them as below : Brcaci and Surat, old, Rs. 84 to 85 per candy. Dollera do. „ 84 Oomrawuttee new „ 95 Ditto old „ 80 Barsee Compta .... do. „ 82 to 83 „ COFFEE.—There is none here at present, and prices are entirely nominal. Ortum is somewhat higher than last month, the price now being Rs. 1,200 at 1,210 per chest. WooL.—Khorassan has improved in price, but all other sorts are unchanged. PEPPER.—We hear of purchases of Malabar Pepper, at Rs. 49 per candy, and Cardamoms at Rs. 40 per maund. . _ FREIGHTS have risen since our last, and may now be quoted for first class vessels at 31. 10s. to London and Liverpool, and ss. per ton less-for second class ships. There is no ship loading for the Clyde. Freight to China is Rs. 17 per candy. MONEY MARKET.—Money continues extremely plen tiful, but does not appear to induce speculative opera tions. The paper of the Two Four per Cent. Loans is the same in value as last month, but that of the Five per Cent. has still further advanced, as will be perceived from the subjoined quotations 4 per cent. loan of 1832-33 Sa. Rs. 106 i do. of 1835-36 Cb.'s „ 99! to 100 5 do. of 1841-42 „ „ 11l to 1111 EXCHANGE.—BiIIs on England at six months' sight have been sold at ls. 1 lid., at Is. 110. during the month, but the present rate for respectable drafts cannot be quoted higher than Is. 1 lid. to Is. 110.-30 days bills are at Is. 10d. to 1s: 10td. Exchange on Calcutta Rs. 101 i to 1031 at 60 days' sight ; on Madras Rs. 89i at 30 days' sight ; and on China Rs. 216 per 100 dolls. Bsmcs.—Bombav Bank Shares are at 42 to 43 per cent. premium, and those of the Bank of Western India at 28 to 30 per cent. PRICE of BuudoN.—Sovereigns, each—Rs. 11 0 0 to II 30. Bank Notes, per Rse 10 80toIl 0 O. proved, merely because his attempted reforms did not fall in with the views of the Praetorian bands of the State, whose insolence and power required a check ? If Gwalior is formally attached to the British dominion after this war, or if it be so now, 1 think it can be de fended. Why did not the Bhaee and the Raja pro ceed to meet the Governor-General, as was pro mised—why were the troops advanced to fight—why did the Ranee in Dunbar openly encourage for days previous to the fight the spirit of her sirdars—if peace was her object ? I cannot think that it was. She dis patched a confidential agent to the Governor-General as he advanced, who professed peace to him, and sent her messages to fight. If she and her advisers had de sired peace, she would have met the Governor-General. As it was, Baboo Setooha's . visit was only intended to ascertain whether we were in earnest ; and he found that we were, and wrote instructions accordingly. If it he urged that Lord Ellenborough is a fighting character, and will have war, in this instance he does not stand alone. This advance has been contemplated for the last six months, and was agreed on in council ; the army was assembled ; and though no proclamation was made, yet the Gwalior State was fully informed of the coese quences which would follow a refusal of the terms which were demanded. Either we are rulers of India or we are not. If we occupy the place of the Emperor of Delhi and the Peishwah, we have a right to make our own terms for the security of our dominions to States which were their vassals, and are therefore ours. We have no right to dictate at'Lahore or in Nepaul, but we have at Gwalior ; and to have our authority cavilled at and evaded when exercise of it became inevitable would render us contemptible. I am not one of those who halloo Lord Ellenborough on to conquest. I think in this mat ter he had no alternative ; and if the succession had been refused by the supreme Government, he would only have acted rightly, and asserted rights which England, no doubt, possesses ; but he was not prepared then, and since then provocation has increased. We have yet much to learn, and how the possession of Gwalior will be managed. Are we virtually to rule there, or are we merely to hold the sword ? I protest against the latter as mischievous, and have done so before, perhaps usque ad nauseam. The Calcutta papers facetiously have it that Lord Ellenborough pursues a " long sword, morocco bridle, whacksrow-de-dow" kind of policy; and certainly it will give ample room to such persons to say that he does, seeing that he went into the thick of the fight, where bullets were flying thick as hail. I think he might have avoided this ; it has an unpleasant look. It is all very well for people to fight who are paid to do so, and whose duty it is therefore to do so. Not so the Gover nor-General of India. His office is one of peace and diplomacy, and a stray shot might have produced not only a very bad moral effect, but a great deal of incon venience as regards public matters. This is probably the last time his Lordship will have occasion to join in an affair of the kind ; but it would be as well that it were signified to him that the field of battle is not his place. It is fair only to say that he was induced to retire after some time, and that he is said to have distributed money to wounded men, as well as oranges, both of which will be gratefully remembered. As yet there is no official account of the action, and indeed private ones do not abound. It appears to have been confined to the storming of several well-served batteries loaded with grape, which is about as destruc tive a service as can well be imagined upon troops whose close formation renders heavy loss inevitable. There were three actions on the 29th, and there is no doubt, in this simultaneous attack of three different bodies and positions, the enemy's future operations will be distracted and paralyzed. We may, however, hear of another en gagement, if any Sirdar has the heart to rally a force. I do not think it. The Mahrattas are not like Belo chees—willing to fight for their country. All the troops at Gwalior are mere mercenaries, having no interest in the land, except for their pay. The Durbar having yielded, as I will presume must be the case, the army will yield also, or break up into small parties, which will be beaten in detail. What appears of the Governor-Gene ral's action is this—that on the 29th of December, after the Quartermaster -General's party had been fired on, the army advanced towards that of Gwalior, which was strongly posted in an intrencliesLposition, It consisted of 56 guns, well posted and served, 14 battalions of regu lar infantry, 6,000 cavalry, and some irregulars. Our own numbers are not detailed as yet, but the brunt of the fight fell upon her Majesty's 39th and 40th, the Bengal 2d Grenadiers, and the 16th, and other corps, which were roughly handled. 12,000 yards of open plain, covered only with low green corn,:had to be passed before the batteries could be carried ; and the storm of grape and shell was tremendous. Nothing daunted, however, and led on most gallantly. by Gene strength i i of e the ral Valiant, the batteries were stormed, the Artiller :d batteries by the Gwalior G forced, e rce e d r , the tt lr on contingent other Mahrattas lay in their guns, men serving their guns to the last, and falling by the troops bayonetfl fled, and were around them. Tsuh pursued a w n i d t h t s n o e field e effect.ld was The w n n. column The or grand General the right, had a similar recepti on w i th s i m il ar resu l ts, which haie long been known as a fine park, in excellent order. As in the battle of Mehidpoor, where Holkar lost his park, and the battery of 40 pieces of cannon was stormed and car ried by the bayonet alone, so in this instance the bayo net seems to have done the work, and the action not to have yielded in a display:of bull-dog courage to those of Meanee and Dubber, while the loss appears more severe. The Royal regiments have suffered severely. Of the 40th, 17 were killed, 171 wounded, with 8 officers; the Grena diers, 14 killed; the 16th,120 killed and wounded; Gene ral Littler's force, 300 killed and wounded: in all some 800 men. The enemy's loss said to be upwards of 2,000. That fine old veteran, Gen. Churchill, mortallywounded. died in the night; Captain Somerset, badly wounded in both legs; Colonel Sanders, Military Secretary to the Governor-General, shot through the heart; Major Stop ford, Captain Coddington, Lieutenant and Adjutant Nelson, of her Majesty's 40th, badly; and four other officers of the same corps, slightly, wounded. Other corps lost from 80 to 100 men each, and a proportion of officers. Besides those I •have mentioned of the 39th, Major Bray, Lieutenants Gray, Munro, and Colville, are stated to be badly wounded; Captain Tinley, Lieu tenant Atkinson, Ensign; Scarlete and Bray, severely; Captains Hubert and Campbell, Lieutenant Currie and Ensign Newport, slightly. Cavalry—Major Crommelin had his leg shot off; Lieutenant Friend, badly wounded. There are also other casualties, and, till the official ac counts appear, private accounts give but uncertain par ticulars. General Valiant had a narrow escape, a ball, which struck him on the breast, having been turned by a small pistol; his horse was wounded in three places. His daring courage is said to have been the admiration of all. Of the engagements with the other parties of the Gwa- HOr force we have no proper accounts, but they were all brilliant and successful; and as the Bhaee and the Regent were with the Governor-General, I hope the matter is at au end. It is well the English army was so large and well appointed as it was, or the loss would have been heavier, and the Work more protracted. The reserve was not engaged at • all, and with fresh troops and the whole army collected after the battles, all resistance on the part of the Mahratta army would be hopeless. It is not improbable that the 6,000 cavalry may take to the country, and plunder Mahratta fashion, and this would afford some opportunities for General Mackwell's Cavalry Brigade to distinguish themselves. But there is little hope of this ; the Mahratta horse with the Peishwa never stood for a fair fight, though num bering tens of thousands, except at Ashtee, where Gokla fell ; and all that can be expected of these Gwalior bodies is, that they will either submit to be reformed under European officers for the service of the State, or that they will take to plunder,become Pindarees, and he gradually hunted down. Of course, all are on, the:tiptoe of expectation for the Governor-General's proOtunsition, and some exposition of the course he intends -to — pursue. I shall not hear in time to write any comments upon it, which is somewhat provoking ; but I have no help for it, and must reserve any speculations I may have to make till next mail. At the beginning of a new year, it is only proper to look back at the events of the past, at the head of which stands Sinde. You in England appear prepared to take up this subject and make inquiries. Cui bona? We have got the country, whether for better or for worse we know not yet. It was a grave to our troops last year, and we know not whether ally returns in the shape of treasure may be ever expected—certes, we have heard of none yet. We hear of no trade either, and the splendid castle-buildings of Sir A. Burnes, &c., on this subject, have yet to be realised. That it:Will come to in time I doubt not ; but at present there is none more than of old, if so much. The troops are now more healthy, but upwards of 2,000 sick have come, or are coming, to Bombay, and the reliefs may present the same appear ance as the relieved next year, though may God will otherwise ! The Ameers are at sLussoor, in a sort of imprisonment. Can t he y be restored ? It is an u g l y mhuattlearpsaelVtoetuhse.r. Besides Sinde, the state of Khytul Gwalior may have been annexed, and thus we are the richer in territory, We have abstained, and justly, from interference in the Punjaub, where as yet all is quiet. Gholab Singh has gone to Jumbo° with his army, and Heera, Singh rules with such peace as he can find. Truly, however, he appears fitted for his work, and matters go on at a kind of a rate. So long as the army is petted, and money is lavished on it, it is quiet, but when this can be done no longer what is Heera Singh to do? Treasure cannot last for ever. Gholab Singh has helped himself freely, and Heera Singh is obliged to pay heavily for what support he gets. I don't think it will last—and then? We mnst wait to see-4 is quite useless to spe culate. Meanwhile, powder, shot, arms, &c., are being stored up by the Sikhs, bodies of troops move into threatening positions, and matters look more as if we were to be the invaded rather than the invaders. But Lord Ellenborough is wary, and justly so, and appears in no humour to commit himself. The Sikhs, or some of their hairbrained leaders, may be mad enough to cross the river and do some mischief, and then I pre sume the scabbard will be flung away on both sides, and we shall in the end have the Indus for our boundary; at present, however, all is quiet. Affghanistan is distract ed, and Dost Mahomed can do little in the way of go vernment or consolidation of his power. Ah, thEire was a sad 'Mistake in regard to him, but now regret is useless . No attempt ism. been made in Peshawur, nor can the fiery Akbar Kban rouse the Mahomedan spirit for a crusade against the Sikhs. Our traitorous friend, Ali Morad, in Shade, appears doubtful, and whispers are heard of putting an end to his rule. It would not be surprising if it were done, and ' few would pity him. Shere Mahomed is said sometimes to be here, sometimes there, sometimes plotting with Sawun Mul of Moultan, sometimes with the Mnrrees and Brahooes ; be has done nothing, however, though the miserable state of our armies was tempting : If he could do nothing with them in their bad condition, it is not likely he will attack them when the reinforcements have reached them. There has been some uneasiness regarding i+Tepanl, on ac count of some aggressions on our ally of Lucknew's terri tory. Some troopswere ordoreci nearer the Nepaul frontier, •and the matter appears for the present to have blown over. The Gwalser news wily not encourage the ye paulese at any rate, nor the Sikhs either; but again we must wait and see. The Lucknow King has' at last discarded his disre putable minister, and set up an able and good man; it may be fairly hoped with future benefit to his ill governed country, which is always in a troubled state. Hyderabad (Nizam's) is quite tranquil, matters going on as when I last wrote. No Minister has been appointed, but the Vakeel Surajoodoula and Pershem Rambuksh contrive to manage." Chundoo Lull has not regained power, and it is said the Governer-General refused the Nizam's wish to reinstate him; so says the report; at least, I have no other authority to give you. So much for politics. If we look back for any great improvement or ad vance in civil government, we are perhaps unable to put our fingers upon anything very specific, yet there is no doubt that good has been done, and is desired, and that what has been done will be followed up gradually, but unostentatiously. It is a noble thing to know that slavery is virtually extinct, and this so quietly accomplished that you hardly know of it. No debates, no party displays, no trumpeting forth of philanthropic desires, but a short and simple Government notification, which might have escaped notice in the public papers. This has immortalized Lord Ellenborough's rulein India, and will remain shining brightly when the glories of Gwalior and Meeanee are dimmed by the lapse of years. The State lotteries of Bengal have been abolished: minor lotteries sprang up like mushrooms; they have been con ducted with unblushing dishonesty, became public nuisances, and have been cut off, after a continuance of a few months, by an act most concise, most stringent, and most admirable. The Government lottery at Madras alone remains, and whether it will be suppressed or not remains to be seen. Deputy-magistrates have been appointed in various places, and the new system works well, as relieving the heads of departments from their load of work, hitherto unsupportable. Look back in the last ten years, and see the improvement in civil government, and the happy effects of bringing native gentlemen into connexion with the Government. Where is now the cry of ruin to our power by their employment ? Has it not been strenthened ? Will it not continue to be strengthened ? I have no doubt of it. I look on the present and the past enactments on this head only as an earnest of what is to come, and thank God no power on earth can now say that the interests of our native subjects are neglected, or that they are denied that participation in Government which they deserved, and have earned. The pay of the minor grades of police officers has been increased, as if the Government had at last recognised the fact which has stared them in the face for 50 years, that police officers could not afford to work and be honest upon mere pittances. English civil servants were dis honest till they were placed beyond the reach of tempta tion and corruption by proper salaries. Can we expect anything more from, so called, dishonest natives ? I care not how slowly increase is made in payment ; it is enough to consider that the necessity for it has been re cognised, and is acted upon ; as time progresses, it will become apparent, and as in judicial matters, it will work its own cure. A fair trial has been demanded by num berless advocates of native improvement, and they will see their aspirations, honest as they were hearty, an swered in time. Intolerant spirit, which existed in the time of the Wellesley and Amherst Governments, was checked in that of Bentinck, and is well nigh burnt out ; at least, we hear of none, and may well conclude that it is confined to a few, a very .few, of the older civilians, whose minds cannot accommodate themselves to pro gression ; they are few, and there are enough of old ci vilians with open liberal minds to carry out the more enlightened and liberal views of the English public. No man that ever governed India has been more dis interested in regard to his patronage than Lord Ellen borough. Formerly, as if jealous of interference, the whole detail of the Government of Bengal, &c., and the whole of the patronage, were in the hands of the Go vernor-General. Now the Deputy-Governor of Bengal has his own administration and patronage, and he of the north-west provinces the same. The Governor-General is merely the director of all—the grand point from which all great questions emanate, more particularly political. I look upon this as a vast improvement on what before existed, and trust it will never be altered. It has left the Governor-General both mental and personal liberty to act on emergent occasions for the good of the State, anti has left to the direction of practical men matters of civil local administration which they are more capable, from long and intimate experience, of . managing than the Governor General. _ _ . At — no . time have the finances of India been more firm, and the resources of the country more buoyant. Public and private securities are at a high premium, inviting the further extension of capital and employment in useful works. I have already exceeded my space, or perhaps we could point out much to be done. If civilisation is to be accomplished, we must have the means, and those are extension of communication, roads, canals, and railways. Why not? Look at America. True, we are locally poor here in comparison, and not locomotive; but when people, poor or rich, can travel in safety faster than twelve or four teen miles a day, they will, and people who have never been beyond their own villages and towns will see won ders in the capital. We shall have improvements in time, something to save us from the present imputation, true and just, of doing nothing for the convenience of the country. Capital is superabundant in England. All your capitalists have burnt their fingers in loans to America and other States, why not at last try here, and invest money under your own Government, and under the management of your own countrymen? Why are you tardy? What fear have you of insecurity? Send out men to look at the country, and they will report of its want of aid. It is but a month's journey, and they can judge for themselves. If ever you will begin, the Government will join you; the Government will not begin of itself, and perhaps should not; above all, do not delay; let it not be said of this enlightened age here after`, that it hung back when the interests of this noble land required her aid, science, and capital. AN INDIAN OFFICER. THIRD REPORT from the SELECT COMMITTEE on RAILWAYS. The Select Committee appointed to consider whether any and what new provisions ought to be introduced into such Railway Bills as may come before this House during the present or future sessions, for the advantage of the public and the improvement of the railway system, and likewise to consider whether and what changes ought to be made in the Standing Orders relating to Railways, and to report their opinion thereon to the House; and who were 'esaipowered to report their opinion from time to time; and who were instructed that they had power to consider of any arrangements advantageous to the public with regard to existing Railway Companies generally, to which, in the opinion of the Committee, Parliament might justly give its sanction ;—Have fur ther examined into the matters to them referred, and have agreed to the following Resolutions and Report :- 1. The Committee, in pursuance of the directions of the House, have proceeded to consider several portions of the subject of reference, and have agreed upon the following Report, and upon the resolutions annexed to it, embracing suggestions which have exclusive regard to railways hereafter to be constructed. 2. From the number of Bills for the formation of new lines now before Parliament; from the appearance of many new schemes likely to come under consideration in the next session; from the greatly increased favour and support which, as compared with the projects of former years, these undertakings now receive from the owners of landed property in the districts through which they are to pass; from the reduced amounts of estimates of cost, and the comparative certainty with which they can be made; and from the improvement of trade and re dundance of capital in the country, combined with the prevailing indisposition to run the risks which have ren dered some kinds of foreign investment so disastrous; the Committee anticipate a very great extension of the railway system within the next few years. 3. Independently of the formation of new Companies, those already existing under Parliamentary sanction are in many instances engaged, and in other instances likely to be hereafter engaged, in seekingßills for the improve ment of their undertakings by means of an extension of their powers in various forms. 4. It appears, therefore, to your Committee, that the present moment, while Parliament still retains in its own hands an entire and unimpaired discretion with re gard both to the incorporation of new companies and to the enlargement of the powers of old ones, affords an opportumity more favourable than any that can be ex pected hereafter to recur, for attaching beforehand to the legislative sanction, which is sought by these parties on their own behalf, the conditions which may be deemed necessary for the public good, and which may realise and apply such conclusions as our experience of the railway system up to the present time may be deemed to have sufficiently established. 5. It would, however, according to the judgment of the Committee, be a narrow and unwise estimate of the public interests in this matter, which should regard them exclusively as opposed to, or even as distinct from, those of the railway companies. It is manifestly of great national importance to give countenance and aid to the investment of capital in domestic improvements ; and the very complaint of monopoly which is urged against railway companies, is an indication and a measure of the increased accommodation to the traffic of the country which they have afforded, inasmuch as it has not been so much by force of statutory enactments granting to them special privileges, as by superior cheapness, security, and rapidity of travelling, that their command of the intercourse of their districts has been acquired: and the Committee doubt whether the establishment of railways in this country does not afford a more remarkable instance than can be cited from any almostana log analogous uniformsubject be n m e a fi t t t matter, of o t projectors. very moderate standard of their consideration of the subject by the strongest con viction immense, e p ra u g b e li r e c, t ol d e b r i c a n e t e i r d: w n t i o t h a t n h d a: which e vie . i o : wht that_ us Committee ci o n m eoi t m hs i et t re t e el e n ds h hu a oc r eu sd been bo m e e taken h g al oe a r govern ed throughou t s orea s o nab le a blePar l ia m ent , sus picion of its good faith with regard to the integrity of abused,pdriis p o vi le si g oo s lir alre a dyohwich sograwacountridvdeipyaaroidnspoenpeotetirvasehtliyoownndti:tcooehuxraatvegenedbeetthhnee railway system by the formation of new lines. 7. But there are considerations, to be drawn from other sources, and justly applicable to this subject. Par ties who are now or hereafter to enter into the field of railway adventure, unless 'they voluntarily compromise the advantages of their position by unwise proceedings, will profit largely by the costly experience of tho se w h o have preceded them, and will 13e able to make their cal culations with comparative certainty in many cases which were formerly full of doubt and hazard. The risks of ruinous losses being thus greatly diminished, there is in proportion lea peed of the prospect of a possibility of extzrsordinqUlF in order to supply adequate induce 11;14P4.t.?,_ProJ• • 8. - 40 plinityta regulatincresse of the traffic of the contitTri4 1.0 naid flew) undiminished vigour of it) 174404, evirem Otte prow =two, sou: to - Sleeman and Captain Shakspeare, been paid up their arrears. LAHORE. Now that the eyes of the public of India have been withdrawn from the late conflicts and arrangements at G-walior, they are again naturally directed to the Pun jaub, where dissension and disorder are in the ascendant in every part of the countr. The brother Rajahs of Jumboo, Goolab Singh and Suehet Singh, after plunder ing the royal treasury during their short visit to the capital of almost all it contained, and then retiring to their mountaia fastnesses, have shown no sign of interfering in the government, but are quietly pre paring themselves for the time when the powerful empire of Runjeet Singh shall fail to pieces, and they will have the long-coveted opportunity of de claring themselves independent of the throne of Lahore. Of the prospects of Peshawur we have al ready spoken. Dewan Sawun Mull, the Governor of Mooltan, who has been strengthening himself ever since the death of Runjeet Singh, has nearly shaken off the yoke, and Rajah Heera Singh is in no condition to re impose it, with a refractory soldiery whom he can at present control only by means of large sums distributed amongst them at every feast, review, or occasion of the kind. Two remarkable instances have lately occurred. The first in regard to the - mutinous battalions which returned from Peshawur. On their approach to Lahore the Mi nister sent orders to them to disband themselves, but so far from obeying, they entered the cantonments of the troops formerly under the command of General Avita bile, and received from them assurance of assistance in the attainment of their object, i. e. payment of arrears and increase of future pay to the extent enjoyed by the other troops ; and to this day they remain at Lahore un punished, though they have not succeeded in obtaining their pay. The second occurred on the 25th January, when the officers of the Sikh troops assembled, and after consultation proceeded to the Minister and informed him that unless Maharajah Dhulleep Singh was formally in stalled and recognised by him, Heera Singh, as his sove reign, they would look out for another Wuzeer. They succeeded in extorting a promise from him, that the cere mony should be performed on the 2d of February, and on that day a great durbah was held, at which all the chiefs were present, and at which the boy king took his seat as Sovereign of the Punjaub, receiving the homage of all the assembled Sirdars. Previous to this circumstance being known, letters were received in Delhi, from Ferozepore, communicating the not im probable intelligence of the young Maharajah having fallen a victim to some intrigue, and of a consequent col lision both at Lahore and Kussoor, a station opposite Ferozepore, in which many lives were lost. The report proved unfounded, and not having ourselves received auy direct confirmation of the rumour (though we con sidered it might be correct), we had hesitated to believe in the truth of the statements made. A victory over Futteh Khan Tawana, in the trans-Indian province of Tank, had been confirmed, and a brother of that chief himself taken prisoner in an attempt to pass over to Mooltan, whither he was sent to obtain aid from Dewan Sawun Mull. Payments to a large amount had been made to the troops at Peshawur, no doubt to prevent the chance of their following the mutinous example of the Ram Gol Battalion, and for the time a lull has taken place, but how long it will last, and what may be its result, it is impossible to say. Heera Singh is continuing immense military preparations, tending, it is firmly be lieved, to resist an aggression on our part of which he is in daily fear. As signs of coming events, and of the intention of Lord Ellenborough to return to the upper provinces, to carry out his plans in regard to the Pun jaub, it is stated that the Body Guard will remain at Benares during the approaching hot season, and that the marching establishment of the Governor-General's camp has, as was the case on his Lordship's return to the capital last year, been directed to be kept up in a state of preparation. MISCELIA.A ho US. Considerable mystery attaches to the movements of the Governor-General, who was expected in Calcutta about the 26th of February—the second anniversary of the day of his advent to India, which he was said to be desirous of solemnising at the seat of government. He had left his secretaries behind him, and as no official no tification had been made of his departure from the north-west, it was supposed likely that he might speedily return to watch from the other side of the Sutlej the affairs of the Puujaub. The eyes of the good folks of Calcutta have, this month for the first time, been gratified with the arrival and departure of a couple of Suez steamers. The Hindostan left on the 13th, with 103 passengers on board—she took the ground when well down the river, but after some delay was got off again without damage; the Beatinck arrived from Suez on the 18th, after a beautiful run of twenty-four days. She brought with her 41 passengers. Singularly enough the number of letters and newspapers to and from Bombay appears as yet in no way to be diminished by the amount sent by the Calcutta steamers. A shock of earthquake was ex perienced at Trincomalee on February 12; it seems to have occasioned little or no damage. The Nawab of Surat has sent home a memorial by the present steamer, claiming from the Court of Directors the restoration of an annuity of 15,0001. a year, guaranteed to the grand father of his wife, his heirs, and successors, by treaty with the British Government of 1800, in lieu of the go vernment and revenues of Surat, then made over to us on threat of violence. The suspension of payment took place on the death of the late Nawab, the last of the male line of the royal house—the treaty being understood to include both male and females. , We are bound not to pass over in silence the loss which our society has sustained in the death of Mr. Sutherland, late Secretary to the Law Commission. BOMBAY LOCAL. A subscription is now on foot, and is filling up rapidly, for the erection of a monument to the memory of Major Eldred Pottinger. Tke brass guns in the desert between Cutch and Sinde are being .krpken up in small pieces, and sent to the Presidency on bullocks, to furnish metal for the column to be erected by Government at Bombay, in honour of the victory of Meeanee. A subscription has been opened to receive money to assist in the libera tion of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly, now be lieved to be alive in Bokhara. The London mail of the 6th January reached Bombay on Sunday morning, Feb. 11, per Victoria steamer. This was the largest mail which has ever reached Bombay— amounting to 37,396 letters, and 44,667 papers. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Bentinck reached Point de Galle from Aden on the 10th, Madras on the 14th, and Calcutta on the 18th of February, with dates from England of the 6th of January ; but, through some unexplained cause, the heavy mails for those places, instead of being sent on direct by her, were, as usual, forwarded to Bombay. The Bombay express, with the first portion of the Overland Mail, reached Madras on the 16th, and Calcutta on, the 19th. The Bentinck made the distance from Calcutta to Suez, and vice versa, in the shortest space of time on record. The number of deaths which occurred on the island of Bombay during the month of January was 1,100, 252 of which were from cholera, which disease seems to have settled down into one of the - ordinary maladies of the place. Her Majesty's ship Thalia, 42 guns, Captain Charles Hope, got under weigh on Thursday afternoon, the 15th, for New South Wales and the Pacific station, but got on shore on the Prongs shoal, off the lighthouse. As it was young flood, she was go t off in about ten minutes, but Captain Hope thought it advisable to return and take up an outside berth till the ship's bottom was ex amined. On examination, it was found that there was no reason to suppose any damage had been sustained beyond the false keel being rubbed in some places. The vessel proceeded on. her voyage on the.. morning of Sunday, the 18th. THE MARKETS.—OBSERVATIONS. The continued existence of the causes noticed in our lait, as accounting for the dulness of trade, combined with the partial interruption of business occasioned at this season by the preparation of the natives for the ce lebration of the Hoolee Festival, have rendered the pre sent month one of great inactivity in a commercial point of view. The inquiry for nearly all descriptions of im ports has been extremely limited, and the sales, as will be perceived, are comparatively few and unimportant. METALS.—The prices of copper exhibit scarcely any change, with the exception of those of tile and South American, the former of which is about Rs. 14, and the latter Rs. 1 to per cwt. higher than last month. Brazier's has been sold to Rs. 56i per cwt. The only alteration in iron is a' decline of Rs. 1 per candy in Swedish, and Rs. to in British bar. Lead is rather lower, and quicksilver has receded from Rs. 1171 to 118 to Rs. 105 to 107 per maund. There have been no sales of spelter, and we retain last month's quotations for this article. Tin plates are in some request, and command i rather higher rates. We subjoin a list of the sales that have been reported to us for publication. Corroie MANUFACTURES.—Of the goods in which business has been done during the past month, low qua lities of grey and bleached jacconets, and grey maclapol lams, appear to have been most in request, while for muslins, fancy cambrics, and Turkey red goods, there has been a fair inquiry ; and the whole of these, with the exception of the latter—the prices of which, not withstanding the demand, have slightly given way— have fully maintained the rates current last month. There has been no improvement in grey longcloths, and bleached have declined 1 to 2 annas per piece ; grey sheeting's and domestics also continue greatly depressed, There have been few transactions in prints; but prices are without change. Zebras are still neglected, and un saleable save at rates that must leave a ruinous loss to shippers. YARNS.—The sales of yarns have been very limited ; and few alterations in prices have taken place. Nos. 20 and 30 mules remaining stationary, 40 and 50 have been sold on lower terms ; but prices are now looking up again, and the higher numbers, from 60 to 100, all exhibit some improvement. In water the only change has been in No. 20, which has been also sold at a rather lower figure, though holders are now firm in demand ing fully last month's prices. Turkey red is unchanged in value ; but orange seems to have declined a little. The following are amongst the sales of the month : Woou.ENS.—The market for woollens continues very dull, and the few sales reported are at extremely low rates. We have heard of the disposal of 5,000 yards flannel at Es. 09 3 per yard, and of 720 yards at Re. 110. - MARINE STORES.—AII descriptions of marine stores have been dull of sale, but we hear of no material change in value. 190 bolts of canvas, Nos. 1 to 7, have been sold at Rs. 164 per bolt ; and 350 lbs. Twine, No. 1 and 2, at 8 ans. per lb. SAFFRON.—We hear of sales of inferior at Rs. 21 per lb., and of fair qualities at its. 25k. CORES.-8,000 gross have been sold so low as 14 ans. per gross. BOTTLES.-..We have heard of no transactions, and prices remain stationary. BEER.—The market for most descriptions has been, until within the last few days, completely bare, and the transactions that have taken place are as undernaer.. ti94e4 CHINA. The accounts from China are down this month to Dec. 24, but there is scarcely anything worth noticing. Busi ness in Canton had, however, considerably improved ; but in the article of opium, both here and at other places, hardly any sales had been effected, but at considerable loss to the holders. The ratification of the supplementary treaty had been received from the Emperor, and Captain Brooke, of the 55th Regiment, was on his way with it and other dispatches for the home Government. The sickness at Hong-Kong has become almost ex tinct ; and the wives of the soldiers are said to have suffered more severely during its prevalence than the men themselves, from carelessness on their part, and the want of proper shelter. At Shanghae trade continued dull, owing to some very partial restrictions imposed by the Emperor on the Cus toms department, a subject which was about to be brought to the attention of Sir H. Pottinger. The Cornwallis transport, from England, had safely arrived at Hong-Kong with the recruits and officers of the 98th Regiment, Major-General d'Aguilar, Com mander of the Forces in succession to Lord Saltoun. THE AFFAIRS OF INDIA. (From the Times.) The following interesting letter, from a correspondent whose experience in India entitles his opinions to atten tion and who has access to peculiar sources of informa tion in that country, reached us, in consequence of some unexplained delay, only a few days since. Although, as a mere matter of intelligence, it has been, of course, an ticipated by the papers which arrived in due course by the last mail, the letter contains so'much of interest upon the state of affairs in India, that it will amply repay perusal : CAMP, DECCAN, JANUARY, 1844. The old year, which began with war, has ended, al lough there was a temporary lull, with war also ; and you will not be surprised, after the', tenor of my late letters, to hear that a general action has been fought near Gwalior, and that the Mahratta army of Sindia has been defeated with heavy losS. 'W7hat may be your English ideas upon this subject I know not, but there appears considerable difference of opinion upon the sub ject in India, if we may believe the press, some having it that Lord Ellenborough has acted only as he ought to have done, and as it was impossible .for him to avoid ; others, that this is but a new edi tion of the Sinde affair, as unjustifiable and as unprovoked. I confess I do not join with either at present. Many very hasty and improper judgments were promulgated in almost every new affair last year. As yet we know nothing regarding the Gwalior affairs. No copies of treaties have transpired quietly, no confi dential correspondence has oozed out of the Secretariat; in fact, these are very different times to those of the Auckland Administration, when everybody knew every thing that went on in every_clepaament, and when, if there was any doubt on the subject, whole draughts of letters were published and commented on. Now all is as close as secresy can make it. All the newspapers or the people can do is to conjecture, for not a hint of a public paper now gets wind to refresh weary, waiting correspondents, and enable them to make their letters really valuable. Lord Ellenborough's orders have been marvellously obeyed on this point certainly, and it shows the discipline in which the offices now are in comparison with what they were. For this reason the public is igno rant of the real terms of this Gwalior war, and it is only to be hoped that there was a good cause for it, which may transpire hereafter. Some causes are, however, obvious, and they may be all. I proceed to narrate events as they bave occurred. In my last, I may have informed you of the Governor- General's arrival at Agra; perhaps not—at all events, you will have heard of it through the papers. A few days after his arrival, the army began its march towards Gwalior, in gradual portions, Lord Ellenborough ac companying the main body—determined, I conclude, to be his own political manager, and to trust no one in an affair of such delicacy and importance as this. Some people find fault with this, but, for my own part, I think I see that, come praise, or . come blame, Lord Ellenbo rough has determined to answer for the Gwalior affair himself ; and I rather admire his accompanying the army, though not his subsequent conduct, which will expose him to much animadversion, I fear. At the news of the move of the troops, the Gwalior Durbar was violently agitated, and there was some bloodshed in the camp, in consequence of the quarrels of the troops. Sir Richmond Shakespeare was on the spot, and supposing the possession of the Dada Rhasgee to be the whole of our desire, the Bhaee made up her mind to part with her favourite, and he was made over to Sir Richmond with out any stipulation whatever. This looked like uncon ditioaal surrender ; the most pacific messages were in terchanged, and it is said Lord Ellenborough's demands were admitted by the Bhaee and Durbar, and that all promised a pacific termination. He dismissed the siege train, which had gone some marches to Agra, and there was nothing heard of but the festivities which were to ensue, when the Bhaee Regent, and the young Raja met the army on the Chumbuk or at Dholpoor. All this has, however,. turned out very indifferently,and the causes of the change are not very difficult to observe. It was one thing for a weak Ranee, and a few of her party, to give a nominal assent to demands which, in all proba bility, according to Mahratta- usage and custom, they had not the slightest intention of abiding by; and quite another for those most affected by them—a lawless sol diery, and their even more lawless leaders—to submit to them. By accounts from correspondents at Gwalior, it appears that of the principal leaders some chose to obey the summons of the Ranee to Durbar, others chose to disobey them. In fact, those who had anything to gain went, and those who had all to lose stayed away. No one appears to have been under the least control. Faction appears to have been dominant to the last; till, when destruction or starvation threatened all, all united in that aggression or opposition, call it what you will, which produced the general action. In some respects the troops have acted like those of Sinde, but not so the Ranee, who, when the British troops had fairly crossed the Chumbuk, though the Governor-General s having ordered back the siege train may appear pacific, consi dered such an advance as a virtual invasion of her king dom, and did her best to inspire her troops with spirit enough to oppose the advance. As yet, as I have said, we know nothing of the previous negotiations ; very pro bably vague promises were made by the Durbar, which were evaded when a settlement was pressed. Major Sleeman was deputed to Gwalior to ascertain real intentions ; and from the non-effect of his persuasions, it may be inferred either that the Ranee possessed no power to abide by her promises, wanted the inclination, or that the troops would not allow her. The British troops advanced, and encamped within a short distance of the Mahratta force ; a reconnoitering party, under the Quartermaster-General, was fired on, and thus hostilities commenced. You, and half the press of England, if not the whole, will cry out that such an armed advance, as in the case of Sinde, is equal to a declaration of war, and that the Gwallior Durbar had no resource, in honour, but to op- pose it. But, on reflection, you will find a material dif ference between the two. We cannot call the Gwalior a tributary State, bat it has long been a dependent one. Sinde was neither one nor the other, entirely inde pendent, and having a right to do what it pleased with its own. While a regular succession existed in the Gwalior State, we might not have had any right of in terference, but when this ceased, and the suc cession was continued only on sufference as it were, and, in my humble opinion, a very mis taken principle, we became invested with a right of control, at any rate during any minority. When this was defied or evaded, and when a very largo body of mutinous and disaffected troops could not be controlled by a weak intriguing woman, and a factious Regent, I think we could not delay a settlement of what, if pro longed, would have become without doubt a nucleus for the disaffected of central India, and a fertile cause of future trouble and expense. With the full consent of the State, we have regulated and controlled affairs at Gwalior for 14 or 15 years, and no measure has been undertaken without our consent. A contingent was established, of no great magnitude certainly, but enough to prove the footing we were on. The disgraced Minister was appointed with the Governor-General's concurrence, and the adoption of the present boy was only with his consent. I distinctly recognise his right to have forbidden it, according to Indian usages, but there may be other stipulations in treaties of which I am not aware. Having this authority, could we in honour . put lap with the disgrace of tile man of whom wo had ap- render it probable that a very large augmentation of the aggregate receipts derivable from its internal communi cations will be realised within the lives of the present generation. It is extremely difficult to judge how far the multiplication of railways, more or less competing with such as already subsist, may keep down their reve nues; but, assuming that in many cases this may be the result, it appears, on the one hand, very possible that in such instances, unless a more direct connexion be esta blished between the protection of existing lines and the public interest, the property invested in them may be exposed to unnecessary depreciation, and new capital expended to large amounts without any adequate ad vantage ; and, on the other hand, that there may be in other instances, where no abstraction of traffic shall be caused by new lines, an augmentation of income altogether beyond what is required for the due encou ragement of this kind of enterprise. 9. Adverting for the present exclusively to the latter contingency, the Committee deem it clear, that although the practical monopoly of Railway Companies has been acquired in the main by the superior manner in which they have accommodated the traffic of the country, it is nevertheless regarded, even at the present day, with considerable jealousy by the public at large; that such jealousy may be expected rapidly to grow, if the profits of Railways generally should be augmentedin any very great degree; that questions of an embarrassing nature, feunded upon the original views with which Parliament granted Acts of Incorporation to Railway Companies, might be raised, which it would be far better to obviate; and that on these accounts it is wise to reserve on the part of the State the right of intervention, at a date sufficiently remote, in the concerns of these Companies, and of a reconsideration of their powers and privileges. 10. Again, great as have been the benefits of Railways to the public, that circumstance does not afford any good reason against seeking, by any just and reasonable means to enlarge those advantages. Now it is material to ob serve that in this country what is called the high fare system ordinarily prevails; that the average charge of Railway communication, a charge falling in no inconsi derable degree on trade and commerce, is very much higher than in other countries where Railways have been established; and that there is no clear or early prospect of a general reduction of the rate of charge under the present system of Independent Companies, even although it might be possible that that great experiment might be tried, if it were tried fully and universally, with no very unfavourable result, even upon immediate returns. It is a question which the Committee are far from thinking themselves able at present to determine, whether it would or not be• advisable that the Government should, at a future period, endeavour to effect a material reduc tion of this charge ; and although, on the one hand, it would be premature and most unwise in any degree to prejudge this question, yet in the opinion of the Com mittee it is desirable to reserve to public authority the means of forming a judgment upon it when a proper time shall have arrived. at least in all those cases with regard to which the Legislature does not stand com mitted, by proceedings already taken, to a different, course. 11. The power and influence lodged in the hands of Railway Companies, as well as the jealousy entertained towards them by the public, might rise, under conceiv able circumstances, to an inconvenient height : and though the Committee do not regard such a con tingency as one of very probable occurrence, yet they consider that even its existence as a contingency may come in aid of other and very forcible reasons for reserv ing, on the part of the State, an opportunity of resuming its jurisdiction, and of establishing effective control over the railways of the country. 12. The Committee are aware that it may be objected to the adoption of a specific mode of dealing with new railways, that it would be highly desirable to apply the same mode of procedure to all undertakings of that nature. But they have not thought that Parliament would be justified in enacting, with regard to existing railways, independently of the concurrence of the com panies, all the provisions which they are about to recom mend for new lines ; nor have they been able to devise, as the basis of a voluntary arrangement, any terms, to which a sufficiently general and early assent of bodies so numerous and mixed could reason ably be anticipated. They believe, however, from the evidence which has been given before them, and for the most part by persons largely interested In Railways, connected with their management, and eU joying in a high degree the confidenciof the proprietors, that there exists among those bodies, to no inconsider able extent, an apprehension of the effects that may be produced in the present state of trade and of the money market, from the multiplication of undigested schemes, and an anxiety to establish new and more definite rela- Lions between - themselves and the State upon terms of mutual advantage. And the Committee entertain the hope, that among the existing Companies there may be those which will be disposed to accede to arrangements, resembling in their general principle and effect those which are now proposed for new railways. 13. The House, however, will not fail to observe, that there were reasons, during the infancy of railway en terprise and the uncertainty of its general success, against imposing prospective liabilities upon projectors, which have now in a great degree ceased to operate; and that it may have been right not to subject the earlier railways to any option of revision or purchase, and yet may still be right to place railways now contemplated under such conditions. 14. But although the efforts of earlier projectors have reduced to comparative certainty, for the benefit of their successor% much of what was to themselverdonbtflll - hazardous, it still remains in a high degree pro blematical what results of the railway system, at pre.. sent unforeseen, may be developed during the next fifteen or twenty years.. In this state of things the Committee would deem it unwise to enter into any engagements which should tend to restrain the free action of the Legislature or Government in future times, as it is im possible to judge what amount of inconvenience might thereby be entailed; but they would propose that such powers only should be taken as, even though they may fall short of the full extent of the occasion when it ar rives, may be either exercised for some substantial ad vantage, or, at the worst, left in abeyance without detriment. 15. And the Committee are disposed to believe that if these powers be reasonable in their nature and amount, the circumstance of their assumption, or rather of their reservation, by Parliament, will have no tendency to dis courage railway enterprise, but, on the contrary, may rather go to augment the rational confidence of parties disposed to engage in it ; because the indirect interest thus established in the railways, on the behalf of the public, will tend to soften the jealousy with which the great influence of the Companies, and their almost ex clusive command of traffic, are regarded, and to remove to a greater distance the probability of any unfavourable change in the tone of legislation respecting them, or of any such undiscriminating encouragement of the multi plication of new lines in districts already provided with accommodation, as would require the unnecessary ex penditure of new capital, and entail a depreciation ofex isting property, not compensated by corresponding ad vantage to the public. 16. The Committee will not at this time further ex plain their view of competition by new railway compa nies against old ones than by stating that they are in clined to believe it may be much more efficient, as an in strument of injury to those which already subsist, than as a means of guaranteeing to the public increased cheapness of travelling ; a result which there is reason to believe can rarely or never be realised, under the pre sent circumstances of railways, from that source, for any considerable length of time. But the. power of encou raging, or, if need be, of creating competition, even al though the remedy thus to be supplied might be partial, and must be costly, is nevertheless an engine of great capabilities in the hands of the State, and one which might be used to prac tical advantage in any case in which railways realising very large profits should manifest a disposition to deal illiberally by the public. 17. In this remark respecting the undiscriminating encouragement of competition, the Committee have con templated exclusively the class of lines which might be instituted for the purpose of abstracting the traffic of existing railways, and by no means such as, by materially shortening the distances between important places, or by opening up new sources of traffic from districts pre ' viously unprevided for, are entitled to be judged upon their independent merits. 18. Besides the important )lowers which the Committee propose to reserve for optional exercise at a distant term, they recommend the imposition upon new lines of railway of certain immediate liabilities with regard to third-class passengers, and to the service of public departments, which they trust and believe will not be found onerous in their operation. 19. The Committee have still to look forward to the completion of many important parts of their inquiry. They have not as yet fully examined into the changes which it may be desirable to make in the Standing Orders relating to Bills for new railways, and to the construction of their works; the state of the law and practice with regard to parochial rating ; the degree of supervision which it may be wise for any department of the Government to exercise over future railway schemes in their earlier stages; the conditions which it may be desirable to attach to the grant of new powers (whether for amalgamation, for increase of capital, or for other beneficial purposes) to companies already incorporated, or under which any prospective and voluntary arrange ment for an option of purchase or revision might be made applicable to them; or the general regulations of law ap plicable to all railway companies alike, which it may be politic to adopt, with a view to the yet more safe and satis factory management of these most useful and most impor tent concerns. To guard, however, against any misunder standing of these latter words, the Committee must add, that they point chiefly to amendments in the law, and that any discretionary powers of interference with their man agement which it might be thought fit to grant, should, in their judgment, be restrained within the narrowest limits. 20. Your Committee h ave now t o su b m it th e resolu tions with which they are to close this Report ; and in doing so they have only to add, that while they have studied to render them conformable in their principles to the important considerations which have just been ex plained, they are aware that some of the particulars stated in them —as, for example, the precise term of fifteen years and of 10 per cent. respectively T nay be open, upon sufficient cause shown, to some modification, without impairing their general effect. RESOLUTIONS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON I RAILWAYS, WITH REGARD TO NEW RAILWAYS. I. That the powers to be granted by any Act of the present or future sessions of Parliament, for the con struction of new lines of railway, whether trunk, branch, or junction lines, shall be subject to the following con ditions 11. That if at the end of a term of years to be fixed, the annual divisible profits upon' the paid-up share capital of any such line of railway shall be equal to a Per ce4tege 1r fixed.-or so soon after the eipiratien of the , term as the • sad • per. centago :shall have bee' reached, it shall be, in the option of the either, lint, to Kraals the hile at the rate of a number of - years' purchase, to be firmed, of such divisible profits; or, secondly, to' revise the fares: and charges on the line, in such manner as shall, in the judgment of the Government, be calculated to xeduce the said divisible profits, assuming always the same quantity and kinds of annual traffic to continue, to the said per centage: but with a guarantee, on the part of the Government, to subsist while such scale of fares and charges shall be in force, to make up the divisible profits to the said per centage. 111. And also, that at or after the said term of years. it shall be in the option of the Government to purchase the line at the said number of years' purchase of the annual divisible profits, whatever be the amount of such profits. _ _ IV. That the term of years be fifteen, to be dated from the next following Ist of January after the passing of the Act for the construction of the railway. V. That the rate of divisible profits at which the right of revision shall accrue, shall be'ten per cent. VI. That the number of years' purchase at which the railway may be bought for the public, shall be twenty five years. VII. That the said annual divisible profit shall be cal culated upon ,the average of the three last preceding years. • VIII. That the accounts of such line, if a branch or junction line; shall be kept separate from those of the main lines with which they are connected, and shall be liable to inspection by the Government, and to be pro duced-upon the demand of the Government. IX. That if any dispute shall arise as to what the actual amount of such divisible profits in any given case may have been, the matter in question shall be referred to arbitration. X. That power be taken by the Government, in the event of its exercising the right of revision, to provide for such regulations upon the line as it shall deem neces sary, in order to secure to the public the full advantages of the reduced rate of fares and charges fixed by the revising authority. XI. That the companies may be required to provide upon such new lines of railway, as a minimum of third class accommodation, one train at least each way on every week-day, by which there shall be the ordinary obligation to convey such passengers as may present themselves at any . of the ordinary stations, in carriages provided with seats and protected from the weather, at speed not less than 12 miles an hour including stoppages, and at fares not exceeding a penny per mile •, each pas- , senger by such train being allowed not exceeding 56 lbs. of luggage without extra. charge, and extra luggage being charged by weight at a rate not exeeeding the lowest charge by other trains : children under three years being conveyed without extra charge ; and children from three to twelve years at half-price. XII That the tax upon the receipts from such con veyance of third-class passengers should not exceed one half of any duty that may be laid upon the general traffic of railways. • XIII. That the Board of Trade have a discretionary power of dispensing with any of the above require ments, and of allowing alternative arrangements which shall appear to it to be better calculated to promote the public convenience upon any particular railway ; and that the Board of Trade have a discretionary control over the train which satisfies the above minimum re quirement, as, regards times of starting, nature of ac commodation, arrangements with connecting lines, and other points of Aletail, subject to the above general principles, and to the understanding that such control is to be limited to the train in question. XIV. That the companies shall be bound to convey upon such new lines military and police forces, and pub-. lie stores, baggage, and ammunition, on the requisition of the proper authorities, at fares not exceeding ld. per mile for each private, and 2d. per mile for each officer, with the usual accommodation, and at charges not ex ceeding 2d. per ton per mile for stores and baggage ; the same quantity of personal luggage being allowed free of charge to each officer and private, as to each ordinary first and second-class passenger respectively ; and the carriages in which such forces are conveyed being, when ever so required by the proper authorities, provided with seats and protected against the weather: XV.. That upon such new lines theTost-office be em powered to require the transmission of the mails (sub ject to the usual conditions as , to payment for services performed by railway companies) at any rate of speed certified by the Inspector-General to he consistent with safety ; and also to send a mail-guard with bags not ex ceeding the weight allowed for an ordinary passenger's luggage (or subject to the rules of the company for any excess of that weight) by any of the ordinary trains, upon the same terms and conditions as an ordinary pas senger : it being understood that this power shall not authorise . the Post-office to require the confersion of a regular hail-train into an ordinary train, nor to exercise any control over the company in respect of any ordi nary train. XVI. That it shall be open to the Government to des termine what extension of lines of railway are to. be cons sidered as new lines, for the - purposes• of these reso lutions. 30th March, 1844. • RESIGNATION OF LORD STUART DE ROTHESAY. We are enabled to state on competent authority, that Lord Stuart de Rothesay, her Majesty's Amba.ssador at St. Petersburgh, sent in the resignation of his post . to the Earl of Aberdeen several weeks since, which being laid before her Majesty. she was graciously pleased to accept. A steamer will be placed at his disposal early in the month of May, so that his Lordship may he ex pected home at the latter end of that month or in the beginning of June. Although , only about sixty-five years of age, his Lordship has been some forty-eight years in the diplomatic service of his country, during the whole of which he was actively employed in various parts of the world, excepting under the late Govern ment. If not the oldest member 'of the diplomatic corps, by standing and seniority in the service—the dean of the faculty it may he said—there cannot be more than one or two of his seniors now living.. He retires from his long public career in that service from the continued existence of ill health, with which 'he was for the first time a ffl icted some few months after his arrival in St. Petersburgh. Although of a robust and naturally vigorous frame or body, the first rigorous winter (1841-2) proved too rude a shock for a constitution accustomed only, during the last thirty-five years, to the heats of tropical regions, the little less oppressive sun of southern Europe, and the more temperate climes of central and western Europe. It is a remarkable fact that, except in early youth, he was never known to suffer from scarcely even a day's sickness and confinement previously to his departure for St. Petersburgh, and first winter there. And, as a proof of the then still unimpaired vigour of his health and strength, he followed 'the practice, adopted from early life, of a cold bath winter and summer, im mediately on rising from bed, every morning, and before breakfast. It was with difficulty he could be brought to take medical advice and medicine, even on occasion of his attack of illness at St. Petersbugh ; it is needless to add that he had known scarely anything, from experience, of either during his whole life, such was the simplicity and regularity of his habits. In the commencement of his diplomatic career, St. Petersburgh, it is believed, was his first station as a junior member of the embassy then there. Although infirm in health, it is proper to add that there has been, and is, nothing of a grave character in his indisposition, which consi sts' in the natural remains of debility consequent on protracted illness. With the enjoyment of his native air on his solicited return, he will, doubtless, as advised, not he long in regaining con valescence, being still so little advanced in years. The Hon. Mr. Bloomfield, in consequence of Lord Stuart's retirement, is nominated Minister Plenipoten tiary at the Court of St. Petersburgh, where he haa ac long resided in the capacity of Charge d'Affaires, kid First Secretary of Embassy, the functions of which ffice, as lalterly of the embassy, he has fulfilled with aistin • guished ability. It is not intended to replace Lord Stuart by any diplomatist of the rank of ambassador, as the accomplished representative of Russia at this Court, Baron Brunnow, holds only the same diplomatic rank as the Hon. Mr. Bloomfield is now invested with.—Mrt ing Post. THE FACTORIES BILL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sta,—l see, by your paper of Saturday last, that Sir James Graham presented a petiti on, or memorial, from seventy-two firms in Manchester, against the ten hours' clause of the Factories Bill. These parties state that they employ thirty thousand hands, and pay in wages per annum forty thousand pounds. If this be true, each of the work-people receive the very liberal and extra ordinary sum of 6 2-13 d. per week ; but, suppose:these firms mean they pay 40,0001. per week, then each per son would receive 11 6s. Bd. per week. I defy them to prove that they pay half that sum, or anything approxi mating to it, on the average. This shows how persons sometimes overreach themselves, and prove too much. " Save us from our friends." And is it from statements such as these that a British House of Commons must legislate, at the beck of a renegade Minister, whose stu pidity (I beg his pardon, I mean his firmness) is only equalled by his want of practical knowledge on such subjects ? Must the industrious people of these king doms be continued in their present state of over-exer tion, ignorance, and their concomitant vices, against the thrice-expressed will of the English Senate, so that the country may not lose the services of Sir James and Co.? Forbid it justice, consistency, and British honour. But if our wives and daughters must labour on in this almost incessant toil, complain not of empty sanctuaries, of our discontented people ready to re-enact the scene of August, 1842, nor of our full prisons, or the well-attended vaults, where the worn-out labourer seeks to 'drown his cares, and finds a momentary relief from exhaustion. Thank ing you for your able advocacy of the people's cause, I am, Sir, yours very respectfully, A TEN HOURS' MAN. P.S.—The silk trade of Macclesfield have petitioned for a Ten Hours' Bill, and the two . Members for our borough supported Lord Ashley. Now, if any trade re quires protection it is the silk trade, and they d'on't fear a Ten Hours' Bill. Macclesfield, April 5, 1844. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. • SIR —ln reference to a case which appears in your Marlborough-street: police report of the 2d of April, I have respectfully to request that you will insert my de nial of the statement made by the complainant.. He did not change a sovereign in my house, as I, seeing the state he was in when he entered, refused to serve hitit with liquors of any kind. He was put out with no more violence than was necessary for his ejectment. I hare since made strict inquiries relative to his character. 1 find that, although be has given his address as Evillest 17, Ilenrietta-street, Cavendish-square k he is not known there. find also that he has deceived the Magistrate as to his occupation, which is very differ* to that which he represented. Trusting to. your itotitlity to insert this, I respectfully subscribe myself, • , - SIN .ts MEM • • " _~ tliefi ciloge ips of