The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-18 00:00:00

UNITED STATES.

The last American mails bring little intelligence
excepting reports of a long series of accidents. The
town of Copula, on the Missi,sippi, with 8,000 bales
of cotton, had been destroyed by fire. A patent
cartridge manufactory at Ravenswood, Long Island,
had been blown up, and twenty persons killed. The
steamer Eagle had been burnt at Apalachicola, with
1,300 bales of cotton and four negroes. Another
destructive fire had occurred at New York on the
30th ult. The scene of the catastrophe was in Pearl-
street, and property to the amount of 200,000 dollars
destroyed.
In Quobec the Parliament-house, with the buildings
attached, was entirely destroyed by fire on the Ist
inst. The fire originated in the south wing, in the
furnace. It was believed part of the valuable library
was saved, but the historical library was entirely
destroyed. The building was insured for 36,0001.
The sum subscribed in New York for the purpose
of rewarding the commanders and crews of the ships
Three Bells, Antarctic, and Kilby, for rescuing the
passengers and crew of the San Francisco, amounted
to 84,470 dollars.

INDIA.
The arrival of the full despatches by the last over-
land mail enables us to add a few details to the
telegraphic summary published in the last number
of the PRESS.
The late Rajah of Nagpore died childless, and, the
Indian Government having refused to allow him to
adopt an heir, the valley of Berar reverts to the
Company. The territory of Nagpore—better known
by the name of Berar—bas an area of 76,432 square
miles, a population of 4,650,000, and a revenue of
40,0001. sterling per annum. Berar is the finest
country in India for wheat and cotton, and when
under the management of British officers will,
doubtless, greatly increase in every way. It is ex-
pected that the district will be united with the
Madras Presidency.
The survey of the extension lines of the Great
Indian Peninsular Railway Company has begun,
both above and below the Ghauts. The experi-
mental line from Bombay to Tanna, with a branch
to Mahin, is working famously, and, with the partial
extension to Calian, by the end of this year there will
be nearly sixty miles of rail opened to the public in
that presidency. A large staff of engineers and
surveyors for the Bombay, Baroda, and Central
India Railway Company have arrived in Bombay,
and commenced their labours with a quickness
which argues well for the prosperity of the company
that employs them. The reports of the practicability
of the line are most favourable. It is said that this
railway will not have a terminus in Bombay, but
will start from Calian, to which the Great Indian
Peninsular Railway runs already. From thence the
Baroda and Central India undertaking will join the
ordinary coast road between Bassein and Surat,
and afterwards traverse through the most fertile
parts of Guzerat, a country whose capabilities for
cotton-growing are such that with proper means of
export it alone might supply nearly three-fourths of
the raw material required for all England. At the
same time, the " Great Indian Peninsular" will
branch off from Calian to the foot of the Ghauts,
ascend those hills, and stretch with two lines through
Candeish and the Deccan, the latter going on to
Berar, the former to Malwa and the opium countries.
A melancholy catalogue of crime and disaster is
reported by this mail.
A frightful slaughter of convicts has occurred at
Prome, in consequence of an attempt made by these
men to escape. They rushed upon the Sepoy guard,
but the latter, being prepared, received them with a
volley, by which some thirty persons were shot
dead, end upwards of twenty wounded ; in the con-
fusion ten escaped.
The Hon. Company's steamer Medusa has been
totally lost in the Irrawaddy. She had left Prome
to resume her post near the frontier of Pegu, up the
river, on the oth of December, when she struck on a
sunken
rock, and stove in her bottom. One life only
was lost, that of the captain's cook, but the rest of
the crew had time to save themselves by swimming.
Captain Latter, the deputy commissioner at Prome,
was assassinated during the night of the Bth of
December by some Burmese, who entered his
quarters disguised as females, and who were allowed

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to pass by the sentry on duty in consequence of his
having received orders to permit such parties (spies)
to enter unquestioned. Captain Latter was murdered
when asleep, and it was not until next morning that
his dead body was found in bed, pierced with three
dagger wounds. A female's scarf was thrown over
his corpse (an indignity according to Buiman
estimation), and the murderers effected their escape
so noiselessly that the precise time they left the spot
is unknown. It is said that the Ava Government
has instigated the perpetration of this tragedy. A
man has been arrested on suspicion, upon whose
clothes stains of blood were apparent., and in whose
possession a sum of money has been found greater
than men in his position of life generally possess.
The Nizam's country is infested by bands of
Rohilla robbers, whose proceedings are most daring
and atrocious. Lieutenant-Colonel Bremner, of the
15th Regiment M.N.1., left Secunderabad, with his
wife and grown-up daughter, by Palkee bawl:, on the
20th of December, for Nagpore. They proceeded
with safety as far as Neerrnul, when they entered
the hilly and jungle country, but just before reaching
the fortress of Yedlabad were attacked by a large
body of Rohillas, at sight of whom the Hamalls, as
is their wont, disappeared. The colonel was severely
beaten and plundered of all his property, even to the
bedding of the palankeen, every particle of clothing
on the persons of the travellers was taken away, and
they were indebted afterwards to the sympathy of
the Dawk runners at the nearest stage for some
native clothing, with which they were obliged to be
content, until relief was sent to them from Kamptee
and Secunderabad. Cavalry detachments from
Hyderabad, Hingolie, and Nagpore have been sent in
search of the robbers.

Lieutenant Chapman, of the engineers stationed
in Scinde, was drowned in the Indus while proceed-
ing down the stream to spend Christmas with his
family. The boat in which the unfortunate officer
was embarked struck against a tree-stump im-
bedded in the river and sunk. Twelve natives and
one European sergeant of the engineers were
drowned also.
WEST INDIES.

The West India mail brought by the Plata
comprises Jamaica dates to the 27th; Trinidad and
Demerara to the 26th ult.

Nothing of great importance bad occurred at
Jamaica in political matters. The Assembly had re-
assembled. Mining operations were still progressing
satisfactorily. The weather was very breezy, but no
epidemic disease prevailed.
A strike of the field-labourers had taken place at
St. Vincent for an advance of wages.
The cholera had abated at Nevis, and also in St.
Thomas's, but was raging with violence in Tortola,
where it was reported that Col. Chads, the governor,
had died of the disease. The other islands were
healthy.
A disturbance had arisen at Dominica, and troops
had been sent for from Antigua. The militia corps
refused to turn out.
Mr. Ford, the engineer who went out to survey the
Isthmus of Darien, was dangerously ill. The steam-
sloop Virago had landed the provisions and stores
for the surveying party at the isthmus. The Indians
had attacked the officers and crew of the Virago,
killed three of them, and plundered the stores.
Great excitement prevailed amongst the Indians,
and fears were entertained that the survey could not
he proceeded with.
The Plata brings on freight dollars to the
valve of 25,0001., and would have brought a larger
amount but that the specie boats on the Chagres
river were snagged. The treasure was, however,
perfectly safe, and will be sent home by the next
packet.
AUSTRALIA.

The Great Britain arrived at Liverpool on Tuesday,
after a 72 days' run from Melbourne. She brings
199 passengers, 194,465 ounces of gold on freight,
besides a large quantity in the possession of return-
ing emigrants.
The Australian news is highly satisfactory. A bill,
which was giving dissatisfacUcn to the diggers, was
before the Council, fixing the licence fees at 1/. per
month; 21. for three months ; 41. for six months;
and 81. per annum.
Melbourne was rapidly improving, and an electric
telegraph between that town and Williamstown was
in full operation. It was proposed to make a ship
canal from Hobson's-bay to Melbourne, and the con.
necting raihoad was in a fair way of completion.