The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-03 00:00:00

INDIA AND CHINA.

The Overland Mail from India, viii Marseilles,
reached town this morning with with dates from Calcutta
to the 22nd of February, to the 24th, and
Bombay to the 2nd of March.
This mail reached Suez on the 19th ult., from
Bombay, by the steamer Victoria, which brought the
following passengers:
Mrs. Cruickshank, and three children ; Mrs. °teethed ;
Mrs Doig, and four children ; Mrs. Anson, and two
thildren ; Lrs Bates, and three children; Mrs. Grimes,
and two children ; Mrs. Bullock, and two children ; Mrs. C.
°Agree, and two children ; Mrs. Willing ; Mrs. A. Reming-
ton; R. W. °teethed, Esq. ; Mr. Bates; Major Anson;
Capt. Cruickshank; H. Rogers, Esq. ; Assist.-Surg. J.
Craig ; Lieut. Forster ; Col. Cumming ; Capt. Benson ;
Capt. C. °thane • Capt. F. Vardoe ; Capt. J. T. Gorle ;
Lieut. C. Creagh ;')Jaut. W. P. Salmon ; Lieut. J. P. Bat-
tombs ; A Remington, Est.;
Col. F. &ratan J. D. Robin-
son, Esq. ; Assist.-Surg. Butler; Lieut. J. Bendyshe ; F. J.
Fegen, RA. ; Lieut. V. 0. Ingletield; Ens. Bourne.
The chief point of interest at the moment in
India regarded the threatened outbreak of hostilities
in China. The steam frigate Semiramis was de-
spatched from Bombay on the 27th Feb., to take on
board a part of her Majesty's 25th Regt. at Can-
nanore for Hong-Kong. The steam-frigate Sesostris
was also under orders to proceed round to Calcutta.
It was said the Governor-General had resolved to
maintain an effective steam force in China, and that
three large frigates would be required for that purpose.
The death of Admiral Inglefield, naval commander-
in-chief, took place at Bombay on te mornin of the
24th Feb. The cause is said to have been his expos-
ing himself for some hours in the middle of the day
to the force of the sun, while examining the fortifica-
tions of Trincomalee.
Commodore Ylumridge had hoisted his flag on
board her Majesty's ship Cambrian as the senior
naval officer in the Indian Seas. It was expected
that the Cambrian would leave Bombay for China
after the Governor of Bombay had arrived from

Scinde.
The Hon. Company's steamer Teuasserim had
taken on s wing of her Majesty's 23th Regiment
from Madras to (long-Kong.
Notwithstanding these preparations, it seemed, how-
ever, to be the general opinion in India that war
with China was not imminent.
A report had been current in the north-western
provinces of the assassination of Dort Mahomed ;
but it was without any corroboration. The death of
the Kuzzilbash Mahomed Shereef, well-known during
the Cabul campaign as an English partisan, is men-
tioned from Peshawar. From Lahore we learn that
the command of the forces in the Punjaub had
been relinquished by Sir J. Littler, who has assumed
his seat in the council at Calcutta. General Whish
succeeds him in the command of the troops.
The operations of the field force in the Lngool
districts had ended in the deposition of the ltajah of
lingool, who, with 15 other chiefs, had been taken
prisoner. By these measures a degree of tranquillity
had been obtained, and for some weeks there bad
been no perpetration of the Meriah sacrifices amongst
any of the Khond tribes.
There is the old story told of plots and counter-
plots in Nepaul. That kingdom is described as being
m a most distracted state, the minister managing
barely to retain power with the old King as prisoner,
and the more recent monarch compelled to conform
to the minister's will. Disturbances were rife be-
tween the different partisans.
We learn from Madras that the Marquis of Tweed-
dale had left that presidency on the 23rd Feb., and
proceeded by the steamer Hugh Lindsay to Ceylon,
where he was to embark for England on board her
Majesty's frigate Fox. Mr. Dickenson had assumed
the government of Madras as acting governor until
the arrival of Sir H. Pottinger.
The eltorts of the Indian government to discover
coal within the districts of Western India are likely
to be successful. The search had been entrusted to
Mr. Johnson, civil engineer, who, under the guidance
of Mr. Hamilton, the resident at lndore, proceeded
to examine the coal formation in the neighbour-
hood of Nimar. Some specimens of that coal had
been sent to Bombay, and proved to be of a good
quality. It was hoped that means could be devised
of conveying these coals by the Nerbudda to the sea.
The governor of Bombay was still in Scinde.
Rumour has it that extensive changes will shortly i
take place in Scinde, with a view to retrenchment.
No steps, however, have been announced, except that
Mr. Clerk has reinstated Major Jacob in command of
the upper frontier. The governor will leave Kurra-
chee for Bombay on the '22nd of February.
The ship Fatty Raman, of Bombay, was lost on
the coast near Sadras, all hands save one boy having
perished. The captain who sailed the vessel from
Bombay (Mr. C. Balfour) found that, shortly after
passing Pondicherry, the vessel had, in a stiff breeze,
sprung a leak, and sustained other damage ; he there-
fore pat back to that port, and urged on the owner,
who was on board, to have the vessel lightened and
repaired. He refused, and the captain and mate left
the ship. She sailed again for Madras, and, as
above stated, foundered off Sadras. The master-at-
tendant and others at Pondicherry pronounced the
vessel unseaworthy, yet the owner persisted in re-
fusing to have her repaired. Had he alone paid the
penalty of his parsimony, it would have but served
him right—but unhappily, all but one on board
shared in his fate.
We annex the summary of the Bombay Times :
Commercial matters continue to form the chief topics of inte-
rest in India. The money market at all the presidencies
continues tight, and confidence is almost non-existent. Every
one look" with suspicion on hie neighbour, and commercial
transactions, as a necessary result, are almost at a stand. '1 he
only failures of any note we have to record are those of
Hickey, Bailie & Co., indigo and general brokers at Cal-
cutta, and of Viccajee Meriee, Sons, & Co., Parsee Mer-
chants at Bombay. The faculty have given their
opinion that tee Union Bank is not liable for the
600,0001. worth of post-bills issued by the direc-
tors in coatraventioa of the terms of the deed of copartnery,
for which no equivalent whatever has in most cases been re-
ceived. It is not, however, supposed that the bank will avail
itself of this, though they may use the opinion for the bring-
ing of refractory shareholders to reason. The stability of
the Laudable Insurance Office will happily not be affected ;
is losses will be much less heavy than were apprehended.
The "laxity of its mauegement " has been pretty much
on a par with that of the Union Bank. A debate has cc,
eurred in reference to the continuance of Major Angelo
in the management of the Northwest or Meerut Bank,
at which it was shown that that officer had been guilty
of repered and complicated acts of prevarioation, and that he
had most unbecomingly coucealed from the directors the
state of their own affair . Most unaccountably, though all
this was admitted as beyond dispute, a majority of his con-
stituents were found in favour of his coetinuance in office,
and thereupon nearly the whole board of directors declined
to act. If gentlemen will insist in committing their affairs
to men devoid of truth, they are not to wonder that they
are occasionally duped and swindled. Tee Agra Bank
has published an account of its proceedings for the
put sit months : these stand strikingly and creditably in
?chef from most of those around them. The bank has
realised gains which under ordinary circumstances would
have entitled it to have made a half-yearly dividend at the
rate of thirteen per cent. on the year, but as the possible
losses require to be provided against, they have carried 1,1001.
to the reserve fnad account, setting aside 10,0001. to meet
catualities. These are not expected to be heavy, as a.l liabi-
lities are well hedged that in all likelihood the bulk
of what is now set aside will fall to be divided some future
year. They have resolved to give the fullest publicity to all
their proceedings. They have requested Capt. Mc Gregor,
cc his retirement from Agra with a view to taking charge of
the London agenzy, to sit far his picture, for the painting of
which 601. was as.igned. The bank, since its establishment
in 1843, has regularly divided from eleven to twelve per cent.
The Bank of Bengal las, since 1637, given a yearly dividend
of upward. of eleven per cent. The names of some of the
Calcutta swindlers have been struck from the Government
House invitation list—an act for which due credit is given by
all honest men.—Major-General Sir John Littler reached
Calcutta on the 21st ult., and was the same day sworn into
the Supreme Council of India as third ordinary member,
ender the usual salute.—H. M.'s ship Vernon came into
Bombay harbour on the 9th Feb. She was supposed to require
some slight repairs, but on being examined the greater part of
the planks of her decks and timbers of her hull were found
to be gone. It is estimated that it will take 35,0001. to
repair her; for 40,0001. and her old rigging and appoint-
meats, a similar vessel may be built. She is only eighteen
Ears old, and it is supposed will be broken up at Bombay.
The disposal of her crew is matter of difficulty, as the
licence, now building, will not be ready for them for more
than a twelvemonth to come. H.M. brig Cruiser is now in
the Itsreour dismantled, and for sale; her rigging, stores,
and armament have been transferred to the new brig
Nurbudda, which has been coppered and fitted-up in
the incredibly short space of three weeks: she was
Lunched a sheer hulk on the sth, and sailed for England
in the highest order on the 29th ult. The brig Sutlej, con-
sort of the Nurbudda, is now on the stocks in a state of
peat advancement:part of the Vernon's crew will probably
be bestowed on her. The H. C. sloop Elphinstone, from the
I.'enian Gulf, brings with her accounts of the defeat and
dispersion of the Shah of Persia's troops by some insurgent
thief* in Khorasan. The affairs of the government of the
ling of kings appear to be in great disorder. The Elpttia.
stone brings with her a large assortment of the Nimroud
llubles collected by Mr. Layard for the British government '
Thar be exhibited in Bombay before being despatched
for England. The petty insurrection in the Shawnee state.
tail to the Nina, hes been brought to an suspicions

*whisks. The insurgents have all sunronded themselves
..conditionally, and the queen mother of the young
Nish a woman of the most dissolute habits
and intriguing disposition—has been sent Tudor sent to
Rutnagherry, her native place, in the Company's rimidnirmts
to be out of the way of doing mischief.—The ship Marisid,
from London to Bombay, with a cargo of coals has been de-
stroyed by are off Severndroog, a little way down the gout,
the result of spontaneous combustion. The captain, Maws,
and crew have all reached Bombay in safety.—An atrocious
murder has been committed near Bombay, Lieutenant
Lush, of the 2nd Light Cavalry, being the victim.
On his way from Rajkote to Porebunder, in and his at.
tendant were fired on by a party of marauders belonging to.
Meckran, and both killed on the spot. They were then
plundered of all they possessed, and their bodin lit ex-
posed. Ne trace of the murderers has been discovered.—A
new implement has just been constructed for the purpose, of
freeing cotton from its seeds and husks ; it is said to combine
the cheapness and economy of the native churka with the
efficiency of the American saw-gin.—The Lord Bishop
of Bombay was last heard of at Neemuch, in Cen-
tral India, wnither he had gone on visitation, at
the express desire of the metropolitan of India.
The Chief Justice has himself returned amongst us, and
seems in good health and spirits.—lt has been decided in
the Supreme Court of Bombay, that hrre the duties of
sheriff and magistrate of police are not incompatible, and
that there is nothing illegal in both these offices being held
by one individual.—The wreck of the Dutch barque
Urine, 269 tons, on the coast of Anacan, has been
reported. Crew all saved.—The hon. Mr. Elliot,
for nine years a member of the Indian Law
Commission, has returned to Madras, and taken
his seat at the council board as third member.—Mr. H.
Conybeare, civil engineer, hex been appointed superinten-
dent of repairs to the board of conservancy, and surveyor
to the court of petty session, Bombay —A few fatal cases
of small pox have occurred in Bombay, but the presidency
and India generally is remarkably healthy, and the weather
pleasant.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY MARCH I.—Since our repert per last mail, the
same enemy feeling of tightness in the money-market has been
emit general, and haa previalel beyond precedent in commercial
circles. Credit in the bazaar remains at a most digcessing ebb,
and confidence in Individuals has been severely shaken. Under
them deoreesing circumstances our market, bath for im-
ports and export", shows no signs of Improvement, and ban
remained much the same as for the month before it had dare. &ei-
nem, however, has been done during the fortnight to a fair extent, st
former low rates, for cotton geode, yarns, and cotton wool; while for
metals, the prince remain steady, us formerly, and full prices have
been obtained for parcels of sheet copper and Swedish bar iron.
Bank stocks continue on the decline. We quote to-day, Oriental at 14
per rent. t. premium, , contreorerciiil at 9 per cent. dismount, and Bombay
Advice: tree arrived from Calcutta with the result. of SY
fourth sale, which took place there on the 2 let ult., of 2,160 chains vg
opium, of which 1,030 chests of Patna sold at an average of Mir. 13a, I
114 p. per chest, and ;SO chests &Mims at 778 r. per chest. Some
transactions wok place in the bazaar, after the sale, at a decline In
rates, viz., Patna, at Sesr. per elk •t, and Broaden at 170 r. per chest.
We are glad to obcave more doing in gnats:at Calcutta, and the
low value attracting the attention of buyers.
Comae Piave Ooinw.—Low quality gray goods and white bleached
figured shiritings are in good inquiry.
Carton Vaass.—The market at length shows signs of animate n,
after the cognation of the last few weeks, owing to the dulness in
the interior.
Corms iNital--Thene has been two sales reported, of 2,0001 b. each, at
4 rupees 24 guns per lb.
ExPosin—C,rroir WOOL—Sinoe our report per last mall we have
heard of the fudowing port:link" :-2.50 to 309 inks of new 'Moller%
principal, bought by Arabs, at 814 rupees loot candy. 2,000 to 3,000
candies ef old Uhollera, Oumniwuttee, Surat, and .lumboorcer cotton,
bought by native chippers, at 6.5 to 70 rupees per candy. 400 bake of
new Ohollers, at 80 rupees per candy ; and many email purchases of
old Libellers have been made by the native shippers, at 58 to 67
emcee, according to range of quality.
Our id.—Since the deepatch of the steamer Pekin to China, with a
cargo ol 1,276 chests of atalwa opium, about 850 chests of new Malwa
have arrived, but we have beard of nothing doing in the Mug. The
price may Ire considered 030 r. per chest for best quality.
EsCliarioini.—On England, six months' eight China hills drawn on
Baring, have been sold ut Is. leld. banks' rate.; sit months',
la 10d. ; three nionths', In. 94d.; one month, Is. 54d. ; and for bills
secured by Minima documents we quote la 104 d. The rate on China,
is, 60 chit. 205 r. per 100 dots. On Cater la, sight 4 per cent. pre-
mium ; 30 day., 2a. per cent. premium; 60 days, 991 r. per 100, for
Company's draughts.
CALCUTTA, Fen. 19.—Sinee our last report husinrse in
this city has not been characterise.' by much activity, and the gloom
and distent which prevailnl have not been in any degree olaf.
paled. Our produce market continuos to feel the depreming
influence of the times. The discouraging accounts of the
Mime markets, aril the high rake of freight that have ruled till
within the last few day., have limited operation to actual wants.
The better qualities of indigo hare lately been commanding prices
from ss. to Itle. per mound higher. Sugar is neglected, with a declin-
ing tendency. Silk piece goods remain unnoticed, and the transactions
is raw elk are very limited. In our import market a fair amount of
buelnem has been done in come of the staple Manchester goods. Male
twist haa been in better inquiry, and No. 10 particularly has been
more freely taken, at eomewhut better prices.
taiThere is no scarcity of money, but it 14 not easily obtained for pu-
p.es of mercantile accommodation. The coffers of the Bank of Ben-
gal are overflowing; and, on the 17th lost., the directors reduced the
ruts of interest I per cent. ; their rates now are—private bills, not
exceeding three months, 9 per cent. discount; on government accep-
tances, 5 per cent.; on deposit of company's paper, 7 per cent.; on
deposit of opium, Indigo, and metals, 8 per cent., and 9 per cent on
other good.. The profit. of the bank for the month of
January, have been at the rate of 9.14.101 r. per MIL re
annum; and Bank Shama are selling at 6,125 to 6,150. Om
vernment Securities have remained at the heavy diorama
quoted in our Last report; but the reduction of Mime* at
the bank may probably improve their value, although suflicient time I
b. nut elapsed for the development of the effects of that mareare.
Exchange remains steady at 1-11 to 1-114 for the beet bills at six
months, secured .y the hypothecation of produce, while others mn be
gut on easier terms. Uncovered bills remain quite unnamable. The
company had advanced on the export warehouse up to date
726,7 ut 1.104. The amount of bills drawn by the Hon-
ourable Court on the 'kneel Treasury by this mail le 44669.17-9.
/Wilms from Canton up to the ith of January have been received.
The disagrous nature of the intelligence received from England by
the Pekin had completed the derangement in oommereial affairs there.
Money was scarce ; wont of cootiknoe prevailed ; and it was found
impormahle to effect sales of import. except at • considerable sacrifice.
Loco.—Since our last the transactions in this dye have bees con-
fined to public miles, whichutfered about 1,600 chests, sold at prices
wish an upward tendency. Within the lint week buyers generally
evinced HI increased diary:wilier' to operate.
tierialL—The flatness which has for some time past been banging
over this article twilled in a decline of na. per manta, and even more
for some parcels of the lower qualities. Tire extreme remonablenesa
of the rows has, during the last week, attracted some attention, the
reported sales amounting to 4,000 bags.
Raw Su-IL—The November bond is coming to market in very small
quantities, and the transactions which have taken place are scarcely
worth recordwg, reported not exceeding 250 mounds, of which 75
=minds of tceada (European filature) sold for 11.12, and 48 mounds
Soonspore at 11.0. Exports s above : To Great Britain, 705 maunder
Slot Pow: Goo. continue to be quite neglected, although premed
forward by holders.
Crmord.—We have no transactions to report herr. In China a
serious decline bad taken place in the article, and sales were with
difficulty effected. The stocks amounted to 96,000 bales, being neatly
double the quantity which was on hand at the corresponding period in
the previous year. The stock of Shanghae cotton, a new teen in the
commercial reports of liong-Kong, amounted to 11,033 born.
Osier.—The market for this drug is quiet and dull, and nearly
bare of stocks.
beroara—Bruneu Carron Preen Goons. —Dealers appear some-
what more anxious to operate, while hoWers seem less deposed to
meet their views, or to submit to reduced prices. A fair amount of
breams, upon the whole, Ma been done in the early portion of the
pee iod under review in the prime* fabrics of Manchester manu-
facture. Latterly, the market Wm been dull, and transactions limited.
CurrON TWIST.—MULETwice.—,I better dealand has prevailed,
partxularly for No. 40, which have been selling more freely, in some
mace at improved prices. Turkey-red yarn, Gering, .dye, has im-
proved, and may be described as tlrm. A sale of 41 bake is reported,
at 1-5.7 to 1-7, according to numbers.
WOoLLK.NS are extremely dull of sale. The Nepaulese, who made
some movement In this article, have left the market.
OALT.—A sale of 29,000 =wide of I'angah, or fine Liverpool, has
token place.
Cualriver voles Or 001101100117 IRCURTISMS. BARR &RABIN RC.
Tr ansfer Five per Cent. 7 0 toprem.
' Sias Its. data
New ditto ditto
C .'a lin, Four per Cent
Sieca lia. ditto
• Bank of Bengal Shares, Waft. ... 4,000, 2,125 to 2,150 prem.
• Agra Bank ditto
N. W. Bank (ditto
Oriental Bank ditto
ity

be Court.
The Duchess of Kent visited the Queen on Satur-
day at Buckingham Palace.

THY NEW SERJEANT-AT-ARMS.—Lord Charles
James Fox Russell, who represented Bedfordshire in the
hot parliament, will succeed Sir William Goseet, K.G.H.,
as Serjeant.at-Arms in attendance on the House ot Com-
mons; subject, however, to any arrangement which the
house may think fit to make respecting the dui: and
emoluments of the office.
DEATH OF MADAME GILIZOT.— The venerable
Madame Guizot, mother of the ex-president of the council of
the late French administration, died at seven o'clock, p.m.,
on Friday, at the residence of H. Guizot at Brommon. The
distressing event was scarcely anticipated. On Thursday
Madame Guizot was unwell, and the professional a rvices
of Dr. Holland were resorted to, and he attended the
lamented lady up to the time of her dissolution. The
Mdlles. Guizot have, we learn, removed to Dr. Holland's
from the scene of their domestic bereavement. M. Guisot
has received very numerous visits of condolence on this severe
family affliction; of course those marks of respect are wholly
independent of any political feeling, as many of the distin-
guished individuals who have called to make inquiries have
entertained opinions diametrically opposite to his own.

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS.
A meeting of the following commissioners was held
on Saturday, in one of the committee rooms of the Mouse of
Commons, Lord Ebrington in the chair: the Dean of West-
minster, Hon. F. Byng, Sir H. De Le tfeche, Mr. Broderip,
Mr. Buller, Mr. Leslie, Me. Bidwell, Mr. L. Jones, Dr.
Southwood Smith, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Blaney, Rev. W.
Stone, and Mr. Hume. The proceedings were begun by
the reading of the following report, as to proposed ordnance
survey of the metropolis :
We have the selisfection to report, that In answer to the questions
transmitted m the Office of Ordnance respecting a block plan of Lan-
doe, for drainage and other purposee required by this ourecuirkin,
Col. (fall, superintendent of the ordnance survey, bas forwarded to
the Inspector -General of Fortifications the accompanying letter end
memoranda, horn which it would appear that a block plan of the
metropolis, and of the suburban districts jaded within kith
a
radius of eight miles from tit. Paul's (the ruse inia foe wh
a detailed map wu given by Major-Genetal Colby), may be
executed, with a proper
_system of levels, for 24,2151., and that the
out of suraving the biotic plan, upon ascalecif five feet to the mile and
upon 901 plates of double elephant Giro, weed be (Occluding 3,8041.
for the copper) 12,6141., making together 36,829/. Although the
Surenntendent of Ike Ordnance Survey enamel!. regret
.that a new
map of London should be executed oalf as • block plan, including a
proper system of levels, without the. great detail inserted in the
=scented by the ordnance survey for towns in the north of
—a regret no doubt Sounded upon • desire not to produce •
et Imam interior detail to the plans of such towns—we
wouldnip observe that. In the questions proposed to the ordnance, we
have loosed strictly to the preen requirements of the Metropolitan
Commissions of BCIIIII. and, consequently, that we did not advert
to details which ware out Immediately connected with them.
It peared to us •ery busartant that the commistionera should,
withap little delay as puma*, be *cog In a situation to °m-
anhood the Wad and sawaatse animus at prima minim In the