The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-27 00:00:00

LABUAN AND_BORNEO.

ENGAGEMENT RETWEIN H.M.'s STEAMER Noutsts
AND Boutin° Pre rite.—Our latest intelligence from these
islands extends to the 10th of June. At the cad of May the
Nemesis steamer, having on board Mr. Brooke, Captain
Grey, of H.M.S. Columbine ; and Licut. Garotte, of H.M.S.
Royalist, proceeded to Bruni to obtain the ratification of the
treaty with the Sultan. On the 28th of May the Sultan rati-
fied the treaty, which Mr. Brooke was to convey with him to
England by thd steamer which left Singapore on the 6th of
August. It was on the steamer's return from Brunt to
Labuan that she encountered the Bahalini pirates.
Early on the morning of the 30th May, the Nemesis, with
Mr. Brooke and Capt. Grey aboard, and having in tow a
cutter of H.M.S. Columbine, left the town of Bruni, to trots
over to the new British port of Labium. Information was
received on the way down the river that some fishermen had
been chased at daylight, and on rounding the point of the island
of Moarra, the look-out of the Nemesis descried a Beet of
Balanini or Sulo pirates in full chase of a trading prahu in
the offing. Immediately the steamer appeared, the pirates,
quitting the chase, pulled in shore to the westward, and at the
same time cut away the small boats they had in tow, while
the steamer, pursuing at full power, log much ground by
having to round the extensive shoal which stretches from
Moarra Point (I.Tjong Sepal to the islet of Pilong Piiongan.
The Balanini were first descried at 9 30 a.m., and about mid-
day, finding the steamer gaining upon them, came to anchor.
At 1 p.m. the pirate fleet was plainly made out from the
Nemesis ; eleven large prahus, anchored in line at a distance
of about ten raids one from another, along a sandy beach,
with their beads to sea, their stuns (fast by stern warm
ashore) in the surf, and with a hawser passed along from
boat to boat. The bows of the prahus were protected by
ampilans formed of musket.proof planks ; they appeared
well-armed, crowded with men, and in this formidable pad-
, tion awaited the approach of the steamer.—At 1.30 the
pirates opened fire on the steamer, and the action com-
menced in earnest at a distance of about two hundred yards,
the steamer being in two fathoms of water, and rolling
heavily in a ground swell.
For two hours a heavy fire was kept up from the Nemesis,
and the fire from the pirates being nearly silenced, and their
prahus evidently greatly damaged, Captain Grey, with three
cutters (one belonging to H.M.S. Columbine, and two to the
H. C. steamer Nemesis), resolved to make a dash at the left
of the pirates' position, whilst the steamer poured in grape
and canister upon the centre and right, to prevent their
rendering aid to their comrades. On the advance of our
three small boats, the pirates, casting loose the hawser which
attached their prahus together, pulled away to the eastward
in a crippled state, leaving two prahus in possession of our
lodate, and numbers of men on the beach or jungle. The
Nemesis pursued to the eastward, and ono after another
drove six of the flying enemy ashore, all of which were for
the time abandoned by their crews, but could not be taken
possession of owing to the small number of °es bout. to the
action.
In the meantime, whilst Captain Grey was securing the
two prizes already mentioned to the westward, and the
Nemesis in full pursuit of the three last prahus to the east-
ward, five out of the six deserted boats were re-manned,
and, with a resolution, praiseworthy in a better
cause, bore down to the attack of our thri e cutters.
Captain Wallop, commander of the Nemesis, perceiving
this manoeuvre, anxious for our overmatched boats, and
convinced that these prahus must at all events escape to
the westward, returned in that direction, while the oath
deserted prahu being re-manned, and favoured by a breeze,
crowded all sail to the eastward after her three consorts,
and thus the four escaped. The five pirate prahus now
advancing boldly towards our three cutters, perceiving
the retrograde movement of the Nemesis, made every effort
to escape to the westward, and a severe action took place
between the atemmost prahu and the boats, the ecemy
defending himself with the utmost resolution, and iufiictieg
a severe loss on our party. Whilst Captain Grey
was engaged in the capture of this large prahu, the
Nemesis pursued the four to the westward, two of
which were captured, whilst the remaining two escaped in
the darkness in a completely shattered state, after having
been several times deserted, and as often re-manned.
Thus concluded this successful action with a pirate form
consisting of eleven prahus—two of the largest size—four
somewhat smaller, with crews of fully fifty men each, and
five with a complement of from thirty-five to forty hands.
The force of the pirates at a moderato computation must be
reckoned at 500 men, exclusive of captives, and these on the
' testimony of game rescued Chinese were above a hundred
persons.
' It is difficult to form a correct estimate of the killed and
wounded on the enemy's part; but, as forty to fifty men
were dead on the beach—ten men killed found in the esp-
tured prahus, and the like number in the prahus which
escaped, besides those which may have died in the jangle,
we may reckon the killed at 80 or 100 men, and the
wounded at double that number. The loos on the British
side was one man killed, and seven men wounded—two
mortally and most severely. Ten bran guns, varying in
Mae from 9 pounders to Lelas, and five iron guns (three to
six pounders) were captured.
Five prahus were taken, and the escape of the rest is to
be attributed to the small number of our beats, as at ems
time eight prahus were lying on the beech abandoned by
their crews, and had our boats been sufficient to secure them
the other three would have been overtaken by the Nemesis.

The news from China, is of a leas warlike character
than that brought by the last despatches, and is com-
mercially important. The demonstration made at the
beginning of the year, by the taking of the liogne forte,
has had so salutary an effect on the Chinese authori-
ties that the few troops left to guard the factories
were withdrawn in June. Their presence tended, it
was thought, to keep alive a feeling of inse-
curity and alarm among the Chinese. The
foreign merchants were apprehensive of the people,
while the people were fearful of a second in-
vasion. The native capitalists refused the usual bank-
ing facilities, and all commerce was at a stand; every-
thing like mutual confidence ceased. The presence
even of one company was thought to have retarded &
speedy and wholesome settlement of the differences
between the Chinese and ourselves. The policy of
withdrawing them appears to have answered the ex.
wctatious of Sir John Davis. The Chinese officials
had since been remarkably courteous in their commu-
nications to our consul at Canton, and to the governor
of Hong-Kong. One of these documents was sent in
an unusual manner, directly from its subscribers-11e
people of Honan—to Sir John Davis, without being
sent through the district authorities. The occa-
sion of this document was the extension of settlement
in Honan, a suburb of Canton, which had been formed
in pursuance of the treaty made by Sir H. Pottine•
Some ground was to have been bought for English
commercial settlers, and the owners of it—the family
of Pwan—remonstrated in a style of politeness and
civility which, says the editor of the China Mad,
" has no parallel in the history of our intercourse
with China." The dispute was Wended by the conces-
sion of other places n for business purposes " only,
the ground required for " recreation " not having
yet been let to us by the hard-fisted natives. The
premises, chiefly consisting of "pack houses," were
instantly advertised to be let, and while the Eng-
lish chamber of commerce were squabbling by letter
with the governor of llong-Kong, the Americas'
stepped in and secured one of the best of the hopes
warehouses. Thus far it would seem things are at
length taking a favourable turn, and confidence and
commercial activity would it is hoped be in some
degree restored by this time. The populace of Canton
still, however, oppose with might and main the con-
cession fFranted by their rulers, and the power of the
authorities over them is far from omnipotent.
The American factory has received a severe loss
is
the death, on the 29th June, of their commissioner,
Mr. Everett. He had only arrived in Canton akw

J

bye with his family, to take pagandom of a new
house in Canton.
The opium trade has received an important
modification. It is no loager to be farmed.
mead of the monopoly, three classes of licenses are
last
to be issued—the first of 10 dole, per month, to
smoking shops ; the second of 20 dole. to
TelailersperS of
of prepared opium; and the third of 30 dols.,
far the sale of raw opium in leas quantities than
me chest.
A severe typhoon swept over Hong-Kong on Toes-
&y,'
20'h July. The following account of the casual-
ties it occasioned off the coast is from the China Mail.
Three pleasure schooner', three lorchae, and 20 to 30 fast and mego
Fun-hat, and two police-bre,ta. tr.
also.bubsthtahet .gvera""'; entnt ee:urn hero been drowned, and a 40.0566 Wow-
ing to the Minden, in attempting toswisa off to a schooner, sank? and
was ;tangent out insensible, but has sine, entirely recovered. Every
skip 61 the 04,000 r platted morn or lees •, the Potung7 feat opposite
tks Pag-office to near that of the P. and 0., and the Vulture was cor-
dto get up her steam to keep her from going on shore. The
pod &eons having lost two anchors was fortunately bronitit up
when within three ships' lengths of the reeks. Next moraine the
wide beach was covered with planks, hoses, lke., of which the China-
men seem to have made wog terabio booty, numbers of them were
climhior the hills with pieces of drills. The police went In pur-
suit, and made about a doyen captures.
A trial, which excited great interest, took place
before Chief Justice Ilulme and a special jury. Capt.
Larkins, proprieto of the steamer Corsair, plying
between Hong Kong and Canton, was charged with
having for months carried lettere not exempted from
the exclusive privileges of the Postmaster-General.
The penalty provided by statute is either Si. for each
letter, or 100/. for every week the practice is con-
tinued. The prosecutor claimed the latter, amounting
to 3,200/. The jury returned a verdict in his favour,
but amerced Larkins in a penalty of uo more than
1001.
The last items of news are perhaps the least agree-
able. Very serious char es have been brought against
one of the highest olicials of Hong-Kong, who is
charged with bribery in having received a large sum
monthly to ander-rent, or underrate the rental, of the
public markets ; the matter is under investigation.
The Spanish brig Quid pro Quo, in the passage from
Manilla to Hong-Kong, was lost on Jane 16 ; crew
and pia of tho cargo saved. Details of Chines.) com-
mercial intelligence will be found in our Canton cor-
respondent's letter.
CANTON, JCLT 22.
The feeling here is at present quiet enough—
and so it always bat been. up to the very moment of the most
serious disturbance. Quietude here is truly no indication of
security; bat the asenee of disturbance may be traced to
the belief which the myriads around and about us entertain,
that having saved one part of Horan from the foot of the
foreigner they will be equally successful when the time
arrives to enter the city.
Entry month confirms previous convictions as to the inu-
tility as a place of trade of Ningpo and Foo-choofuo, and
the uselessnere of expensive consular establishments there.
At Amoy an occesioeal spirt of business arises, but it is
only when goods happen to be wanted, and the supply is
unequal to the demand ; at other times they are unsaleable.
All these things materially react upon Hong Kong. It will
not he too late to relieve the errors committed on other
points. The Canton people who escaped by fine from the
position in which they were placed by Elliott, will never
peaceably permit foreigners in the city—life is cettain to be
lost—and they will then have broken the treaty of April,
1347. lie,rieve then, we soy, the errors of former conven-
tions. boldly, openly, and if their stubborn wilfulness causes
one strop of British blood to be spilled, Dane's Island should
be secured, and Chusan made a military station as well as
Hong Kong. Take if you will the duty off tea Is. per lb.,
bat as competition among the united buyers of the world
wilt advance the price here within very little of the amount
so reducei, and what the English government loses, the
growers, manipulators, merchants, and factors of that article
will obtain; and as British goods will be so heavily exported,
no advance, but heavy losses, may be expected. Test at once
the sincerity of Chinese professions. Introduce the opium
legally, but fur every chest so entered let the consulate charge
a drawback upon the import duties which (pass through his
hands of 20 dollars per chest. This would amount to
800,000 dollars per year ; a large amouns, it is true; but
20 dollars per chest upon opium is a mere nonentity on an
article which in a few months advances or declines in its
value 200 to 220 dots. per chest.. This would be the true
mode of prohibiting the consumption of opium.
The new teas are arriving, and settlements have been
made at from 27 tads to 3'2. tails, ship off. They are
well manipulated, and sightly ; but, as a class, are seriously
deficient in strength and devour ; the profits at these rates to
the Chinamen are 2i per cent —they admit it.
The following comparative exports of tea for the season
1815-10, and 1316-47 may be relied upon
Congou 40,067,665 Congou
Caper 142, 053 1,659,202
Caper, scented 706,
Bombs:4g 1,436,121 &auction(
Oats
Mowery Pekoe 693,913 Flowery Pekoe 663,317
Orange Pekoe lO 6 1
&voted do.
Orange Pekoe
81ack..........,. 41,418,690 45,035,332
Twaskay _ ..... 1,425,560 Twankay • 3,339.760
Moen skim ....—.. 147,631 Hymn Skin
Wean
Young Ryon 2,317,631 Young Ilyson
Imperial - ... 675,312 Imperial
Gunpowder ),008,442 Gunpowder
---
Green
Total lbs. 18411--47 53,736,731 1645-48
Of the above shipments the increase is on Congous. and
the deficiencies on all other descriptions except Hyson skin,
of wi.ich Amoy blacks, capers, and sorts, show the most
important items ; and among greens., Twankay, young Hy-
eon, imperial gunpowder. Ihe exports from Shanghae, in-
cluded in tho above table, Sr. very nearly 2,000,000 less
than the previous season. The export of raw silk, '260 bales
lees than last season, being 18,487 bales ageinst 18,740 hut
season. The export of tea to Europe, 4,419,1361b5, against
4,9/5,8.9216J. last season ; to the United States of America,
18,8e5,287 lbs. against 18,502,0921 be. ; and to Australia,
1,613,8/511w. against 92,3571b5. last season ; and it is ex-
pected the supply of black tea will this year be most
abundant.
Meantime the new crop of congous, in all 105 chops,
have been settled, and principally fur money. 'I be
meaty of buyers to secure these teas has unfortunately
for themselves and friends led them into the market
a month too soon, and we have no hesitation in saying
that had they waited till the May mail had brought its
disastrous intelligence, they would have been purchased
full 20 per cent, under the prices at which they have been
placed ; and as bills against tea are, we believe, 4s. M. to
41. 7d., while Baring 's credits are only 4s. 4d., buyers will
hale no alternative but to draw egainst them at a high ex-
change, or pay for them in manufactured commodity, which
can only be quitted at the prices the Chinese may please to
pay. Thu., consequent on the undue export of commodity
to this, the agent, instead of agreeing, as with the Hong
merchant, to buy tea at such a rate, at the same time
selling geode at such a rate, is obliged to buy his tea at a
high rate, to be paid for nominally in cash ; and, when the
thy for payment arrives, the Chinaman, having already made
kis bargain for the tea, also has the power of making his own
price for the article in which it is 'ought he shall receive
payment. The consumers of tea are the only benefitors by
this, and they benefit to such an extent, that they have
really no one plea for a reduction of duty upon that article;
and, holding the opinion that commerce should, to be
healthy, strong, and lasting, be the result of steady and sta-
tusl growth, and not the offspring of forced and unnatural
Achim, we are anxious that any increase of trade with this
country should be the result of wholesome means, not the
child of forced, spontaneous, and unwholesome vegetation;
and that will be the case, of the interested evidence
of parties is believed, and who state the Chinese can and
will consume Manchester fabrics at a ratio compared with one
over consumption and population to the consumption sad
population of this country. There are many causes contrary
to such a conclusion not taken' ate account by the ex-
porters of these fabrics, and which it is worth while to mess,
lion—viz., poverty. Custom of the country having relation
to dress, fondness for their own manufactures, economy in
their use, temperature of the country, which demands, for
five months in the year, the almost total absence of dress, and
this materially atreets cotton fabrics ; want of cleanliness, the
upper garment of grass cloth is white, but the inner one of
cotton is many coloured, and your frltg housewife will tell
yon bow much her linen gets damaged in the wash.
Our last dates from Shanghae are lone 26, at which tines
feu and silks had been extensively contracted for, flat
quality Isattee, 360 dole. per picul ; while shirtings had been
reduced 15 to 20 cents pre ipiecee by transactions in produce
to arrive, Patna opium, 625 dots. per chest, which with
charges leave, a considerable loss ; Melees selling at 50,5 to
610, and expeCted to be lower ; Sycee and gold plentiful.
reeled& here have a downward tendency, and 51. 151. to
61. the quoted rate. l'atna opium heavy, 655 ; Turkey
opium, 420 ; and money here exceedingly scarce. We have
no intelligence from the other ports saving Ningpo-foo, at
which place her Majesty's brig Eepi;gle is at present sta-
tioned, and you may judge of the state and prospects of com-
merce by the fact that the arrival there of a single lorcha
some time back threw them all into a state of very consider-
able excitement. If the consul and his establishment are not
good linguists, indeed perfect masters of Chinese language
and literature, it will not be for want of leisure.
Whim OF TEA, &C., JULT 20, 1847.
1947.
Coogan. 3,428,0661
46,770 I
....... 189,099 Same period last
ear.
PI- , 24,760 Total: 81ack...3,827,515 Blecky 475,816
8c.31. Pekoi, upon. Green.. 142,394 Olean - 293,682
Hwy"' ,240
16
Iscso
Y. Hy,* 51,360
!resells]
Gunpowder 51,878)

• 1844. The lam* Clinton price fee Potpo. 540 dole.; the higheet
thogbal price, 800 dole. 1647. The lowest Aotoe price fa=
410 dots.; the hitched Shaoghal price, 000 dote.; the lawcet
Defoe, 540 dote.

Maley Market, Commercial, and Shipp* Intelligence*
Mat Palr.)

MALTA, SEPT. 18.—The Indus came in this morn-
ing, and will leave for Southampton at 7 this evening. The
Ardent gees to Marseilles this morning. The failures in the
4:01% trade in England have caused a great sensation
here, one house suffers considerably. Several cargoes
have lately arrived from the Black Sea, and been
repudiated. The trade of Malta is quite at a steal

The Preach steamer Cerbere, from Tripoli, brought here
Mr. Macauler, the American consul there, and Mr. War-
rington, the English vice-consul. The French steamer Tan-
! crede arrived on the 17th from Naples, and gave us the in-
formation that all was quiet in that city, and that
fourteen sail of French men-of-war were lying in
the bay, consisting of line-cf-Latda ships, trigates,
and steamers. Several engagement. had taken place
in the Abruzzi between the troops and the Insur-
gents, and that the former had been beaten in
several engagement.. Admiral Sir W. Parker gave
a large party on the 16th, in celebration of his re-
turn. An Austrian brig, laden with grain, put into
Marsascirocco harbour on the 17th, in a very leaky
state. The Austrian consul reported it to Admiral Parker,
and he ordered the Bull Dag to get up her steam, and go to
her assistance. The Bull Dog has since towed her into the
quarantine harbour. In consequence of the cholera being
at Trebiaonde, the Genoa Board of Health haa put all atri
vale from that port, and porta adjacent, in quarantine for
twenty days.
DUTCH EAST INDIES.—BALLY, MARcnt 31.
The hostile feeling of the princes who have lately been van-
quished still coatinues. Entrenchments have been thrown
up near the Dutch fort at Balding the intercourse between
the inhabitants and the garrison of that fort had been
suspended. The health of the Dutch troops was bad, so that
it was necessary often to relieve them. The fort was in a
perfect state of detente against any. attack from natives.
Attempts made by the Balinese emissaries to excite the
princes of Lombok against the Netherlands government bad
failed. Emissaries bad also been sent to Singapore; but the
British authorities seemed to have given them to understand
that they could expect no aid from that quarter, and that
their wisest course would be quietly to conform to the treaty
which had been concluded. The Prince of Balilieg wu
busy in repairing the palace which was destroyed during the
late expedition, being urged by the popular belief that if it
were not inhabited for more than one year, the whole of the
prince's family would become extinct.
J.tv.i.—Our dates are down to the 20th of June.
The Dutch appear determined to make a bold attempt to
recover their commerce. From the annexed translations from
the Java Courant it will be perceived that every nerve is
being strained to regain what they have lost. Our operations
' at Singapore, the formation of settl:meuts at Sarawak and
Labuan, lave alarmed the Dutch. It has not remained un-
observed that everything which tends to the improvement of
the commercial and shipping interest has been constantly
taken into consideration by the government, sad that
no expense has been spared in order to satisfy
' every reasonable wish or want. As such may be
named amongst the principal works lately determined
upon, the damming up the present issues of the Solo
river, in order to prevent drawing the navigatioa through
the Straits of Madura, near the fort Ereprin?, and
to take the measures which may be necessary to clear away
the bank which has formed its‘4l there; then to build the
great harbour works of the river &aural:nye. It has been
determined upon by government that a lighthouse shall
be forthwith constructed in the Straits of Sunda,
and built upon the so-named Java's Fourth p Ant near Anjer.
The minister of state, governor-general, has determined to
give up his conatant residence at Buitenzorg, and at the same
time transfer the secretary-general's office, tether with
the direction of Kaftans from 13uitenzorg to Batavia, as
soon as the necessary preparations have been made. The
immense extension which the Hulloes have re-
ceived, the increase of business which are the indi-
rect as well as direct consequencxs thereof, the de-
velopment of other prospects fur Jaya, and the
important exterior possessions, added to the con-,
sequence of an accelerated communication with Europe by
means of the overland mail, have led the executive to feel
mote acutely that the chief seat of government should be in
the capital of India, where the high authorities and the
chiefs of the different departments of the general direction
can be all united. It is in consequence of tho necessities of
the times and circumstances that the governor-general yields
the sacrifice of quitting his beautiful residence, parks, and
gardens of Buitenz wg, which will for the future, as formerly,
only be now and then visited by his excellency, it
may be to enjoy the cooler air of the hills, or to
take a short repose after laborious and important occupation.
Oa the arrival here of the mail of the 24th of April, the
Dutch packets were withheld, in accordance with instruc-
tions from the postmaster-general in• London. The captain
of the Dutch war-steamer applied to Admiral Inglefield (thea
here), who directed the whole of the China mail to be landed,
and the letters, &e., for Java to he delivered here. This was
done, under protest from Lieut. Bellaire, the Admiralty agent
on board the Pekin steamer. Well, the Dutch got their
Europe letters ; but, owing to an oversight, the whole of the
letters from Singapore, for Batavia, remained on board the
Dutch steamer in Batavia roads for five days, which occa-
sioned much excitement, as many of the letters contained
heavy remittances.