The Express.
London, England, 1848-02-22 00:00:00

226,181,000

104,793,000

Later returns from Bombay—the great emporium
of this branch of the China trade—give results more
decisively illtistmti. e of the importance of the
change.
The researches and the agitation relative to the
growth of cotton in India, which have produced this
satisfactory amendment, aided as they have been by
the very efficient management of the subject by Mr.
BRIGHT in parliament, may be considered as having
settled decisively the preliminary and most vital
part of the problem. It is abundantly certain that
an adequate supply of cotton (wit be grown in India,
The question of possibility is set at rest. There is no
longer any atmosphere of doubt surrounding the vital
considerations of soil, climate, or agriculture. It is a
settled point that the one is prolific, the other congenial,
and the last, in the language of the very able Bombay
report, "as well adapted to the circumstances of the
country and of the climate as can reasonably be
expected."
Starting, therefore, from the Straits of Ceylon, and
proceeding northward by Tinnevelly, Mysore, Hyder-
abad, the collectorates of the Deccan, sot forgetting
the Gnzerat peninsula on the left; Beret and the
valleys of the Nerbudda, until the eye rests upon the
broad and ample spice which is subject to the lieu-
tenancy of Agra, and then branching west and east,
and from the Dooabs of the Sutlej to Arracan, if not
including every one of that vast array of provinces,
at least Jesting with peculiar satisfaction upon many
a district between Bundelcund and Dacca—taking
we say, a survey of this comprehensive field through-
out the whole of which the cotton plant is an indige-
nous shrub, and its produce by most ancient custom
an article of commerce, the natural questions which
arise, are as short as they are simple : why
has not India hitherto—but, at all events, why does it
not at present, supply us with a commodity which
every motive of sell-interest impels us to obtain from
the moat abundant and most secure sources ?

was simply the result of an infelicitous combination of
parts—that fund of common sense and mere humanity
which falls to the lot of every genuine Englishman,
rendered the result sure and easy. But the Indian
exchequer is the victim of a perennial poverty ; and
it has been the constant presence of that gaunt
and terrible goddess, which has wrought the dis-
comfiture of so many admirable schemes for render-
ing the revenue of Ilindoetan a model for the imita-
docket all financial lawgivers.
We are not sure that this very notorious and sig-
nificant fact is even yet as familiar to our fellow-
countrymen as to have become an article of that
circumscribed fund of information which all re-
spectable people are supposed to possess. We are
rather disposed to think that the notions of India
which turned the heads of so many of the grand-
fathers of the present generation are still in the
enjoyment of a vigorous existence, and that the
visions of golden palaces, mines of pearl, and streams
of nectar with which the contemporaries of CLiva
and HASTINGS were in the habit of associating
the name of India, are by no means extinct
hallucinations. Wherever these primitive and
we must add -vulgar errors still obtain
any acceptance the broad and emphatic an-
nouncement that India is to all intents and purposes
a paw ewentry will necessarily excite surprise.
Poor, however, it is, and the boundless wealth and
prodigal luxuries of theseearly legends are no more
to be trusted than the invirations of Irish rhetoric
or the marvels of Arabian romance.

It is the misfortune of poor countries to possess
only one object of taxation, and that object perhaps
the least eligible of any that could be brought
within the reach of a fiscal burden. A rude people I
have little commerce, because they have neither skill
to produce artificial fabrics nor laws to protect the
cultivators of valuable products from the invasions of I
avaricious power or treebooting licentiousness. Their
imperfect civilisation saves them from soy intrusion
of an excise, and the happy innocence of the mass of
the people in all the arts of luxury leaves no room for
those devices of raising revenue out of these foibles
of our nature which have rendered such excellent
service to modern Chancellors of the Exche-
quer. Relieved of all thole minor perplexi-
ties, the ingenuity of the fiscal minister of a
poor country is confined within a very narrow
field. lie has before him the land and its
'puss prntluer, and he has nothing else ; and of course
he seizes upon as much of this gross produce as his
power or his conscience permits him to grasp, and he
appropriates it to the replenishment of the treasury.
This is the universal law and custom of India. The
land is the great source of revenue. In many dis-
tricts it is almost the exclusive source of revenue. In
those particular districts for example which are pre.
eminently distinguished in the catalogue of cotton
lands the proportion borne by the land assessment to
the entire revenue is very great. The land tax of the
whole of the Deccan is 82 per cent. In the collect();
rate of Ahtcednuggar, one of the four revenue divi-
sions of the Deccan, it is 89 per cent. In Dharwar,
83 ; in Kandeish, 84; and in Poonah, 78 per cent.
We have in this fact and these figures a glimpse of
the first and greatest of the impediments to the ex-
tension of the cotton culture of India. The govern-
ment depends upon the revenue—the revenue depends
upon the land—and to raise the revenue the land is
taxed to the highest pitch. Lessen this rate of taxa-
tion, and where there is no other taxable object you
at once jeopardise the government by jeopardising its
indispensable supplies. This is a predicament to
which the government have the strongest possible
aversion, and with reference to which they have the

keenest perception.
We believe it to be quite possible to hit upon some
expedient which shall reconcile the necessity of dimi-
nished assessment with the integrity of the finances
of the state. And this is the first and vital change
which must be accomplished. We do not stay at
present to discuss the controverted question as to
whom the land of India belongs, but, assuredly we
are more inclined to the doctrine of Mr. STILL
than the opinion of Colonel SYKES, nor do we
say anything concerning those different schemes
of collection which since the time of Lord CORN
WALLIS have filled so large a space in the discussion
of Indian questions. The Zemindary, the Ryotwar,
and the Mouzawary system of revenue may be con-
sidered with more profit and greater propriety at a
stage of the subject when it is important to descend
into specific details. In the meantime we rejoice in
the reflection that there is every probability of this
momentous question being conducted to a successful
molt.

THE news from Canton of the murder of six
British subjects is not likely to be received with
apathy. On the contrary, it is earnestly to be desired
that some self-control may be exercised by the public
at home to resist the contagion of the naturally exag-
gerated feelings under which the English residents at
Canton and throughout our settlements in the Eastern
Archipelago were labouring.
At Canton, llong-Kong, and Singapore—among
civilians as well as sailors and soldiers—nothing less
appears to have been anticipated as the result of this
melancholy event than a renewal of the war with China.
Throughout our Eastern territories and stations our
ships of war are ruffling their sails, as water-birds
ruffle their pinions when disturbed. Sir JOHN DAVIS
is reported to have written home for immediate and
large reinforcements, naval and military. We con-
fess oar inability to discern the casus &Ili. It does
not appear that the Chinese authorities, hitherto ap-
pealed to, have defended, or even palliated, the con-
duct of their countrymen, or refused redress. Their
views of what is due to the British people and crown
may. differ from those entertained by our plenipo-
tentiary, but nothing has yet passed between the
legitimate authorities on either side calculated to
prove either the necessity or expediency of breaking
off negotiation and having recourse to arms.
In thus recording our protest against huff, vapour,
and nonsense, we have no intention to under-estimate
the melancholy importance of the event, or deny
the duty of insisting upon a thorough and searching
scrutiny of all concomitant facts, with a view to the
stern exaction of reparation, should reparation be found
due.
The facts, so far as known, are these :—On Sunday,
the .-ith of December, six gentlemen left Canton on a
short excursion up the river. As they had not
returned on Monday evening serious apprehensions
for their safety began to be entertained, which were
increased by the circulation of rumours that a party
of foreigners having been involved in an affray with
villagers, and having used fire-arms in their defence,
had killed three Chinese, and, in return, bad been over-
powered, wounded, or slain. On the morning of Tues-
day, the Sib, the body of one of the missing gentlemen
was brought in, and in the course of the day three
more • on the following day the remaining two were
received. All of the bodies were pierced with numer-
ous mortal wounds, and some, if not all of them, were
said to have borne marks of mal-treatment inflicted
before death.
No European witnessed the affray. The only ac-
counts that have been obtained of it—vague and con-
tradictory in the extreme--are those which the officers
of the Chinese government on the one hand, or
brokers and compredors connected with the English
residents on the other, professed to have received. It
is impossible to distinguish in these statements what
had been learned from eve-witnesses and what was
unauthenticated rumour. 'Even the statements of eye-
witnesses it is obvious in such a case could not be
implicitly relied upon. Partiality for their country
men, and fear of consequences for themselves, are
biases almost too strong to allow us to hope for frank
straightforward truth.
Nor was the manner in which inquiries had been
conducted on the part of-the British well calculated
to arrive at the truth. Throughout the whole affair
angry precipitancy and discreditable irresolution ap-
pear to have alternated rapidly. The tith and ith of
January, notwithstanding alarming and well-accre-
dited reports. were allowed to elapse without any
rational or decided step being taken. And this not-
withstanding there was good reason to believe that
during the first day at least one or more of the
victims wero still alive, in the custody of per-
sons who were eudeavouring to keep them out of the
hands of the infuriated rabble. When the bodies
had been recovered, it wasonly after a suggestion of •
chance visiter from Houg-Isong (the editor of the
China Mail) that the idea of holding inquests on
them was entertained ; and the inquests held are, we
will venture to say, unsurpassed in English annals for
the lax and peifunctory way in which they were
got over. Sir JOHN Davis himself repaired to Canton;
but his time appears to have been chiefly occupied in
telling the merchants that he knew all about the
matter, and squabbling with them on points of eti-
quette.

It is not difficult to give at least an historical reason
why the raw material of Lancashire has been derived
from the tropical regions of the western instead of
the eastern hemisphere, at the period when the
British people first entered upon that notable career in
the production of calico, which, to the late witty
canon of St. Paul's, appeared to be the special mission
assigned to these islands. The circumstances were
infinite which fostered our intercourse with America,
and repressed it with the countries beyond the Cape
of Good Hope. Westward, there was no bar or dis-
couragement to the prosecution of any scheme of en-
terprise. In the opposite direction a giant and power-
ful monopoly jealously exercised privileges which
were utterly hostile to the permission of any
rival participators in the commerce of its expanding
possessions. That it made the most of tbat com-
merce, even under the circumstances of the time, is
an assertion which at this time of day would attract
few defenders. But if we fully admit that the mer-
cantile servants of the company—their dignified
senior merchants and their paramount supercargoes—
were a tardy and a paltry race—the perpetual victims
of detail and narrow views—we must not forget that
the very framework of the system of which their pe-
culiar orbit tbrmed a very inferior circle, was in daily
jeopardy. Our eastern power was still vibrating
from the fierce assaults of Ti£Poo SULTAUN, and we had
not yet become accustomed to speak with certainty
of our dominion as extending beyond the original
patrimony acquired by the daring and the sagacity of
Co% E. Throughout the whole of that wide field
which we have just indicated we were still either
strangers or conquerors, and in neither capacity very
much disposed to relax the tenacity of any present
hold upon the resources of the country in behalf of
problematical schemes of future development. Here
and there, were men whose piercing vision enabled
them to read the signs of the time aright. MLNRO,
during the many years he served as collector under
the presidency of Madras, never ceased to urge
the necessity of reducing and adjusting the
iTsesaments under his jurisdiction. The supe-
rior authorities did not gainsay the justness of
his views, but the reply was decisive. The perpetual
exigencies of sell-defence left no leisure for dubious
innovations; and although the ryots of the ceded
districts might possibly have a fair case, it was not
consistent with the safety of the whole community
that it should be listened to.
The interval has not been a long one since language
and feelings of this complexion became no longer
justifiable, and during that interval it would be
neither true nor just to assert that no efforts have i
been made to reduce into some allegiance to
equity and order the motley and indiscriminate pro-
cedures which were the reproach of every part of
our Indian administration. We have done much to
amend the laws and the system of judicature, we
hare succeeded better in our regulation of the military
and civil establishments : and certainly we have not
permitted the vital matter of revenue to remain stag-
nant in all the eccentric and repulsive deformity of its
on incongruities.
But it must not be concealed that the exertions of
the fiscal reformers of India have lain under
au incubus from which the promoters of
almost every other scheme of improvement were
totally exempt. So long as amelioration could be
obtained by re-arrangement—so often as injustice

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1848.

For, the conduct of the Chinese authorities, though
perhaps not exactly what might have been expected
in European authorities, appears to have been, allow-
ance being made for Chinese views and character,
sincere and straightfor ward. On the 7th and Bth, Dec.,
rewards were offered by the Cninese authorities for
information respecting the nature and origin of the
affray, and for the detection of the murderers. The
bodies, which had been sunk in the river, wore reco-
vered through the agency of officers of the Chinese
government. On the 20th of December four men
were executed for participation in the mur-
ders, the British having been invited to be
present on the occasion. Had a European govern-
ment acted thus, without iaviting the presence of Eng-
lishmen to the trials, it would have warranted a sus-
picion that the executions were got up to smother
inquiry. But from what we know of the Chinese,
the natural inference on this occasion is that in their
eagerness to give satisfaction, they omitted the pre-
cautions Europeans would have taken to elicit the
whole truth, caring little themselves for each fasti-
dious exactness of inquiry.
There is nothing in the whole transactions calcu-
lated to throw a shade of suspicion on the friendly dis-
position and good faith of the Canton authorities.
They are obviously free from participation in the
outrage, and have been doing their best to punish it.
Whether the outrage have been the result of a deli-
berate plot or of a casual affray does not alter the
merits of the case so long as the government acts in
good faith ; and the evidence, as far as it goes, pre-
ponderates in favour of the view that the affray w, s
casual. Two other English gentlemen had landed at a
village not far off, and were warned away by some
natives, as an affray had taken place in the neighbour-
hood. The brother of one of the murdered men visited
every village in the district to inquire after him—
alone, and with no other safeguard than an intimation
in Chinese characters of his relation to the deceased,
and the object of his visit—and was nowhere either
molested or insulted. All these circumstances tend to
corroborate the statements of those natives, who re-
present the murder as having arisen from accidental
collision.
Public opinion will not and ought not to be satis-
fied without a thorough investigation ; but it is be-
neath the dignity of a great nation to begin by
bluster, much more to make warlike demonstra-
tions before anything has occurred to warrant them.

Lola Montes arrived at Bonn on the the 16th inst.,
and left on the 17th for England. She had reached
Zurich, from Lindau, on the 15th. According to the
Ulm Sehnellpost, the King of Bavaria had given or-
ders that a steamer should be kept ready at Lindell,
to convey the Countess of Landsfeld to the Swiss ter-
ritory. On her arrival, however, at Lindau, the fair
fugitive declared that there was no necessity to be in
so great a hurry, and expressed her intention to await
the arrival of her luggage, &c. from Munich. The
two police commissioners who had accompanied her
from the Bavarian capital then left her, after having
consigned her to the protection of the local authori-
ties. The Nuremberg Currier adds that his Majesty
despatched a superior officer to Lindau, in order to
prevent the countess from leaving that place until
further orders. It appears, however, that the mes-
senger arrived too late. On her arrival at Bonn, ori
the 16th, Lola was refused accommodation at the head
hotel (where the Prince of Saxony was staying).
The students gave her a rharioari the same night, and
she appeared at the window of her room with a cham-
pagne glass in her hand. On the following day she
continued her journey en route for England.
The entrance of the Barer Strasse, at Munich,where
the countess resided, was still occupied by picquets of
cavalry, and a small corps of infantry kept watch be-
fore the house itself. The traces of the attack upon
it are still very visible, but the damage done was not
very great. Several valuable things inside have been
untouched, but a parcel of papers was taken, consist
ing of petitioas from various persons who would never
have been suspected of seeking protection, patronage,
or influence in such a quarter. Several persons of
standing are gravely compromised in the eyes of the
public. These petitions have been copied and widely
circulated. Munich remained perfectly quiet, and
patrols of the civic guard went through the
streets to see that no interruption to peace oc-
curred. Workmen have been constantly employed,
it is said, by order of the King, in repairing the
house in the Barer Strassc, and restoring it to its
former appearance. A deputation of the seniors of
the five regular Landsmanusehaften was to have an
interview with the Minister of Schools and Public
Worship relative to the constitution of these bodies
into companies for the purpose of assisting the na-
tional guard in keeping peace and patrolling the
streets.

From Vienna, under the date of the 14th, there is
intelligence that Field-Marshal Radetski having
prayed to be allowed to retire on account of old age,
a successor has been named to him in the person of
Field-Marshal Hrabowski.
The Spener Zeitung announces the fact of a courier
having passed through Berlin, bearing despatches
from Lord Palmerston to the Austrian government,
notifying that intervention on the part of Austria in
Italy would be looked upon as a caszu belli. The
fact of such a despatch having been sent has already
been stated by us, and this announcetrent of the
Spener Zeitung is corroborative of it.
The Suabian Mercury says that the money trans-
actions proposed between the Emperor of Russia and
Austria will not be in the shape of a loan. It is well
known that upwards of thirty millions of florins have
been expended during the last few years out of the
sinking fund, for the purpose of assisting holders of
shares, by buying up their securities. The Emperor
of Russia now proposes to the Austrian government
to invest part of his immense accumulations in specie
in the Austrian funds.

COLONIAL.
CEYLON.
Our latest dates from this colony are to the 13th of
January. Letters from the central province represented
the weather as favourable for curing and transporting. The
quality of the coffee crops was said to be unusually fine. The
roads were improving, and freights decreasing. Lord Tor
ringtam's last is thus recorded in the Colombo Examiner :
We learn that Capt. Beat, of the C.K.R., riding on the Calle race-
course, was met by the governor's hones where they ought not to be.
Coot. Baits, we have heard, was placed in danger by the awkward.
nee, of a horsekeewr, at whom he made a cut with his whip, but did
not strike him. The bonekeeper complained to the governor—the
governor complained to the race stewards —the race stewards wrote
to Capt. Rent --Captain ltaitt replied sharply—and the stewards
have intimated to him that., until be apologises, he will not be per-
mitted to enter a horse fur the races, or himself appear on the rare-
stand! This is tau ridiculous. We fancy Capt. Itaitt will test the
power of the stewards to keep him tram the race.tend.

was afraid to land, the place being the head-quarters of the
village braves, or mob militia. From the evidence of &jou-
man or priest, belonging to the village Fetch—who confessed
that he was an eye-witness of the outrage—it would appear that
the Nanhas magistrate passed close to a joss-house, where
one of the victims was confined, and alive. The Nanhse
magistrate returned to Canton without farther information
than that a party of foreigners had landed, and that a dis-
turbance had ensued. On Monday evening, a party of Eng.
Ilth gentlemen from the factories prepared to go up to the
villages in the email steamer, Firefly, but abandoned the
idea. on • debortation being circulated by the consul. Oa
the 7th, Mr. Wade, and subsequently the vice consul, pro-
ceeded up the river to Fateh, where the Nanbas magistrate
was famed in bis boat below the village, and who stated that
all the information he could obtain was, that a disturbance
had taken place, and that two foreigners had been killed.
At noon on the same day (7th), news of the affair reached
Hong Kong, when H.M. brig, Columbine, from Singapore,
which arrived there on the 4th, was despatched to Whampos,
followed, at 4, p.m., by the Vulture at-G.—Capt. McDougall,
of the latter vessel, on arriving at Canton, sent a party of 70
with rockets, &c., to defend the factories. On the morning
of the Bth the elder brother of Mr. Rutter procured a docu-
ment, written in Chinese, end, attended by &Chinaman,
passed through the five villages, intimating that his sole de-
em
was to search for his brother if alive, or his body if dead;
probably out of respect fee fraternal affection, Mr. Rutter
was allowed to pass unmolested, but could obtain no infor-
mation respecting his missing brother, the villagers declaring
that the lex foreign, rs had proceeded towards Fushen. The
leading Chinese ovate dealers at Canton stated, on the
night of the 6th, that a rumour prevailed that the whole of
the six gentlemen had been murdered. The report unhappily
Will too correct, for on the morning of the 7th the body of
Mr. M'Certe was brought ia, end at about 11 a.m. the bodies
of Balkwill, Small, and Brown followed.
The arrival of the bodies, fearfully disfigured by spear-
wounds, served to increase the excitement; the flags of the
British and American factories were flying half-mast high,
and every one looked inquiringly at the other, but could
scarcely utter an expression. On the Bth, the merchants at
Canton wrote down to the commanders of vessels at Wham-
pea to send up a force for the protection of the factories, as
little confidence could be placed in the power of the Chinese
authorities to maintain peace, owing to the fury of the popu-
lace. On arrival of the force at Canton all was quiet, but
the greatest excitement prevailed. Coroners' inquest. were
held upon the bodies as they arrived ; and the bodies were
examined by Drs. Majoribanks and Moir. The medical gen-
flame a were of opinion that the victims had been put to a
lingering and cruel death, as the marks and wounds were
much inflamed, which could not happen after death. On
the 10th the remaining two bodies were brought in: n
one 42 wounds were counted, 25 of which are said
to have been of • mortal character. The Chinese
report that Mr. Balkwill was the last survivor; that
up to the 7th he woo alive, having only been scourged with
split rattans, and that speaking a little Chinese he offered
10,000 dollars to spare hie life. The gong was sounded, and
on the result of a consultation being unfavourable, the poor
fellow was taken out, secured to a tree, and struck on the
head with a hammer; after which his body wee thrown
into the river. To add to the outrage, the bodies were
sent down in leper boats. The bodies were all interred at
Whampoa, four being buried on the 10th, and the other
two on the 11th.
On the 9th, H.M. steamer Vulture returned to Hong.
Kong for troops, and after receiving on board 50 men of
her Ma'esty's 95th, arms, &c., steamed again fur Canton.
Early on the morning of the same day Sir John Davis
sailed in H. M. S. Daedalus. On the 12th Governor Davis
landed at Canton, shortly after which a notice was seat
round by the con-ul, that he would be happy to receive any
communications the English resident in Canton might
have to make to him.
Some of the mercantile community waited upon his excel-
lency to mare him of their support in whatever measures
he might adopt, or is any manner in which they could
strengthen his bends with the Chinese government or the
authorities at home. Sir John Bevis did not state his own
views, but expressed his opinion that the demands he had
made upon Keying were such as, if complied with, would
satisfy every one. These demands are stated (in a private
letter received front a good source) to be " the delivery up of
the mandarins or elders of the guilty villagers, and the
persons of the villagers who were principals in the affair ;
that they should he executed on the scene of the outrage,
the villages destroyed by tire, a suitable monument erected
to the memory of the deceased on the spot where slain, and
that the villages should for ever remain a heap of ruins,
abandoned end desolate."
On the ills December a public meeting of the British
community was convened to consider any and what means
might be recommended to Governor Davis. The majority
were of opinion that as a guarantee for the future as well as
reparation for the past was indispensable, • war appeared
•almest inevitable, and that the most active measures ought
to be adopted in the present crisis. Mr. Gilman, in the
absence of Mr. Jardine, as chairman of the meeting, said
they must consider that, as merchants acting for others
deeply interested in the continuance of the trade, the in-
terests of their constituents rather than their own feelings
should be consulted; remarking at the same time that
Governor Davis had expressed himself to the effect that he
had made demands which Keying might not be able to
accede to." Whet these demands were he did not explain,
but said that neither the execution of six of the murderers
nor the whole of them, nor the ruing of the villages, would
be considered sufficient. The result of the meeting was an
address representing their precarious and exposed condition,
and expressing a hope that no aggressive measures taken at
the moment should preclude a future demand fur repara-
tion on the part of the British government.
Ae it was feared that hostilities might be hurried sooner
than anticipated, the ladies and children embarked on the
17th en the :teducer, accompanied by her Majesty's brig
Columbine, the latter having on board a large amount of
treasure which the Oriental Bank at Canton had refused in
the present state of affairs to take charge of. The Ardaseer
and Columbine reached Hong-Kong on the 18th. Sir John
Davis returned on the 24th, and on the 26th sent a circular
to the British community, intimating that part of his de-
mands bad been acceded to.
Trade has of course stopped at Canton, and part only of
Sir John Davis's demands having been granted it is pretty
certain that recourse will be had to hard measures so soon as
ships of war and troops arrive in China. A few par-
ticulars of the execution of four Chinese are annexed,
but it is the avowed opinion of well-informed parties that
the executed men were not the guilty parties, but taken from
the Canton gaol, a circumstance which is strengthened by
the fact of the victims being gagged, an addition heretofore
unknown in the history of criminal punishments in China.
" The first of the criminals that was brought out, seemed
to be about 25 years of age, decently dressed, tall for a
Chinaman, and strongly made. He had good features, but
was ghastly pale, he was gagged, and had his hands tied
together behind his hack, and his feet were fettered in the
Chinese manner. He had a piece of wood, about two feet
in length, with a slip of paper at the head of it, sticking
down between bis clothes and hie back. This piece of wood
is called Cha.peeou ; and the slip coutains the criminal's name,
a description of his crime, &c. The executioner, who on his
being brought out came running from where the mends.
rins were stationed with his naked sword in his hand and
his sleeves tucked up to the elbows—was by this time
at him, and, after palling out the Cha-peeou from
his back, raised him up into a kneeling posture.
He then took hold of the criminal's tail which
had been previously rolled up into a knot, with
the left hand, and by the help of this hold and by pressing
the right foot on the criminal's hands, or on the small of his
hack, brought his head and neck into the requisite position,
striking almost straight out and horizontal from the trunk,
hut slightly bent down. He then, retaining his hold of the
tail with the left hand, brought his sword down in the right
hand, so as almost to touch the criminal's neck, which I sup-
pose he did in order as it were to mark the exact place at
which to strike. He then raised the sword quickly up, and
at one blow severed the head from the body, only leaving it
attached by a small piece of skin, which he afterwards sepa-
rated
by a tug. The policeman now took the trunk
and put it into a Chinese coffin, which some
of the other policemen had brought forward while the
beheading was going on. This criminal being a stout-bodied
man, the policemen were obliged to force his body into the
coffin, by stamping it in with their feet, which, from the cool
way in which they did it, was to me the most disgusting
sight I witnessed during the morning. After the trunk had
been completely squeezed in, one of the policemen took the
head from the ground by the tail, and put it into the coffin,
into which another put the Cha-peeou. The second and
third criminals who were brought out close behind the first
man seemed to be about 50 years of age, and meagre-looking
people. They were gagged and fastened in every way like
the first man and were as roughly handled. The fourth pre-
sented much the same appearance."
Sir John Davis having returned to Hong-Kong in
H.M.S. nodal" his Excellency (says our correspon-
dent), referred the matter to the home government,
and will await a reply ; in the mean time, it is understood
that Governor Davis has recommended that, if warlike mea-
sures are adopted, they should be on the most comprehen-
sive and decisive scale. All trade at Canton having stopped,
ministers will not be long in deliberating as to the measures
to be taken.
The sloop of war Scout, and the H.C. steamer Pluto,
have successfully engaged a fleet of Chinese pirates in the
neighbourhood of Amoy; a great number were killed and
wounded, and several prisoners captured. The affair was
a gallant one ; the pirates attacked the sloop in the most
daring manner, threw a quantity of fire balls and stink pots
on board, which, with great difficulty, were removed. The
Lapwing, supposed to have been lost with 300,000 dollars on
board, is reported safe at Formesa, for which island she is
said to have bore up after losing both masts in a severe

CHINA, SINGAPORE, &c.
Our dates from our Eastern settlements are—Hong
Kong, Dec. 30 ; Singapore, Jan. 7 ; Labuan, Dec. 20.
The painful occurrences in China already detailed had induced
Sir John Davis to insist that the steamer should remain no
longer at Singapore than was indispensable. The Pekin, in
consequence,got under weigh from that port after remaining
only 22i hours. Fier Majesty's ship Ringdove was still in
the harbour, the admiral having given instructions that
neither the Straits nor Labuan were to be left without a
Teasel of war, except on the utmost exigency.—The French
Consul at Singapore (M. Fontanier) was about to proceed
en a diplomatic mission to Batavia. This movement had
given rise to considerable speculation at Singapore. At the
time our Singapore correspondent closed his le:ter the
Spanish steamer from Manila had not made its appearance.
HONG KONG, DEC. 30, 1847.—0 n the afternoon
of Sunday, Dec. 6, after returning from church, several
gentlemen connected with the factories arranged to go to the
gardens at Fetch, which have been open to foreigners for
many years, and to return to Canton to dinner. The party
consisted of the following I—Patrick McCorte, William
Brown, and Henry Balkwill, assistants in the house of Bien-
kin, Rawson, and Co. ; also Alexander Small (of Turner
and Co) ; John Bellamy f F. B. Birley and Co.); and
Wm. Rutter, jun. (of Hugliesdon and Co.) ; in all six. They
took a Hong Kong boat about 3 p.m., and proceeded on their
excursion. Not returning towards nightfall, much anxiety
was felt, which was augmented on the following day, when
some tidings were reeeivedat Canton from one of the boat-
men, who stated that the party landed at Wong-chuh-kee, a
village about a mile above the Fetch gardens, or four miles
from Canton. Shortly after landing, the man in the boat
heard the beating of gongs, which was repeated at 5 pan
which circumstance, co upled with the non-return of the party
to the boat caused some anxiety. Shortly afterwards, a
Chinese man inquired of the boatmen if they bad brought
the Fanquis (foreigners) in their boat) On their answer-
ing in the affirmative, the stranger advised them to escape,
or they would be killed for having done so. They shoved
off from the shore, but remained within sight, still sup-
posing that the gentlemen would return. d
At eight p.m..
the gong again sounded, when observing a boat pulling o
to them full of men, yelling, they fled up the river, expect-
ing the gentlemen to come off in the morning. Not
appearing in the morning, one of the boatmen got
into a barber's boat, proceeded to Canton, and informed the
consul, Mr, Mregor, of what had transpired. He reached
Canton at noon on Monday (Dec. 6). The consul imme-
' dietely communicated with the authorities, and expressed
fears for the safety of the party, whereupon the Nanbae
magistrate with 50 so'cliees despetched to the spot, but

typhoon.
By the Pekin, Chief Justice Hulme proceeds to Englam.,
having been suspended by the Governor of Hong Kong. The
particulars of this affair exhibit the most buttoned and scan-
dalous conduct on the part of the judge's accuser, and have
ensured for the latter the contempt of the English population
in China. Under cover of • confidential letter to the home
authorities, Sr John Davis insinuated that Judge Hulme
I was habitually intoxicated on the bench and elsewhere, and
afterwards recommended that no notice be taken of the
affair, the judge having abandoned his vicious habit on the
arrival in China of Mrs. Hulme. The colonial secretary
would not become a party to the foul slander, but insisted
that Sr John Davis must either establish the charges, or
apologise for the injury: On the receipt of the allies/slum,
a commission was appointed, consisting of Sir John Davis,
Major-General d'Aguilar, Major Caine, and. Mr. Johnston.
The general protested against the proceedings. Witnesses
were called for the prosecution ; but these, with the excep-
tion of tke governor's creature, Major Caine, bore testimony
to the contrary, while a host of witnesses, comprising offi-
cers, civilians, attorneys. &c., declared the judge's habits to
be sober and correct. Notwithstanding the evidence, Judge
Hahne was suspended. I have seen • confidential letter,
which states that General d'Aguilar and Mr. John-
ston did not vote, to that the judge was convicted

and suspended by his &Smear. The announcement in the
official organ (the Chinese Nail) of the suspension of Judge
Hulme, and the appointment of Mr. Charles Molloy Camp-
bell to the acting chief justiceship of the colony, surprised
the community of Hong Kong, the leading members of
which forthwith waited on the ex.judge, to express, their
sympathies for the persecution he had endured. Before leav-
ing, the attorneys of the court presented to the ex-judge a
gold snuff-box, accompanied by an address. The inhabitants
of Hong Kong—English and Chinese—the British residents
at Canton, and the gentlemen of the special jury, also pre-
sented addresses, expressive of their sympathii s for the judge
and their disbelief of the dander. Sir J. Davis has, since this
affair, been cut by every one, except the officers of go-
vernment, who are his dependants. Mr. Dent is the only
English merchant in China on speaking terms with the go-
vernor of Hong Kong ; the latter has alienated the affections
of the British community at the very time when, from the
state of our relations with China. unanimity were most de-
voutly to be wished. On Dec. 30, when Judge Hultne em-
barked on board the Pekin steamer for Europe, be was ac-
companied to Pedder's Wharf by almost every one of the
community of Hong Kong, whilst the Chinese residents ex-
hibited their respect by discharging crackers, &c. Such
public demonstrations speak volumes.
SINGAPORE, JAN. 7.—The Europe mail of Oct.
25, which arrived here Dec. 27, bringing accounts of the
many serious failures in the commercial world, has made
every one downcast ; happily, however, no house here has
yet telt the pressure, but as all firms here have branch
houses in England, Calcutta, China, and elsewhere, fear has
not yet subsided.—Captain Cuppage, 27th Madras Native
Infantry, noticed in my last as about to resign the post of
police magistrate here, has quitted much sooner than was
antieipsted, having to appear before a court-martial in a de-
licate case, arising out of an occurrence which took plate at
Penang, in which a brother officer, Lieut. H. H. M•Leod,
of the same regiment was concerned in a trim. con. with
Captain Cuppage's wife. M`Leod is to be tried by a court-
martial, the result of which will not merely affect him but
Colonel Tweedie, who at that time commanded in the
Straits, the colonel having foolishly given Lieut. hd•Leod
a written paper to the effect that no inquiry should take
place into the affair, which document the colonel now alleges
was obtained from him when non conipos ; so that
a second court-martial will take place. consequent

on Captain Cuppage's departure to Madras, Mr.
Duidnan hsa been appointed officiating superintendent of
police and police magistrate, with Mr Simonides as assia-
tant-superintendent of police. Piracy is again rife iu the
old Strait of Singapore, and even is the harbour itself. Two
Malays were committed for trial on the Bth Dec., for piram
within the Units of the harbour.—On Dec. 12 the Americium
ship Great Britain arrived here, from China, having es
b ,ard Capt. Genouilly and 3.50 men, including officers and
crews of the two French frigates lost on the coast of Corea
on their way to Japan. After completing sundry repairs to
the vessel, she proceeded to Brett. The Great Britain is
chartered by the French government, and is entirely under
the control of Capt. Oenouiliy, like a ship of war, the
American captain proceeding as a passenger until the
arrival of the vessel at Brost.—On Dec. 13, Admiral Ingle-
field, naval commander-in-chief, quitted Singapore, en route
to Madras and Bombay, in H.M.S. Vernon, 60 gun.; on
arrival at the latter place the flag-ship will require to be
docked, and a portion of her copper replaced.—On Dec. 16,
H.M.S. Medea left this for Littman, and on the same day
the H.C.'ssteam-fricrate Auckland quitted to cruise about the
northern entrance of the Straits.— 0 n Dec. 18 the Straits Times
received and published exclusive intelligence from Canton
of the murder of six English gentlemen by the Chinese : this
intelligence was brought by the ship Charles Forbes, and was
subsequently confirmed by other arrivals. On receipt of
this intelligence Colonel Butterworth, governor of the Straits,
immediately forwarded the Times extra to the supreme go-
vernment at Calcutta, and expressed a desire that troops and
steamers be got ready, in the event of another war breaking
out in China. Oa December 29th the Sylph arrived from
China with despatches to the governor from Sir John Davis,
urgently requesting that all vessels of war, and whatever
Snaps could be spared, should be sent without delay to
Canton. Immediately all was active: a council of war was
held, at which were present the governor, Capt. Campbell,
C. 8., H.M.S. Melempw, and Capt. Inglelield, H.M.S.
Ringdove, when it was resolved to despatch H.M.S. Marina.
pus to China, and send the Royalist to Labials with orders
for M.H. steam.frigate Medea to proceed direct to China.
The arrival, on the 30th, of the Hon. Company's steamer
Phlegethon from Labium modified these movement., and it
was resolved to send both the Melampue and Royalist to
China direct, which vessels left this on the morning of the
ird inst.; but, having to beat up the China Sea will not
reach Hong-Kong before the beginning of February. The
Hon. Company's steamer Hoogbly was despatched on the 4th
inst to Penaug, to bring down from thence the European
(Madras) Artillery for service in China, and with orders for
the steam-frigate -Auckland, expected to be at Penang, to re-
turn hither ; immediately on her arrival she will be de•
'patched to China. Except the European Artillery, no
troops can be spared from the Straits, as we have only one
native regiment (21st M. N. I.) for the three settlement'.
Sir John Davis wrote to the governor here to spare a portion
of the infantry, but Colonel Butterworth very properly de-
clines, since we have at Singapore nearly 1,700 convicts and
about 30,000 Chinese, with only four companies of infantry
and ore-eighth company Native Madras Artillery to keep
them in awe.

•-
LABUAN.—Our latest advicee from this quarter
extend to Dec. 20, and were brought here by the Hon.
Comp iny'e steamer Phlegethon, which had been temporarily
relived on Dee. 19 of the duties of guard-ship by her Ma-
jesty's steam frigate Medea. Operations were still active in
working the seam of coal at the north-east point of the
island ; nearly 400 tons were already stored. The crew of
the Pblegethan had been actively employed in constructing
jetties at two or three place. in Victoria Bay, and in erect-
ing buildings on shore for storing coals. Nothing has yet
been done towards clearing the island. At present, however,
no one is allowed to land at Labuan, except to stretch his
legs for an hour, and this strict surveillance will probably be
maintained until the arrival of Mr. Brooke and the officers of
his administration who are now sojourning in England. We
are about to experience the advantage of Labuan as a coal
depOt tar our steamers.

ARRIvAL OF Sl'ECIE.—The New York packet ship,
Montezuma, which arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, brought
1,1501. in specie on freight.

Cbt Court.

The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the
Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Cobourg,
left Claremont at ten minutes past three o'clock yesterday
afternoon, in a carriage and four, escorted by • party of the
12th Lancers, for town. Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal,
the Princess Alice, and Count Arthur Mensdorff, and the
royal suite followed in three carriages and four. The august
party arrived at Buckingham Palace at twenty-five minutes
before five o'clock.
Prince Albert, accompanied by the Duke of Saxe
Cobourg and Count Arthur Mensdorlf, visited the Duchess of
Rent yesterday afternoon, at her residence, Clarence House,
St. James's.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess
Mary, and his Serene Highness Prince Frederick of Reese,
visited the Duchess of Gloucester on Saturday evening, at
Gloucester House.
The Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the
Princess Mary, honour. d Messes. Hunt and Henkel' with a
visit yesterday, to inspect the service of plate presented to
the Earl of Ellenborough.

A cabinet council was held yesterday afternoon at
the Fortign.office. The ministers present were Lord John
Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne,
Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Lord
Campbell, the Marquis of Clanricarde, Viscount Morpeth,
the Right Hon. H. Lsbouchere. and the Right Hou. T. B.
Macaulay. 'Fhe council pat one hour.
Mr. Vernon Smith had an interview with Sir
George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office.
A deputation, from the South Wales Railway, had
an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt yesterday,
at the office of the commissioners of railways, in the Board
of Trade. The deputation consisted of Mr. Charles Russell
(chairman), Sir Josiah J. Guest, M.P. (director), Mr. D. A.
8. Davies, M.P. (director), Mr. D. Morrie, M.P. (director),
Mr. Hunt (solicitor), and Mr. Armstrong (secretary).
Sir Charles and Lady M. Wood had a dinner party
on Saturday at their residence in Downing-street.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colo-
nial office front the Governor of Hong Kong.
Mr. E. Ellice, Jun., 31. P., had an interview yester-
day with the Right lieu. E. Strutt.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat
yesterday, and heard an appeal from Ceylon, " Anstruther
v. Arabia."

RESIGNATION OP A MASTER IN CHANCERY.—Sir
Giffin Wilson, one of the masters in the Court of Chancery,
has reigned. The salary is 2,6001.

THE EXPRESS PROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH.—
The express train ran by Mr. W. H. Smith, of the Strand,
left London at 35 minutes after 5 on Saturday morning, and
arrived at Derby shortly after 8 o'clock, bringing with it the
Daily fete's, containing the " Budget." The express tra-
veled from Rugby to Normanton in 2 hours 6 minutes, being
at the rate of 51 moles an hour. It reached Edinburgh at 4
minutes before 3 o'clock in the afternoon, performing the dis-
tance from Rugby to Edinburgh at the rate of about 57 miles
an hour, the distance from London being 431 miles,which was
performed in 9 hours and 20 minutes. Thus, by the enter-
prise of Mr. Smith, the citizens of Edinburgh received a full
report of the financial statement which appeared in Satur-•
day's Daily Netts within twenty hours of its delivery by
Lord John Russell. This included all stoppages and losses
of time during the journey from every cause. Mr. Smith's
expresses may be said to have beaten the electric telegraph.
The local papers (like those of Birmingham, Manchester,
and Liverpool) had made arrangements to, obtain the speech
by electric telegraph ; but in consequence of the company
attempting to give it too much in detail the signals had
scarcely done working when the newspaper report made its

appearance.
SOUND MADE VISIBLE---A method has been die-
covered and matured ty which sound will be made visible
to the human eye, its various forma and waves demonstrated
to tight, and the power to discriminate between the tones of
I one musical instrument and another be as complete u toob-
servetthe action of watt'r when diqurbed by any material cause.
The experiments are likely to be ere long repeated in the
Royal Society. The exhibition of , Huts on fine sand has
probably led to this astonishing issue.—Literary Gazette.
TUE CALIBRE AND CONVENTS OF TUE SEWERS.—
Mr. Henry Austin, now the consulting engineer to the cont.