The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-20 00:00:00

THE EGYPTIAN RAILWAY.

Our Paris correspondent informs us that intelli-
gence reached that city on Saturday to the effect that
llaireddin Pasha embarked at Alexandria on the
2nd instant for Constantinople, charged with a note
from Abbas Pasha demanding the Sultan's authority
fur the construction of the railway.

LATEST FOREIGN EXCHANGES.

PARIS BOIJRBB.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
THE KAFFIR WAR.

at. Birkenhead, Capt. Salmond, arrived at Ply-
mouth last evening with important intelligence from
the Cape. She left 'Simon's Bay on the 12th Sept.,
reached St. Vincent on the 4th of the present month,
and sailed on the 7th. She has brought home the
mail which would have been despatched by the
steam-ship Sir Robert Peel, but for the accident
which that vessel met with on her outward-
bound passage near Sierra Leone. After having
landed some despatches for the Admiralty, the Bir-
kenhead proceeded with her mail to Portsmouth,
while the journals from which the following intel-
ligence is gleaned were forwarded to town by special
engine.
From private information we learn that a serious
engagement took place on the Ist of Sept. in the
Fish River Bush, in which the British troops suf-
fered a partial defeat, with considerable loss • and
there seems to be no doubt that the whole Of the
frontier is in a state of alarming disaffection. The
2nd Royals, a regiment which had but just been
conveyed out from this country by the Birkenhead,
took part in the action, and, it is stated, had four
men killed and 17 wounded. The Birkenhead is said
to have been selected by Sir Harry Smith for her
well-known speed; and it is also stated that she has
brought home a request from his Excellency that a
reinforcement of at least 10,000 troops may be hume-
diately sent out to his assistance.
Ihe news brought by this steamer is 21 days later
than that which reached this country by the Stoma-
way, and which was published iu the Ezpreu
of the 17th instant.
The Sir Robert Peel had not readied the Cape
when the Birkenhead sailed, and nothing, was known
there of the cause of her protracted delay.
Among the passengers in the Birkenhead are Lieut.
Stokes R.E., and Mrs. Stokes; Ensign Robertson,
and Mrs. Robertson, Mr. Osborne, and Mr.
T. W. Cobb. _ _ .

The following is from the Cape Town Ma of the
12th of September
" Her Majesty's steamer Birkenhead, which left
East London on the 6th instant, brings a report that
the Basuto chief Moshesh and his ally, Molitsane,
had announced their determination to take part with
the enemy, and had Rent messages to the chiefs who
still remained neutral, urging them to join the war
party, and unite with the Gaikas and Basutos in
driving the white men into the sea.' It is supposed
that the despatches which the Birkenhead is to con-
vey to England have reference in part to this im-
portant intelligence."
By the Birkenhead a report was also received of a
severe action which was said to have taken place in
the Fish River Bush, and in which our troops were•
reported to have suffered a repulse with considerable
loss. In the Graham's Town Journal, of the 6th
inst., since received, we find some more definite ixir-
ticulats concerning this action, which seems to have
been a well-contested affair. It took place on the
Ist instant, near Committee's Drift. The detach-
ment under Lieut.-Colonel Burne, 2nd Rovals, en-
' countered a body of Stock's, Seyolo's, and gotman's
Katfirs. with a number of Hottentots. Several des-
perate charges, it is said, were made by the men of
the 2nd, who, though unused to this kind of fighting,
are stated to have displayed great spirit. Two men of
t his regimen t were killed (one sergeant and one private)
and five wounded; of the Royal Sappers and Miners
one was killed and one wounded ; in the Cape Corps
and Armstrong's Horse two men were wounded. In
the whole three men were killed and eight (or ac-
cording to another account, twelve) wounded. The
dead and wounded were sent to Fort Peddle, and
the detachment returned to King William's Town.
On their march the Kaffirs are said to have attacked
them again ; very heavy firing was heard by persons
at Fort Peddie, in the direction in which the troops
had gone, but the result was not known.
On the 2nd inst., the Kaffirs attacked sonic wag-
gons on their way to Graham's Town from below
Southwell, and succeeded in carrying off five spans
of oxen, worth 3001. The ail un. was reported to
Major-General Somerset, when pursuit was imme-
diately made, and eighteen of the oxen recovered.
On the 3rd instant the 12th Eegt. arrived at Gra-
ham's Town from Algoa Bay.
From Lyndoch, intelligence has been received
that most of the Tambookie servants, who had
hitherto remained faithful, have joined the enemy,
and have assisted in driving off their master's
cattle, horses, and sheep. Some sharp conflicts had
taken place between the colonists (Messrs. Pringle,
Scott, Niland, and others) and the marauders, several
of whom were shot. In these actions, unfortunately,
two burghers were killed, and others wounded.
The burghers of Grant-Reinet, Cr.ulock, and Zwa-
gees Hoek, were to assemble at Somerset on the 4th
matant,and to proceed on the 6th to drive the Kaffirs
out of the Kaga mountains.
The enemy had re-appeared in Oliphant's Hoek
and Lower Albany, as soon as Lieut.-Col. Eyre lett
that part of the country. They had committed se-
veral depredations, and had kept the burgher patrols
continually active iu pursuing them, though with
little success.
On the afternoon of the sth instant, an attack

was made on Mr. Goldswain's place, at Burnt
Kraal, five miles north-east of Graham's Town, and
the enemy succeeded in getting off with about 1,200
sheep. A patrol, under Capt. Carey, was imme-
diately ordered by General Somerset iu pursuit, and
it was hoped that the flock would be recovered.
On the :frd, three inhabitants of the village of
Salem, while on cattle guard, were attacked by fifteen
or twenty Kafiirs. One of the guards, named Tho-
mas Filmer, was severely wounded by a bullet, which
lodged in his side. The cattle were, all but one,
brought safe to Salem. The wounded man was
doing well, the ball having been extracted.
Information had been received from Farmerfield
that two houses, one belonging to Mr. Bowles and
the other to Mr. Barnes, had been fired near the
Kariega, and fifteen head of cattle captured from
Mr. Gush. Patrols immediately started off in pur-
suit, but did not succeed in overtaking the plun-
derers.

Mr. Thomas Scanlan, of Graham's Town, lieu-
tenant in the Fingoc levy, a brave and worthy colo-
nist, who was wounded a few weeks ago, while on
cattle guard near that town, has died or his wound,
leaving a wife and four children, with his parents,
eighty years of age and quite helpless, to lament his
death.

The Clanwilliam Levy, whose extended period of
service has expired, were to march to East London
for embarkation to Cape Town on the 4th inst.
The same paper gives the following general sum-
ary
m :
During the six weeks which have elapsed since the de-
parture of the Hellespont few events of a cheering charac-
ter have occurred, and the aspect of affairs in the colony
and beyond the frontier is as gloomy as it has been at any
time since the commencement of the war. Our last sum-
mary lett the Commander-in-Chief (July 20) at King
William's Town engaged in sending out detachments of
troops to traverse British Kaffraria in various directions ;
while within the colony every frontier district was overrun
, by the enemy, who had swet ff man thousads of cattle
and sheep, had burnt numerous fayrm-housnes, and had
completely devastated some extensive tracts of country.
Since that time the same system of operations has been
continued with little variation. Patrols have been passing
too and fm in Kattiraria, occasionally crossing the boundary
into the colony, while the depredations of the enemy have
been carried on with as much activity and success as ens.,
in spite of the efforts of the colonists and some detachments
of the troops to check them.
On the 21st of July two patrols were sent from head-
quarters, under Lieut.-Colonels Michel and Eyre, the first
for the purpose of surprising the chief Seyolo, in the
Keiskannua Kloofs, and the second to clear the ports of
the Buffalo. The first-named attempt was not successful ;
but the latter resulted in the surprise and dispersion of a
party of the enemy, some of whom were killed, and in the
capture of nearly 200 cattle, taken out of the kraals of the
Kaffir'.
On the 29th, the same officers again left King William's
Town, sad after conveying supplies to Forts White and
Cox, swept round the Amatola, and captured altogether
about 2.50 head of cattle, killing on one occasion seven
Kaffir", who were drawn into an ambush.
Oa the 7th of August, Lieut. Colonel Michel was sent
with a force of about 000 men to clear the extensive Fish

River Bush, between Trompetter's and Committee's Drift,
where a number of marauders had established themselves.
Colonel Michel traversed these fastnesses for live days, and
destroyed several of the locations of the enemy. On one
occasion, during a night movemtnt, the enemy tired from
an ambush upon his column, and killed two men of the Clan-
william Levy but the assailants were beaten off, with, as
was believed, considerable loss.
On the lath of August, Sir Harry Smith, after repeatedly
' declining to accede to:the urgent solicitations of the Graham's
Town Board of Defence, entreating that a portion of his
force might be sent into the colony for the protection of the
inhabitants, at length consented to despatch Lieut.-Colonel
Eyre, with half of the 73rd. Regiment, and more than 100

horse, into Lower Albany. This movement has been prat
ductive ors :me advantage to that part of the colony ; her
in spite of the activity displayed by the troops, the ma
renders have continued their ravages in tie close vicinity of
the patrols, and within a few miles of Graham's Town.
About the same time a detachment of 142 men of the 45th
Regt., under Major Kyle, while patrolling near the Seven-
kloof Mountains, had a sharp conflict with a body of Kaffir,
and llottentota, losing one man killed and three wounded,
but indicting, as was believed, a considerable loss, both in
killed and wounded, on the enemy. Another skirmish
took place, near the Debe Neck, on August 19, between
Captain Visit.' of the 4 ith Itegt., with about 70 men, and
a number of Kaffirs, of whom several were shot, with no
loss to Capt. Vialls' detachment.
On the 21st ult. Colonel Mackinnon, with a force of 859
men, was despatched to convey supplies to Fort Hare, and
bring back the fifty Hottentot rebels convicted and
sentenced to transportation by the court-martial. This
service was duly accomplished ; and on the 27th the
column returned to head-quarters without having encoun-
tered an enemy, either in going or in returning.
On the Ist instant, Lieut.-Co!. Durue, of the 2nl Regi-
ment, who was engaged in patrolling the Fish Hirer Lush,
' near Committee's Drift, had a severe action with a body of
Kaffirs and Hottentot'. The particulars are not fully
known, The fight is described as " a sharp affair," and
I the casualties were rather heavy, three. soldiers being
killed and twelve wounded.

Sonic other operations within the colony require to be
noosed. The Tambookie marauth rs having been rely
troublesome on the north-eastern frontier, a party of 21A1
Albert and Colusburg burghers, under Commandants Oli-
vier and Joubert, assembled to chastise them. The party
made a patrol into Tambookirland and captured about 200
head of cattle. On their return they were surrounded by
a very large force of Tumbookies, estimated about 2,600
strong, and were fur a time in a critical situation. They
were rescued by the advance of Commandant Jo..eph dread
with his mounted troop, to their assistance. The united
colonial force then attacked and routed the Tunibuokies,
killing 120 of them.
. . . .

Blajor-General Somerset, with the First Division of the
army. has been moving between the Somerset and AIL my
districts, but has been able to accomplish little for the pro-
tee:ion epithet inhabitants. In the latter part of July he
made an effort to expel Memento from the Waterkloof,
wl.ich that chief, with several hundred of his people, has
made his stronghold. General Somerset was unsuccessfel
in this attempt, and he soon alit:mania withdrew from that
neighbourhood, leaving the inhabitants to defend them-
selves. This they have done as well as their numbers and
resources enabled them, but with only partial success.
On the 4th alt., a party of ;twelve mounted men, headed
by Messrs. Ainslie and M•Grogor, with about 30 Fingon,
encountered a large body of Macomo's Kettles, estimat. el at
not less than GOO, whom they defeated and drove belOre
them, killing no less than twenty of them. "Phis easy ie-
tury of set small a body of colonist, renders General Sonwr-
set a failure the more unaccountable. That officer has re-
cently been engaged in patroiling in Albany, end has suc-
ceeded in recapturing some cattle taken by the enemy.
Numerous other skirmishes of military and culuniel
patrols with the enemy have taken place; but it does not
appear that any material of oct has yet been pneelueeil in
restraining the activity or diminishing the boldness fA the
enemy. Every post brings accounts of fresh depredations
uud ravages, committed at various points within the line of
the frontier. At the latest amounts from the Somerset
district many coloured servants (Tumbookies anal others),
who had hitherto remained faithful, hail joined the enemy,
and aided in driving off their masters' cattle. The burg:iers
of Graaf IteMet, Craduck, and Zwagere Hoek were to
assemble on the 4th instant at Somerset to endeavour to
expel the enemy from Lice Kaga mountain..
In the Orange River Sovereignty, the British Resident
has made no movement since his repulse by Molitsane, on
the 30th of June. lie has, however, published a " Govern-
ment Notice Extraordinary," in which the people of
Moshesh and Moline= (the Basuto.; and llatautrs) are de-
nounexal as enemies, and the settlers in the Sovereignty arc
summoned to enrol themselves for military service. The in-
habitants have generally refused to obey the order,
alleging that they have no desire or motive for quar-
reling with those chiefs. A public meeting of land-
owners and merchants has been held at libitum Fontein,
at which resolutions were passed, severely censuring
the conduct of the Reseideut towards those chiefs,
a.. 1 impolitic anti unjust. A fore., consisting of two com-
panies of the 15th Regiment. with some natise auxiliaries,
has been despatched from Natal by Lieut.-Governor I'inc
to the assistance of Major Warden ; and it is said to he the
intention of the commander-in-chief to send the 12th
Lancers to the same province. The latest rumours from
the sovereignty, received through Kalarland, are of a
startling nature. It is reported that the two denounced
chief., ltlosltesh and Molitsane, were about to join the hos-
tile Kinks with all their forces, numbering eight or ten
thousand fighting men ; but the report needs confirmation.
During the last month, the 2nd Regiment of Foot
(Queen's Royals) has arriv:d from England, and the 12th
Regiment front Mauritius. About 450 men have also
arrived front England in the troop-ship Sumner and
steamer Cyclops, to reinforce the various corps already in
the colony ; and nearly as many volunteers have been sent
to head-quarters from the western districts. The fee Wet-
ships Berkshire and Charlotte, and the steamers Retribu-
tion and Odin. with the 12th Lancers (fur whom n full
complement of horses has been purchased), and the 2nd
battalion of the GOth Rifles, are now daily expected. It is
rumoured that in consequence of the unfavourable
news front the Orange River Sovereignty, two
steamers will probably be despatched to India for rein-
forcements. But nothing is 'positively known of the inten-
Soaked the commander-in-chief relative to the affairs of the
Sovereignty.
The same journal of the nth says :
In reference to the close of war we may
state that in the neighbourhood of head-quarters,
it is reported the Raffles are about to enter on
the war with renewed vigour. This does not look much
like subjection and submission. It is satiseTtory,
however, to learn that Major Rogge, one of the Assistant
Commissioners, scenes perfectly to understand the position
of the colony, and that, so far as lie is concerned, no
patched-up peace will satisfy him—no peace, but one esta-
blished on a solid, satisfactory basis. Ilow he and his Ex-
cellency will agree on this matter remains to be seen ; tut
one eireuiastanee is pretty clear to even the most casual ob-
sereer,—that the Governor is fast loosing the confidence not
only of the public, but eveu of his former friends and sup-
porters ill tine quarter.