The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-25 00:00:00

CHINA.

I3v the Ovs'rlt'd Mail delivered this morning we
have the Or,rtand Cbion Mail of 29th January, from
which we snake the following extracts :
When tl.e mail of last month was dispatched, great un-
certainty prevailed as to the course which would be pur-
sued toward, th, Chinese, though it was a very general
impression that hostilities were izevitable. That ouch would
be the result of the negotiations was inferred from the
precautionary measures of government, by whom reinforce-
ments were sent for to India and the Straits. For cur,
selves, we have Fe, u neable to perceive, in the melee-
neeurreeee fit Hwang.ehu.kee, grounds to justify
a il,elarutiivn f woe or such :sets weull be equivalent
to it ; and therefore indulged the hope that tLn matter
might be amicably and speedily arranged. Tho result, so
far as is p threlv known, wilt be found m the notifications
of the I ith an.? 18th, the one giving an extract from a
dispatch dated the 1 1 th, front her Majesty's consul, the
other ri declaration to him from Keying, dated the 12M, and
an address to the people from the gentry of Canton.
From Keyieg's declaration we gather that the main object
of Sir John Davios negotiations has been the fulfilment of
the first article of the treaty of Nanking, which yrovides
that "there shell henceforward be peace and friendship
between her M:jesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland and his Majesty the Emperor et
China, and between their respective subjects, who shall enjoy
full security and protection for their persons and property I
within the dominions of each other."
Ae. thee article propcses the limits within which these
priv s .n tea emoted by the liritish ; but in the case
of Conten they were never d. fined until the expedition in
April 1,-*, alto 1 it was stipulated that " her Majesty's sub-
jects shall bi at liberty to roam for exercise or amusement
in the neighbouring country without molestation, re-
turning the same day, as at Shanghae, and any persons
molesting the m shell be severely punished." The Chinese
authorities, trine Keying downwards, have evinced an
earnest desire to carry these stipulations into effect ; but
experience teaches them that " the self-prohibitions of the
people have more reality and effect than the prohibitions of
the magi,teati s against the people;" and that the per-
petual peace and friendship promised can never take effect
until mutual pnjudices are subdued and causes of provoca-
tion avoided.
The late trigzely at Hwang-chit-14u evinced the extent to
which the ill feeling existing between the people and
foreigners may be carried ; and, presuming the
villagers we-e entirely to blame, the British pleni-
potentiary il• mended that the extremity of the law
should be inflicted on the ring leaders, and that measures
should be adopted to prevent the recurrence of such a
fearful catastrophe. A limited time was allowed to Keying,
and a plain warning given of the steps the British were pre-
pared to adopt; as a preliminary to which, the consular
establishment would have been removed, and the British
merchents have retired from Canton. This Keying was
especially 'maims to avoid, possibly for the reason which
modified its evils in the estimation of the mercantile body.
He. therefore, proposed the arrangements contained in the
declaration, which we eres.:me are to be taken on trial until
the home government determines as to their sufficiency, mad
the future course to be adopted.
An impreeier. prevails here that Lord Palraenton wID I
readily avail himself of the indignation created by the fine
news of the tat, affray to propose extreme measures; batl
the British community in China have not hitherto been very
happy in prorneaticating the views his lordship will take at
questions affnt;nr themselves.
The notification from the diplomatic department is our
issue today cannot fail to attract general attention. We
gladly infer from it that the negotiations between the pleni-
potentiaries are likely to lead to a satisfactory result, without
the linearity of resorting to hostilities, which the nine of
humanity and the best interests of our native country alike
all upon us to deprecate.
Major-Gencral Stavcley arrived by the Braganza yesterday
morning, am: lauded, about half-past 10 o'clock, at Pedder a
wharf, where lie was received by Major-General D'Aguilar
and staff, with t lie military honours due to his rank. To-
day he is putted as lieutenant-governor and a member of
the executive council.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The lion ltajor-Oeneral William Stavely, C. 8., Lieut.-
Governor of Hong Kong, has this day taken the oaths and
his seat as a member of the executive council of the colony
of Hong-Kong and its dependencies.
By order of his Excellency the Governor and Commander-
in•Chief of Hong-Kong.
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Officc, Victoria, Hong-Kong, Jan. 27, ISO.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CANTON MARKETS, JAN. 26.
lwroers.—Cotton : Th.• stock on hand being large, but little or ro
improvement can be hoped for at present, and the demand to only
moderate at our nu tallow, Bay—Bombay, 5.6 to 7.1 ; Bengal, 7 to
La ; Matra.. 7.1 to 7.4
numbly Statement of Stocks and Deliverne :
Imparted. Delivered. Stocks same period&
1847. 1648.
Bombay Wee . int 10,518 26,557 53,070
Bengal „
Madras „
American ~
Shanahan „ ..
--

Tota's . .... 7,996 16,252 38,320 82 630
Cotten yarnruntimes drowsed, and bat little prospect of Immo-
diate improvement. Soles of 1,000 bates are reported at 23 dole. to
21 doll. for Nos. 16 to 21; 29 dots. to 30 dole. 30c. for Nos. 23 to 32;
and 30 dole. 500. to 31 dole. 50e, for Nan. VI to 42.
leng cloths, within the past few days, have advanced 15c., and, as
the stock decrease., small quantities only beLug expected to arrive,
a further impnivement 10 looked for. 63,000 pieces of Greys are re-
ported as sold during the month, at 2 doh,. 2.5 c. to 2 dots. Sic. for 50a.
to GOA., weighing M to G eattlis; 2 dole. 45e. to 2 dots. 50c. for 62e. to
66e., weighing Gy to 7 catties; and 2 dole. 73e. to 2 dots. gOc. for 725.,
weighing 7; to 7; eattke. Of white the sake hare been 25,000 pieces,
at 2 dols. 40e. to idol.. Me. for common; for 6G,, 2 dole. 60c. to
2 dole. 70c. ; and for 725., 2 dols. 90e. to 3 dole.
Cake eve.-4'w riven of English obtained 17 dole. to 20 dots. 500.
Per piece; the mock being small, better prices arc expected. Dutch
we quote at a, to 21 do's., though soles are difficult at these prices.
MVTIII,--Iroll at 'approved prices ; 00 rod i.e worth 4 dots. ilOc. I
to 3 des. '• b 3 dol.. 30c. to 3 cols.. Mc.; hoop, 4 dots. 90e. to 5
dots.; these aunt:aims are likely to be maintained, as the stock is
email. Lead, 6 Mils. to 6 cods. Mc. anet small stock. Swedish steel in
request, at 5 dnis. to 6 dole. The plates lower, and worth only
7 dols. ere. to 7 dole. 60e.
Corm:sect • •...on dole. can now be obtained.
RICE.—Is extremely low. Arracan, 1 dol. 10e.; cargo, Manila and
Java, I dol. be.
Oritn.—Maisrm—The clearances hare been good, and the price
pretty steady; ;Iv stock at Cum-sing-mown and Hong-Kong is small,
not more than 2000 chests. The quotation for the best is 475 dole.
Bonen: The demand for actual consumption has been most active,
the clear:mese Sec the month amounting to nearly 2,000 chests, and
leaving a .4. rk of not more tlion 700 chests. In consequence of the
great scarcity of money, and the anticipated arrival of the new drug,
there has been AZI :11,4-11CC of all spectiation, and the market has been
freely met, cousin priers to droop to 533 drib. for Patna, and 512
dols:Mc. for lienares. The Lanrick has anlved with new drug, but
the market has not yet opened; there are mars at 510 dole. Turkey
is scarce b•ed; good will nimbly command 425 dole.
Expos rs. —T, The principal attractions this month hare been
in green, for the American market, for which, in conecomeace of the
belief that 11. e crop will be rather Ender an average one, the demand
has motioned t ery active, and the market le now quite bare of all
Oncgeeoii'iee. Present quotations for young Hymn show an advance
of 1 to 2 taels over last month's, and a reduction of 4 to 8 taels on
Herne* of lair to !~oral quality.-6reen Young 'Tyson, 25,000 pack-
Mee lure been waled during the month; none of fine quality re.
wails mid but ira of superior. About 7,000 halfehests arc in mar.
bat and Lot many to arrive. The supply for this meson of good
OXlialry hunt. 1.0 doubt rather below an average one, with an in-
" And demand both for the American and English =Crete. We
(Pane Tapping 24 to fe tart ; Moytme cargo to good cargo, 29 to 33
tie
superior to fine, to 40; extra fine, none.
Elcusaose. 4e.. 14d. to 4e. Gd. Accepted Company's bills on Ben-
gal 21e rs. 220
_Fastioum_ez, fps. to At. to England ; 16 dote. to 18 dole. to the
Pelted Stars, Freight warm for both countries.
BRANOHAE, JAY. 11..—EXCHANGE.—Ort London, six
moatbs' hills, 4-. rid. to 4s. Pd.
Fatuous—Per tees, 61. per ton; for silk, 61. 10e.
MANILLA. Dec. 24.—INDIGO.—The greater part of the
g G : sale are of ordinary quality, and the demand at
pre•
sent insignificant. Laguna, 45 dole per quintal; Partpoinan, 43
leli° dais; Time, Si to 30 dais.