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

INDIA AND CHINA MAIL.

The overland mail from Calcutta arrived in Lon-
don on Saturday, in time to enable us to give the
heads of all the news it contained in our latest edition.
The intelligence is to the following dates: Hong Kong,
July 25 •, Bombay, Aug. 6th ; and Calcutta, Aug. 7.
Two mails from China have arrived simultaneously
by this despatch. The Pekin steamer, which brought
the mail to the 25th of June, made such a slow voyage
to Ceylon, that she missed the Ils.ddington, though
that vessel started for Europe later than her time.
The Pekin put in at Trincomalee, and it was found
that her supply of fuel had fallen short, and that to
keep her engnes going the planking of the lower deck
had to be broken up. Tnere was no news of the
Cleopatra steamer, which must now, alas, be sup-
poftd to have perished with 300 souls on board !
The steamer from Hong Kong of 25th July, was
more fortunate than the Pekin. She reached Ceylon
in time to forward her mails by the Precurser from
Caloutta and Madras. The Peciuser reached Suez on
10th Sept., with the following passengers :
Mr. Menee, Mrs. Menge, child and infant; Capt. Deacon,
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Elgie, Major Munro, Lieut.
Currie, Mrs. Douglas, Rev. Mr. Woods, and three children;
Me. Thornhill, Mr. Kay, Mrs. Kay, Mrs. Martin, Capt.
Elder, Mr. Leckie, Capt. Stubbs, Mrs. Stubbs, Mr. Mont-
gornerie, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Sheppard, Lieut. Todd, and Mr.
O. C. Edmond, from Clleutta. Mr. F. Lewin, Copt Lake,
and four children; Min Ellis, Mr. Ellis, Mrs. Slow, and
child; Major Rowlandson and child; Capt. Hunter, Lieut.
Johnstoue, Mrs. Jackson, and child ; Cornet Clarke, Lieut.
Lillycrop, Mrs. and two Misses Harris, Mrs. Seddars and
shin, and.Cspt. Shuhrick, from Madras. Mr. Stewart, Mra.
Stewart, and child; Mr. and Mrs. Baker, from Ceylon.
Lord Cochrane, Capt. Graves, Mr. Hyland, Mr. Gibb, Mr.
Rees, Senor Montaneri z, Mr. Gillman' Mr. !fucker, and
Mr. Kirby, from Hong. Kong. Mrs. Clare, Mr. Low, Mr.
Kreylinger, Mr. Steel, Capt. King, R.N., Mr. Myrtle, Mr.
Constaile, Mr. Brooke, Miss Taylor, Mrs. Sikes, Mr. Hope,
and Mr. Colombia!, from; Singapore. Capt. Smith, Mr.
Palmer, and Mr. J. Reed, from Ceylon.
• • • •

At Calcutta the mission to Thibet continued to be
talked of—Captain Cunningham, as its chief, accom-
panied by Lieut. Stracher and Dr. Thompson.
When the mission was to start was not exactly
known : the members were to proceed to Simla.,
to receive their orders from the governor-general
in person.
The most active measures were being taken for the
apprehension of the celebrated robber Doonghur
Singh, but it was feared they would all prove unavail-
ing. He was said to be in the neighbourhood of Nus-
seerabad, lying close in the jungles till the hue and
cry had passed by. The Rajpoot sovereign% of
Upper and Central India had, meanwhile, *en
threatened withthe severest displeasure of government
should they be found aiding him in any way, or should
they not do their beat to secure his capture. Colonel
Sutherland, political agent at Ajmere, had been or-
dercd to return from Mount Aboo, where he had gone
fur the hot season, to .superintend the various mea-
sures put in operation for the freebooter's capture.
The affairs of Nepaul continued to excite attention.
The ex-King was still at Sagowlee, holding confer-
ences with those of the chiefs who had escaped from
Katmandoo. The new sovereign had not as yet been
recognised by government, and it was therefore uncer-
tain what line of proceeding might be adopted. The
bride elect of the Nabob of the Carnatic had reached
Madras, her removal from Hyderabad to the former
place having cost nearly 100,0001. From Bengal
there is little news. The ship Stalkart, bound for
London, went ashore on Middleton Point on the 19th
July, and it was feared would become a total wreck.
A correspondent of the Bengal Markt:en writes ,
There is starcely any prospect of saving tho read, she
had six feet of water in the hold, and the captain feared she
would soon break up. The loss of this vessel originated in
a curious accident. She had just got under weigh, and was
leaving the roads with her anchor uncatted, when her heavy
pitching canned the stopper on the chain to part, and the
whole of her chain ran out, bringing the vessel up suddenly
and throwing her on shore. She seems to have been par-
ticularly unfortunate, having but the other day put back
leaky. She was bound to London, ant had on board some
valuable prize guns shipped by government.
The governor-general, commander-in-chief of
India, and lieut.-governor north-western provinces,
remained at Simla. The governor and commander-
in-chief of Bombay were at Poona ; the former
would return to the presidency after the rains, paying
a visit to the hills and Sattara before his return.
Messrs. Cum Ming and Livingstone, and the Parsee
broker Cursetjee, were to be tried for the second coal
conspiracy detected by Captain Lynch. The third
will be tried for the first also; the second is now un-
dergoing his punishment for the first ; and the first
gentleman will take his trial for being connected with
the second case, he having, it is said, signed a tender
for 300 tens of coal by the Caledonia, alleged to have
been consign+ d to his firm, whereas not an ounce of
coal was so consigned.

BOMBAY, Acorn 2. •
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Braganza leaves Bombay to-morrow morning, with a mail
for England, to meet the Calcutta steamer at Pt. do Guile.
I therefore avail myself of the opportunity to send you the
following items of intelligence, received since 19th July.
Our resident at Lahore (Col. Lawrence) was to leave for
Simla in the first week of August, his brother (Mr. John
Lawrence), employed in the Julluodhur Doab, assuming his
duties during his absence. The Queen-Mother is said to have
written to the Dorian (i. e. Colonel Lawrence), complaining
of the close confinement in which she was kept—coking when
it was to terminate—and expressing a wish that she might be
confined somewhere else than at Lahore, if it were their in-
tention that she should remain a prisoner. It would, front
this, appear that there was some truth in the reports
formerly current respecting the intrigues of the ma-
haranee, or why should she he kept a prisoner ?
Her request to be removed somewhere away from
Lahore was refund. Colonel Lawrence is said to have
satisfied her that her present place of abode was the best
adapted for her, and at Lahore she accordingly remains.
The government of the Trans-Indus territory belonging to
the Lahore Durbar, extending from Kohat down to Dhera
Inane Khan, a part of the Meehan territory, has been con-
ferred on General Cortina, who had recently returned
front the Bunno and Tank districts. He was to set out ira-
modiately to join his appointment. General Cortlandt has
always been considered an able man, and is, no doubt, from
his long residence amongst the Seilihs, well acquaiuted with
their character and habits.
Another European regiment is about to be ordered up to
Lahore ; also, it is rumoured, a regiment of Dragoons (the
14th). It was expected the Lahore force would be relieved
by the troops in the Jullundhor Doab, in the approaching
cold season. A steamer from Forozepore and Sukkur was
daily looked for at Lahore, which will, doubtless, form " an
era in the annals of that place." At Cabool some slight dis-
turbances had occurred, in which some blood was spilled,
but nothing of consequence to the peace of the country.
It seems now to be believed that Sir Charles Napier posi-
tively quits Scinde about the middle of September for Eng-
land, and rumour asserts that Mr. It. K. Pringle, at present
secretary to the Bombay government, will be appointed com-
missioner in his stead, Major-General Barr, now on his way
to India, being spoken of as commander of the force in
Young Egypt. Lady Napier's health has greatly improved,
but a change of air is considered essential to her perfect re-
covery.
Investigations into the amounts of the camel baggage corps
are atilt going on, both the local lieutenants (quarters
masters) being under arrest. A Brahmin from Hyderabad
bas been appointed schoolmaster of the Christian school at
Kurrachee, in place of the former master.
The notorious Kardar Newman, the chief evidence against
the Ameere, having been found guilty of defrauding govern-
meat in the soles of grain, has been sentenced to seven years'
hard labour on the roads!
The country throughout was healthy and tranquil, the
weather being far from disagreeable.
Nothing of much interest has been resolved has tee
Nisam's dominions. General Fraser is realdelsi te • oat&
line of proceeding, out of which he Mali Mop : the maw
quenoe is, he is a mere cypher at the emit el Hyderehed.
Such being the state of matters at Hyderabad there is hide
hope of improvement.
Goomseor continues to supply a few Ilene of
interest, the chief of which is the spread of the
sacrifices of human beings, called "Illesiale." Mask de
expected from the decisions of Mr. Ganef of the
C.s., who has lately been appointed to ievestigate labsg
caves of these lamentable disturbances.
A meeting of the shoreholders of the OrteatAl 11!!nk wee
called on Saturday last, to hear a report read to them of the
success of Mr. Richmond's mission to the London board re-
garding the differences existing betwixt them and the share-
holders, in India. From what Reseed it appears that nearly
everything contemplated on his despatch has been 'nom-
plined, and that gentleman deserves the highest praise for
his zeal and wisdom in carrying out the objects of his mis-
sion. The shares of the bank, immediately on this becoming
known, rose from 161 to 22 per cent. premium. The
affair, of the bank are in a flourishing condition,
and all that is required is harmony amongst its di-
rectors at home and here to make them still more
so ; and the names of some of the board in London
are a sufficient guarantee that such will be the case. Coal
of a quality superior to that of England has been discovered
in Caudell 's, and Lieut. Evans, Bheel agent, has proceeded
to Brooch, with a view of reporting on the canabilities of the
river Nurbudda for its transport down the Hurrypall falls

to that place, or within a short distance of it. Forty miles
of land carriage would have to be paid for before the coal
reached the river, which it is feared will be a considerable
obstructirn to the working of the mines. In his zeal for
reducing the expenditure of the country, Lord Hardinge
has ordered the abolition of the berth of third ma-
gistrate at Bombay—a saving of perhaps six or eight
hundred pounds a year! Instead of reducing our
magisterial corps, another member should have been
added to it, Considerable reductions in the salariia
••••``ice Clefts is the pantie maces are also said to be at hand.
I The divisional command of Belgium i 3 to be abolished on
General Morse's retirement, and the northern division of the
Bombay army united under the Poona division—one general
officer having tinder his command upwards of twenty regi-
ments of infantry besides cavalry and artillery. This may
be economy, but it will do anything but increase the effi-
ciency of the army. The road and tank department has, it
is said, been abolished already. Doubtless similar retrench-
ments are being carried out in the other presidencies. A
writer in the Times gives the following list of additions to
the r,,venut s of India by the recent reductions in the armies
of the three presidencies, etc.
• Per Annum.
Reduction in Bengal army
Reduction in Madras army
Reduction in Bombay army 300,000
Lohoce tribute
Julturulbuc limb reacnita

To which the Times adds :
Increased May on opium • 100,000
aulageffeeted by prevention of smuggling on our frontier 120,000
Which, together, make a total addition of 000,000
a year to our revenue. Minor reduction., such as those
mentioned above, may probably amount to 250,0001. a year.
The monsoon, though so copious at first, has been a very
defective one, only 33 inane of rain having yet fallen,
whereas up to this time last year we had upwards of 73.
There is sell a month and a half's rain due, during which
this state of matters may be mended. The accounts from
the whole of the surrounding countries are, however, favour-
able, and the crops looking well. Business is, of course, as
yet dull, and will continue so to the end of the present
month, the melees never venturing to leave the harbour till
alter " Cocoa-aut day," on which occasion they propitiate
the sea-god by offerings of veres•nuts. It is reported that
the governor-general has recommended Aden to be erected
into a separate dependency, with all the paraphernalia of a
government of its own; but that the additional expense
thereby likely to be entailed on the East India Company
will probably prevent its adoption.
Aco. 6.—An express leaves Bombay this evening for
Madras, with a mail to meet the Calcutta steamer, which
will reach that port about the 13th, on her way to Suez, so I
avail myself of the opportunity of traremitting the few items
of news which have reached me since my letter of the
3rd. The London mail of July 7 arrived yesterday by the
Acbar, in 281 dap from London—the quickest transit but
one on record. The sudden departure of the Peninsular
and Oriental Company's steamer Braganca, nine dius before
her advertised date of sailing, was caused by the Pekin
China mail steamer haring reached Trincomalee front Hong-
Kong in a rather damaged state, about the 21st ult., the cam-
patty, of course, wishing to have another vessel en the line in
lieu of her, as she must conic round to Bombay for repair.
Cabool news to the 22nd of June reached Bombay on
Tuesday last. It is of smell interest. The Peshawur envoy
bad returned on the 13th. Ille was forbidden to appear at
the Durbar, but was immediately admitted to a private
audience with the _Amer, and delivered to him the letters
he had received from our authorities at Peshawar. On the
following day their contents were discussed at a private
eounci:, but nothing heel tianspired as to their nature. The
Dost's nephew, Sultan Jen Khan, had reached Kelat on his
way back to Candahar, at which place he had signified his
intention of remaitrag till the Ameer should answer his
letter.. Dost Mahoroed had ordered that, should he advance
towards Cabool, he wee not to be molested, se he had hopes
that the peaceable settlement of the dispute betwixt them
would be speedily brought a'iout by arrangements then in
progress. It was however subsequently reported to the Dust
that We nephew was making preparations for combat, and
that lumbers of the discontented in Cabool were prepared
to aid him should he advance on the capital. The next
budget from Afghanistan will inform us as to the results of
the measures adopted on lath sides. The country would
appear generally to be more tranquil than usual, though the
passes were mostly doted. From Peshawar wo testa the
narrow escape of Lieut. Lunualen from drowning in crossing
the river Homhkee on his way to Hussun Abdul. The pro-
vince was to be divided into districts, with a view to a
greater efficiency of the police. The customs contract of
the city had been told for the year for 4,5001. Traffic with
A.ffehanistan was nearly suspended, owing to the Khyber
Puss being still closed.
It is said the Court of Directors have ordered the abolition
of the "Meth's" agency in Goomsoor, most of the districts to
be again included under the bang' am and Cuttack collectorates,
as formerly. Further details of petty skirmishes betwixt the
rebels and small parties of our troops daily arrive, but are
not of any importance. If we expose our troops in parties of
a dozen or so to attack, it is but natural to suppose the
Khonds will do so, though they seldom gain anything but
hard knocks for their pains.—The honourable court are said
to have disapproved of the appointment of Major.G. neral
Lovell (of the 15th Hussars) to the command of the Hyder-
abed (Nizam's) subsidiary force; he will consequently return
to his former command at Banealore. Brigadier Cleveland,
at present commanding at Trichinopoly, is to succeed him at
Hyderabad ; the place of the latter being filled by Colonel
Watson, now in command of the garrison of Fort St. George,
at Madras. Brigadier Blair had been dangerously ill at
Aurangabad, and ...eedatig to V00.10./1 far a
change. The Court of Directors are understood to be dissa-
tisfied with the order of things at the Nizam's capital. It
was expected that General Fraser would be removed to a seat
in council, and be succeeded either by Colonel Sutherland or
Colonel Sleeman. Major Bentsen, of the lath Bundlekhund
legion, is said to be about being placed in command of the
cavalry division of the Nizam's contingent.
Nothing worth mentioning has been received from Lahore
since my last. Scinde the same, with the exception of the
following general order by Sir Charles Napier giving publi-
cation to the despatch of Lieut. Younghusband, detailing
his renrontre with a band of marauders near Kusmore. It
in dated head-quarters, Kurrachee, July 14, and states that
" A party of plundering Mundranee Boogties had pitched
their tent about twenty miles from Kusmore, to plunder our
frontier, under the command of a well•known marauder,
Data Mundranee. Lieut. Younghusband, of the police, re-
solved to attack him, on the morning of the 7th July, with
about an equal number of the mounted police. Both parties
had spies, and both spies left their enemy's camps about the
hour Lieut. Younghusband marched. Data Mundranee's
spy, being on foot, was outmarched by Younghusband's de-
tachment of horse, and arrived at the Boogtie camp too late.
Lieut. Younghusband had surprised it, and, after a sharp'
combat, was victorious. About a mile from their camp
(up Lieut. Younghusband) l formed line, placing the
Jekranee horse on my flanks, and advanced at a trot. When
within fifty yards of the enemy I drew swords and charged.
The Mundranees advanced gallantly to receive us, and
nearly all the fighting. men were cut down in the charge, and
the rest fl,d with precipitation. I had ordered to make pri-
soners, if possible. Twenty-eight of the enemy were left
dead on the field, and I have brought in twenty-seven pri-
soners. The only drawback to the complete success of the
affair was the failure in captor:log Dote Boogtee.
The publication of the despatch from the court of directors,
directing the dismissal of Lieut. Bird, of the Indian navy,
from the service, has caused a re-discussion of the ease. The
agitation of the case of Commander Kempthorne seems to
have done him a vast deal of service, u it is said he has been
nominated asaistanteecretary to the military board, in room
of Commander Robinson, appointed Indian naval store-
keeper during the absence of Captain Ross. Sir E. Perry is
said to be about visiting the Deccan fur a week or so. His
duties press heavily on him, and he finds a little relaxation
necessary. The mortality in Bombay, from the 10th to the
31st July, both days inclusive, was 493 out of a population of
at least 350,000 = 0.14 per cent.—Sir J. Jeejeebhoy lute
bestowed an additional 5,000/. on the district benevolent
society, government having, in consequence. agreed to raise ,
its subscription to that institution from 3801. to 7201. per
annum. The new dhureasala (a residence for the indigent)
has been delivered over by government into the hands of the
institution, who have undertaken to keep It in proper repair
out of its own funds. Sir Jamzetjee's liberality and bene-
volence seem unbounded.
The Cleopatra steamer is said to have been utterly unsea-
worthy when she left Bombay for Singapore, and it is now
feared that the predictions of her commander, Captain J.
Young, before starting (who is reported to have said to his
friends the day he was leaving, " If we meet with bad wea-
ther you will never see me again") have been but too truly
verified, and that the unfortunate vessel, with all on board,
has been lost —We have had several heavy showers of rain
sines the 3rd. The presidency continues healthy, as des
moat of the ont-stations.
The Directors' appointment of Mr. H. W. Abbott,
as Secretary to the Union Bank of Bengal, at a salary
of 2000 rupees per month, in the room of Mr. J!iall.
Stewart, is confirmed, also the appointment of Mr. William
Hay as Deputy Secretary, at a salary of 700 rupees par
month.—The Madras papers report the death of Lieut. Bur-
, rell,Ryl. Art., which took place in the Tigris, on her outward
passage.—Mears. Cumming, Levia esteem, and Cursetjec Mer-
waalee Potell are committed to take their trial for the second
coal fraud.—lt is reported that Mr. Escombe purposes leav-
ing for Egypt next month, and that he will probably
be succeeded in his office of Secretary to Government
in the General Department by Mr. J. G. Lutnielen.—
A general order by the honourable the governor in council
relating to the long-deferred distribution of the Deceao prize
money has appeared. A roll in duplicate of all individuals in-
terested in the Deccan booty is required with the least pos•
able delay; some hope may, therefore, be entertained that
this long-expectedeveat will transpire.

TUE LATE COL. STOODART` NED CAPT. CONOLLY.
—The Friend of India of the 29th of July., 111117!, on the sub-
ject of these two unfortunate gentlemen, " For some time
put there has been a rumour that the King of Bokhara had
put to death the infamous Abdool Suraud Khan, who has
been rendered so notorious by Dr. Wolfi's narrative. It has
now been confirmed in a letter of a merchant at Bothers to
his correspondent at Cabul. The king struck him on
the head himself with a small are, upbraiding
him with having instigated him—the king—to slay
Stoddart and Conolly. This information gives addi-
tional confirmation to that which was indeed too evident
previously—that those unfortunate officers were positively put
to death by the Commander of the Faithful. Their rela-
tives are, we fear, still buoyed up with hopes of their ex-
istence, which it is natural for them to cherish, but the
present intelligence places the report of their death beyond
all doubt.

SINGAPORE, A.llO. 6.
Tho governor, Colonel Butterworth, C. 8., still
sojourns at Penang, bat will return to this settlement with
the new recorder, Sir Christopher Rawlinson. The state of
the criminal gaol here is truly shocking ; many prisoners
(chiefly for trifling cues) have been confined from December

last, awaiting trial. Sir William Norris, the late recorder,
no sooner Is, and • successor was appointed, than he went
home, leaving the gaol crowded, instead of holding a seldom
before his departure. There are now more than ltd
prisoners awaiting trial, some of whom will h tva suffered
eight months' imprisonment before the criminal seukma
commence. Within the last few days the researches
of the police have been crowned with SUOMI in treeing old
the lair of a hordeaseage roe% who carried ctk
0.
Piracy, murder, and destruction, that, bat fof
prompt checking, would have threatened the safety of every
inhabitant of the country. The scene of operations was
beyond the island, chiefly in the territories of the Dutch in
the vicinity of Rhio, fit
the &e. At these latter places the
members of the rival Huey), or Chinese secret so icties, used
to kidnap or murder each other. At the head of this coated.-
, ration was a Chinese named Nio Yang Kwan, an old offender
but wealthy man' who defrauded his creditors at Rhin, de.
camped, and purchased several large plantations at Singapore.
About four years ago this Nio Yang Kwan committed an
offence against the excise laws, and a party of police were
sent to apprehend him; this party was fired a*, and made
their escape with the exception of one peon, who was taken,
secured to a tree, and there left to perish. A large number of
police surprised the Chinese confederates, and released the
peon, who had been four days without food in the manner
described. Having recently received information of their
doings, a party of police was sent under the direction
of Mr. Simonides, a police coatable, which succeeded
in penetrating the jungle to the month of the &late
river, to the residence of Nio Yang Kwan. The police
surrounded his dwelling. Mr. Simonides under pretexce of
asking to light a cheroot, entered and seized Sio Yang
Kwan, threatening at the same time that if any signal was
given, he, the constable, would shoot hi, captive dead.
In tho ltoneo was found an immense number of gans,
muskets, pikes, poles and shields, which were takes with
their prisoner to the police office. Six prahns were ob-
served in the river laden with munitions of war.

Captain Grey had contracted with a Mr. Miles to supply
200 tons of coal from the seam near the point. The mel
was duly delivered in a short time. The quality and value
of the coal will be best estimated from the official vport or
the commander of the Hon. Company's steamer Nemesis,
who rods: " I have no hesitation in stating that the coal
received at Labnan is equal to any English coal I have seen,
and decidedly better than any coal worked in India for
steam purposes."
Two wools lately left Singapore for Macassar, but from
private letters it would appear this new emporium of trade
was completely glutted with European manufactures by the
Dutch Company at Batavia. Thera was a great scarcity of
money, and the place overrun with the Java Bank receipts.