The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-30 00:00:00

SINGAPORE.

JVNE 16.—The opening up of an extended com-
munication with Australia, by means of sailing
vessels and steamers, has given an extraordinary
impetus to the trade of this port. Within the last
six months scores of vessels, with full cargoes, have
quitted for Melbourne, and at the present moment ten
vessels, averaging 4,000 tons, are loading for Austra-
ha, at the high rate of 41. to 41. 108. register tonnage.
These Teasels are all chartered, and will be followed
by scores of others. The immense population at
Melbourne, and the thousands of new arrivals at
that port being unable to procure house accom-
modation, has occasioned an immense demand fur
wooden houses, which are being constructed here
by hundreds, and sent away with all practic-
able despatch. The high rate ruling for exchange
(on Australia at ss. per dollar). and the selling
price of gold dollars thirty to one per buncal, affords
gold shippers to this port 84s. I.od. per ounce—a
higher sum than procurable at London. The Rus-
sian frigate Pallas has arrived from Europe, and
sailed again tor Hong-Kong and Japan. The
United States leviathan steamer Paramattan arrived
here yesterday from New York, Cape Town, and
Mauritius. She will remain here about 15 days, and
then proceed to Borneo, on a visit to the Sultan, en
route to Japan.
The Shanghae, screw-steamer, from Australia, is
due, by contract time, to day; but we do not expect
her for some days, for it seems scarcely probable
that any but the most powerful vessels will be able
to run from Sydney to this place—calling at Mel-
bourne, Adelaide, and King George's Sound—under
35 days, the existing contract time being 30 days,
and the description of vessel employed of too small
steam power. The Chusan will leave in two days
for Sydney, &c., with the English mail of May 9,
and return here in August next.

FATAL AFFRAY WITH PIRATES.
In the prevailing unsettled state of the northern
ports, the Chinese pirates have been actively pursuing
their merciless calling, knowing well that the impe-
rial naval forces had no time to attack them, were
they even willing to risk an engagement. These
pirates, however, have had a most signal thrashing
from her Majesty's steam-ship Rattler, Commander
MeHersh, although not without severe lose on our part,
including that of a brave young officer, Lieut. Pid-
' cock, who imprudently ventured to capture two junks
with boats and small arms men despatched to arrest
the fugitives making their escape to the shore. The
affair altogether was a very gallant one. Com-
mander D'Orville, who bore a prominent part in the
engagement, goes home by this mail in charge of
despatches, which will probably find their way into
the Gazette. The Friend of China affords a full and
correct version of the matter, and which is given
below :
On the sth of May, in a letter from Mr. Acting-Consul
Walker, it was intimated to Commander Mellersh, of
11.51.6.8. Rattler, then at Amoy, that a formidable fleet of
pirates was at anchor about Namquan (Namquan har-
bour is in Lat. 27.15; Long. 120.20) a harbour above
the Min River, and that the Spec, a small British schooner
cmployedon the caul in convoying Chinese junks, had been
so riddled with the pirates' shot that she had been obliged
to leave the vessels she was accompanying to their
fate ; the result of which was that the pirates took the
whole, and held them to a ransom of ten thousand dollars.
On the receipt of this intelligence, Captain Mellersh imme-
diately coaled from the ship Garland, and working all
night, at daylight got underweigh, and about 7 p.m. suc-
ceeded in reaching White Dogs, at the mouth of the Min.
The whole of the neat day it unfortunately blew so fresh,
and the weather was so thick, that communieation with the I
shore was impossible. About four s.m., of the 10th, how•
ever, Captain bleat rah despatched Mr. Wi st, the master,
in a cutter to reconnoitre, and about 3.30 P.m. he returned
with tte schooner Spec, and intelligence that the piratical
fleet were still in Namquan, waiting for the ransom money,
which they were advised had been despatched to them
overland. Taking the Spec in tow, the ItaVler,
about 5.30 p.m., proceeded onwards. hay of the
11th broke in a thick fog, and the approach
being dangerous the Rattler's engines had to be
eased until about 8 a.m. The fog lifting, Single Rock
was at that hour seen about a mile and a halt a-beam—the
pirates' haven some seven miles distant. Without delay
the Rattler dashed on, the fog still banging so thick ovir
the hills that the pirates' looks-out did out see her until she
was right in amongst them. Then commenced a spicies of
panic. Cutting cables and making sail, they *taut
for tho entrance of the harbour; but a strung
fined tide swept them inwards, and then, hoisting bnakets
of stink pots to their mast beads, they permed in earnest
for close action. The Rattler opentd tic. hall with a shot
across the bows of one vessel making for the river ; where-
, upon the whole 11‘ et, core.isting tit seven heavily armed
junks, and Lorcha Ns. 19, belched firth broadsoies of
round shot, gr..pe, and pieces of chain about a feet long
tied together. Their aim generally woe too 11101,
only a few of the guns taking effect on the Rattler's hull.
Giving them two ilioadsidis tram herstltho.ird battery,
s:tiiontesntu opened
don to
thfire.
thee ltillstt;letrhizi:st:ticuaptu,
towardsanil ttoio.kti;it.
sire o:
, Upon this the pirates hors up with intent to board. Lieut.
ritkock (afterwards killed) tending the large eighlrne
gun, thereupon taking precise elm, tent t r
a hell right into

pirate chief's large junk, which, catching the magi-
':haree caused her
w also
00
tbhleow,ffeupt
owfitshinkailnlghaanviels„;.it.haeleur-
plosi m having
side of her. The Lerch* then dropped astern, ceased prig&
and hoisted Portugue e colours at the n, with Irene&
at the mato. The other vessel* made the best of their way
to the shore, and getting as near as possibie the crews
jumped overboard and swam to the beach. There, how-
ever, they were met and knocked cn the bead by
the villager., who showed them no mercy; many
bang speared and stoned to death in the water.
The Rattler's boats were then lowered, manned,
and despatched in charge of Commander D'Orville, Mr.
West, and Messrs. Willcox and E het, mates ; possession
, of the rest of the fl• et being tleeteu with little or no fur-
-1 their resistance. Up to this yelled casualties en our side
were inconsiderable, but news was shortly afterwards
brought the some of the pirates who had i seeped had cap-
, tur,il a small junk, killed the crew, and were
doing their brat to get up the river. Upon this
Lieutenant rides:de gave chase in the cutter. It
•up 'rays that he was not vi ty long in voming up with the
! ruiszreants in two junks, uue of which he had boarded,
when the other ilropind alongsi:e, and some fifty men whet
were hid in the vessel in p(IEW141011 rushed up from below
and overpowered them. The list even of Lieutenant Pid-
-1 cork alive was on his knees (with his sword throu;;h a Chi-
nese', borne down by half a dozen spears. Two had fallen
by his hand just before he dropped. Georgbe,,ltthydwere,nqtuadrotwer-a
er, awl
mrweisit:ht
of cie ljeo by
cutter'sal:ei ,II I liePgrseiwt rable
ed ;p seaman,
drreitii" ton
overboard,t he lot. The
cf them bearing honourable testitunmy to a brave di fence
of their gallant though less fortunate comrades. Edward
ordiaary seaman, 'IRS no less than Id Ipt or wounds,
mine. vi ry deep ones, and it is doubtful waether he will re-
cover. The people on shore behaved admirably, sending
off sompsnes to pick up cur men as they were repuked;
and by their aid the. wounded men succeeded
in getting back to the Rattler about half-past 8 p.m.
The whole of this encounter b. ing nut of sight of the
steamer, the grief felt on board at the painful and tines-
, vette' result may cati:y be imagined. Immediately the
itig and a cotter were manned and despatched in charge of
I Commander D'Orvilie, Mr. West, and Mr. Willcox; but
the night was so dark that nithuugh they pulled en until
2 a.m., nothing whAever ot the joints could be
teen. Soon after daylight, too, the pinnace was
hoisted oat, a gun got into her, ant, in toned and
serried, the three boats again stated, in charge
ot Commander D'Ortille, Mr. 'traumatise, purer (volun-
, terr), and MOM. Willcox and Elhott.ffhey returned about
7.3 U p.m., having seen nothing of the pirate*, hut his ing
qiceeede:i in recovering the bodies of Lieut. Pidcock and
George Ryder.
To return to the captured junks. The burning one was
speedily towed on there ai.d scuttled, and at low water no
less than 170 pounds of molten never were taken
not of her, a few burnt dialers and three bags of rash.
Five jut.ks and tho Li robs were the fell, wing morning
[Alien in tow, but it coining on to blow, one ut the junks
w. s sunk. and the Lorcha had to be cast off. (She sub-
'a nu( idly art iced at Amoy.) Four junks, however, were
token ii to the Fuliehow, together with filly prisoners,
who were all given up to the Mandarins.
Thus ended oue of the most valuable achievements we
cc: r rem( &ter to have seen recorded 1.5 the work of one

v‘el in China. The piratical fleet destr,) ed have been
the terror of the coast for a longtime; the detestation in
which the crews were veld being evinced by the conduct of
the peep le on shore. The number of guns captured, of all
dzcs, was 81, of which the pirate commodore's junk alone
mouuted sixteen, viz., two 32-pounders, two long nine feet
18 pounders, two 18-pounder caronnudes, four 12-poundera,
suit others of various calibre.
Where all appear to have done their duty it is hard to
sly noire in praise of one than another. Commander Mel-
lersh, we learn, for three successive nights never knew what
sleep was ; and from continual actiou was hardly able to
stand on his fret, which had swollen so much that he was
unable to go on shore to inform Mr. Acting-Consul Walker of
the success his pr inaptitude iu notifying to him had brought
about. To Mr. Willett: (of whew: gadantry as senior mats
under the Admiral's flag, at Martaban and Rangoon, we
have heard most honourable mention) Capt. Mellersh has
given the acting lieutenancy, an appointment which we have
no doubt will be at once confirmed by Admiral renew.
Commander D'Orville, whose services with the Rattler
were specially alluded to in our issue of the sth of March
lost, bears with him from China another well earned laurel.
Of poor Lieut. Pideock an officer writes—
Ile was dreadfully wounded about the head. Poor
fellow, his messmates have lost a kind-heeded friend, and
the service a clever cud most zealous uttirer. Ile died a
warrior's death, and we buried him, between Nemquan
and the Incog Islands, with all military bailouts."
The Lorcha, No. 19, has been given over to the Purtugue es
government. Well manned end handled by the pirates, it
was only by superior suiting the Spec succeeded in escaping
her clutches.
Killed: George A. Pideock, 2nd lieutenant; George
11.:t der, Quarter-master; Jubn Phillips (A. B.)
Wounded: William Boyce, psint.r, severely; Edward
Ward, ord., dangerously, 15 wounds; Peter Doige, A. 8.,
severely; George Wright, A. 8., severely; Douglas Col-
. Itins, A 11., severely ; William Capon, Ist class boy, severely;
Thomas Kelly, A. 8., slightly, stone bruises.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY, JUNB 19.
Since the despatch of our last report, trade, as is usual at
this seastin of the year, is dull, and nothing has been cone
further than supplying mere local wants, or at such low
prices, as to induce speculators to purchase in anticipation
M the opening of the season. The monsoon set in on the
night of the Bth, and we have had an abundaut fall of rain,
up to the present time not less than fourteen inches having
fallen.
Almost the only piece goods in which anything is doing
are grey maddapolams.
In metals a slight decline in price has taken place.
Linseed may be quoted at its. 3 8 per cwt.
Pepper cannot be purchased under its. 13-10 per cwt.
for Behtcole, and Rs. 13 for Malabar.
Cotton hassrisen in price, as freights have fallen. Prices
may he quoted at Rs. 107 per candy fur Surat, at Its. 106
far Dollerah, and Its. b 8 for Ooznrawutty.
Freight.—A considerable number of arrivals have taken
place lately, and a few days ago tonnage could be had for
:Kis. to Liverpool and 2/. to London. They have since
risen, and may now be quoted at five shillings higher. To
China the rates are Rs. 8 to Rs. 9 per candy.
Exchange has undergone no alteration since our last
report, and still stands at 2a. lid. . • on China the rates are
Its. 230 per 100 dohs., and on Calcutta Rs. 991 per cent.
sixty days' sight.
CALCUTTA, JUNE 16.
. _

Rain has fallen, generally, in Bengal, beit our advice@
from the Indigo districts are still unsatisfactory, and the
prospects of the crop, owing to the advanced period of the
season, continue uncertain. The shipments of Indigo up to
the 4th instant amount to 25,962 chests, containing fy. Inds.
97,732, of which 14,391 chests have gone to Great Britain
and 8,120 to France. •
A moderate business only has been done in sugar; stocks
are, however, light ; vacuum pan sorts continue in good
di mend at an advanced on qualities ',ridable for Australia.
'the market is yet but soaringly supplied with saltpetre,
and that of Inferior quality. The reduction in the rates of
freight have bad sae effect of increasing the exports
of rice to a small extent. Safflower remains with-
out change, the shipments of this dye to Great
Britain for the opening of the season to date
amount to 2,612 mds. The report of the victorious
progress of the insurgents in China, and the consequent
interruption to trade in the vicinity of Shanghae has had
the effect of inducing some shippers here to operate in raw
silk as freely as the limited state of stocks would
permit. The June silk band promises well. There
is less demand for Corahs, but the very small
supply prevents prices from rising. The demand for
hides on English account has not been so active as
before. Toe price of linseed has declined a little, and may
now be quoted at 2-6 to 2-8 per md. Rake :•eed has also
fallen off in value, and is quoted at 2.6 to 2-4 per md. Lac
dye has further given way 2 to 3 Ifs. per rod., and shell lan
4to 8 sauna. Jute conunues in great favour.
Our import markets, we regret to say, have rather
gone back than otherwise since the date of our last re-
ports. Many kinds of cotton piece goods have de-
ehued a little in value. 'Grey and white shirting. and
Madapollams have fallen in price, 1 anna per piece. Cam-
brks, Ito 2 annas. Jacunets are in fair demand, and re-
main us they were. White figured shirtings are very little
wanted and lower. Lappets are ditfical; of sale, and will
only be taken for immediate wants at lower value. Mull
Mulls are a shade lower. Book towline are
quoted at 14 anuas for No. 1, with the usual
rise. Mule twist has been placed to a lair extent, 40s. have
advanced $ to 1 pie per morah, other counts remain un-
changed. Turkey lied Yarns arc in fair request, but
without any alteration in value. Orange and green are
neglecte:',. Copper is dull, and a little lower ; we quote
Sheeting at lis. 40, nail at 40.4 to 42, old 38.8 ; Tile at 37.8.
I:on remains without demand. In Speller and Lead we
have no sales to report.
The money market is still liberally supplied, but there
are decided indications of a cessation of the plethora which
has for some time past existed, and money, though readily
procurable, is dearer. Government have announced the
pa} :milt, in September nee', of the. whole of the re-
mainder of the Sicce Five per Cent. paper. The start-
ling suddenness of this notification took the publics
completely by surprise, fur no one expected that
any further financial movement would have been made
1 before the expiration of the period fixed for the payment
• 1 of the first instalment of the second five per cent. loan.
quite government
deranged.
Apalreerw.m.tiadr,kneote hasb. becocenseqd,u!tnro,3ly.edbeincesmhee
, tTphr o'e firmlyeloo lodgefib
believed
an
yi existence na
tettehaaocktf thew newl
e immediatelyl iiiicedp:aruf
tpueertuntth.tehl loci,,
ii i
tini, andenwct
iOO itonce,
eogisft
de
~cs.
ne.l
teats
t :311.
o.h..rhe
ea
shares
:ap valueaaurroef of
teot
Fives h., o
quoted
a rruaeeetmmw6a..oi firniae,
at
ir,;
1.1 sod
la 1
very
4s
,atdoewi
Bank,
filar:lke .
.ci;
..qt otußssoTaall (Ihr 21.18ufobierfuintBre
1 at which rate there are no sellers.
New Chiginal Life
Insurance Com:•any, 36.5. 11.ngal Coal
I Company, 7W, on which t.rais OU shares were recently sold.
Very little change has occurred in the rale of Exchange
: ! with London, which remains at 2-13 to 2-la credits, and
"-11 to 241 documents. Scotch Bank Btu: at 90 days'
I-
1 • tight have been freely sold at 2-11.
r i Freights remain masitcreil. We quote to London—Salt-
! rive ut 31. 105.; Sugar at 31. 10s. to 31. 12s. e;d. ; nice at
, 31.125. 6d.

CULNA MARKETS.
CANTON, JUNE 5.

Isiroirts.
Lengthened entrees from the ora (Intl Herald, to
h fund under our gen: ral •ry, displaco in the pre-
sent issue our usual apart of thi:Caniou Market. Busiue%

• nut appear to have been particularly brisk, but not
worse, probably, than grners'ly at this slack at awn
of the yes,. Of cotton, we learn that soma &eh
1.1 s bar* thanued hand.; and of other leading articles
Of following silts Cotton yarn • little Oat/ a
th iusand haler. Of grey long cloth.. 12,000 pieces; whit.
et 1,000 pieces; AOl,Fleall drib, 16,000 ;nee."`;
ahertuiste, 2,000 piece': Spanoiti strips *ad habit elotth.,
some 450 pieces. Of iron, 2.50 recut.; lead, 350 p. mat:
tin, 940 orients; tin plates, 300 boxes; rattaas,2,7o9 petals;
ti: e, 3,000 p .culs (at a decline of from 8 to 10 cents. per
lucid); sawalwood, 100 peal.; sapanwood, 400 p.culs.
EXPOUTO.—Teas : 44a•ins Ta eel* of Congo's, our
of Sour tong, 5.000 hours of -coated 1 s .er. 4,nho boors of
C.. 1 t.O Yonne Orson, 2,nUts eh. ats 'of C. on Ilyson
Bs a, • 4 3,W° boxes ot New C• 117011 Gunpowder.
Ot Silk, sales reported 100 biles of the new Canton er
lilcissinotm.—Eatt India Com' any's hills on 11. ogal
potentate nt (accepted), It.. 239 to 233 per lot) dole ;
West. rn II ink of Scotland Bits, 90 days sight, se. tq I. p.l
dol. ; Union Bank or Australia Bills, 30 doTs sight,
6t. to ss. Ott. per d Xliar ; Oriental Bank bills on the l: pion
13 ink, London, at 6 monlis' .ight, .54. per dollar; Oriental
Bonk hill* on 11,•tunil, at :1 ilass sigh., 233, ant oat Bombs',
3 days sight, 237 ; Br tad., and other tr. dits un
London, at 6 months' sight, 5.. 11. to ss. Id. per dollar ;
private bill. on Bombay, at 10 days' sight, 233 to 240 lis.
per 100 dol asa.
141401aCY MAlllat.-Byeee Silver, 1 T. 1 N. per cent
premium. Gold ie.( IOU Touch to 21.6) dollar. per tee).
Mexican dollars at 5 to 41 pre. cent. diaciniot. Carol,, sr
Slisrighse to 7 per cent. prem.
lutto lira.— To England per tau of 50 cubic fret, V.
to 41. ; to United States, lu dos. tor tea, aid 20 dots. for
silks per tan ; to San Francisco, 13 dote. to 20 dins. per tun
of 4U feet.