The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-14 00:00:00

OVERLAND MAIL.

We have received, in anticipation of the Overland Mail,
our dispatches from India and China, with dates following :
Calcutta, Oct. 4 ; Bombay, Oct. 14 ; Burmab, Sept. 19 ; and
Hong Kong, Sept. 27. We annex extracts :
(From the Overland Bombay Times of Oct. 14.)

GENERAL SUMMARY.-Our advices from Burmah are up
to the 19th ultimo. The whole of the country on the
eastern side of the Irrawaddy is in the hands of the dacoits
or patriets, if that be the better name for them, who have
pillaged and burned most of the towns in the district. On
the other side of the river the garrisons of small towns have
been attacked and the towns themselves given to the flames.
The adroitness of these robbers is remarkable ; they in-
variably employ stratagem, make a sham attack on the gar-
rison to distract attention and keep its defenders employed,
while their main body plunder the town ; they then betake
themselves to their boats, which they propel through the
water at a speed defying capture, and so escape. As to the
Ryots, they are dependent upon us, but we afford them no
assistance ; they are plundered by the dacoits and we do not
protect them, and the robber chiefs have taken advantage
of our supineness to point out to them that the policy which
we pursued in 1825 will be next year repeated by us, that in
fact we will then evacuate the country, when those who
have now transferred their allegance to the British
Sircar will be left to the mercy of the Govern-
mei t which they abandoned, and then the Court of
Ava will inflict summary punishment upon them. Thus
is the fidelity of our newly-acquired subjects jeopardised,
while many that would otherwise join 'us are deterred
from doing so. Nor does there appear any possibility of
exterminating those marauders in our own possessions.
No sooner are they worsted by us than they retreat beyond
our frontier, whither we cannot follow them ; nor can we
starve them or the Court at Ava into submission, as all
their, supplies come from the northward, so that viewing
the question in an impartial manner, and bearing in mind
that these robbers are numbered by thousands, there is but
one course to be pursued—Ava must be conquered, there
seems nothing else for it ; willing or unwilling the advance
is forced on us, and there is no retreating. The whole of
Pegu is to constitute hereafter one division, to the command
of which Sir John Cheape has been nominated. An attack
is anticipated from Meah Toon's followers at Henzada, and
troops have been sent from Rangoon to that station; a
necessary step, perhaps, but yet to be deplored, as the
garrison at Rangoon has thereby been weakened. The
attempt of the assassin Abdollah upon the life of Colonel
Mackeson, the Commissioner at Peshawar, we regret to say,
has proved too successful ; the unfortunate gentleman
lingered four days in agony, when death relieved him
from further suffering. Various are the rumours
assigned as to the cause of this assassination ; some
say that mere fanaticism on the part of the murderer
dictated it, but others and with greater reason,
attribute it to conspiracy, the murderer being the
tool of the conspirators. The deceased colonel, before he
died, expressed his conviction as to such being the case. The
murderer has been tried, and of course sentenced to death,
but owing to some informality in the proceedings has not
been yet executed. It is said that another assassin was dis-
patched to murder Major 111‘Gregor, while a third has visi-
ted Lahore to see what he can do in that locality. Mean-
while Captain James, the Deputy Commissioner at Pe-
shawur, has offered a reward of 5000 rupees for the detec-
tion of any of the accomplices in Colonel Mackeson's mur-
der, and we trust he will succeed. It is said that either
Colonel Outram or Major Edwardes will be appointed to
the Commissionership now vacant in the North-west. Or-
ders have been issued for the immediate march from Rawul
Pindee to Peshawur of six companies of her Majesty's 22d
Foot, the 4th Regiment N. I. and the 7th Irregular Ca-
valry. The 9th cavalry are to march from Jhelum to
Rawul Pindee, and a requisition has been made on Seal-
cote for a regiment of native infantry and a corps of irregu-
lars to be sent to Jhelum, which is nearly denuded of
troops. An European regiment is also to be held in readi-
ness to march from Sealcotc if required. The cause of this
move is stated to be the conspiracy for Colonel Mackeson's
death having been traced to Saadut Khan, the Momond
chief of Lalpoorah, but if we can put faith in the
statements of our contemporaries in the North-
west, the march of troops towards our frontier in that
direction need not surprise us, for we learn that a Russian
army had advanced within ten marches of Oorgune, the
commercial capital of Khiva, and that the Khans of Khiva
and Bokhara had beaded their troops to resist the enemy.
It is said that the Russians avow their object to be, the
subjugation of the country,'and that the neutrality of Dost
Mahomed of Cabul has been purchased. The Shah of
cf Persia, too, has assembled a large army in the valley of
Sooltania, which is to operate against the Turks, and if this
be true, it is conclusive evidence that Russia and Persia are
allies, for the treaty of 1828 forbids the government of the
latter country to assemble in the Valley of Sooltania without
the consent of Russia being first obtained. Dost Mahomed,
it is alleged, wishes to punish the " Tookhee" Ghilzies, but
want of cash prevents his doing so ; this does not look as if
Russian gold was plentiful in Cabul, but no reliance can be
placed on such reports, as they may be made for interested
purposes. It is with deep regret we have to announce the
death; at Bareily, of the Honourable James Thomason,
Lieutenant Governor of the North-west Provinces, on the
27th ult. ; all parties concur in paying a just tribute to the
memory of the deceased. The last mail from England
announced on authority the appointment of the deceased
gentleman to the governorship of Madras. Accounts from
Bhawulpoor represent a lamentable state of affairs in the
dominions of our old ally the deceased Bhawul Khan. It will
be remembered by our readers that Sadeek Mahomed Khan,
the rightful heir to the throne, was deposed by the usurper
Ilajee Khan, whose reign since has been one continued
scene of bloodshed, rapine, and debauchery. Almost his
first act was to sanction the murder, in cold blood, of the
Vizier of the deceased monarch, and the forcible dishonour
of the female members of his family; his next, to permit the
assassination of his own minister and his brother, but the
latter escaped death by cutting down one of the hired mur-
derers ; he is, however, now a prisoner. He then caused a
person named Bukshee Supersad, a connexion of Raja Deena
Nath, to be poisoned at a party which he (the usurper) gave,
and having thus cleared off all his most active enemies, he
has given himself up to a life of the most abandoned de-
bauchery, sparing the honour of no female, however respect-
able she may be, and he has entrusted the government of his
country to his five maternal uncles, in whose hands he is a
completete tool. The unfortunate people, as may well be
imagined, are living under a system of grinding oppression,
and are afraid to call their lives their own. From Bengal
we learn that Colonel Low, C. 8., has taken his seat as third
ordinary member of the Council in the room of Sir Walter
Raleigh Gilbert, deceased, and this is the only item of intel-
ligence we have from the Eastern presidency to lay before
our readers. Of our own presidency we may mention that
government wrote to Mr. Luard, by order of the Court of
Directors, on the 12th ult., to name the individuals he
accused of having connived at the great Surat robbery, and
that that gentleman replied on the 14th. We must observe
that unless a full and open inquiry be immediately
ordered by government, the character for integrity
which Englishmen claim for themselves is seriously affected
as far as the native population of India is con-
cerned. Lord and Lady Falkland are at the Hills ; his
lordship, it is said, will not leave Bombay until after the
arrival of his successor. Lord Frederick Fitzclarence is
still in Poona, and purposes making an extensive tour in
the ensuing cold weather. General Stavely has proceeded
to Madras to take up the command of that army ; Sir
Richard Armstrong, it is understood, will leave India by
the Barham in December next. The Hon. Company's
steam-frigate Feroze has returned from Burmah, bringing
with her the officers and crew of the ill-fated Moozuffer, for
the trial of whom a naval court-martial assembled on the
6th instant, under the superintendence of Captain Lynch as
president. After a patient and searching investigation,
Captain Hewett and his officers were not only fully and
honorably acquitted, but highly complimented by the pre-
sident for the energy and officer-like conduct displayed by
them on so trying an occasion.
A new bank, to be called the "Mercantileßank of Bom-
bay," has been started at the presidency with every pro-
spect of success. The shares are now at a premium of 4 per
cent. The state of trade is dull and depressed, but money
is abundant.

BOMBAY COMMERCIAL.

FROM THE 28TH SEPT. TO THE 13TH Ocr., 1853.

We have little change to report in the state of the money
market since our last. Money continues to be obtained on
easy .terms, though we think it is likely to become more
valuable ere long. In government securities the principal
transactions have been in Four-per-cent. paper, which ad-
vanced to 3 per cent. premium shortly after the appearance
of the notification closing the loan of 1842-3 for cash sub-
scriptions, but this high rate has not been maintained, and
we now quote at 21.

Metals maintain their prices, and meet with ready sale.
Cochineal-2 to 2 1-16 rs., having slightly advanced since
the arrival of late accounts from home.

Cotton—The price of cotton has given way, owing to the
combined bad accounts of the Chiva and English markets.

Freights have been steadily maintained-at £2 16s. of
£2 17s. 6d. per ton.

Exchange on England has been firm at 2s. 1. 3-16 d. to 2s.
1. 5-16 d. per rupee, for best bills at six months' sight ; at
present have rather an upward tendency ; the last quotation
may be considered the rate of the day.
BOMBAY MONEY MARKET.

EXCHANGES' OCT. 13—On London, at 6 months' sight,
per r. 2s. lid. to 2s. , for document bills ; six mouths'
sight, per. r. 2s. Id. 3-16ths to 3s 11c1., for credit bills. On
Calcutta, at 60 days' sight, rs. 994.• 30 days' sight, rs, 994 ;
at sight, rs. 99 13-16ths. On Madras, at 30 days' sight,
100/ to 1002 ; at sight, 101. On China, at 60 days' sight,
100$-265.
PRICES or Bum:loll—Sovereigns, each, rs. 10 5-16ths
nominal ; Bank of England Notes, rs. 10 3-15ths per £l,
nominal.
FREIGHTS—To London £2 12s. 6d. to £2 15s. per ton
to Liverpool, £2 17s. 6d. to £3 per ton; to Calcutta, nomi-
nal, per Russ ; to China, rs. 10 to 12 per candy.

CALCUTTA.
CALCUTTA, OcroßEa 4.

We have had one or two occurrences of more than ordi-
nary interest since our last dispa‘tch. Colonel Mackeson,
the Commissioner at Peshawur, has been murdered, while
sittinc, at his verandah, after the office business of the day
was done.' It appears that the murderer had come down
from the hills, having made a vow to kill Mackeson and two
or or three other of the chief officers of the station.

There has been a sharp and brilliant enagement in the
Deccan, between Brigadier Mayne and a Talookdar at the
head of 200 Arabs. Every one of the Arabs were slain, and
their leader taken prisoner. On our part there are 2
officers killed, 2 severely wounded, 20 privates slain, and
50 wounded. The brigadier had two horses shot under
him. This is considered here a very dashing affair, and
reflects great credit upon Mayne and his soldiers.

(From the Bengal Hurkaru, of October 4.)
Another fortnight has passed away, during which we have
to record the arrival of several steamers from Rangoon,
which have put us in possession of Burmah news up to the
17th ultimo. We wish it was in our power to announce
the final establishment of peace and tranquility throughout
the territories we at present hold in Burmah, but we grieve
to say that matters have assumed an aspect which leads us to
apprehend that the views which we have all along expressed
regarding our position in Burmah, will turn out only too
true. Affairs are evidently fast approaching to a crisis.
All intelligence tends to confirm that the real struggle is
about to begin ; a struggle which must be overcome a tout
prix, and which will involve a fearful sacrifice of money and
life. We proceed to give an account of the intelli-
gence that has reached us since the departure of the
last Overland Mail. From this it would appear that
the whole of the northern section of the annexed
territory is not only.overun with dacoits, but that these free-
booters are acting in concert, and it is feared under orders
from the Ava Government. The King himself does not os-
tensibly take any part in the movements that are going on
in Burmah, but his brother is stated to collect troops in
every direction. The Governors of the several districts, for-
merly belonging to his Golden-footed Majesty, are taking
great pains in spreading reports that the King is making
every preparation for attacking and expelling the foreigners,
and that every man who dares to submit to the English,
should the re-conquest take place, will be visited with capi-
tal punishment. In conjunction with this threat, the robber
chiefs are on the other hand proving that even if his Majesty
may not be able to carry out his intention to the fullest ex-
tent, no means shall be spared for the attainment of the ob-
ject in view. The notorious Meah-Toon is busy in collect-
ing his forces, and he is reported to have already 4500 men
under his command, with whom lie is stockading himself in
one of the creeks not approachable by regular forces. An-
other not less daring bandit, Moung-koung-Eyee, with 6000
men, holds military possession of the great district of the
Thairawaddie to the south-east of Prome. A third
chief with some unpronounceable name, mustering a force of
about 6000 men, is said to be within four days' march of
Rangoon, and to be contemplating an attack, so that we may
soon have our hands full of work in all quarters of Pegu. It
is now too plain that all these movements are instigated by
the Court of Ava, and if any doubt could remain on the
matter, it vanishes by the fact that the blockade of the river
has now been turned against us, and that the Irrawaddy has
been closed above Meaday.

CALCUTTA COMMERCIAL.
CALCUTTA, Oar. 4.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Pre-
cursor, with the London mails of the 24th August, arrived
off town yesterday. The London produce markets con-
tinued in a steady position. Discounts had been higher,
but just before the mail left some relaxation was obser
vable.

Oar produce market here was tolerably active for about
a week after the last steamer left, then there was a pause,
caused no doubt by the very heavy rains, which lasted for
three days; but now again on the eve of the mail's depar-
tur,emuch activity is displayed, more particularly so as hnsi-
nree nn thA AO, ;n.4. for the annual iloorgah Poojah
holidays. Prices of nearly all kinds are firm if not even
higher. The exports of sugar are gradually creeping up, being
for the month of September 25,850 mds. In the same
peLioih of raw silk are I, y mnre so
than they probably ever were before in one month. They
reach to 4118 mds ! Silk piece goods of all kinds have been
in good inquiry, and conahs have been freely shipped. There
is a full extent of business doing in saltpetre for England
and the United States, and prices are thereby fully sup-
ported. In rice there has been a good deal doing for France.
Fur Mauritius and Bourbon a large business has been in
progress while a full extent of shipments have been directed
to Great Britain. Shell lac is chiefly being sought after by.
American buyers at present. Lac dye has been very mode-
rately shipped to all parts. In safflower a large business for
England has been done, chiefly in common qualities. Of
hides the shipments arc heavy to Great Britain, and to a
fair extent to the United States. Shippers of linseed arc
mostly found amongst the American merchants, who do not
scruple to pay very full prices. In mustard seed hardly
anything has been done. Castor oil has been neglected.
Catch in good request, and shipped to some extent to all
quarters. In Jute the prevalence of low prices tend to swell
the list of exports. There must now be a good deal at mar-
ket and customers are wanted. Rum has been shipped to
Great Britain and Australia.

The shipments of opium during the month have been con-
siderable, being upwards of 4,000 chests. The bazaar seems
to be free of any excitement regarding this article.
Regarding the import market all we can say is, that prices
have continued tolerably firm, but then it must be added
that during the last week hardly enough business has been
done to indicate what state the market is really in. Of
Scotch goods, lappets have been the most freely dealt in,
but these have only sold to a very small extent. Most of
the sales were effected soon after the last mail left ; and
during the last week less business has been reported done
than we over remember to have seen just previous to the
holidays.
Reported sales of mule twist during the last fortnight are
only 396 bales. Prices continue firm, and much better rates
are confidently looked forward to by some parties as likely to
be realised after the holidays. In Turkey red and other
colours no transactions are reported during the last week, and
very few since the last mso left.
Of metals very little need be said. Copper, however, is
again rather higher, but the sales are very small. Iron is
very firm.
Quotations of Government Securities are—Transfer Five
per cent., 612 to 7 Its. • New Fives, 3 Bto 4 Rs. ; Old
Sicca ditto, 2 8 Rs. ; Co.'s Rs. Four per cent., 38 to
3 10 pm..
The Share market stands as follows :—Bank of Bengal
' shares Co.'s Its. 6155 to 6150 ; Agra and U.S. Bank, 660
to 635; North-Western Bank, 300 to 305 ; India General
Steam, 550 to 600 each.
Excirayaß remains remarkably steady. Present rates
are as follow : —lst class Credits, 2s. ld ; ditto Documents,
2s. Id. to 2s. 1-4 d. per rupee. On China, Rs. 247 to 250
per $lOO.
'FREIGHTS.—Quoted rates are as follow :—To London :
sugar, 4/. ; saltpetre, 3/. 17s. 6d. to 4/. ; rice, 4/. 2s. Gd. ;
jute, 4/. 10s.; hides, Si. to 61. ; oilseeds, 4/. 7s. Gd. :
shellac, 4/. to 4/. ss. ; lac dye, 4/. 10s. to 4/. 15s. To Mau-
ritius : Co.'s Rs. 2-2-0 per bag, payable there at 50 cents.
INDIGO.—The shipments have been chiefly confined to
Great Britain, and comprise 367 chests during the month of
September.
CHINA.

Our advices from China are to the 27th September:—
From Shanghae, we learn that on the 7th of September,
that city was taken by a mob of Kwaugtnng and Fokien
men, who have for some time been organising themselves
into a secret society, to which the name of the "Small
Knife " is popularly given, but which is in fact a branch of
the Triads. They had been in great activity at Shanghae,
and by their large numbers and dissolute character were
causing much anxiety to the authorities. At daybreak on
the morning of the 7th, the confederates, with banners fly-
ing, contrived to enter the city in a body. One section
made at once for the residence of the Chehien, or District
Magistrate, who had rendered himself peculiarly obnoxious
to some of band. He was taken and slain on the spot,
and his residence with its furniture entirely destroyed.
Those of the Taoutae, or Intendent of Circuit, and of the
Hoifting Ting, or Marine Magistrate, suffered the same
fate ; but no other houses or persons were wilfully injured ;
and it would appear that no farther means were required to
take possession of the entire city except to place guards at
the gates, who prevented the carrying away of property:
The 7th of September was the anniversary of Confucius,
when the Chinese mandarins worship before the altars, and
a procession takes place, among which were thousands of
persons ready for revolt. Here they killed Che-hein.
Criers
gong, and p
proceeded atr Proclaiming once through
htahneghciatey
hbaedateihnagngthede
Chinese
rulers—that the pillage of private property would not be
permitted—that robbers caught in the act would be sum-
marily punished—and directing the people to open their
shops, and proceed with their usual daily avocations. Mili-
tary patrols paraded the streets to repress violence and
tumult, and to arrest offenders against the proclamation just
made. The organised bodies .had entirely dispersed, and at
seven o'clock a.m. the capture of Shanghae was un fait
accompli.
The residences of all the mandarians and the old Custom
House were sacked.