The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDA,?! rass EVENING, FEBRUARY 13, 1855.

only 53,863 in 1848, in 1853 it had amounted
to 174,599. As a further indication of an in-
creased cultivation may be noticed the rapid aug-
mentation of the export of flax and tow chiefly
to Graat Britain. So late, wo are told, as 1850,

the export of Irish flax and tow was but 3,166
tons. Of the crop of 1852 6,696 tons of flax
and 2,308 of tow, in all 9,'004 tons, value 392,5001.,
were exported. Of the crop of 1853 the large
amount of 7,486 tons of flax and 2,763 of tow,
in all 10,20 tons, value 505,9891., were shipped
from Ireland to England, Scotland, and France.
Gratifying, however, as this increase undoubt-
edly is, and creditable to the society of whose
exertions it may in a large measure be regarded
as the legitimate fruit, there is still, as it will take
no great effort to show, ample margin for further
exertion. In Ulster, for instance, the whole lands
under crops last year, according to the Govern-
ment returns, amounted to 1,808,935 acres. Of
these only 139,003, or one-thirteenth part, were
devoted to the growth of flax ; and in Leinster,
Munster, and Connaught the proportion was still less. ,
In these counties the acres under crops amounted
to 3,759,441, and of these only 11,969 or a
proportion of about 1-314th part were under this
species of growth. A small proportion indeed—
so small as to excite some degree of wonder and
regret, more especially under existing circum-
stances, we mean in connection with the present
War. Out of an annual average of 80,000 tons of
flax front all countries, nearly 60,000 have been
brought front Russia alone ; and of the entire
yearly import of flax seed for sowing in Ireland,
from two-thirds to three-fourths have come from
Riga. Hitherto, it is true, contrary to expecta-
tion, these supplies have not been intercepted—in
point of fact, the import last year was greater
than usual ; but it is clear such a state of things
cannot last, and when it ceases, however tem-
porarily, what is to become of the staple manu-
facture of Ireland ? To this inquiry the Society
had been doing its best during the past year to
furnish a satisfactory reply, and there is reason to
believe the aroa under flax will this year
far exceed the average. The quantity of
Irish seed saved last year for growing was,

it is gratifying to add, greater than
in any previous year, and there is a fair
prospect of every prejudice against its use being
speedily and permanently dissipated. Improve-
ments on the mode of cultivation, and in the
various processes of manufacture, have also been
discovered, and by these, it is probable, a great
impetus will be given to the growth of flax. The
advantages to be derived from this extension we
have already shadowed forth. n may, however,
in conclusion, be well more minutely to specify
them. It would prove of signal benefit to the
agricultural interest, the crop being one as ad-
mirably adapted to the condition of the great body
of the tillers of the soil in many parts of Ireland
as to the soil itself, small holdings being numerous,
and the crop one as profitably raised by the poor
as by the rich. It would tend also-to cement a
bond of common interest between the agricultural
and commercial bodies—securing to the one a,
home market, and to the other independence of
the uncertainties of foreign supply. To this
cpuntry also it would be highly beneficial. To Eng-
land, as to Ireland, independence of Russian im-
ports has become a serious question, and if this
can be achieved a double advantage will be ob-
tained—a greater certainty of supply, and
a closer and more cordial union between
the two islands. Viewing the matter in. this light,
our readers will sympathise with us in the ex-
pression of an earnest wish that the efforts of -the
Soeiety may not be slackened, but that, by means
of increased exertions on the part of its paid in-
structors distributed throughout Ireland, and the
powerful aid of the press, more signal triumphs
may yet be achieved thaw those which already
adorn the Society's annals.

LATEST NEWS.

..........4 las•+....

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

- b-

BERLI ki; TUESDAY, FEB. 13.

Under date of St. Pei 41.sburg, 12th inst., we
learn that the following td legraphic despatch, had
been received by the Rum sit In Government :
" Nothing particular has . taken place before Se-
bastopol, except a sortie (x a the night of the 31st
of January, in which we I (the Russians) took three
officers and seven men p. cisoners."

VIENN ,A, MONDAY, FEB. 12.

;manifesto, under date of
s
S
12thtilsiseueda
February, in which he
cat. Ph
lTlseetthC°;beanruthrirgae: male poi rulation under arms.
An additional force of 300,000 naen will be
despatched to the Crimea

According to a Russ lain report, letters have
been received from Bagd id which announce that
the Kurdish insurgents aave taken the town of
Zakko.

The insurgents slaught ,or ed the male Christian
and Jewish population, an maltreated the females.
Reschid Pasha, the G bvernor of Bagdad, has
marched against the rebels -with all the disposable
troops.

'WARSAW, F.en. 9.

By direct order of the -E eaperor, Prince Paskie-
witah has forbidden the, export of brandy and
other spirituop liquors to Austria. The Govern-
ment commission has published the order.
Telegraphic despatches have been received here
with the intelligence that Prince Paskiewitch will

remain for some time lon►;ger at St. Petersburg, at
the personal wish of the Czar.
Notwithstanding the severity of the winter the
new works for strengthening the citadel are car-
ried on with spirit, although the thermometer is
at 20 deg. Rea.umur below the freezing point ;
and as of course everything is frozen, the mortar
is made with boiling water, the inhabitants having
to furnish it, a cauldron from each house every
day.

MARSEILLES, MONDAY, FEB. 12.
The first detachment of British troops had ar-
rived on the Ist of February at Suez.

Intelligence from Bombay, of the 16th January,
states that an insurrection had brOken out in
Cabul and Candahar.

The rebels had acknowledged the suzerainty of

Persia.

12,000 Persians besieged Benderabas, in the
territory of the Imaum of Muscat, and had sus-
tained a murderous conflict with the besieged,

who still continued their resistance.

Admiral Stirling was watching the movements
of the rebels at Canton, and opposed their further

progress.

HAMBURG, FEi3 11.

The Swedish. Government is making great
changes in its army ; it is for war by
placing on the Retirei List the old soldiers, and

making numerous promotions among the most
capable of the Generals.

Th• Hereditary Prince displays extraordinary
activity in order to put the army on the most
efficient war-footing.

BERLIN, TIIRSDAY MORNING.

It is asserted that Austria will make a demand
upon the Diet to name a Generalissimo for the
military forces of the Confederation, so soon as
the Federal coitingents shall be placed on the
war footing.

The Ottoman Government is about to issue

Treasury Bonds bearing 10 per cent. interest to
the amount of 200,000,000 Seim piastres.

PRANCE.

Lord and Lady Cowley gave their third recep-
tion on Sunday evening at the Embassy. As
usual, it was crowded with the diplomatic corps
and the English society of Paris, but it broke up
earlier than usual, in consequence of the ball given
at the same time at the Ottoman Embassy.
The funeral of Lady Harriet Elliot took place
on Sunday, and was conducted with the utmost
privacy. The only persons present were the Earl
of Minto and the members of the family, Lord
Cowley, and Sir Joseph 011iffe, the physician to
the Embassy. The interment took place in the
cemetery of Montmartre.
According to the Courrier du Pas de Calais, it is
rumoured in the northern camps that the Emperor
will go to Boulogne this week.
An aide-de-camp of General Marmora, and seve-
ral Piedmontese officers, arrived at Lyons from
Turin on Friday evening, and yesterday morning
they embarked in a Rhone steamer, on their way
to the Crimea to make preparations for the arrival
of the Piedmontese contingent.
HANOVER.

Accounts from Hanover of the Bth inst. state that
the order for the immediate calling out and organisa-
tion of that branch of the service known as the
train had just been published. This was done to
have the men ready to roceivA and take rare of the
horses, which, tothenumber of 3,000, are ordered to
be raised as an additional reinforcement to the
cavalry and artillery, in consequence of the order
for preparation for war issued by the Diet at Frank-
fort. Each battalion of infantry is to furnish
twelve men for the train service. A. royal ordi-
nance, prohibiting the exportation of horses, was
daily expected.
A committee has been formed at Hanover, for
subscriptions purpose of collecting subsctions throughout
the whole of the monarchy to erect an equestrial
&tat's° of the late King Ernest Augustus. The
expense is estimated at 60,000 dollars. President
of the committee is the late king's intimate friend
and Master of the Regal Household, Baron von
Malortie. Sub-committees are being formed in
different towns of the kingdom.

A MERICA.

LIVERPOOL, FAB. 12, MIDNIGHT.

The Royal mail steamer Canada has arrived,
with advices from Boston of the 31st ult., and
290,000 dols. specie on freight.
In Congress nothing of importance had occurred.
A bill had been introduced into the Senate appro-
priating 280,000 dols. for the improvement of the
Ohio River, and declaring the Louisville and Port-
land Canal free. A bill allowing 130,600 dols. for
the relief of the parties interested in the privateer
General Armstrong was passed.
A joint resolution was adopted, authorising the
President to giro notice for terminating reciprocity
treaties of commerce and navigation, in cases where
the terms stipulated for their continuance have
expired, with such Powers and States as in his
opinion manifest illiberality to the United States.
The French Spoliation Bill had been discussed and
passed. Authority bad been given to despatch a
naval force to the relief of the Grinnell Arctic
expedition.
The New York authorities had notified to the
Sardinian Vice-Consul that they would not permit
the landing of the convicts who were said to be on
board the frigate Des Geneys, from Genoa. The
winter was still very severe in the Union.
The George Law had arrived, at New York from

California, with the mails of Jan. 1, and 1,251,565
dols. treasure on freight.
The steamer Hermann sailed from New York for
Southampton on the 27th ult., with 37 passengers
and 22,746 dols. specie on freight.
There had been a revolt at the California State
prison, which, after a serious fight between the
prisoners and the keepers, resulted in upwards of
20 of the former making their escape.
San Francisco had been -visited by a violent rain
storm, and a large amount of property was
damaged. The minos were suffering from want of
rain.

Commercial affairs were dull, and money tight.
Havannah advices of the 23d ult. note that im-
portant municipal reforms had been effected, and
it had been proposed to revive the old system of
representation to the Spanish Cortes.
The mail steamer Wye, from Vera Cruz, had
arrived at Haraunah on the 21st with damage to
her engines. Her Majesty's steamer Scorpion and
the French war steamer Acheron were in port.
The Washington Star stated that much excitement
prevailed in Cuba, and that an outbreak was daily
expected. A rumour prevailed that President
Pierce would issue a proclamation against the
Keinney expedition.
Canadian advices mention that Judge Pannet
had died, and that Mr. Badgley had been appointed
his successor. Measures had been adopted at
Quebec for raising subscriptions to assist the Pa-
triotic Fund.

George Etießne Cartier had been appointed Pro-
vincial Secretary for Canada'.
Late advices from Mexico state that several suc-
cessful attacks en the insurgents had been made
by the Government troops, and that the revolution
was said to be crushed in Oaxaca.

The New York Stock Market was firm, the
Money Market was well supplied with capital, and
the banks had a plethora of specie.
Sterling exchange maintained the adTaace last
noted, and loading drawers on London obtained
1091. Bills on France were quoted 5 16k to 5
14k.
Cotton had advanced ic., with a firm market.
The receipts continued small.

Flour bad declined 12i c.; wheat without change.
Provisions steady.
Iron as last quoted.
Naval stores dull. •

Freights lower. To London, flour, 25. ; grain,
7d. To Liverpool, cotton, 5-32 flour, Is. ;
grain, to oti. To Havre, cotton, ic.

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

INDIA.

On Saturday last we published a telegraphic despatch
from Trieste, in anticipation of the Overland Mail. 'We
have now received our letters and papers by the Mar-
seilles route.

The following are the letters of tho Times correspon-
dents at Bombay and Calcutta :

" BOMBAY, J. 16.
"The most important news of the fortnight is the des-
patch by the overland route of our first reinforcements
from India to the army in the Crimea. The first division of
her Majesty's 10th Hussars left Bombay on the 10th of
Jan., on beard the Punjaub and Sultana, towed by the
Victoria and Auckland. The Purijaub took 230 horses and
the same number of men; the Sultana 84; and each of the
steamers a smaller number. The remainder of the regi-
ment sail in about 10 days. Altogether they will muster
650 satires. Her Majesty's 14th Dragoons, equally
strong, are also on their way to Bombay to embark for
the Crimea via Suez. A third Queen's Cavalry Regi-
ment, the 12th, might well be spared from Bangalore,
as with the Madras Regular Cavalry and the irregular
Horse of the Nizam's contingent, we have without them
a cavalry force more than equal to anything that could be
brought against it in Southern India. It is said that se-
veral infantry regiments are to follow; but I find that this
report is at least premature. It is, however, stated on
good authority that the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steamers Norma, Pekin, and Precursor have been
taken up to convey troops from Bombay to Suez. If it
was required, India could well spare a contingent of
20,000 or 25,000 excellent troops as long as Lord Dal-
housie remains at the helm.

"The Burmese Embassy, from which so much was
expected, has ended in disappointment. Till their final
interview the Ambassadors Lad dem_ .ed nothing, and
the sole object of the Embassy had appeared to be the
cultivation of friendly relations and the establishment o
free commerce and diplomatic intercourse between the
Burmese and the British ; but at the farewell reception
a scene took place, which is described in the Calcutta
papers as fellows :---

" ' After a little of the usual complimentary language
had passed that is stereotyped for State interviews, the
Burmese Envoy proclaimed, that he Ir.d ' come, by sum-
mand of the King of Ava, to seek restitution of the whole
of the captured provinces in Burmak.'
. _

" We arc informed that, despite this unforeseen explo-
sion, the Governor-General stood calm anti collected, and
at once desired Major Phayre to make the following reply
—or words to this effect, Tell them that as long as the euu
shines in the heavens the British fl g sb all wave ever those
possessions.' The Envoy, it is said, scarcely expected any
other answer ; but having been entrusted with the tnisFion,
he was of course compelled to perform it to the very letter.
" The reply of the Governor-General will no doubt be
considered by some to partake a little too much of the
Cambyses' vein,' but those acquainted with the charac-
ter of Orientals will pronounce it to be the best answer
which ho could have made.'

"It is not at all likely that the King of Ova will
venture to declare war against us openly, but it is po,-
sible that he may again shelter and encourage the bands
of dacoits that kept the country i❑ a state of siege the
year before last ; if so, he will either be deposed or
`inediatised.'"

"The following is the latest Cabul news :
" Sirdar Mahomed Arslan Khan sent word from the
Hazarah district that he had great difficulty in col:ect-
ing the revenue. The people had risen to the number
of 4,000, and he had only 500 horse and foot to bring
against them. If he does not get reinforcements at once
he will be destroyed. Two guns, about 2,000 Persian
and Affghan horse, and a regiment of foot, were immo-
diately sent towards Hazarab.

"The Commissioner at Peshawur has told one Sayud
Mohsin that an English officer has volunteered to go to
Kokan, and that two more officers are needed to accom-
pany him. It is also thought that the English Govern-
ment will send some money to Kohan. When this ro-
port was brought, the Ameer remarked that the Eng-
lish would never venture to send en officer to Kokan
until they had effected a good understanding with the
Cabul Government.
" Information has been received of the arrival at
Peshawur of Lord Dalhousie's letter to Dost Mahomed,
but nothing is known about its content. The Dost's
agent writes that a Mooltanee named Foujdar Khan
has been appointed to accompany him with the Gover-
nor-General's letter.

" The King of Bokhara has reinforced the troops
which are fighting against Sirdar Mahomed-Afzul
Khan, in Balkh, and the Post has ordered the enlist-
ment of additional troops for the defence of the country.
"News has arrived from Sheburghan, in Turkistan,
of a rebellion against the Ameer, and his Highness has
ordered Sirdar Mahomed Sheereef, Khan from Cahill,
and Sirdar Valee Mahomed Khan from Balkh, to start
at once with reinforcements for the troops at Shee-
burghan.
" It is not probable, that with Russian influence pa, a-
mount in Bokhara, and Turkistan and Candahar in re-
volt, the Dost will be able to retain his possessions north
of the Hindoo Koosh unless assisted to some extent by
the British.

" I have already alluded to the probability of Persia
becoming the paramount power in Affghanistan on the
death of Dost Mabomed, and there are two other direc-
tions besides Candahar in whioh she is rapidly extending
her frontier.

" A battle has been fought at Builder Abbas tetween
the Arabs and the Persians, in which the latter were
successful. A Persian force of 12,000 horsemen, with
six guns and two mortars, appeared before Bonder Abbas
in the beginning of December, and shelled the place for
two days and nights ; on the third day the garrison,
consisting of 1,700 men, met the Persians at the gates,
and an engagement took place which lasted for severtl
hours. The Arab force, overpowered by numbers, took
to their boats and fled to the man-of-war belonging
to the Insaum of Muscat. The Arabs lost in killed and
wounded about 1,400, whilst the Persians lost about
4,000. The Arabs were commanded by the eldest son of
the Imatun. He is determined to hazard another battle
before giving up Bundar Abbas to the Persians. The
Imaum is said to be mustering a large force, which he
will command in person ; so that we may shortly expect
to hear of another engagement.
" The ownership of Bunder Abbas cannot at all
affect the British interests, but with the probability be-
fore us of the Shah becoming the paramount power
along the whole extent of our Indus frontier, from
Mekran to resha,wnr, it is unquestionably our policy
to do all in our power to prevent Russian influence
from becoming paramount in Persia ; and were the
Russians established in T.urkistan, Persia would be merely
a Russian satrapy.
" The Indian navy squadron in the Persian Gulf has
dispersed a gang of Arab pirates, and destroyed their
boats.

" From Central India we learn that a force is assem-
bling to go against the Meenahs, who a short time ago
looted some of the border ♦illages. It is to consist of a
wing of the 10th Bombay Native Infantry, from Nus-
serabad ; two 18-pounders and a mortar from the Ajrneer
magazine ; four companies, a troop of cavalry,
and two guns Kota contingent ; four corupameA
Joudpore Legion, two companies Mba,irwarralt Bat-
talion, and some companies of the Meya•ar Bheel Corps.
Besides these a considerable number of troops are to be
furnished by the Jeypore, Odeypore, and Kota Govern-
ments. The whole force is under the superintendence
of Sir 11. Lawrence.

"The communication by electric telegraph is now
complete between the three Presidencies, the North-
West Provinces, and Lahore. The lines between Bom-
bay and Madras were joined (by moonlight) near Bel-
gaum on the night of the 31st of December, and the
communication between the two Presidencies completed
on the first day of the year.
"Thera have been meetings in all three presidencies
in aid of the Patriotic Fund. By the latest accounti the
subscriptions to the fund amounted in the city of Cal-
cutta to 70,000 r., in the city of Madras to 30,000 r.,
and in the city of Bombay to 65,000 r. These figures
represent pretty fairly the comparative intelligence,
wealth, and influence of three presidential cities.
"The Governor-General is about to proceed to the
Neilgherries. The Governors of iladr.ts and Bombay
are at the seat of their respective governments. Sir
William Gomm is at present on a tour of inspection in
the Punjaub."

"CALCUTTA, JANUARY 8.

"The intelligence I originally sent you was correct,
though the sustained mendacity of the Burmese Envoy
induced me to contradict it. The object of the Embassy
was not simply to make professions of friendship, still
less to sign a treaty. At the farewell interview with
the Governor-General the real object of the mission
was declared. It was nothing less than to demand
the restitution of the entire province of Pegu. The
present King of Ava, argued the Envoy, has no
quarrel with the British, why should the Indian
Government retain his country ? He is very
friendly, and should not be punished for the crimes of
the King he superseded. So repeated had been the as-
56verations of the Envoy that he had nothing to re-
quest, that Lord Dalhousie was taken by surprise.
Fortunately he was not thrown off his guard.
Had he hesitated for a moment, bad he uttered a
smooth sentence, or had he even retired to consult
his Council, Pegu would have been depopulated.
The news would have spread through the length and
breadth of the land, that the great white ruler
might surrender Pega. Every Peguan lives in fear
of the vengeance which would follow that retreat.
Every Peguan consequently would have made his peace
in time by fleeing across the border. Lord Dalhousie
was equal to the occasion, and none the less, perhaps,
.because his policy and his temperament happened to be
in unison. With something of oriental exaggeration
he replied, while the sun shines in the heavens,
the British flag shall wave over those possessions.'
As for the character of the King the British
Government bad punished a faithless , country and
not an individual. The Burmese have returned with
this answer, which they fully anticipated. Directly after
the interview the envoy was questioned by an official in
high employ as to his object in making so preposterous
a demand. I had to get it out of my stomach,' was
the cool reply, meaning that he knew its absurdity,
'but obeyed imperative commands. The embassy
has therefore left matters exactly in their original
position. That positien is, with one exception, nut to
be lamented. A treaty, giving us the right to enforce
the free navigation of the Irrawaddy up to the Chinese
frontier, would have been valuable. The remain-
ing stipulations could have
end. A Greek of the Lower Empireis trustworthy
compared with a Burmese politician. The treaty
would have been broken at the first opportunity,
and then we 'must have abolished the dynasty
of the White E;ephant. Nor is the position of Pegu so
unsatisfactory as seems to be believed in England. We
cannot turn a jungle into a poplin's province in a