The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-31 00:00:00

THE TRANS-KEI EXPEDITION.

(From the Graham's Town Journal, Extra, Dec. 16.)
Favourable accounts have been received from one
division of the force sent to operate across the Kei—
that of Major-General Somerset, the dates of whose re-
ports are up to the 7th instant. The troops were then
at Staal Klip Drift. Colenel Mackinnon had joined the
Major-General on the 3d instant, after a somewhat te-
dious march from head•qutrters, owing to heavy rains.
When the express left the troops were in possession of
about 1,500 head of cattle, captured from the enemy.
The Major-General intended to move on the Bth towards
the north-east, the enemy's cattle having been driven in
that direction. No official report had been received from
Lieut.-Colonel Eyre, at Butterworth, owing, it is sup-
posed, to the Kei River being fall.
We regret to learn that Mr. John Crouch has received
two severe assegai wounds whilst out skirmishing on
the line of march on the Ist inst. The following letters
from our correspondents give full particulars of the
movements of the troops:—
. .

Camp-, near Kakadoo Station, Bolota.

DEC. B.—On Saturday, 29th November, we started
from King William's Town with a party of about 1,700
men, horse and foot, under command of Colonel Mac-
kinnon, in charge of a number of mule and ox waggons
with supplies, and proceeded as far as Hangman's Bush
before outspanning, remaining there for the day on ac-
count of rain coming on. Sunday morning proceeded
forward, and arrived at Toise's kraal about sundown.
During the night a Kafir, armed with a gun, &c., in en-
deavouring to get into the camp, was shot dead by a
Hottentot levy man. Monday early started again, and
arrived at Thorn River about sundown. Tuesday morn-
ing early again on the road, and succeeded in getting
most of the train of waggons across the Swart Kei
the same day. During this day's route Mr. John
Crouch, being out with two or three others skirmishing,
fell in with a few Kafirs, to whom they gave chase. In
doing so Mr. Crouch had got considerably in advance
of his companions, and on coming up with the enemy
snapped both barrels at the nearest, his gun missing fire.
Unfortunately his horse swerving suddenly round threw
him off, thus leaving him to the mercy of the enemy,
one of whom inflicted two severe assegai wounds,
from which; however, we have now the happiness to say
he is fast recovering. Too much cannot be said of the
Lancer officers, who afforded every possible convenience
for his comfort. Wednesday the remainder of the wag-
gons crossed the Swart Kei. and proceeded forward
under escort. At the outspanning the division was met
by General Somerset, and after a short stay we moved
on to the Imvani, where we joined his division, which
we found to consist of about 1,100 blacks, with the ex-
ception of officers and non-commissioned officers. After
some delay, we at length arrived here on the 6th inst.
A patrol has since been out under Major Somerset, and
captured about 1,000 head of cattle and sheep, and
goats. Another patrol of about 2,000 men, horse and
toot, under command of Colonels Mackinnon and Michel,
left this morning, but to all appearance the country is
deserted—no enemy to withstand; the cattle, chance
lots, but no question the country abounds with them.
Rumours are in circulation, founded, we understand.
on Kafir statements, that the booty on the evening of
the Bth amounted to 5,000 head of cattle, and that the
enemy had suffered severely in a skirmish, in which the
Lancers highly distinguished themselves.

(From the Frontier Times.)
Whito Kei. Camp. Dec. 8. 1851.
After the moat difficulty journey imaginable we ar-
rived here all right, but dreadfully knocked up for want
of anything like comfort. Since we started from Cat
River there has been scarcely a day but we have had
rain, sometimes so heavy that the water ran.in streams
through the tents (of those that had them) six inches
deep. We were joined on the 3d by Colonel Mackin-
non's division, and were surprised to find that Mr. John
Crouch had been badly wounded by
the enemy some
days previously. We captured on the Umvani nine head
of cattle and killed one Kafir—also shot a Kafir spy that
night in 'camp. He came evidently to seo what strength
we were. From Umvani we moved to the White Kei.
During the whole of the march patrols have been sent
out. Up to the present, these operations have resulted
in the capture of 1,100 head of cattle, a few sheep,
goats,
and horses, with a loss to the enemy of fourteen killed—
without any casualties on our side. The state of the
weather has greatly retarded our operations, or no doubt
a much better account would have been given of the
affair. The enemy here do not fight with anything like
the pluck of the Gaikas. We anticipate complete success
if the state of the weather only proves more favourable.
Nothing has been heard of Colonel Eyre's division here
up to the present.

Camp, Pear the Kei, Dec. 7, 1851.
Colonel Mackinnon's division met us on the Umvani,
on the 3d, as agreed.
Captain Tylden moved on the sth, in a northerly
direction, with 1,000 men.

Major Somerset, with 50 C.M.R., and 280 Lancers,
made a diversion and joined Captain Tylden, capturing
from the enemy 400 head of cattle, some horses, and a
flock of sheep and goats—killing two Kafirs and wound-
ing several others in taking the cattle. Major Somer-
set's party returned to camp the same evening.
Captain Tylden had 1,000 head of cattle in his pos-
session, including tlifse taken from the enemy by Major
Somerset.

They had experienced the heaviest rains daily. The
division from King William's Town is without tents.

THE TRANS-KEI EXVEDITION—IMPORTANT
INTELLIGENCE.—DEc. 20.
By the last military mail from the frontier we are put
in possession„ of important intelligence from Lieutenant-
Colonel Eyre's division, which our readers are aware
forms part of the Trans. Keian force.
By information received at King William's Town it
appears that on Colonel Eyre's way to Butterworth, a
large force of Kreli's and Bookoo's Kafirs assembled to
oppose his passage of the Kei. The Kafirs were con-
cealed in a Woof leading to the waggon drift, and from
this cover they fired upon the troops while they were
crossing, but by the guidance of Mr. Conway a party of
cavalry was sent through the river by a bridle drift, so
as to take the assailants in the rear. This movement
was so well executed that the troops were behind the
Kafirs before they were aware of it. A skirmish ensued
and 35 Kafirs were killed at this place, many wounded,
and others drowned in attempting to mak their escape
across the river.
Colonel Eyre then marched to Butterworth, and on
his arrival there made a movement on the kraal Umjwza,
the son of Lynx, who has been implicated in all the
cases of robbery across the Kei. Umjwza's cattle, to-
gether with many others of his neighbourhood, fell into
the hands of the troops, Umj wza himself being wounded.
Since the attack on Umjwza another expedition had
moved from Butterworth, in which many cattle are said
to have fallen into our hands. In this case the petty
chief Tyabo, who lays claim to a certain degree of
wouin-
spiration, informed his people that, by coldmbinegabolue to t,and
openly opposing the English, theyre-
pulse them. Emboldened by this assurance they nce theymet
charging
the troops on open ground, and the cavalry
them, they were in a short time dispersed,
with great
loss. Being confident of victory Tyabo, s people did not
send away their cattle; these, therefore, fell an easy
prey to our troops.
effect upon the Gaikas. Sandilli had lately sent
rose epnr tess
sanctreods s
atsh e
teKlleiin,g and w tt he e cwa pa
at udreer f ea fl
cattle,The mareeve
a confidential messenger to Jan Tzatzoe's location;
to endeavour to ascertain his position in re.
ference to Government, and what prospect there
might be at present for obtaining peace. Should
this messenger have ascertained the real tone of the Go-
vernment, be doubtless will not take very comforting
intelligence to his master. It is confidently expected
that the movements across the Kei will be attended with
beneficial results. The Kafirs have hitherto diverted
our attention to their positions in the colony, while their
cattle Were in security out of our reach, but now the
arrangementso
nsfit is hofor the protection of the frontier
line, and
Bolos cattle madep e
i thehoped,
loss of their cattle within their own country,
will
emertohset irtone.
Thevulnerable
point with all
the Kafir tribes. Their fathers and brothers be
slain by, hundredswithout may
exciting the slightest grief in
the breasts of these "highquinded people," as Mr. Ren-
ton calls them; but when deprived of their cows and
oxen the springs of their feelings begin to flow, and they
get tired of war. It is a knowledge of this fact that has
induced us so often to press earlier movements in the
direction of those now in progrese.
DEATH BY DnowNxtro.—We regret to announce the
death, under very painful circumstances, of Mr. T. K.
Beresford, the representative of Messrs. Openshaw and
Uona's house, at l A
—g" Bay. Mr. Beresford was re-
turning from a business tour in the Sovereignty, and
hastening to see a sister before her departure for Ea-

gland, when in crossing the Palmiet Spruit River be
was drowne, owing, it is understood, to the upsetting of
the cart in which he was travelling, and to hie becoming
entangled in the tent cover, or receiving some accidental
blow, as, being a good swimmer, it was considered that
he could have reached the bank if disentangled, or un-
hurt by auy blow of the vehicle.
Her Majesty's steamer Vulcan arrived at the Buffalo
on the 16th inst. with troops and horses.
About 40 men of the 43d were left as a garrison to the
Castle at Cape Town, the panic in the West having ren-
dered that course advisable.

A further extract, dated East London, Dec. 17, states
that " the Vulcan came in yesterday, and has already
discharged nearly all the 43d. She is expected to sail
this evening.

FRONTIER.—GENERAL ORDER.
Hcad-quarters, King William's Town, Dec. 3, 1851.
In the commencement of the war Commodore Wyvill,
with his characteristic zeal for the good of her Majesty's
service, landed the marines of her Majesty's ships Castor
and Dee, under the Command of Lieutenants Harris
and Reed, for the purpose of joining the army—circum-
stances now demanding their return to their ships, his
Excellency the Commander in-Chief has great satis-
faction in conveying his marked approbation of the
conduct of Lieutenants Harris and Reed, and of the
nun-commissioned officers and soldiers of the detachment
under their command.

They were attached to the 73d Regiment, and ac-
companied that corps on very many arduous patrols,
their gallantry in the field and their endurance of
fatigue being ever conspicuous.
(Signed) A. J. CLOETE, Q.M.G.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES, AND
THE NEW REFORM BILL.
(From the Times.)
We have not kept count of the Cabinet Councils, but
this afternoon's, we see it stated, will be the seventeenth
within about twice that number of days. It is natural
that expectation should be roused by such permanent
sitting, and, as rumour runs, since the commencement
of this great incubation we have been once on the eve
of a new Cabinet, and twice flattered with a reconstruc-
tion, besides distant glimpses of dissolutions, revolutions,
and radical reforms. But expectation is as proverbial
for ushering in small things as great, and it seems to be
generally felt that, if the effort is sustained very long,
the result will be very small. That is to be the case in
the present instance. It becomes our painful duty to
announce a meagre catastrophe. In the first place, Lord
Broughton retires from the Board of Control, and Mr.
Fox Maule takes his place. Solve seneseentem. He has
left some heavy work to his successor in the construc-
tion of the new Bill for the Government of India. That
work devolves on a man whose long habits of business,
strong sense, and genial temper particularly qualify him
for it. So far all is well. The whole value of the change
cannot be known till Mr. Fox Maule's successor is ap-
pointed. This, however, is all the Ministerial modifica-
tion we are yet to expect, but still it is about as little
as possible. The Indian charter being about to lapse,
something was necessary to be done, and Lord John has
given the work to the best man for the Purpose he could
find in the existing Cabinet.
The great measure of the session is on much the
same scales—that is the infinitesimal. The principle of
the new Reform Bill is to propose as little as possible,
on the speculation that either the House of Commons
will accept that little, or will take on itself the respon-
sibility of more. There is to be neither disfranchise-
ment nor enfranchisement, as far as regards localities,
if we are rightly informed, but only a general enlarge-
ment or swamping of the existing constituencies. For
the la householders we are to have 51. householders;
for the 50/. tenants we are to have 201. tenants ; and
the notorious boroughs are to bo enlarged by copious
annexations. On this plan there will not be a single
change in the seats—no new metropolitan boroughs—no
more representatives for Manchester and Liverpool--
none for the score or two large towns now un-
represented—and no obliteration of the names
that have brought on the Reform Act the odium
of having created more corruption than it de-
stroyed. That, at least, is our present informa-
tion. We confess that we can hardly believe it. It is 1
impossible to suppose that a thriving town with twenty
thousand inhabitants—and there are many such—will
look on quietly while new Parliamentary boroughs are
faggoted round such places as Sudbury, Harwich, or St.
Albans, and they are themselves put off with their pre-
sent share in the county constituencies. As for our
huge metropolitan boroughs. except that they have hi-
therto been content to return perhaps the most inefficient
set of men in the House, they could hardly be suppos©d
content with a less share of representatives than any
other equal population in the kingdom. Were London
in Connaught, were its princes peasants and its palaces
hovels, it would have twice as many Members. The new
Reform Bill is to effect no improvement in this point ;
the only alteration being, that whereas there are
now seventeen thousand registered electors in the
borough of Marylebone, there may possibly be
for the future twenty-five thousand, and so for
the other boroughs. Whether the representatives
will undergo a corresponding improvement we very
much doubt, or rather we have no doubt in the matter.
In the smaller class of boroughs, at present almost inva-
riably the sinks of corruption, we have to contemplate
the operation of a twofold change, viz., a reduced quali-
fication and a larger area. It may be readily conceded
that the larger the constituency the less chance of cor-
ruption, but it is a lamentable fact, whatever the infer-
ence, that the poorer the constituent the more accessible
he generally is to a bribe, and we cannot venture to re-
gard the addition of 51. householders as a purifying ele-
ment. If the 101. householders are to be washed by the
6/. hou...notcler,, what ablution is to bo found for the
latter class? Passing from the boroughs to the counties,
it cannot, in common decency, bo denied that a man who
pays a rent of 201. a year is a fair subject for enfran-
chisement. When freeholds are in the market for 201.,
surely the annual payment of that sum ought to be a
qualification. But there remains the practical question,
whether the agriculturists in many of our counties will
not be entirely swamped by this change, unless it be ac-
companied by some provision in their favour.
If this is all that we are to expect, the public will
deem either that Lord John has recoiled from the blast
of his own trumpet, or that he has been overruled in
his Cabinet- It may be that, as in some recent in-
stances, his Lordship thinks it best to throw a rough
measure into the House, leaving that body to fill up the
outline. But this is not a courageous policy, nor one
that can endure. We look for an initiative Government,
and any considerable alteration made in a Government
measure helps to transfer the initiative elsewhere, besides
that, patchwork is never so good as that which is thrown
off, 80 to speak, at one heat and from one master hand.
At this moment one of the chief dangers of the country
is pompous and abortive legislation. The statute-book
is encumbered with a brood of spurious measures, for 1
which nobody is responsible, and we may
as well expect a
child to thrive without the care of a parent as an Act of
Parliament to be effectually worked without some party
or other being specially committed to its success. That
however is the present mood of the Legislature. There
is scarcely a measure of the last two sessions of which
Government may not say, if
it answers their purpose,
e That is no child of ours. You changed it at nurse;”
and, to all appearance, see
halt dozen changelings of are threatened with some
the same sort this session.
There is nothing healthy or robust in the appearance of
the Reform Bill as it is described to us; its features are
not marked, or its movements characteristic. It is only
the wax to receive any impression that may be put upon
it—the rude metal to be coined as this or that political
meneyer may get the largest
share. We admit that
the present is not the
time for sweeping
changes. The tree is rather to be trained
and pruned than planted anew. We have a House
of Commons, and We had better keep it,
for, once thrown away, w©
may never find a substitute.
But the reform intended,i seems alt ether to lose sight
The of the occasion. manifest diseases of the consti-
tuency are small boroughseinvariably corrupt, large ;
tow wholly unrepresented, various important classes
excludedns from the franchise, ansss,
wealthy populations
without half their just share of
these
dise representatives.ases
hut t Theh e
,
remedies should be adjusted to
remedies provided by the proposed
measure have little
or no reference to them. There
lificati • was no such pressing
call for a lower qua on in our boroughs, nor will
the nuisences among them be Much sweetened by the
infusion of suburban !sillages,
eeowever, as the measure
betrays the agency of
too many Cooks,
, there is hope that it may
and has probably
received some dozen revisions
undergo still further change before it is,submitted to the
Legislature.

RIFLED CANNON.-
A nine
'Pounder field battery
gun
has been grooved at the Royal
arsenal on the rifle prin-
ciple, and experiments will short- y made with it in the
marshes to ascertain its men
ecnocmhpared with the usual nine-
pounder field battery g h
with spherical shot.
about half an inch
The four grooves in the rifle ca.nnonaragreed
parts o
of the cylindro-conical or
deep by half an inch broad. each, and the shot and shell in-
tended to be fired from it are made
sugar-loaf shape, with four projectingll
on each to enter
and fill the grooves. Both a ot and shell are galvanized,
and so smooth and not liable to
the by that process that
they may be rammed home with.t e greatest ease, the simple
pressure of the hand being sufficient to piece
them an arm's
length into the mouth of the cannon, although they are made
to fit more full than the spherical shot does, and consequently
they will have less windage and fequire a less charge of
powder. The sugar-loaf shape ofthe
nevr
nzed iron
shot renders it of a far greater weight than asinine-pounder
spherical fired and the principle on which it will proceed
after being from a rifle cannon, being similar to an arrow
instead of revolving in the same manner as spherical shot, is
expected to cause it to go more direct to the mar, and to
have a much longer range. Lieutenant-General Brkotherton
was present on Blackheath on Wednesday last to witness a
sergeant and two gunners firing with the Minie rife and balls
at a target.

ARCTIC EXPEDlTlON.—Lieutenant Bedford Pimp
R.N., who has now been some time at st.
Petersburgh
endeavouring to obtain Russian P 9 and co-opera-
tionrmission in proceeding through Siberi
Lue Molar Sea, in
Enoland,
search of Sir John Prank!in, hast returned to
having failed in all his endeavour!ceor accomplish the great
object he had in view. This °lnl now a volunteer
for employment in the expedition intended_. for the search to
the north-west of the Wellington Ullannel.
England will be
A detail of
Lieutenant Pim's proceedings since. leaving
laid before Sir Roderick Murchison,. the president of the
Geographical Society, under whose immediate auspices he
went out.

THE EAST RETFORD ELECTION. We believe the
writ for electing a burgess to serve, in Parliament for the
borough of East Retford with 13assetlaw, in
the Honourable Captain Duncombe, who,. since his election
the place of
has been chosen Member for the East Riding of Yorkshire,
will be moved for on the first night of the session, and the
election will be held some day in the ensuing week. At
present no one is in the field as a candidate, but the- Hon.
W. E. Duncombe, eldest son of Lord eversham, and we be-
lieve that he will be returned without opposition.--Doncaster
Gazette.

An attempt is being made to obtain the franchise
for Itr-usgate.