The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-26 00:00:00

EV ENING EDITION.

journalist, " has the reformed Parliament done for
them ? What has the Municipal Bill done for the
working men ? In a word, are they a bit better off
in 1838 than they were eight years ago ?" The
answer is that great and lasting good has been ef-
fected, and that the working men collectively have
had a share of it. If they do not feel the direct and
immediate benefit of it they must thank the Tories
who limited its amount, and strive to defeat its ope-
ration. The same impudence that denies the good
which has been done would be capable of dictating
an inquiry of the negroes, whether they are better
off than they were eight years ago—or of the Irish
nation, whether it is -better off than it was eight
years ago ! If Englishmen, as well as other sharers
in the improvement that has been achieved, are not
better off, why are Tories so furious in their com-
plaints of the Ministerial policy ? Did they ever
murmur when mishief was perpetrated ?
(From the Morning Herald.)
The last chapter to the " iniquities of the opium
trade" has yet to be written, and we fear, if the
voice of the country be not raised against the belli-
gerent propensities of Ministers towards the least
warlike nation of the world, that chapter will be
written in blood. Already, indeed, blood has been
shed. Opium, smuggling, and homicide are among
the most recent exploits of European Christians in
the East, no doubt, with the view of introducing
the arts of civilisation among " heathens and bar-
barians." The public have lately seen in our co-
lumns, and those of other London Journals, an ex-
tract of a letter dated Macao, July 19, which stated
that a clipper brig with opium on board was lying
outside at anchor becalmed, when a junk and several
armed boats bore down upon her. She weighed and
made sail to catch what airs were stirring. The
junk and boats fired, and the brig then com-
menced a heavy cannonade with grape and ca-
nister. One of her guns broke, and killed two
of her crew. She sustained no other damage,
but it is supposed that much blood was shed on
the part of the Chinese. A letter of a subsequent
date reported that " 50 of the Chinese are
said to have been killed." No information is given
by either of those letters as to what nation the
crew of the opium-smuggling brig belonged, whether
they were Chinese smugglers employed by Euro-
peans; but, at least, the moral guilt of the blood-
shed consequent on this vile traffic—a traffic as de-
moralising and pestilent as the slave trade itself—
attaches to those who hire the smugglers, of what-
ever country they may be, to scatter death and de-
struction among the Chinese by their poisonous
drugs, and by grape and canister-shot. An ex-
tract
of a letter from a native of India to a gentle-
man in England places this matter in a plainer light
as to the course which the traders in opium are now
pursuing, under the apparent sanction of the British
Government. The letter is dated Calcutta, August
27. The writer mentions the names of two ships
which had lately arrived from China, and then
states, that " they have both sailed within these
two or three days, the former with about 1,000
chests—the latter with about 700 chests of opium
(Company's) on board ; they are armed to 'he teeth,
and well manned. They have thus sailed out of
a British port, under the sanction of the British
Government, with the avowed object of landing
the opium, and selling it at all hazards. They will
probably fall in with some Chinese guard-boats."
It is not difficult to anticipate what wi:l follow in
that case—vessels " armed to the teeth," to carry
on the contraband traffic in opium, will not fail to
fire upon the Chinese-guard boats, if they dare to
offer them any opposition ; and so it is very likely
that the contents of the 1,700 chests of contraband
poison will be plentifully sprinkled with human
blood. But what matter if the opium can be landed,
and the price realised. The lives it costs will pro-
pably enhance the price of the smuggled article in
the market. And why should Christian
statesmen be ashamed of practising wrong
and outrage upon a people less civilised
than ourselves, when the crimes of the
trade which they patronise are convertible into pro-
fit ? Yet upon this subject some may think that
our Government might take a lesson' in enlight-
ened reform even from Turkey. The following
paragraph lately appeared in the Echo de l'Orie.At
of Smyrna, and Lord Palmerston cannot be
as ignorant of the important fact which it an-
nounces, as he was, at one time of the treaty of
Unkiar Skelessi, for it was copied into that Evening
Journal in which the " ponderous levities" of
his own style of political penmanship are fre-
quently detected :—" CULTIVATION OF OPIUM
IN TURKEY STOPPED.--The Turkish Govern-
ment have just sent firmans to the Governors of all
the Provinces in which opium is cultivated, -order-
ing them to use their influence with the inhabitants
to induce them to sow corn on the land which has
hitherto been reserved for opium. This is a wise
measure, for, in consequence of the recent decision
in China, the principle Inaiket for opium is lost.
As the measure of the Government is calculated at
once to protect private interests, and to secure an
abundant corn harvest for the ensuing year, it is
generally approved of." Let us here observe, that
the very best land in British India is actually pre-
vented from being cultivated for the food of man,
because of the interest which the Government
take in
,forcing the growth of human poison. The
occupiers of the land are compelled to grow the
opium in preference to corn or rice, and to supply
it to the Government at their own price's, This is
monopoly in its most grievous and (-fending form—
it keeps the unfortunate culti
y, '; ators of the soil in, a
state of servile poverty and converts the cultiva-
tion of the earth int.,
That the East a curse instead of a blessing.
Intiia Government are determined to
give encouragement to this contraband trade, not-.
withstp:,,din
, the recent events in China, appears to
jo• e confirmed by various communications fiom India-
Some of those communications have lately been pub-
lished in the Colonial Gazette, one of which
states that, " upon the occasion of some
change being made in the shape of put-
ting up the bales of Benares opium, the Go-
vernment consigned a few chests of the new fashion
to and Company, of Canton, with a view
of finding how they suited the Chinese tale !"
If this be true, it then becomes a question how far
the CHARTER of the East India Company is af-
fected by such acts of trading ? If we mistake not,
one of the conditions of the renewed charter,
granted to the Company by Parliament, is, that they
shall cease to carry on any trade, and shall take
such steps as are necessary to wind up their com-
mercial sfairs. Being thus actually prohibited by
the condition of their charter from either carrying
on any old trade, or engaging in any new one, it
becomes an important consideration to all persons
interested in the concerns of the Company, how
far the part which the Company is represented
to take in the opium trade, as consigning chests
of opium to Canton, affects their char-
ter. Surely it would be strange if the Com-
pany cannot engage in legitimate commerce without,
incurring a forfeiture of their charter, and yet may
embark in a contraband traffic to China without
any such consequence following from their acts. In
an extract of another letter we find the following :
" Here I may mention that next year's supply is
expected to be unprecedentedly large—say 15,000
chests Patna, and 7,500 Benares; and, unlese; or-
ders come out from England to the COP
of the members of the Board • f •the '
in ornr-
will come forward as usual," `.rary, one
me sales
adds, that the cultivation P-
Government is " k3;714 -.. the poppy on behalf of
''' The'' same writer
fsactltilzeishaes.ltetrhcottoarncd.'s'
sands in China may which
'Phis is the
.ot.a nearly
cultivation
.on the same
been ilinuoarlalyilyinanldn dpiah,ystilci aatilythpoolii.-
smeett. From another letter, dated October 4,
1839, We learn that " notwithstanding all that
has occurred, yesterday's Government Gazette
contained the usual proclamation for the granting
of passes for the Malwa opium to be brought to
Bombay ; and we learn from Calcutta, on the autho-
rity of the revenue board, that the st!prentc Govern-
ment intends to bring forward 1,000 chests of Patna.,
and 7,500 chests of Benares opium, now ready in
their godowns, and that none of the opium agen-
cies are to be discontinued. The Indian Govern-
ment have taken, no steps whatever to check the
sale or grev;th of the drug, but continue to draw
imme.'oso profits from a trade that they call contra-
band. If the Home Government wish, there will
be no difficulty in putting an entire stop to 0
''to
trade, and thereby relieve the poor nati,-
~s
who
easily fell into so seducing, but
time most dangerous trade. 11- , itP.. the same
eoe.e not appear
ridiculous that on the, on.-,
I.. And Captain Elliott
delivers up 20,000 -,. ,
ne:ets to the Chinese Go-
vernment, while., 0, the other hand, the Indian
Governmee• ^
40 „.,6
~_ .'s 'ere bringing forward upwards of
f''- -eats to be sent to the same quarter ?" The
I C.^.,:onial Gazette adds " stronger evidence of

direct participation in the contrabanu commerce in
opium cannot be imagined. Neither is there the
slightest doubt of the Company's intention to
continue the trade." Hence tile warlike prepara-
tions of our Home Government against China to
enforce the right to carry on a contraband trade in
the dominions of the Emperor, and to demoralise
and poison his subjects to what extent we please.
Hence the project of seizing on the island of Lantos,
to which we alluded some time ago, and which has
been pressed upon Government by some of those
patriotic and honest traders, who are resolved that
China shall be drenched either with opium or
blood. In reference to this nefarious project, a
pamphlet has recently been published, from which
we think an extract will be sufficient to convince
our readers, that great as the injustice of the pro-
ject is, it is quite as absurd as it is unjust
" In conformity, therefore, with his Celestial Ma-
jesty's taste for summary proceedings, evinced in the
seizure of 2,000,000/. worth of property, by the deten-
tion of innocent and defenceless individuals, sans cere-
monie, let their natural protectors, in a similar spirit of
ne4hbourlyfreedoni, take the earliest possible opportu-
nity of returning the compliment, by quietly laying bold
of the tight little island' of Lantoa, which would not
only serve as a temporary place of refuge for the per-
sons and property recently expelled and excluded from
Canton, but whereon (and in connection with the fine
natural harbour of Cap-sing.moon, a permanent empo-
rium for the future trade with the whole Eastern Archi-
pelago could be most advantageously established, with-
out the power of Mr. Commissioner Lin and all his
myrmidons."

The Emperor of China has taken these measures
to prevent the poisoning and demoralization of his
subjects, which he was empowered to take by the
laws of China, the law of nations, and the litcv of
God. Our Government having allowed Russia
and France to insult and bully England. as they
please, want to get some. credit for spirit by attack-
ing a peaceable people, who are thought to have
no eft'ective means of resisting our dishonourable
'aggression.

--- --- -_____
that her Majesty's Government are more firmly seated
1 lIE MINISTRY.
--We are enabled to state
• than for a long time past. No efficient eppa,
In power
sition rill be made to their continuance in office by t'ae
Conservative party, to whom Sir Robert Peel is said by
the Sian:lard to have stated that he is not prepared to
assume the reins of Government. The annou.•,,,,m,A
of a dissolution is premature. We do not b.-elieve it cvill
tboe rtehseo r
(te; col
,teor,
nunctiel ensts the
measuresToriesof
h 3; A (I:ag,ged resiunnee
anprovemept should
compel
ently them to appeal to the Country ; when, we may
measure, which will
state, they will
th ore, de. so on some sterling reform
ughly arouse
their defence.--Cheltenham Examiner. the country in
The British Queen steam-ship, so expected for
several days past from T,.4ery York, reached Gravesend
this morning. She left on the 2d instant, and has not
brought, as anticipated, the President's Message to
Congress. She is reported to bring 500,000 in specie,
principally to the order of the Philadelphia United.
States Rank agent here. There had been atmther fi,...e at Mobile, but it was fortunately got unckr after e,„_
sinning tea houses only, besides outbuild.;ngs, &c., The
Papers announce the death of Mr, Ward, of 'The re-
spectable house of Prime, Ward, and Co., of ',Au city.
The commercial accountp generally are riAther more
favourable, and the state of money r.icaira in different
parts of the union was improving, w'nich may be chiefly
attributed to the firmness with wilich the New York
banks have hid their way in maintainingspecie pa?.
meats. Tlie banks of the State of Ohio ad
payments in speck on the expiration of theh resur.fled 30 d•dys, to
which they were limited by law on pain of the forfeiture
of their Charters. The banks of Illinol-A. were, it is
said, veparing to resume within the 60, ;,ky
the latest term; and several of tr s assigned as
c Providence banks
had also returned to hard money
that the Pennsylvania banks ger payments. It is stated
erally were in a cond..
tion to follow the example, big were restrained by ;,be
influence of the United t;tates Bank of Philadelphia,
which had ma lifested rio intention, or indication of it,
to resume. The
topic which chiefly occupied the Papers
was the preparaions for the contest for the Presidency.
—Times.
the young journeyman lapidary, who
Ba
attem rtptedhelemy, ,
'on the 4th inst., to assassinate a serjeant d..!
vale OR sue Boulevard at. Martin, took his trial before,
the Court of Assizes of the Seine :—.On being interr J..
gated 'fly the Pre,ident of the Tribunal, as to whefner
he 'nad taken any part in the affair of 12th 37lay, he re-
'plied that he had not been engaged in that ilisurrfictions
or in any other, but that on trie 12th of May he was
passing quietly along the Boulevard,. wheo he was at-
tacked by several sergens de ville, one of whom struck
him with his cane, and that, having on the 4th inst.
met the serjent de villa from yclinni he had received the
blows, he fired at him in a tr.flment of passion, having
arms upon him, which he wa A carrying, he said, to same
person to place thr,rn in security. He refused to
reply to the quest :.en w'nether he had belonged to any
secret society, ti.ad also to another as to how he br!came
possessed of tb.e arms, and was equally reserved as to tin'
name of the person to whom he was carrying t hem. lie
said, the powder which was fbund upoo him was his
'.Awn, r..nd that he bad made the car tridges hirnself,
but denied that the teeth in the dagger which iie
carried were made by him. Being asked the mean.
ing of the sentences on some bits of rtlaper which
were found it, his pocket, viz. :—" Ar m yoursel
with daggers to punish your exeetv.ioners. Strikeves
without fear. Blood calls for h'iood. Philiped
Egalite was a wretch, and his
will be written in
son is a perjured
assassin. The history of his rchgn
T'ont d'Arcole and the ,
the blood of the victims of OA
Rue Transnonin,"&c. He conessed that they were in '
his hand-writing, but 6'4 he had merely copied them i
from a manuscript whicla he had found. lie said that
he did not intrjnd ',:o kill the sergent desired but
merely to wo and 'nun ; for if he had dei the
forme-4 he would have loaded his pistol with ba' j.
On• being asked by what right he, who was only sev eo.,
4..een yrJars of age, took upon himself to punisl A an
agent of the Government, he said his consciern
~, did
not reproach him for what he had (lone, that he h ,ad not
been led to the act by his republican ideas, for ' ae would
do nothing to dishonour a car.tse so dear to hi'
~ Afotr
his interrogatory, Baudet., the sergent de vi'ile who w. 45
wounded, deposed that Ile had never struc's the prisoner
with a cane, and was incapable of using (-Ale, having lost
a finger from each hand. A surgeor„ who had exa-
mined the wou'ad at the time, depoi'el that it was very
slight, blood. 'flaying scarcrAy flowed ; but an officer of ar-
tilicrYs ":'no was examined, stated that at the distance at
tvliie'a the prisoner firr,el the shot might have produced the
rcriect of a ball. Tile Advocate-General addressed th ,
Court, and called. upon the Jury to return a. verdict of an
attempt at murder with premeditation. 'al. Paillet, • Ala
had been appointed by the court to def;:nd the prison
,er, RS
he had no counsel, endeavoured, on the contr; try' to
impress upon the jury a belief that the priso'aer had
not:intended to commit murder, and, that he merely in-
tended to revenge himself for the treatment, which had
humiliated him. After a.
deliberation of half an hour,
the jury declared the r7,risoner guilty of an attempt to
commit voluntary homicide without premiditation ; and
the Court then pronounceo, the sentence of bard labour
for life at the bulks. The prisoner, who conducted hir a_
self with great bole.ness• throughout the trial, with& raw
after hearing the sentence, without uttering a wartl,.
FRIENDSVAIP PROMOTED BY FOX,P=UN'
—ln the raring world men appear on fries it
long as th'..ar union is subservient to their
gai As ; but to
trims TING.
irma so
such an 'extent is their individual interest. and ,o concerned, numerous are the opportunities

large sums of money from each other 1 -;
the
'ofareuit of
cqui.g
particular events, that there are few in a.
general prineiple of suspicion is not so preva'ent as to
.stancos wherein a
destroy the existence of real file. Aidshi Unlike this
pursuit, fox-hunting presents v.lO r p.
Aotivos wherein
war q 1
ness can conspire to bias th'ase 'generous feelings totta
mankind which are the t' rchi
rue source of friendship :. it i,s;
the most estimab,le whe,n men's hearts are cemen'‘eci isy
an canal desire, to prc,mote the good cause. P.eyend, a
Praiseworthy ambition to excel one another in frie nay
rivalry, no. spirit (f envy or jealousy is Provoked.. in_
rrenlicindga.)
stances are very rare of men, whfioicilreeveorneciewfo.r-
-frien(l,ship for each other in tkfe
awl if events totally unconnecte'd with speraing
been
associates a disagreement, the fP.et of their I-Javing been
associates as brother fox-hun!cers has generally been suf-
ficient to produce a reconciliation,—ohi
;Sporting Ma-
gazine for December.
MEN OF LOISIDON...—(FrOITI the Anti-corr.
Law Circular.) 'You, w:nose princes are merchants
and whose mat ones of the earth ftre great by forei-A4
trade! you who have, ever been the leaders of the
kingdOrn in every struggle for liberty, and'at eve-
,„., call
of jr,stice and humanity ! whose tens of hug
thousands rose as one man when the bread. t:
Ai
was first
.1d; jeds of
proposed for law, and by your deep solemn' I protest made, by your terrible curses,
icy of earnest
even thet °Dn..'
stoney of selfish tyranny to pause and
co tremble
possible that you should fall into thr ; is it
j rear of this great
movement ? Your Lord Ma -for is with us,
your Livery and Common C,ouacil are with us ;
You are all individual& 7itt, us. Then why hesitate
to do that collectively, w nicli, r,Jrivately, you are t'.o,
foremost to assert ? Vir,), l'her.i, Mayor and Citize•na of
London! Call 'a toe'.ing of the Livery, another of the
inhabitant,. Let eve,ry raetropolitan borough do ite .1
dut`', and Middlesex county convene. Let eael trade
nave its separate convention ; nay, let each 'wad and,
each parish ha:.-0 its assembly, its Committee, its re,,,0„.
lutions, and 'its huge petition to Parliament. Virlri have a Grand Metropolitan Anti-Coen-law $• an not
quekl
Agu
and call your Chief Magistrate to *le chair ?
We
upon you also for subscriptions to our Lr e
Fun cald,
and to furnish your contingent to the ex
.peoses
of this war of peace and humanity. Hear.
us ! answer us!
help us ! The sons of commerce 1
,
wish the metropolis of trade to place herself at the
Ito her to reser,e them from -'r head, and they look
victory.
,1 peril, and lead them to