The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-26 00:00:00

18 19
2 3

CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAIL

By the overland mail we have received papers
from Calcutta to April 22; Madras, April 28; and
Hongkong, April 14.
The following is from the Friend of India of
April 22:

!, For some months Ram Rao, a rebel who claims
to be the natural head of the Mahrattas in the en-
forced absence of the rival pretensions of his uncle
Nana Sahib, has been exciting discontent in Hyder-
bad, that focus of all intrigue since Oude was
annexed. But for the energy of Salar Jung, the
able minister who did so much in 1857, a conspiracy
which Ram Rao had raised into dangerous propor-
tions by a liberal use of gold, might have been
successful in causing a temporary outbreak. The
leader and his assistants fled in time, and the for-
mer seems to have turned up near Sealkote, where
he is said to have attempted to shake the fidelity of
the chief of Cashmere. There his capture has been
cleverly effected. lie was the friend and companion
of Tantia Topee, whom he has somewhat resembled
in his marvellous übiquity, and is not to be con-
founded with Bala Rao, who perished too soon for
justice on the Nepaul frontier."

COMMERCIAL
(From the Calcutta Englishman, April 21, Evening.)
PRODUCE MARKET.—We have no material changes to
report in this market, for the three days intervening since
our last mail have been close holidays.
IMPORT MARKET.—Advises from the interior, reporting
a large business at advancing prices, led to considerable
sales in this market, and some advance was established on
Manchester goods. The reduction in the rates of duty has,
however, checked business, but holders show considerable
firmness, and no decline has taken place.
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.—There is little to report of
the market for Government securities ; higher prices have
been realised, and the favourable accounts from England
have strengthened the hands of speculative holders, who
look for a further advance when the Government purchase
for account of the note currency. This we think very
doubtful, even if the Government should purchase at these
rates, which is not probable.
MONEY MARKET.—There is no new feature to note in
this market. The demand for business purposes is limited,
and the supply very ample for all purposes.

CHINA.
The dates from China are Hongkong to April 14
and Shanghae to April 7. The news is almost en-
tirely confined to the proceedings of the rebels, be-
tween whom and the Europeans open and avowed
hostilities are now acknowledged. The China Over-

land Trade Report says :
" Skirmishes have been frequent between the
allied British and French force, assisted by the

Taoutai's levies under the filibuster Ward on the
one side, and the Taepings on the other. Two re-
verses of a serious nature have been sustained by the

Taepings, and their cause in the neighbourhood of
Shanghae is seriously damages. Sir John Mitchell,
the British military commander-in-chief, has been

superseded by Brigadier Stavely, who has been,
since the Pekin treaty, commandant of the British

garrison at Taku and Tien-tsin.
" It would appear that the Imperial Government
have really been making during the winter pre
parations for a campaign on a large scale in the
spring. A large force collected a few weeks ago on
the north bank of the Yangtsze opposite to Nankin,

i-
and after wasting much time n menacing it at
length attacked it. The Taepings again proved that
their resources are greater than was deemed pos-
sible. They hurried a portion of their main army
up from Hangchow, showing that the report which
was current of a famine prevailing at Nankin was
either untrue or greatly exaggerated. Had the
Imperialists made their attack before these rein-
forcements arrived they would probably hav e been
successful; but making it afterwards they failed
miserably. Subsequently the Taepings made a
sorties, and with comparatively a small number of
men drove the Imperialists before them.
" The strength of the Taepings may now be
partially estimated with some degree of precision.
They have large garrisons at Soochow and Hang-
chow. They are being besieged at Wuhu, an im-
portant city on the Yangtze. They hold Nankin,
as already explained, and then there is this heavy
force menacing Shanghae. Besides all these, they
hold other places not so well known to foreigners,

and it should be observed that much uneasiness pre-

;ails even at Canton regarding them. Although the
allied British and French can undoubtedly easily
bombard and eject the Taepings from Shanghae,
Ningpo, Wuhu, and Nankin, there really appears
nothing worth mentioning to arrest the march of
these immense masses of insurgents south. Nor does
there appear anything reliable to prevent them from
carrying out their threat of ravaging the tea and
silk districts. _ _

—.._
" Admiral Hope continues to attack the Taepings
in the most implacable manner. He appears quite
insensible to danger in his measures against them.
He had a narrow escape of being made prisoner a
short time since, and has at length been wounded
in the leg whilst reconnoitring, accompanied by a
few of the Taoutai's levies. .

_ •
" Tien-tsin is to be evacuated by the allied garri

son immediately, and only a small Britishforce wil,
be kept in one of the Taku forts until the balance
of the indemnity shall be paid. The troops this
relieved will of course be made available on the
Yangtsze. About 1,000 French troops have been
sent on from Saigon. These have already been
despatched north.
" Her Majesty's minister at Pekin still throws
difficulties in the way of British merchants and
missionaries visiting Pekin. This is the more pro-
voking, inasmuch as other foreigners are permitted
to go by their authorities without let or hindrance,
nor do the mandarins throw the smallest obstacle
in the way.
" As for tradal matters they continue a subject
of congratulation. The spring has not yet suffici-
ently far advanced to admit of the season commenc-
ing, but the vigorous preparations which are being
made at Hankow and Kewkiaug uumistakeably in-
dicate that a good trade is anticipated. At both
these ports the Imperial levies continue their ag-
gressive conduct towards foreigners and are almost
intolerable. It is likely that ships will load at
Hanchow next season direct for London, The
Peiho is nearly clear of ice, and prospects are good,
although business had not fairly commenced. The
trade of Foochow will be good if this matter of the
contemplated attack by the rebels can be overcome.
At Canton as much tea is expected as was received
last year.
" The prohibition which was stipulated in the
treaty against the exportation of pulse, &c., from
the northern ports in foreign bottoms has been wit h_
drawn. This will be highly beneficial to shipping.
"At Japan matters appear more tranquil. Air.
Alcock, the British Minister, has vacated the post,:
permanently it is supposed. Colonel Ntsauleee, one of
the
"Shipping secretaries
continuest he
embassyscarcellcbolt nausnirc'diclie
oukmoui ndh:jeciehs. wanted;
tse.d
in
,t,ascrit,AtiiraGdrei
E.s r_esotroicrtendeiing
still in-
fested by the Taeping rebels, but from the vigorous
measures adopted by Admiral Sir James Hope they
are kept in check from advancing in force upon the
city or settlement. Every a few
d.days, however,
ns
amt
ea small ahccountsreachsome
n unfortunate toufgr
farm
partiesw h ieh may
plun-
deringa
villagemauor
ataevle previously escaped their rapacity. Immediy-
y it is known in what direction they are, armed
parties sally forth to attack them, almost invari-
ably with success, and for the time being drive the
murderous rascals away, sometimes with heavy loss
on their part but rarely much damage to the troops.
In this harassing work great credit is due to Capt.
Holland, R.M., and the marines of her Majesty's
ship Imperieuse, who have in the most indefati-
gable manner scoured the country in all directions
for many miles around the settlement, succouring
the industrious inhabitants, and giving the rascally
Taepings a taste of British prowess.
" Ou the morning of the 3d inst. a combined
expedition of English and French naval and mili-
tary forces started from the settlement to attack
the rebel camp at Wongkadza, which has been the
head-quarters of the marauding parties devastating
the western environs of Shanghae. The expedition
had been in contemplation for some ti which
past, and
only awaited further reinforcements, which were
obtained on the arrival of the sth Bombay Native
Light Infantry from Hong-Kong. All the avail-
able troops and blue jackets from the ships of War